EXPLORING ODD GROUPINGS PART 4

Hello.  I feel a bit cheeky calling this part 4 of the series because it is clearly the second half of part 3.  This lesson is an extension of what we looked at last time so if you missed that one, go and check it out.  This time, we are still going to be focused on a three note grouping but instead of snare, bass, bass we flip it for bass, snare, snare.  This is really going to loosen up your left hand for ghost notes.  I have found a lot of students becoming more creative with their grooves after mastering this as it really helps build an independence between the hands.  The steps involved are almost identical to the previous lesson.  Stay focused and have some fun 

1. This is the basic snare/bass pattern that we are going to work with.  As always, take your time and really try to internalise this pattern until it flows smoothly.
2. In this exercise we are “simply” going to add an 8th note hi-hat pulse over the top.  Please be aware that the phrase now flows in and out of sync with your right hand.  Also, when you loop the bar, you get a double bass drum.  Really focus on keeping this clean and relaxed.
3. Now we just put it into context.  As you go between the simple groove and the pattern, really focus on keeping the hihat as smooth and consistent as you can.
4. I have given you a simple example here of moving the pattern around the kit to give more of a fill feel.  Have some fun and move this around to create your own versions.
5. As in the previous lesson, we now have the same three note grouping as before but we are playing it over a 1/4 note pulse in 3/4 so that it resolves each bar.  As you increase the tempo, try and ensure that the hihat pulse is kept smooth and relaxed.
6. I have chucked this in as a bonus exercise.  We have the two main phrases from lesson 3 and 4 back to back.  If you have worked through the previous exercises, this shouldn’t be too tricky but works really well as a warm up as we work on both the left hand and right foot whilst keeping a consistent pulse with the right.

Hopefully this will have been of some use to you.  After talking to a few people, I realise that part 3 was quite tough to master at a higher speed due to the number of bass drums.  Join me in the next lesson where I take a break from the odd groupings and focus a bit more on the core ability to play accurate bass drum patterns.