How accurate is the movie Whiplash?

Whiplash is not a film that is committed to accurately depicting the experience of playing jazz, but a story of ambition and abuse that uses jazz a narrative tool.

Is Whiplash film realistic?

As it turns out, while Whiplash isn't based on a true story, but it is inspired by the experiences of director Damien Chazelle as a drummer. Chazelle himself is a pretty impressive guy. At just 30 years old, his movie is a solid Oscars contender.

Is Schaffer a real school?

Whiplash, nominated for Best Picture at this year's awards, is is set in the fictional New York Schaffer Conservatory, the setting of which is undoubtedly based upon the Juilliard School (and where the classroom scene is shot).

What do drummers think of the movie Whiplash?

It really sucks. Playing with one hand while trying to pick up your other stick is certainly a skill you develop. Hopefully the sitting drummer also helps out. I felt that the movie generally captured the feelings that come from experiences like this.

Did Miles Teller actually play the drums in Whiplash?

“He did probably 99 percent of the drumming,” Cross reveals (similarly, he said Simmons played the piano in the film). “Miles was a pretty good drummer when he came in to do the movie, and they gave him lessons on jazz drums. … There are also close ups of hand and some overheads that are a drum double.”

Whiplash (as reviewed by a jazz musician)

Who actually drummed in Whiplash?

Although a visual double was used, all of Andrew's drumming was performed by Miles Teller himself to pre-recorded tracks. About 40% of Teller's drumming was used in the soundtrack. J.K. Simmons stated his character, Fletcher, calling Andrew (Miles Teller) a "self righteous little prick" was the only line he improvised.

Can Miles Teller play the piano?

Teller said he told producers: “I played piano when I was younger. I still dabble a little bit. I don't need a double, I will play and sing this live,” according to CinemaBlend.

Can your hands bleed from drumming?

The scene where blood is oozing due to playing faster and faster is a myth. One would assume that if the student drummer had already attained a place at music college, basic principles like this would have been learned.

What does Fletcher say at the end of Whiplash?

In the final scene of "Whiplash" when Fletcher gives an approving nod to Andrew, you can see him mouth the words "Good job."

Is Terence Fletcher based on a real person?

Director Damien Chazelle based Fletcher on a real-life conductor of his high school band who intimidated him. J.K. Simmons' portrayal of Fletcher was critically and publicly acclaimed, which earned him multiple prestigious awards.

Is Terence Fletcher a psychopath?

Commentators have described Fletcher as a psychopath, a tyrant. Indeed, he does abuse and humiliate his students, both verbally and physically – he throws a chair at Andrew's head and slaps him repeatedly in one scene.

Did Charlie Parker get a cymbal thrown at his head?

It's true Parker was laughed off stage, humiliated, and thereafter dedicated himself to better practice habits that improved his skills drastically over the next year of his life. It's false that Jones threw the cymbal at Parker's head and “nearly decapitated him.” The cymbal landed at Parker's feet.

Is Whiplash an actual jazz song?

One of his strange tunes, a track that switches from 7/4 time (unusual) to 14/8 (bizarre), was “Whiplash.” The song — first released on a 1973 album by jazz musician Don Ellis — has endured, thanks in large part to the award-winning 2014 movie of the same name.

Why is Whiplash so good?

Whiplash shares many connections to other classics, in almost all of the major categories that contribute to an outstanding film. The editing is rhythmic, the cinematography is lonely and harsh, the score is like jazz itself; stagnant, yet smooth. The directing is complex, and the writing is brutal and to the point.

What is the hardest song to drum?

1. Dance of Eternity. The song is not made of high speed or massive grooves and fill, but its complexity is hidden in the time signature. Dance of Eternity by Dream Theater is one of the trickiest songs that have ever come across.

What song has a lot of drumming?

Emerson Lake & Palmer's 'Karn Evil 9' features an epic drum track that's a whopping 29 minutes long! It comes from the 1973 prog rock album 'Brain Salad Surgery,' and ELP's drummer Carl Palmer has plenty of time to show off his mad skills in this hit.

Why do drummers sweat?

For drummers, chafing usually happens in the inner thighs, but it can happen in a few other places, too. If it's so bad that the area gets raw and infected, definitely pay a visit to the clinic. What's causing it? Sweaty skin and/or clothing rubbing together creates friction and irritation.

Is drumming unhealthy?

Drumming can have positive effects on your health and may help with many conditions from stress, fatigue, and anxiety, to hypertension, asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, mental illness, addiction, and even cancer. Here's why drumming is good for you: Makes you happy.

Is drumming hard on the body?

Overplaying - many drummers rely on the forearms too much to generate power. The neglect of the fingers and wrists will mean that more pressure is put on the arms to generate that power. This excessive movement and force, like any sort of exercise, will eventually cause muscle strain.

How did JK Simmons prepare for Whiplash?

Still, much of his background was in classical music, so to prepare for the role, Simmons spent an enormous amount of time researching jazz, not just listening to relevant recordings but also reading through the scores and growing the same familiarity with them that his character would have.