Constant Note Values In 4/4 Double Kick Grooves

The concept for the grooves in this lesson is incredibly simple, play constant note values on the feet. For level 3 that will either be 8th notes or 16th notes. This idea crops up in many genres of music but is by far most common in rock and metal. We have already covered some similar patterns to this in our 8th To 16th Groove Exercises so the main focus of this lesson will be to show ideas for practical application of the concept as well as some other ideas that haven't been shown previously.

In each example a one bar groove has been shown with both eighth and 16th note right hands. A short piece has been given at the bottom of the page to show the groove at work in a more practical sense. When playing grooves that use a lot of double kick it is worth remembering that the left foot can no longer hold down the hi hat pedal, which rules out the option of using a closed hi hat. There are devices such as drop clutches and remote hi hats that work around this problem but for now the right hand will be placed on the ride. Feel free to experiment with other ideas though.

Using double kick to play eighth notes may seem a bit unneccessary but you may find yourself in a situation where the song is at a very high tempo and eighth note kicks are used throughout the whole piece. In this case it is a lot easier on the right foot to split the work load between both feet. The end result will be a much more even sounding part that you don't struggle to maintain the tempo of.


Example 1

Eighth notes in common time.

Constant note values in double kick.


Example 2

Eighth notes in half time.

Constant note values in double kick.


Example 3

Eighth notes in double time.

Constant note values in double kick.


Example 4

Eighth notes with snares on quarter notes.

Constant note values in double kick.


Example 5

Sixteenth notes in common time.

Constant note values in double kick.


Example 6

Sixteenth notes in half time.

Constant note values in double kick.


Example 7

Sixteenth notes in double time.

Constant note values in double kick.


Example 8

Sixteenth notes with snares on quarter notes.

Constant note values in double kick.


TASK

  1. Using the 2 minute rule, get all grooves with eighth note kicks up to a tempo of at least 180bpm.
  2. Using the 2 minute rule, get all grooves with sixteenth note kicks up to a tempo of at least 130bpm.
  3. Create further variations on these grooves.
  4. Apply these grooves to a phrased piece as either the groove or fill.
  5. .

Example Piece

Below is a short piece with some of the grooves above applied. Aim to play this piece around 140bpm.

Constant note values in double kick.

Lessons

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