In this lesson you will be learning a simple variation of the Dotted 8th Over Straight 8th exercise. The aim of the lesson will be the same as that linked, to improve your hand co ordination by playing two separate rhythms with each hand. The variation is in the placement of the dotted notes. In the previous exercise these started on beat 1, this time they will start on the '+' after beat 1. I will present this lesson in the same way as the previous 1 which was in a step by step manner. I'll start by giving the dotted note rhythm which is shown below. In the notation I have included the count with the notes that play highlighted. Remember that every third sixteenth note count has a stroke on it, but this time starting from the '+' after beat 1. This sounds complicated but isn't too hard. I will refer to this as the 'basic rhythm' throughout this lesson:
It would be worth spending some time getting this rhythm firmly planted in your head. It isn't the easiest of rhythms so be prepared to spend a little time working on it. The next step is going to be adding in straight eighth notes at the same time, some people actually find this easier than playing the rhythm on its own where others find it really difficult.
In the series of exercises that follow various different versions of the same exercise are going to be constructed. For the sake of ease anything played on the right hand will be notated on the floor tom and anything on the left the snare. You can switch this around to anything you like.
The final aim is to be able to shift your focus to either rhythm and ignore the other. You'll know you're doing it right when the part does become two independant rhythms being played together rather than a mechanical exercise. An 'Introductory Exercise' was provided in the previous lesson the foccused on the timing and placement between hands. If you haven't covered this already it may be worth looking at.
Exercise 1
In this version you will play eighths on the right hand and the basic rhythm on the left, which will involve playing some left hands in between the rights.
Exercise 2
Exercise 1 reversed. So eighths on the left and the basic rhythm on the right.
Exercise 3
As in the previous lesson, let's try extending the rhythm over two bars. When the pattern is repeated there is a short pause in the basic rhythm.
Exercise 4
Exercise 3 with the hands reversed.
TASKS
- Learn all exercises at a tempo of at least 140bpm.
- Experiment with different orchestrations.
- Add feet underneath as quarter notes. This will give you three separate rhythms.
- Try extending the pattern over four bars.