drumlearn ebooks by Karl Price
Contents 2 Introduction 3 Musical Symbols Builder 4 Reader Builder 1 - Quarter, Eighth, and 2 Beat Notes 5 Reader Builder 2 - Quarter and Eighth Note Mix 6 Rudiments Builder - Single Stroke, Double Stroke and Single Paradiddle 7 Groove Builder 1 - Quarter Notes on the hi-hat 8 Groove Builder 2 - Eighth Notes on the hi-hat 9 Groove Builder 3 - Upbeat Eighth Notes on the hi-hat 10 Groove Builder 4 - Kick and Snare Mix with Quarter Notes on the hi-hat 11 Groove Builder 5 - Kick and Snare Mix with Eighth Notes on the hi-hat 12 Groove Builder 6 - Kick and Snare Mix with Upbeat Eighth Notes on the hi-hat 13 Fill-in Builder 1 - Single Strokes 14 Fill-in Builder 2 - Double Strokes 15 Fill-in Builder 3 - Single Paradiddle 16 Fill-in Builder 4 - Stick and Kick Mix 17 Fill-in Builder 5 - Stick and Kick Mix 2 18 Melodic Builder 1 - Kit Mix 19 Melodic Builder 2 - Kit Mix 20 Closing Remarks
2 Introduction Welcome to the! The is the first in a series of five drum ebooks. As the title implies, the books have been designed to present essential drum and groove building concepts in an efficient and systematic way. First, we will begin by looking at all the musical symbols that we will use in the. Second, we will look at some simple note reading exercises to get familiar with rhythm and tempo. Thirdly, we will learn the starter rudiments: single strokes, double strokes, and single paradiddle. Following on from this we will begin work on the "Grooves" section. Simple quarter and eighth note grooves to start, with more complex patterns to follow. Next up we will look at some Fill-ins using the starter rudiments we learned in chapter two. Also in this section, we will try out some combination fill-ins with the kick and snare. In the final chapter of the ebook, we will put all the rhythmic building concepts together and explore some melodic ideas using the different sounds of the drum kit. The Reader Builder Although learning to read music is not essential when learning a musical instrument, it can be a valuable asset in many ways. For instance, you won't be able to take full advantage of learning the rhythms in this ebook if you don't learn how to read the notation. Secondly, many professional musical settings require musicians to read music; if you can't, then you won't get the gig! Also, it can also be useful as a second memory: How are we going to remember the rhythms, fills and song structures of 20-30 compositions? If you can read and write music notation, you don't have to sweat and struggle to remember them! The Rudiments Builder Rudiments (elementary strokes) are essential in learning to play the drums. They are the basis of all the patterns we as drummers, play. The three rudiments that are presented in this chapter are what I would refer to as "core" rudiments. Every other rudiment or sticking pattern is a combination of them. The Groove Builder This is essentially what the first ebook is about: building grooves! It is the drummer's role to groove, to keep good time, and bring vitality to the music. Some of the patterns in the latter pages of this section are challenging for a starter drum ebook. However, I am confident that you can master them and make them sound and feel vibrant. The Fill-in Builder As drummers, we play more than just grooves. We play fill-ins to embellish grooves or to set up new sections of music. To do this we will use the rudiments we learned in the Rudiments Builder. We will orchestrate them around the drum kit and then try out some stick & kick combinations. The Melodic Builder Although our primary role as drummers is rhythm and time-keeping, we do need to develop some awareness and skill in playing melody. The 'toms' are an obvious vehicle for this as they offer us different pitches or tones grouped together. Here we will create melodic rhythms on the toms while keeping the backbeat strong between the kick and snare. Before you dive into the, most important of all is to remember that playing drums is an artform. Although you can gain some technique and control after a few months, it takes dedicated practice to reach higher levels of playing ability. You really have to love playing drums to succeed. Enjoy your playing! Good luck and best wishes Karl
