Jazz Drum Lesson 2
Snare Drum Comping

This jazz drum lesson introduces some busier, syncopated snare drum comping. In this lesson, the bass drum is played on all four beats of the bar while comping rhythms are played on the snare drum. The bass drum should be feathered - played very softly with your heel down.

In jazz music, the bass drum is used mostly for comping and accents. Feathering quarter notes on the bass drum is usually reserved for loud passages with large ensembles such as big band shout choruses. When the bass drum is feathered, it should be felt but not heard under the other drums and the band. Its function is to support the bass to build volume and intensity.

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