In this lesson you will be decorating a four sixteenth note block with 32nd notes. The way you will be doing this is by doubling up the second note of the block, giving you a slow note followed by two quick notes followed by two slower notes. This common movement is really useful in fill construction but is also a good way of working on hand speed and stamina.
There are multiple stickings you can use for this part and I will explore these below but let's start off with the base five note rhythm though. This is shown below as sixteenth notes first as this notation should be far more familiar to you.
Spend some time familiarizing yourself with this simple movement and have a play around with some different sticking ideas.
Sticking 1
This first sticking is my preferred way of playing a part like this. The first stroke is played with a right with the two 32nds played as singles, giving you a double stroke movement over the first two counts. The final two sixteenths also end up in a single stroke movement. I like this way as it is a relaxed movement that allows the stronger quarter notes to be played with the leading hand.
Sticking 2
In this version a standard single stroke movement is applied with the 32nds played as a double stroke. Again, the advantage here is that the strong quarter note counts can be played on the leading hand.
Sticking 3
Here, a single stroke movement is used all the way through. This makes the sticking of the second set of sixteenths the reverse of the first. Whilst the single strokes are an easier movement, it requires more strength in the left to get those stronger notes on counts 2 and 4.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, aim to get the exercises up to a tempo of around 130bpm.
- Work out which sticking is most comfortably for you.
- Construct fills using this rhythmic concept.