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 3 Musical Symbols Builder The Staff or Stave Music is written on 5 horizonatal lines called a Staff. Other lines called Ledger lines are used both higher and lower to add further instruments and notes. The Percussion Clef Written music has a symbol known as a clef positioned at the start of each new line of music. The clef signifies what kind of instrument or voice the music is written for. The Time Signature Here we have 4 / 4. The top number indicates how many beats per bar. The bottom number indicates the time value of each beat. Therefore, 4/4 is 4 quarter beats per bar. A bar is what you see below, marked by a vertical line across the staff at the end of the 4 notes. The Tempo Direction This is ususally signified by a musical note and a number. The note signifies the beat value while the number tells you howmany beats per minute. Below we have 60 quarter beats per minute. = = 60 The Quarter Note & Rest (Crotchet) The quarter note is the basic pulse of most musical styles. It is made up of a note head and stem. Next to the note is the quarter rest. It is a wavy line which indicates that you should remain silent for a quarter duration. The Eighth Note & Rest (Quaver) This note has a curved line known as a 'Flag' drooping down to the right side. The rest looks a bit like the number 7. It is placed in the third space on the staff. The 2 Beat Note & Rest (Minim) Here the note head is not filled in. It has a regular stem like the quarter note. The rest is a rectangular block that sits on the staff line. The 4 Beat Note & Rest (Semibreve) Here we just have the note head on it's own. The note head is not filled in. The rest is similar to the 2 beat rest. The difference is that the 4 beat rest hangs from the staff line. rest hangs from the staff line. The 1 Bar Repeat Sign This is represented by a slash across the staff with two dots either side. It indicates to repeat the previous bar of music. The Repeat Sign This is a double bar line with 2 dots in the second and third spaces of the staff. It can indicate to repeat a bar or a section of music. The Double Bar Line This comes in two forms: It can either mean the end of a section of music; or the end of a composition. The Medium Accent This is an arrow-like symbol. It means to accentuate the note - make it louder than the other notes. The Musical Key At the beginning of a composition or drum music book, we usually find what's known as the Musical Key. This is a breakdown of where on the staff all the voices of the dum kit can be found. 1. Hi-Hat foot 4. Snare Drum 2. Kick Drum 5. Side stick 3. 3rd Tom (floor tom) 6. 2nd Tom 1 3 4 2 Key 7. 1st Tom 10. Ride Cymbal Bell 13. Open Hi-Hat (with stick) 16. Closed Hi-Hat (foot) 8. Cowbell 11. Hi-Hat (with stick) 14. Closed Hi-Hat (with stick) 9. Ride Cymbal 12. Crash Cymbal 15 Open Hi-Hat (foot) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 o x 15 16 o x Drum Music Notation Example Below, arranged on the Staff, we have an illustration of some drum notation. o x
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 4 Reader Builder 1 - Quarter, Eighth, & 2 Beat Notes The Quarter Note Pulse (Quarter Notes) - Ex 1 & 2 The Quarter Note is the rhythmic pulse of most popular music. It is that to which you tap your foot or clap your hands. On the drum kit this pulse is often played between the kick and snare drum, while the hi-hat or ride cymbal plays the subdivision notes. In this first exercise we will play the quarter note pulse on the snare drum alternating the hands in the form of a single stroke roll: R L R L... First, play the 1 bar exercise at a moderate tempo (not too fast and not too slow) making sure the time duration between each stroke is even. In Ex 2 we will introduce the quarter note rest. In this exercise the rest is placed on beats 2 and 4. Here we will play beats 1 and 3 and count the rests on beats 2 and 4. Ex 1 Ex 2 R L R L R R The Eighth Note Subdivision (Eighth Notes) - Ex 3 In popular music, eighth note subdivisions are usually played on the hi-hat. This is especially the case in styles such as rock, funk and ballads. An eighth note hi-hat or cymbal pattern helps to keep the kick and snare punctuations in steady time. When two or more eighth notes are written, they are very often joined together by a 'beam' which is placed across the