In this lesson you will learn how to add some simple sixteenth note decoration to a Basic Reggae Groove, which is a very common idea used within this genre. It is important that you have worked through the examples provided in the lesson linked above and are familiar with the basics of this style. More specifically, we will be focusing on the pattern shown in 'Step 2' and the first half time example, both of which use Offbeat 8th Note Right Hands.
On this page I will show various different ways of adding in extra 16th note right hands around those existing eight notes and for each example I will show both standard and Swung Time versions. I will keep the kick/snare parts relatively simple to allow you to focus on the right hand placement and timing. Examples 1 and 2 show the two main ideas, which are adding strokes on an 'e' count and adding strokes on an 'a' count. The rest of the page gives examples of how these two ideas can be placed within the bar.
A note is included with each example to further help you create your own parts based on the given idea.
Example 1
Add a stroke on the 'e' count before the '+'. This is shown here after beat 1 in the examples below.
Example 2
Add a stroke on the 'a' count after the '+'. This is shown after beat 3 in the example below.
Example 3
This shows how the groove would work if strokes are added on all 'e' counts within the bar.
Example 4
Likewise, this version shows how it would work if all 'a' counts are added.
Example 5
'e' counts are added on beats 2 and 4.
Example 6
'a' counts are added on beats 3 and 4.
Example 7
Here an 'e' count is added on beats 1 and 3 and an 'a' on 2 and 4.
Example 8
Finally, both 'e' and 'a' counts could be added on the same beat. That is shown below on all beats of the bar.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get all grooves up to a tempo of at least 120bpm in both standard and swung time.
- Experiment with different kick and side stick placements under each given example.
- Experiment with different placements of all three given rhythms.
- Try constructing 2 and 4 bar grooves based on this concept.
- Apply to concept to a longer phrase either as the main groove or as a variation on the groove.
- Try using other parts of the kit for the right hand, don't feel restricted to playing the rhythms on one voice.
