LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE HI HATS CORRECTLY | Jazz Drummer Q-Tip of the Week

In this jazz drummer Q-tip of the week, I offer you a few Q-tips on ways you can learn how to play the hi hats correctly and improve your basic swing feel on the hi hats based on the way the legendary drummer Papa Jo Jones played them. Having a good hi hat feel in jazz is essential for being able to play with a good swing feel when playing the ride cymbal. Make sure to check out Papa Jo Jones' playing with the Count Basie Jazz Orchestra!

I play Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and Tama drums exclusively. In this video, I am using:

CYMBALS
22” Renaissance Ride
20" Bounce Prototype
16" Custom Special Dry Crash

DRUMS
Starclassic (Maple Molten Brown Burst)
14X18 BD
16X14 FT
14X14 FT
8X12 TT
6.5X14 Snare Drum

STICKS
Quincy Davis Signature Stick

University of North Texas
Professor of Jazz Drum Set

[roccosamuele]

Love this lesson, Quincy! I really appreciate how many fundamentals this addresses — touching a lot of bases here. & that lesson yesterday blew my mind. Thank you so much.

[tomcarr]

Excellent demonstration! It takes great practice and control to play the hi hat at your level.

[hotstaff]

surprised and laughed that Japanese subtitles popped up suddenly. Is that automatically translated depends on where we watch your video or you put it on purpose because you have many Japanese students or some reason? Thank you for nice Tips anyway!

[andrewgriffith]

Nice lesson Quincy! Hi-hat playing does get neglected sometimes in today's complex drumming world, lol. But, yes, Papa Jo had an orchestra within those hi-hats of his! It's incredible the amount of dynamics and subtle textures he could get from just the hi-hats!
Thanks for bringing attention to this topic!

[markazinker]

I’m a 58 year old beginner, just found your channel, love it, very informative,

[vinoyarey]

i remember greg hutchinson saying on a clinic that kenny washington showed him that you close the hi hat not on the downbeat but before the downbeat

[ItsNotAXylophone]

Funny, it’s never something I thought about before having to teach it to someone. And I was never really taught it. I just went to so many shows and listened to so many records that it just came together. Valuable info that’s really going to help me identify some of my students issues and better be able to articulate how to help them.

[megyalilaballad]

Hah! You got me at the "Chotto rocking ha OK desu 👍"!
Subscribed, my man.

[taweller]

A natural-born teacher! I found you today and will be soaking up all your stuff. I've had a drum set in my garage for years but haven't found the inspiration needed to begin. Until now. Thanks, Q! 😎

[FRANKLOMBARDI-ivxs]

Quicy.Im beginner.Older adult.I just caught your video.I watch alot of Drum videos.Played Guitar most of my life.I always wanted to give the Drums a try i do ok takes time.I realy enjoyed your video.Thank you..😁🎸👍✌️🌈

[MarkRaymondLuce]

I watched up to 2:33 and you did not give the time signature; don't you think that would be a significantly fundamental aspect of understanding of how this hi-hat pattern should be notated?

[martywhite]

Crazy question. What kind of shoes are those? They look super comfortable to play in.

[mattiamuller]

Hey Mr. Davis, I saw your video about the Kenny Clarke ride cymbal beat/feel and it was so mind opening! And I was wondering if you could make a video about how different drummers approached the ride cymbal beat (elvin, tony, philly, jack dejohnette or whoever you think is important to mention...).
Anyways your lessons are great, I´m sending love from Slovakia (Europe), Thank you, you are amazing!

[rustybunting]

Fantastic lesson, thank you sir. The best advice I've ever gotten on developing this.

[Noah_la_verite]

Amazing and informative video, I love how he touched on a lot of points many people neglect. My question is if you recommend people only use the top of the stick while playing the hi-hat, or alternate between the side of the stick to the tip. Thanks

[navyflyer]

Dang, what a great explanation for showing the different tones on the hi-hat. Thank you for the Thoroughbreak down.
This is clear a bell an

[davidkintner]

sooo helpful im just starting drumset and this beginner level stuff is super helpful

[chentiejun]

Yeah! I like that, I can clear know that real jazz 🙏

[jessejafrnd]

The tip on the top always sounds like it's clipping my mics, that's why I searched this subject. Lol
I use 14" mastersounds.
Are those larger than 16"??

[harchitb]

Listen to "Mexican hip dance" by Horace Silver. Listen to the drums during Horace's sole for a master class in hi hat comping by Roger Humphries