A way to develop creativity on the drums is to use the left-foot hi-hat to create new rhythmic patterns. Drummers like Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, David Garibaldi, and Jason McGerr, to name a few, have experimented with playing the left-foot hi-hat to create new memorable grooves. To achieve this, we start with some exercises to move the left foot on a 16th-note and an 8th-note triplet groove. We play various hi-hat combinations with a simple bass drum-snare pattern to focus on balance and accuracy. Every bar should be repeated at least four times, starting slowly at 60 bpm, and moving to the next bar smoothly.
Take your time, and once completed the exercises, try to play the hi-hat part on the ride cymbal. You can download the PDF below. Let’s groove with your left foot!
Here are some songs in which the drummer incorporates the left-foot hi-hat into the main groove. For more examples, I recommend listening to Tower of Power songs featuring David Garibaldi on drums.
Steve Gadd: Paul Simon – 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
Bernard Purdie: Steely Dan – Babylon Sisters
Jason McGerr: Death Cab for Cutie – Grapevine Fires
In the following songs, the left-foot hi-hat is played as an embellishment.
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