Pop Songs Tutorial

(10 minutes)

This video is focused on helping players get inside the structure, feel, and phrasing of the material so they can learn it, tighten it up, and put it to work.

Sweet Sixteen Tutorial

(5 minutes)

A clear, practical walk-through of “Sweet Sixteen” by Hal Smith, this video breaks the tune down in a way that feels useful instead of fussy. It is less about showmanship and more about helping players hear the shape, feel, and flow of the song, making it a good fit for musicians who want to learn it, tighten it up, and actually play it with confidence.

Jazz Drumming 1900-1933

(52 minutes)

Recorded at 2019's Trad Jazz Camp, Hal Smith shows trad jazz drum techniques from the golden age of traditional jazz. He is accompanied by Kris Torkarski on piano and Dan Levinson on clarinet.

Drum & Timekeeping Techniques

(9 minutes)

Hal Smith teaches basic trad jazz drum and timekeeping techniques.

How to End a Drum Solo

(4 minutes)

Hal Smith shows different ways to end a drum solo.

Orm Downes (with Ted Weems)

Remarkable Girl

Andrew Hilaire (with Jelly Roll Morton)

Grandpa's Spells (Take 3)

Sid Catlett (with Alex Hill)

*Dyin' with the Blues (Alternate Take)

Wally Bishop (with Dixie Rhythm Kings)

Story Book Ball (listen for it behind the piano solo)

Johnny Wells (with Jimmie Noone)

Oh, Sister! Ain't That Hot?

Harry Dial (with own band)

Poison

Choke Cymbal

Baby recorded by Ben Pollack with Jimmy McHugh's Bostonians in 1928

Choke Cymbal, Brushes

You're the Cream in My Coffee recorded by Stan King with Miff Mole's Molers in 1928

Choke Cymbal, Woodblock

Nothin’ Does Does It (Like It Used To Do-Do-Do) recorded by Vic Berton with Red Nichols’ Red Heads (1927)

Choke Cymbal, Press Rolls

That Rhythm Man recorded by Zutty Singleton with Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra (1929)

Press Rolls, Light quarter notes on Ride Cymbal

Save It, Pretty Mama recorded by Baby Dodds with Sidney Bechet and Earl Hines (1940)

Press Rolls, Brushes behind piano

I Know That You Know recorded by Johnny Wells with Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra (1928)

Press Rolls

Sweet Georgia Brown recorded by Tubby Hall with Jimmie Noone and his Orchestra (1936)

Press Rolls

Maple Leaf Rag recorded by Minor Hall with Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band (1954)

Press Rolls, Rims/Blocks, Choke Cymbal

Mournin' Blues recorded by Ray Bauduc with Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats (1939)

Press Rolls, Brushes (first 2 choruses), afterbeats on open Chinese Cymbal on last chorus

The Last Time I Saw Chicago recorded by Zutty Singleton with the Three Deuces (1941)

Press Rolls, Choke Cymbal, Brushes behind piano

Wherever There's A Will, There's A Way, My Baby recorded by Kaiser Marshall with McKinney’s Cotton Pickers (1929)

Brushes, Choke Cymbal

Poison recorded by Harry Dial with Harry Dial and his Bluesicians (1930)

Brushes

Remarkable Girl recorded by Ormond Downes with Ted Weems and his Orchestra (1929)

Afterbeats on Woodblock

18th Street Strut recorded by Willie McWashington with Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra (1925)

Afterbeats on Woodblock

She's Cryin' For Me recorded by Leo Adde with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings (1925)