In this lesson you will be adding one occurance of the 'R L L F' pattern to various grooves in the time signature of 6/8 to create simple decorative patterns. Similar patterns have been created for the time signatures of 4/4 and 3/4, the difference here is that the movement is being applied within a compound time signature. This lesson will be far easier if you have covered the previous lessons.
Within a compound time signature there are a couple more options for placement of the shape, these will be explored in the examples below. In some cases the straight 'R L L F' pattern will be used but in others additional kicks and right hands will be added. Be sure to start each pattern at a slow tempo and gradually build up to a decent speed. In those examples that use ghost notes, make sure the ghosted notes are dramatically quieter than the rest of the bar.
The aim here is just to provide you with more options for construction of grooves in this time signature. Remember to improvise using the given patterns and try to come up with your own ideas based on what has been shown.
Example 1
The shape is used straight away in this groove. Having nothing on the left hand or feet immediately after the RLLF can be a bit off putting.
Example 2
The same placement as above but this time with ghost notes and a kick added straight after the shape.
Example 3
This time the RLLF starts on the second quaver in. The 'R' of the shape is played on the crash cymbal while the 'L's are played on high toms. This placement is more similar to the 4/4 version as it preceeds the backbeat.
Example 4
This groove possibly looks more complicated than it is. The same RLLF placement as above is used with the snares ghosted. The right hand is playing on the rim of a drum, either the snare or high tom will work best.
Example 5
The shape is now applied right at the end of the bar, so it starts on the fifth quaver count a long. Watch out for those ride bell accents and note that the left hand of the decoration is played on the floor tom.
Example 6
The same shape placement as above but this time the right hand plays dotted quarter note china cymbals and the 'L's of the RLLF are played on a second snare. If you don't have an additional snare try orchestrating them somewhere else around the kit.
Example 7
This groove is quite nasty. Multiple instances of the RLLF are used. The first starts on the second quaver count and is played with the R on a floor tom. The second starts on the backbeat with a snare.
Example 8
The right hand placement in this version is pretty tough. They play dotted eighths on the crash which means they fall funny with the RLLF.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get the grooves up to a tempo of at least 130bpm.
- Apply these grooves to a phrased pattern as any section.
- Create further grooves using the ideas presented above.