top of the notes. Eighth notes are written using a single beam. As with the quarter notes, we will play through the eighth note exercise using the single stroke roll: R L R L...Play the right stick on beats 1,2,3 and 4 (which are known as the 'Downbeats') and the left stick on the 'an' of beats 1,2,3 and 4 (which are known as 'Upbeats' or 'Offbeats'). Ex 3 Ex 4 4 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an R L R L R L R L R L L R L R L Eighth Notes & Rests - Ex 4 When an eighth note is written as a single note, it is tagged with what's known as a 'Flag'. If you look at the 'an' of 2 in exercise 2, above, you will see what an eighth note with a 'flag' looks like. An eighth note rest is placed on beat 2 in the same exercise; it looks a little like the number '7'. Play through the exercise with a single stroke roll as indicated by the sticking below the notation. Quarter and Eighth Notes / Rests - Ex 5 Here we will mix together in a 2 bar phrase, the notes and rests we have looked at thus far. We will use an eighth note count to help us play through both bars, as this covers all the sudivisions of the notes we are using. You can play through the exercise with one hand at first, until you become familiar with the rhythm. Ex 5 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an R L L R R R L R L L R 2 Beat Notes & Rests (Minims) - Ex 6 A 2 beat note is worth 2 quarter note beats. If you look at one of the 2 beat notes you will see that the note head is not filled in. A 2 beat rest is a small rectangular block that sits on the Staff line. You can see an example of a 2 beat rest on the first beat of the second bar. We will count the quarter note pulse through the exercise. As these notes are of long duration, play through the exercise with one hand. Ex 6 Quarter Notes, Eighth Notes, and 2 Beat Notes - Ex 7 Now we will put together what we've learned from the previous six exercises. I would play through this final three bar exercise with one hand, so you can concentrate on playing the correct time duration for each of the notes. For most of this exercise, we will use a quarter note count, apart from when eighth notes are played. In the exercise we will use this count for the 'an' of 4 in bar two and the 'an' of 2 in bar 3. Ex 7 1 2 3 4 an 1 2 an 3 4
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 5 Reader Builder 2 - Quarter & Eighth Note Mix Quarter & Eighth Notes - Ex 8 Here are some examples of combinations of quarter and eighth notes. At first, play through the exercises with one hand, then alternate hands. In the first sticking example the right hand plays all the downbeats, while the left plays upbeats. In the second sticking, we will try to play alternate hands through the two bars. Ex 8 1 2 an 3 an 4 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 R R L R L R R L R L R L R R L R L R L R L R L R L R Quarter & Eighth Notes - Ex 9 Ex 9 1 an 2 3 4 1 an 2 3 an 4 an R L R R R R L R R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L Quarters, Eighths & Eighth Note Rests - Ex 10 In this excerise we will introduce the term, 'syncopation'. Syncopation generally refers to mixed upbeat and downbeat rhythms. The first bar of the exercise is an example of this type of rhythm. Ex 10 1 an 2 an 3 4 1 an 2 3 an 4 R L L R R R L R R L R R L R L R L R L R L R Quarters, Eighths & Quarter Note Rests - Ex 11 Continuing the syncopation theme, we will now play this type of rhythm across the bar line, creating a latin feel. Ex 11 1 2 3 an 4 an 1 2 an 3 an 4 R R L L R R L L Note Mix - Ex 12 In this final exercise we will play a 4 bar phrase using quarter and eighth notes. To begin with, play through it with one hand; then try alternate strokes. 4 Click Count Ex 12 1 2 3 an 4 1 an 2 3 4 an 1 2 an 3 an 4 1 an 2 3 4
