'R L L F R L' Exercise Syncopated In 4/4

The pattern presented in this very short lesson takes the 'R L L F R L pattern learned previously in 6/8 and applies it in the time signature of 4/4. Because the original pattern is a grouping of six notes, that will create a syncopated rhythm. It is important that you can play the exercise from the original lesson before starting as I won't be covering how to play this grouping, only how to apply it to the new time signature.

On this page you will learn two versions of this exercise, one lasting one bar and one lasting two bars. In each the original grouping will be played a certain amount of times with the rest of the bar being made up with a version of the pattern. If you have covered the previous lesson this shouldn't take much working on, you just need to familiarize yourself with the new timing and how to 'complete' the bar.

One Bar Version

To create the one bar version you will play the six note grouping twice, this leaves you four sixteenth notes to complete the bar. The obvious way to fill this is with the 'R L L F' pattern as this keeps the same sticking and kick placement idea. I have shown this below with phrase marks applied to clarify where each grouping falls.

Learn the given pattern then experiment with other ideas for filling in the last four 16th notes, there is a huge variety of options here.

Two Bar Version

For the two bar version you will play the six note grouping five times. This leaves you just two sixteenth notes to complete the pattern and I have shown these as two snares below.

Learn the given pattern then experiment with other ideas for filling in the last two 16th notes. There is less room for variation here as there is only a brief space to play with. The other option here is to cut off the last of the five six note groupings and play it as some other fill idea.

TASK

1. Using the 2 minute rule, get the exercise sup to a tempo of at least 140bpm.
2. Experiment with orchestration and think about how the pattern can be applied in grooves and fills.
3. Experiment with different endings in each example.
4. Try adding a left foor count in, this will be a big co ordination challenge.
5. Extend the grouping over four bars.