DRUMMING DYNAMICS
[ QUINTUPLETS: GRASPING A CONCEPT | David Owens ]
A few months ago, a student of mine asked me
complex as this section is, it really does groove.
shaker part on high hat and the udu parts on
to figure out what time signature a section of a
bass drum and snare.
Jacob Collier song was in. First and foremost,
Once I grasped what he was doing all I could
if you are not familiar with Jacob Collier, you
think was, “How did he come up with that?” I
Now I’m sure many of you are saying, “I would
need to go on what I refer to as a “YouTube
know we are talking about some pretty heady
never use that in a worship situation.” And
vortex” and discover this amazingly talented
stuff here, but let’s try to wrap our brains around
you’re right, but think about how much better
young artist. The first song I would recommend
30 seconds of it. Consider this momentary
those eight-note and sixteenth-note grooves
you listen to is “Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing”
journey into Jacob Collier’s brain an ear-training
will feel once you have mastered quintuplets.
by Stevie Wonder. It gives a good overview of
exercise.
what Jacob is all about.
For further investigation, search for Anika Nilles
I have separated out the udu and shaker parts
- Exploring Quintuplets. I think you will enjoy the
The song that this particular student had
he is playing below. Under that, you’ll find a few
cool drumming this young woman does using
a question about is actually an original of
exercises to help you understand the feel of
these groups of five.
Jacobs called “Hideaway.” Two minutes and
quintuplets. Start playing these by tapping your
26-seconds into the piece, I thought that I was
feet to quarter notes. Then make them harder
All of the above said, let’s embrace the
listening to something written in five. On further
by tapping your feet to eight notes.
challenge of a new rhythmic concept and use
listening, I realized he was playing quintuplets,
that to motivate us in our practice rooms.
but also that the shaker part was playing
The ability to comfortably play quintuplets is the
quintuplets in groups of three. The shaker part
first step to grasping what Jacob is doing here.
gives it an over-the-bar line shuffle feel. And as
And if you’re up for a challenge, try playing the
Blessings, David
5
> > 5 > > 5 > >5
> 5 > > 5 > >5 > 5 >
2:26 ‚
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> 5 > >5 > 5 > > 5 >
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> 5 > > 5 > >5 > 5 >
> 5 > >5 > 5 > > 5 >
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> 5 > > 5 > >5 > 5 >
> 5 > >5 > 5 > > 5 >
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3:06
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14
Sep Oct 2016
ChristianMusician.com