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 6 Rudiments Builder - Single & Double Strokes Single Paradiddle Single Stroke Roll - Ex 13 The Single Stroke Roll is usually the first rudiment (elementary stroke) that is taught. It is a simple pattern of alternating the right and left hands. When playing the roll, try leading with both the right and left hands. This way you will gain a feel for playing left hand lead. Along with the hands we will play an alternating quarter note pattern between the kick and hi-hat foot. When you close the hi-hat cymbals with your foot, make sure they they don't ring or splash open. Firstly, play through the exercise without the kick and hi-hat foot. Then add the kick and hi-hat foot when you have developed a feel for the roll. Ex 13 R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L Double Stroke Roll - Ex 14 The Double Stroke Roll is two strokes played with one hand, followed by two strokes with the other hand. Marching snare drummers or Pipe band drummers play many variations of this rudiment (5 stroke, 6 stroke, 7 stroke rolls etc) in their compositions. To begin with, play through the exercise without the kick and hi-hat foot. 4 Click Count Ex 14 R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L Single Paradiddle - Ex 15 The Single Paradiddle is a combination of the Single and Double Stroke Rolls. Here we have two single strokes (R L) followed by a double stroke (R R). The first note of each paradiddle is marked with an accent. This means to play the first note louder than the non-accented notes. Try playing through the exercise both with and without the accent. Ex 15 4 Click Count R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L Single & Double Stroke Roll - Ex 16 We will now put the Single and Double Stroke Roll together. It is important to pay attention to the rhythm and sound that you make when switching from single stroke to double stroke. Maintaining good consistancy of feel and sound is important. 4 Click Count Ex 16 R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L Singles, Doubles, & Single Paradiddle - Ex 17 Here we will put all three rudiments together in a 3 bar sequence. Remember to work on stroke accuracy and sound. Stay relaxed so that your finger, hand and arm muscles can work well for you. 4 Click Count Ex 17 Single Stroke Double Stroke Single Paradiddle R L R L R L R L R R L L R R L L R L R R L R L L
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 7 Groove Builder 1 - Quarter Notes on the hi-hat 1 We will begin with a simple rock beat. The hi-hat is played on all four beats of the bar. The snare is played on beats 2 & 4, while the kick drum is played on beats 1 & 3. To start with, play the groove at a moderate tempo. 2 Here we will add a second 'kick' on the 'an' of beats 1 & 3. 4 Click Count Ex 1 1 2 3 4 4 Click Count hi-hat snare kick Ex 2 1 an 2 3 an 4 3 Now we will play what is sometimes referred to as 4 This is an eighth note workout on the kick drum. Here the kick drum is '4 on the floor'. Here you can see that the kick drum played on every eighth note within the bar: is played on every quarter beat together with the hi-hat. Ex 3 4 Click Count Ex 4 1 2 3 4 4 Click Count 5 Often, this kick rhythm is one of the most difficult of the starter beats. It is the offbeat 'kick' on the 'an' of 2 & 4 that takes a little patience to master. 6 With this rhythm, the kick drum is played on the 'an' of each quarter beat. 4 Click Count Ex 5 4 Click Count Ex 6 1 2 an 3 4 an 7 Here we have the first of the snare drum variations. We will play an extra snare note on the 'an' of 2 & 4. 8 We will add a snare note on the 'an' of 1 & 3. The hi-hat is played on every quarter note. 4 Click Count Ex 7 1 2 an 3 4 an 4 Click Count Ex 8 1 an 2 3 an 4 9 Here we will further develop our left hand on the snare. We will play three eighth notes in a row from the 'an' of beat 1 to the 'an' of beat 2. This can be tricky to begin with. Take your time and you will master it! Ex 9 4 Click Count 1 an 2 an 3 4 10 This groove is a combination of grooves 7 & 8 with groove 9 - a good challenge to finish Groove Builder 1. Ex 10 4 Click Count 1 2 an 3 an 4 1 an 2 an 3 4
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 8 Groove Builder 2 - Eighth Notes on the hi-hat With Groove Builder 2 we will play eighth notes on the hi-hat with all the kick drum patterns that we used in Groove Builder 1. By playing eighth notes on the hi-hat we are now playing the upbeats (the 'an') of every quarter note beat. If you like, you can play a slight accent on beats 1, 2, 3 and 4, to emphasize the quarter note pulse. This is the way most drummers play eighth notes on the hi-hat. 1 A simple eighth note rock beat. 2 Add a 'kick' on the 'an' of beat 1 & 3. 