Timothy Van Cleave

Lately, my days revolve around two very different types of focus. I spend my mornings chasing a toddler and my afternoons teaching students. That leaves a small part of the day, usually about 45 to 90 minutes, for my own creative development. It is not a lot of time, especially when I am trying to maintain technique, generate new musical ideas, and stay engaged with the music community on Threads at @tvc_music. Still, within those short practice sessions, I have found meaningful growth.

One shift that has made a big difference is narrowing each session to just a few specific goals. Rather than trying to cover everything, I focus on three to five areas that I return to consistently. Right now, I am working on a 7/4 ostinato, swing time using the second and third partials on the snare drum while improvising with the bass drum, arpeggios on piano, Beethoven’s Opus 49 Number 1, and coordination exercises to strengthen the relationship between snare and bass drum. These targets are challenging, but they help me stay motivated and make better use of the limited time I have.

This more focused approach is not just improving my playing. It is also changing how I listen. I find myself picking up subtle details in phrasing, timing, and tone that I might have missed before. The work I am doing now is not about preparing for a specific performance. It is about becoming a better musician overall, both technically and creatively.

Sharing this process online has also helped. I have always struggled with what to post, mostly because I worried that people would scroll past or not care. Lately, though, I have been experimenting with sharing more about my day-to-day growth. I have received genuine encouragement from other musicians and had thoughtful conversations that helped me reflect more deeply. There have also been a few negative comments, which made me wonder what drives someone to troll. Maybe it is the reaction they hope to provoke, or maybe it is something else. Either way, I am choosing to focus on the positive connections and constructive feedback.

This season of life is busy and full, but I am learning to treat the time I do have with respect and purpose. A single exercise, a few clean repetitions, or a small breakthrough at the piano can all add up. Even thirty minutes of honest practice can move the needle forward.

So I will end with a question. How are you growing your passions and skills? Even when time feels scarce, there is still room to learn, reflect, and move forward. Sometimes, the most meaningful progress happens in the smallest windows.

I’ve got some incredibly exciting news to share with you all: I’m releasing a new book this fall, and it’s something I believe will genuinely help so many of you looking to expand your rhythmic horizons on the drum set. It’s a collection of 10 unique etudes specifically designed to help drum set players master the art of swinging in 3/4 time.

For too long, the drumming landscape has been overwhelmingly dominated by 4/4 time. And don’t get me wrong, 4/4 is the cornerstone of so much incredible music! Most method books, exercises, and even professional transcriptions are firmly rooted in that time signature. This makes perfect sense, as so many of the fundamental strategies and techniques we learn as drummers are built around the pulse of four.

However, the world of music is far richer than just 4/4. Think about the beautiful waltzes in jazz, the intricate folk tunes, or even contemporary pieces that venture beyond the standard. When you encounter a song in 3/4, the common advice often boils down to “just apply your 4/4 ideas and adapt.” While that might work for some experienced players, it’s often a murky and frustrating path for many. The feel of a swing waltz is distinctly different, and trying to force a 4/4 mindset onto it can lead to awkward phrasing and a lack of true fluidity.

That’s precisely why I dedicated myself to creating this book. I wanted to build a clear, accessible, and enjoyable learning path for drummers who might have little to no prior experience playing in 3/4. My goal was to demystify the process and provide a practical framework that sets you up for immediate success. Each of the 10 etudes in this book is carefully crafted to progressively build your understanding and comfort with the unique rhythmic language of 3/4 swing.

You won’t find a compendium of “ass-kicker” exercises or hyper-complex professional transcriptions here. This book is designed to be chill and genuinely helpful. It’s about nurturing your rhythmic intuition and building a solid foundation, not overwhelming you with insurmountable challenges. We’re focusing on establishing a confident and authentic swing feel in 3/4, step by step.

But here’s a little secret, a little challenge for you, and something that makes this book even more special: at the heart of each etude is a standard jazz melody. As you work through the drum parts, you’ll be subtly engaging with some of the most beloved tunes in the jazz repertoire. Can you identify them? It’s a fun way to connect your rhythmic practice with melodic understanding and deepen your appreciation for these timeless compositions. I’ve intentionally woven these familiar melodies into the fabric of each etude to provide a sense of musicality and context, making the learning process more engaging and less purely technical.

So, if you’ve ever felt intimidated by 3/4, or simply want to expand your rhythmic vocabulary and unlock new creative possibilities on the drum set, this book is for you. Stay tuned for more details on the official release date this fall. I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it and start swinging in a whole new dimension! Get ready to embrace the waltz and add a beautiful new groove to your drumming toolkit.