As part of the ever-expanding Playing Approach Series, Gary switches here to a classic bebop 4-piece kit - a very different proposition from his giant red “stadium fusion” custom kit - and presents an overview and in-depth analysis of approach and application in the realm of contemporary small-group jazz playing. 

At the fore, Gary establishes throughout the videocast all-important principles for musicians participating in this kind of music to provide you, the drummer, with solid and inspiring fundamentals to build on.

The creative process of improvisation, understatement, proactivity, the importance of pulse, and the value of being a constant inspiring element to your fellow musicians and establishing mutual trust are among many essential topics addressed here.

Gary explores alternative playing approaches via a number of passes to three compositions in a modern jazz style and talks you through the considerations, and musical impact, of each. These tracks can be downloaded as drum-less playalongs with or without click together with a guide chart for each for you to try out for yourself.

Throughout this exceptional 70-minute long videocast Gary shares invaluable insights and inspiring, creative ideas, derived in no small part from his wealth of experience in this area of music. Indeed, as well as leading many bands of his own, he has benefitted profoundly from working with so many great exponents in the genre - Christian McBride, Jim Mullen, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Al Jarreau, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, John McLaughlin, Bob Berg, Randy Brecker and Joachim Kühn among them.

Duration: 70 minutes

WHAT DOES IT COST?

£10 is roughly the equivalent of 11€ or US$11 - or the cost of a couple of coffees & a piece of cake!  The transaction will be made in your local currency.  For the exact exchange rate, please check with your card provider or PayPal.