4 Click Count Ex 11 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an 4 Click Count Ex 12 1 an 2 3 an 4 3 "4-on-the-Floor" 4 Kick drum plays on every eighth note. 4 Click Count Ex 13 4 Click Count Ex 14 5 Upbeat kick on the 'an' of beats 2 & 4. 6 Kick drum is played on the 'an' of each quarter beat. 4 Click Count Ex 15 4 Click Count Ex 16 1 2 an 3 4 an 7 Add a snare on the 'an' of beats 2 & 4. 8 Add a snare on the 'an' of beats 1 & 3. 4 Click Count Ex 17 4 Click Count Ex 18 9 One for developing the left hand. 10 A combination of grooves 7, 8 and 9. 4 Click Count Ex 19 4 Click Count Ex 20 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 9 Groove Builder 3 - Upbeat Eighth Notes on the hi-hat With Groove Builder 3 we will now play an upbeat hi-hat pattern with all the kick drum rhythms from Groove Builder 1. You have a choice how you play this hi-hat rhythm: you can either tap the hi-hat on the top of the cymbal with the tip of the stick, or strike it on the side with the shoulder of the stick. You can use both techniques for soft and loud volume levels: top of the hi-hat for soft; side of the hi-hat for medium to loud volume levels. 1 This is a dance or disco style beat. 2 Add a second kick note on the 'an' of beats 1 & 3. 4 Click Count Ex 21 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an 4 Click Count Ex 22 1 an 2 3 an 4 3 "4-on-the-Floor" 4 Kick drum is played on every eighth note. 4 Click Count Ex 23 4 Click Count Ex 24 5 Played with an upbeat hi hat pattern, the kick rhythm is more challenging. 6 Here the kick drum is played on all the upbeat eighths, together with the hi-hat. 4 Click Count Ex 25 4 Click Count Ex 26 1 2 an 3 4 an 7 Add a snare note on the 'an' of beats 2 & 4. 8 Add a snare note on the 'an' of beats 1 & 3. 4 Click Count Ex 27 4 Click Count Ex 28 9 Working the left hand, again. 10 Putting it together: Grooves 7,8 and 9. 4 Click Count Ex 29 1 an 2 an 3 an 4 an 4 Click Count Ex 30
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 10 1 First up we have a driving rock feel. Play this one with great intensity. Groove Builder 4 Ex 1 - Kick & Snare Mix 2 Next up is a funk/hip-hop feel with the emphasis on punchy upbeat kick's. Ex 2 3 This is a funky beat with a more spacious feel. The space is created through leaving a gap on the kick in the middle of the bar. 4 If we add a couple of upbeat snare notes on the 'an' of 3 & 4, we get a kind of suspended feeling in the second half of the bar. Ex 3 Ex 4 5 With the upbeat snare note on the 'an' of 3 we get a nice rounded feel to the end of the bar. 6 If we place an upbeat snare on the 'an' of 3 and rest on beat 4 we get a feeling of being suspended on the edge of a cliff. Ex 5 Ex 6 7 This is a half-time groove. 'Half-time' means that the snare drum backbeat is played on beat 3, instead of the usual 2 & 4. This has the effect of cutting the tempo by half. The kick drum is played on beat 1. 8 Next we will add a kick on the 'an' of 1. This adds more 'beef' to the feel. Ex 7 Ex 8 9 This one has a more funky feel to it. Here we have an upbeat kick on the 'an' of beat 2. 10 If we add a kick on the 'an' of 1 we get a heavier funk feel. Ex 9 Ex 10 11 Getting heavier with this one. This has a funky rock feel. Play this one with great intensity. 12 To finish, I think it would be good to try out a two bar pattern with the half-time feel. Ex 11 Ex 12
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 11 1 First up we have a hard driving rock feel. Play this one with great intensity. Ex 13 Groove Builder 5 Ex 13 - Kick & Snare Mix 2 2 Next up is a funk/hip-hop feel with the emphasis on punchy upbeat kick's. Ex 14 3 This is a funky beat with a more spacious feel. The space is created through leaving a gap on the kick in the middle of the bar. 4 If we add a couple of upbeat snare notes on the 'an' of 3 & 4, we get a kind of suspended feeling in the second half of the bar. Ex 15 Ex 16 5 With the upbeat snare note on the 'an' of 3 we get a nice rounded feel to the end of the bar. 6 If we place an upbeat snare on the 'an' of 3 and rest on beat 4 we get a feeling of being suspended on the edge of a cliff. Ex 17 Ex 18 7 This is a half-time groove. 'Half-time' means that the snare drum backbeat is played on beat 3, instead of the usual 2 & 4. This has the effect of cutting the tempo by half. Kick drum is played on the first beat. 8 Next we will add a kick on the 'an' of 1. This adds more 'beef' to the feel. Ex 19 Ex 20 9 This one has a more funky feel to it. Here we have an upbeat kick on the 'an' of beat 2. 10 If we add a kick on the 'an' of 1 we get a heavier funk feel. Ex 21 Ex 22 11 Getting heavier with this one. This has a funky rock feel. Play this one with great intensity. 12 To finish, I think it would be good to try out a two bar pattern with the half-time feel. Ex 23 Ex 24
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 12 1 Driving rock feel. Play this one with great intensity. Ex 25 Groove Builder 6 2 Next up is a funk/hip-hop feel with the emphasis on punchy upbeat kick's. Ex 26 - Kick & Snare Mix 3 3 This is a funky beat with a more spacious feel. The space is created through leaving a gap on the kick in the middle of the bar. Ex 27 4 If we add a couple of upbeat snare notes on the 'an' of 3 & 4, we get a kind of suspended feeling in the second half of the bar. Ex 28 5 With the upbeat snare hit on the 'an' of 3 we get a nice rounded feel to the end of the bar. Ex 29 6 If we place an upbeat snare on the 'an' of 3 and rest on beat 4 we get a feeling of being suspended on the edge of a cliff. Ex 30 7 A simple kick pattern to start the half-time groove section. 8 Next we will add a kick on the 'an' of 1. This adds more 'beef' to the feel. Ex 31 Ex 32 9 This one has a more funky feel to it. Here we have an upbeat kick on the 'an' of beat 2. Ex 33 10 If we add a kick on the 'an' of 1 we get a heavier funk feel. Ex 34 11 Getting heavier with this one. This has a funky rock feel. Play this one with great intensity. Ex 35 12 To finish we have a two bar pattern with the half-time feel. Ex 36
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 13 Fill-in 1 We'll start by playing two eighth 1 notes on each drum, starting on the snare drum and moving round the toms. Ex 1 R L R L R L R L Fill-in Builder 1 - Single Strokes Groove & Fill-in 1 Now we will play the fill-in with 2 a quarter note rock groove. This will give us some idea of how the fill sounds preceded by a rock beat. Ex 2 Fill-in 2 Next we will play two strokes on the snare followed by 2 strokes on the first tom. Repeat this on beats 3 & 4 using the 3rd tom (Floor Tom). Groove & Fill-in 2 This time we will play an eighth note rock beat together with the fill. Ex 3 Ex 4 R L R L R L R L Fill-in 3 Now let's try playing the first note on the first tom; then 3 strokes on the snare. Repeat this using the 3rd tom (floor tom) on beats 3 & 4. Groove & Fill-in 3 With this fill-in we will play another rock beat; this time with a more funky feel. Ex 5 Ex 6 R L R L R L R L Fill-in 4 This time the right hand plays around the toms, while the left hand remains on the snare. Ex 7 Groove & Fill-in 8 Here we have an upbeat hi-hat rhythm. Ex 8 R L R L R L R L Fill-in 5 With this fill-in, we will move the left hand up to the first and second toms on the 'an' of 1 & 3. The right hand starts the fill on the snare drum. Groove & Fill-in 5 It works well if we add a half-time groove with this fill-in. Ex 9 Ex 10 R L R L R L R L Fill-in 6 To finish this page, we will now place the right hand on the toms on beats 2 & 4, imitating the snare drum backbeat. Ex 11 Groove & Fill-in 6 This rhythm is an upbeat hi-hat pattern combined with a half-time snare backbeat. Ex 12 R L R L R L R L
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 14 Fill-in 1 We'll start by playing 2 eighth notes on each drum, starting on the snare drum and then moving round the toms. Ex 13 R R L L R R L L Fill-in Builder 2 - Double Strokes Groove & Fill-in 1 Now we will play the fill-in with a quarter note rock groove. This will give us some idea of how the fill sounds played with a beat. Ex 14 Fill-in 2 Next we will play two strokes on each of the four drums starting on the second tom. Ex 15 Groove & Fill-in 2 This time we will play an eighth note rock beat together with the fill-in. Ex 16 R R L L R R L L Fill-in 3 Here we will play a double stroke with one hand between two drums. This is a great technique to use for playing fast doubles around the kit. It is a sweeping motion that is played down from the toms to the snare or across from the snare to the 3rd tom (Floor tom). Ex 17 R R L L R R L L Groove & Fill-in 3 With this fill-in we will play a heavy driving rock beat. Ex 18 Fill-in 4 This time the