Linear Drum Patterns Part 2
PERCUSSION
Mike Mann is the drummer for One Ugly Cowboy and owner / operator of Groovewerks , a Toronto-based recording studio specializing in providing live drum tracks online . He has over 35 years of touring , recording , and teaching experience .
By Mike Mann
Linear Drum Patterns Part 2
In the May / June 2017 issue , I wrote an introduction to linear drumming and gave you examples of some basic linear patterns . Here , I am going to show you some slightly more complex linear patterns , which are designed to help build independence between your limbs . When practiced at faster tempos , these patterns will also increase your strength and your speed on the bass drum .
To recap , linear drumming is defined as a style of playing in which no two limbs play a note at the same time . Once mastered , linear patterns are a great way to add creativity to your grooves , fills , and solos .
All linear drum patterns can be broken down into two components . The first is the sticking – the order in which your hands and feet play the notes plus any accents or dynamics . The second component is the orchestration , or which drums are played within the sticking pattern .
This is especially helpful when learning more complex patterns . Concentrate first on memorizing the sticking pattern before attempting the orchestration . Also , try breaking down the sticking patterns into smaller sections and repeating them over and over . This will help build your muscle memory and speed .
Start off slowly , around 50 bpm . When you can play the pattern smoothly and in time , gradually raise the tempo and experiment with the orchestration . I recommend using a metronome to help improve your timing .
For the sextuplet exercises ( Exs . 1-3 ), begin with the written orchestrations and maintain a triplet feel by placing an accent on the first and fourth stroke in each group of six notes .
1 . Play the floor tom with your right hand and the snare drum with your left hand .
2 . Play the closed hi-hat with your right hand and the snare drum with your left hand .
3 . Experiment with your own orchestrations around the kit . Also , try making up your own combinations of the individual sextuplet into groups of two and four phrases .
Ex . 3 : Sextuplets – This is a great exercise for building speed with your bass drum . Try starting the double kick on each different note of the sextuplet .
The final three exercises are made up of 16 th and 32 nd notes . The 32 nd notes are played on the rack tom and the floor tom ; however , this is just a starting point . I ’ ve also added some flams for a little variety . These patterns work best as fills and are examples of adding different note values to a linear pattern . You can also do the same with the sextuplets by substituting three eighth-note triplets for a group of six notes . Remember , the idea is to experiment .
For Exs . 4-6 , play the floor tom with your right hand and the snare with your left hand but play the 32 nd notes on your high and low toms . Once again , when you have the patterns memorized and can play them smoothly and in time , experiment with your own orchestrations .
Ex . 4 : 16 th & 32 nd Notes
Ex . 5 : 16 th & 32 nd Notes
Ex . 6 : 16 th & 32 nd Notes
Ex . 1 : Sextuplets
Ex . 2 : Sextuplets
For all of the above examples , try repeating each individual group of notes over and over . For example , take the very first sextuplet phrase from Ex . 1 and repeat those six notes until you can play them fast and smooth . Do the same with all the individual groups of 16 th notes . Most of these four- and six-note groupings work great on their own as fills or as grooves .
28 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN