The second part of this series of exercises focuses on ghost notes within a one-handed 16th-note groove. The workout consists of four ghost-note combinations, reading and playing 16 bass drum patterns. First of all, the hi-hat should be played alternating accented and unaccented notes. Accents should be played with … More Grooving with Ghost Notes – Part 2
As a personal way to say thank you for this year, I want to give you a truly special gift. Here you’ll find a free PDF that includes all the drum exercises from the blog, carefully organized for snare and drum set. That’s a practical resource you can download, keep, and practice for life. … More Drum Exercises Complete Collection (Free PDF)
In the second episode of this series, we’ll explore groups of 4 notes around the drumset to create grooves and fills. The following 72 combinations include hand-foot combinations, hi-hat/bass drum/snare patterns, and tom fills; the rhythmic solutions are endless! An essential element to keep in mind is the sticking, which is alternated … More Rhythmic Patterns: 4-Note Combinations
In the first lesson of this new series, we’ll explore groups of 3 notes using various combinations around the drumset. I created the following 44 combinations to involve a linear approach (no unisons) between the snare, bass drum, hi-hat, and toms. These combinations are written in 16th notes but could be conceived and played in … More Rhythmic Patterns: 3-Note Combinations
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, … More Beat Displacement: A Study in Timing
In this new episode, I’ll share an 8th-note triplet drum fill that will give you a different perspective on rudiments, stickings, and phrasing. We’ll arrange and play the concept of this lesson in a jazz context, but you can easily apply it to other genres and styles, enhancing your drumming. Differently from most drum fills, … More A Fill for Every Season #9
In this lesson, we’ll apply the concept of one of my previous exercises in 16th notes to play accent combinations in an 8th-note triplet groove. The workout consists of 3 hi-hat accent combinations playing 8 bass drum patterns. Accents should be played with the “shoulder” of the stick, using the tip for unaccented notes. Be sure to stay … More Beyond the Beat: 8th-Note Triplets – Accent Combinations
The drum fill for this new episode involves displacing a drum phrase over the beat. As shown in the figure below, the main idea consists of three 8th notes: two 16th notes on the tom, one 8th note on the floor tom, and one 8th note on the snare in unison with the crash cymbal. … More A Fill for Every Season #8
With this lesson, we use the Stick Control Single Beat Combinations pages to develop our swing/shuffle feel. We start with the first 12 exercises, playing one bar in straight 8ths and then swinging in 8th-note triplets, keeping the same sticking. Repeat the bar at least eight times and then move to the next exercise, starting … More Swinging with Stick Control
In this seventh episode, I’ll share an 8th-note triplet drum fill based on a defined sticking pattern. The key to mastering this idea is to memorize the sticking: LRR LRL. So, we start applying the sticking in an 8th note triplet subdivision on the snare, possibly playing the bass drum or hi-hat in quarter notes. … More A Fill for Every Season #7
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