right hand plays around the toms, while the left hand remains on the snare. Groove & Fill-in 8 We'll use a quarter note pattern on the hi-hat and an eighth note double stroke pattern between the kick and snare. Ex 19 Ex 20 R R L L R R L L Fill-in 5 With this fill-in, we will use the sweeping motion with the right hand played between two toms. Groove & Fill-in 5 It works well if we add a half-time groove with this fill-in. Ex 21 Ex 22 R R L L R R L L Fill-in 6 To finish we will use the right hand sweeping motion from the snare to the 3rd tom on beat 1. We will reverse this motion on beat 3. Ex 23 R R L L R R L L Groove & Fill-in 6 This rhythm is a linear pattern. Linear means that there is only one drum or cymbal played at any one time. This is a half-time feel with the snare backbeat on beat 3. Ex 24
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 15 Fill-in 1 We'll start by playing a tom on the first stroke of each paradiddle. Ex 25 R L R R L R L L Fill-in Builder 3 Groove & Fill-in 1 Now we will play the fill-in with a rock beat. Ex 26 - Single Paradiddle Fill-in 2 Next we will play the first 2 single strokes on the snare; then the double stroke on the 3rd tom (floor tom). Repeat this sequence on beats 3 & 4 using the 1st tom. Ex 27 R L R R L R L L Groove & Fill-in 2 This time we will combine an upbeat and straight eighth note rock beat together with the fill. Ex 28 Fill-in 3 The right hand plays the first tom on beat 1 and the 3rd tom (Floor tom) on the 'an' of 3. Ex 29 R L R R L R L L Groove & Fill-in 3 With this fill-in we will play a disco style dance beat. Ex 30 Fill-in 4 Around the kit with this pattern. The right hand plays most of the tom strokes. Groove & Fill-in 4 Here we willl use a funky upbeat pattern on the snare for the beat. Ex 31 Ex 32 R L R R L R L L Fill-in 5 Right hand plays 2nd tom and 3rd tom. Left hand plays 1st tom and snare drum. Groove & Fill-in 5 We will use another half-time groove with this fill-in. Ex 33 Ex 34 R L R R L R L L Fill-in 6 Right hand plays around the kit with this one. Ex 35 R L R R L R L L Groove & Fill-in 6 This beat is a little tricky with the hand and foot coordination between the kick and hi-hat. Again, it is a half-time feel with the snare played on beat 3. Ex 36
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 16 Fill-in 1 The right hand moves around the toms, while the kick is played 4 on upbeats. Ex 37 R F R F R F R F Fill-in Builder 4 - Stick & Kick Mix Groove & Fill-in 1 All the beats used in Fill-in Builder 4 mirror the fill-in rhythms. This one 4 is a straight quarter note rock feel. Ex 38 Fill-in 2 Here we have double strokes between hands and feet. Groove & Fill-in 2 Another pop rock variation played with this fill. Ex 39 Ex 40 F F R L F F R L Fill-in 3 Moving round the kit with this one. Groove & Fill-in 3 With this fill-in we can play a dance style beat. Ex 41 Ex 42 R F F L R F F L Fill-in 4 Syncopation with the kick drum in a 3 3 2 pattern. Groove & Fill-in 4 Straight forward rock/dance beat with this fill-in. Ex 43 Ex 44 F L R F R L F L Fill-in 5 Starting to split the hands up around the kit.. Ex 45 R L R R L R L Groove & Fill-in 5 We will play a more challenging beat with this fill-in. Ex 46 Fill-in 6 Left hand plays upbeats on the 'an' of 2 and 4. Groove & Fill-in 6 Here we will play a funky beat with this fill-in. Ex 47 Ex 48 R R L R R L
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 17 Fill-in 1 With all the fill-ins, remember to keep your right hand playing downbeats 4 and your left hand playing upbeats. Ex 48 Fill-in Builder 5 - Stick & Kick Mix 2 Groove & Fill-in 1 In the rhythm we have the snare drum playing on all 4 quarter beats. You 4 play an upbeat on the kick on the 'an' of 1 and 3. Ex 49 R F R L F L R F Fill-in 2 Next we have a double stroke followed by a single stroke on the kick drum. Groove & Fill-in 2 This time the beat flows int o the fill-in with an upbeat snare. Try to get a nice even flow throughout the 2 bars so it sounds like one continous motion. Ex 50 Ex 51 R L F F R F R L Fill-in 3 Here we can get used to leading with the left hand. Kick drum is played on beats 1& 3. Ex 52 11 F L R L F L R L Groove & Fill-in 3 The beat we have here is a kind of country bluegrass feel Notice that the right hand plays the snare backbeats on 2 & 4. The groove