Beat Displacement: A Study in Timing

This new lesson explores different ways to develop timing using beat displacement. Displacement involves shifting an entire drum beat, rhythmic pattern, or phrase to a new starting point within the same time signature. It creates the perception that the rhythm has moved forward or backward in time while maintaining its original structure. Displacement adds tension, surprise, and a polyrhythmic feel, making it sound like the beat has shifted while staying within the original pulse.

The first exercise “A” of this lesson consists of displacing forward a simple 8th-note drum beat; in this way, we have a bass drum-snare pattern starting on the first upbeat. We play one bar of groove and one of beat displacement, then one bar of groove and three of beat displacement. It’s essential to practice with the metronome and understand how the displacement occurs over the beat, counting quarter notes if necessary.

The second exercise “B” is similar to the previous but displaces the beat forward of one 16th note. That’s an advanced exercise to develop your timing, improve your ability to internalize subdivisions, and enhance your control over syncopated rhythms.

8th note drum groove 16th-beat displacement

Exercises “C” and “D” explore the same ideas as the previous two but with a triplet feel. 8th-note and 16th-note displacements.

8th note triplet drum groove beat displacement

8th note triplet drum groove 16th-beat displacement

With the last exercise “E” we apply the previous concepts to a classic jazz ride pattern displaced forward of one 8th note. You can listen to these ideas in the drumming style of Brian Blade, Jeff Ballard, Eric Harland, and Ari Hoenig. For advanced drummers, you can add some comping idea reading with the left-hand exercises 1-8 (page 38) from Ted Reed’s Progressive Steps to Syncopation. The bass drum is optional and not indicated in the exercise; you can play it lightly in quarter notes to add an extra layer. When the displacement occurs, the bass drum moves sequentially with the ride pattern and the left-foot hi-hat rather than remaining on every downbeat. That changes all things, taking it to a new level of complexity.