In this lesson you will be learning a more straight forward four note sixteenth note grouping that can be used as a 'building block' for fill construction. This pattern will also make a good exercise for foot control and general co ordination. This pattern has actually already been used in a level 2 Co Ordination Exercise but I have included it here for the sake of having a complete list of 'building block' patterns.
The pattern in question just alternates between the hand and foot, starting with a hand. Shown below are both eighth and sixteenth note versions of this.
Eighth Note Versions
As with most exercises, I'll start by showing a slowed down version of the pattern. Both of the examples shown below are the full pattern written as eighth notes, on the left you have a single footed version and on the right a double kick version. As eighth notes each grouping fills half a bar, so it is played twice in a full bar. The hands can be played all on the right, all on the left or alternating. Playing the pattern with all variations is a useful exercise.
The double kick version may seem a little redundant at this point but when the pattern is played at particularly high tempos it can make things a little easier for you.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get the exercise up to a tempo of at least 150bpm.
- Experiment with different stickings for the hands
- Orchestrate the hands.
Sixteenth Note Versions
Here is the full speed versions. Each block now fills one beat so there are four occurances in each 4/4 bar. Again, experiment with different hand variations.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get the exercise up to a tempo of at least 130bpm.
- Experiment with different stickings for the hands
- Orchestrate the hands.