mirrors the fill-in. Ex 53 R L R L R L R L Fill-in 4 We will end this fill-in with a quarter note on beat 4. Groove & Fill-in 4 This groove has a light bouncy feel. 16 Ex 54 Ex 55 F L R F R F R Fill-in 5 With the kick drum we play a quarter note on beat 2 and an upbeat on the 'an' of 3. Groove & Fill-in 5 The left hand plays the last two snare drum notes leading on to the fill-in. Ex 56 Ex 57 R R R R L L R L F R F R L Fill-in 6 There's quite a lot of space in this fill-in. You might find that you feel you want to play more notes. Here there is only one left hand stroke which is on the last eighth note of the bar. Ex 58 F R F R F L Groove & Fill-in 6 This last groove and fill-in contains a lot of upbeat kick notes. Ex 59
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 18 Groove 1 An eighth note rock beat to start. An eighth 4 note rock beat to start... Melodic Builder 1 - Kit Mix Medodic Sound 1a Melodic Beat 1b Here we will orchestrate the hi-hat pattern from Groove 1 Now we will add the kick and snare played around the 4 toms.we will use a 3 2 3 note pattern. 4 with the foot and other hand. R R R R R R R R Groove 2 Eight Note Rock beat. Melodic Sound 2a Here we have a second 3 3 2 pattern around the toms with the right hand. Melodic Beat 2b Again, we will add the kick and snare... R R R R R R R R 4 Groove 3 Upbeat hi-hat pattern. F R L R F R L R.. Melodic Beat 3a Remember that the right hand plays around the toms. Melodic Beat 3b Notice with this one that the snare on the 'an' of 2 is played with the right hand. 4 F R L R F R L R Groove 4 Upbeat hi-hat pattern. Melodic Beat 4a Hi-hat on the first 2 upbeats; then toms on the 'an' of 3 & 4. Melodic Beat 4b Moving round the kit with this one... F R L R F R L R 4 F R L R F R L R Groove 5 Upbeat mix L.. Melodic Beat 5a Upbeats on the hi-hat followed by a run down the toms with the right hand. Melodic Beat 5b 3rd tom (floor tom) upbeats followed by two notes on the hi-hat. 4 Groove 6 Syncopated hi-hat. R R L R R R L.. Melodic Beat 6a A syncopated melody around the toms. Left hand plays the snare. Melodic Beat 6b The right hand moves from the 3rd tom (floor tom) to the snare on the 'an' of beat 1. 4
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved 19 Groove 1 An eighth note rock beat to start. An eighth 4 note rock beat to start. Melodic Builder 2 Medodic Sound 1a Here we have a more complex 3 3 2 pattern around the 4 toms with the right hand. R R R R R R R R Melodic Beat 1b Now we will add the kick and snare. 4 - Kit Mix Groove 2 Eighth note rock beat. Melodic Sound 2a This pattern creates a sort of 'Z' motion around the kit. Watch out for the snare note on the 'an' of 2 & 4. R R R R R R R R Melodic Beat 2b Again we will add the kick and snare. 4 Groove 3 Upbeat hi-hat. Melodic Beat 3a Right hand plays around the toms. Melodic Beat 3b Notice with this one that the snare on the 'an' of 2 is played with the right hand. 4 Groove 4 Upbeat hi-hat. Melodic Beat 4a Right hand starts and ends on the 3rd tom. Melodic Beat 4b Here there is no snare note on beat 2. Instead, accent the tom note with the left hand. Accent beat 4 on the snare. 4 Groove 5 Upbeat mix L Melodic Beat 5a Left hand plays the 3rd tom (floor tom) on the 'an' of 4. Melodic Beat 5b The left hand plays the 3rd tom (floor tom) on the 'an' of 4. 4 Groove 6 Syncopated hi-hat. R R L R R R L Melodic Beat 6a Hi-hat intro with right hand moving to the 2nd tom. Melodic Beat 6b The right hand starts on the toms, moves to the hi-hat, then ends on the 3rd tom. 4
Closing Remarks Congratulations for reaching the end of the. At this stage you have gained understanding of many musical symbols.you now know the basics of music notation and have gained some experience in reading and playing snare drum rhythms, rudiments and rock and popular beats. Also, you have experimented with melodic groove playing using the toms. At this stage, you should be getting a good feel for the kit, and how you, as a drummer, functions. The Smart Sticks Worker (Drum ebook No. 2) will guide you through the next step in your drum kit studies. This Drum ebook will look at Sixteenth Note Grooves, Triplet Grooves, more rudiments including Rolls, Ruffs, Drags and Flams, plus ODD TIME signatures. Lots more to look forward to...more dedication...more challenges...more fun!