Session supremo's Ian Thomas (drums) and Lawrence Cottle (bass) stopped by at Drumtech and Guitar-X this week giving students a wealth of knowledge as they discussed topics improvisation, song structure, sub–divisions, practicing and modulation; you name it these guys did it!

The pair started off the evening with a jazz standard to get warmed up, but they way they played it was as if they had already warmed up! Afterwards they both explained the structure which needs to be known to be able to improvise. The structure consisted of two parts “A” and “B” and went as follows “A” “A” “B” “A” and as long as you knew that then it would enable you to improvise within the sections. To demonstrate this further they played “The Flintstone's”, highlighting the fact that many songs are based on this structure.

As they moved on into talking about different sub–divisions there next song displayed odd time signatures and consisted of 3 bars of 4/4 and one bar of 3/4. Both Ian and Lawrence explained this very well by not confusing everyone without complicating things too much, which the duet could have done very easily.

Throughout the night many questions were asked regarding subjects such as practice and handling nerves. Answering the questions Ian explained the importance of practicing properly and practicing the correct things. It is so easy to get behind a kit and “let rip” rather than the practice through the fundamental things that are beneficial but sadly often forgotten. Ian also let it be known that he still battles with nerves, telling students of the time he played a gig only to find Drummers such as “Vinnie Colliuta” “Andy Gangadeen” and “Gregg Bissonette” in the front row! He explained that as hard as it is,
you have to shut out your nerves and surroundings, don’t show off and put the music efore anything else as the music is the most important thing.

Ian also highlighted the importance of “dependence”. To be able to make sure you definitely land on beats “2” and “4” and all unison strokes are together and not the bit slightest behind.

With the Masterclass reaching its height the Pro’s played another two songs “Everything I Love” by Cole Porter and the last of the night – Jazz standard “Song for Bilbao” which blew everyone away, proving Ian and Lawrence to be one of the best rhythm sections in the country!