Learning through tunes: Moment’s Notice by John Coltrane

About the Tune

Moment’s Notice was written by John Coltrane and first recorded on his 1957 album Blue Train. It has become a jazz standard, but it is not one of the easy ones. The harmony moves quickly, the tempo is often brisk, and it demands a lot of focus from both soloists and the rhythm section. For drummers, it is a real workout in keeping time steady while staying flexible enough to support the band.

Why I’m practicing it

Lately I’ve been spending time with John Coltrane’s Moment’s Notice. It is one of those tunes that gets talked about a lot in the jazz world, partly because it is not easy to play and partly because it has become a standard you are expected to know. The harmony moves quickly and the tempo is usually brisk, so it really keeps the whole rhythm section on its toes.

What makes it challenging

The tune is fast, the changes come at you quickly, and as a drummer you have to keep things steady while still being responsive. The ride cymbal pattern has to lock in, the comping needs to be clear but not heavy, and fills have to stay relaxed so the time does not rush.

How I’m practicing it

The way I have been approaching it is pretty straightforward. I first practice the figures at a slow tempo and make sure they’re locked in. That helps me get comfortable with the feel without worrying about speed. Once that feels solid, I add in cymbals and some light snare comping and start experimenting with small phrases around the kit. After that I’ll play along with the original Coltrane recording, first just riding along with the cymbal, then gradually layering in more interaction. If you want to hear the tune, here is the original recording on YouTube.

What I’m Learning

What I am learning from this tune is that playing fast is not really about chops. It is about staying relaxed, letting the sticks rebound and listening closely. If I focus too much on fills or trying to be clever, the swing disappears. When I concentrate on making the ride cymbal feel good and letting the snare and bass drum fall naturally into place, everything sits better. Practicing Moment’s Notice is reminding me that simplicity, especially at fast tempos, is often the hardest thing to achieve.