In this lesson you will be learning simple three 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. In this lesson the pattern will be two notes on the right foot followed by a note on a hand. Shown below are quarter, eighth and sixteenth note triplet versions of this.
Quarter Note Versions
I'll start by showing a slowed down version of the pattern. Both of the examples shown below are the full pattern written as quarter note triplets, on the left you have a single footed version and on the right a double kick version. As quarter 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, 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 180bpm.
Eighth Note Versions
This is then doubled up to eighth notes. Nothing has changed except the speed of the part.
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.
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 stickings.
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.
