DRUMS
[ BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATIONS | Carl Albrecht ]
You have to do some basic things to create subdividing or feeling everything in “2”… or 4. Paradiddle-diddle
a strong foundation in your playing. If you in “triple” time which is felt in “3”, you should
have had any formal training, you probably practice these basic sticking patterns counting or start it left handed
studied the 40 International Rudiments. I do with different subdivisions in mind. For instance,
recommend downloading the free PDF file the “duple” time list should be counted like this: 5. Variations
from the Percussion Arts Society website.
http://www.pas.org/resources/rudiments
R L R R L L
L R L L R R
R L R R L L ….
L R L L R R….
R L L R L L… R R L R R L…
1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah L R R L R R … L L R L L R ….
Play the following patterns, repeating as many R R R L L L …
You should work on these to develop the times as you like… I’d say for 3 to 5 minutes drumming vocabulary you need to play almost on each…. or until you feel you have it under Also work on playing doubles in a triplet count.
any combination of ideas. control. R R L L R R L L R R L L – You can count this
as 1 & 2 & 3 & // or tri-pa-let tri-pa-let… etc.
If you are just getting started with rudiments, Yes, use a metronome. Start slow at first, and or if you just want the “basics” of the basics, I then everyday pick different tempo markings recommend working on a simple combination and learn to control the patterns at whatever of patterns that will create a strong foundation speed you choose. You may play these on a Have the feet play a constant groove as you
for the others. Because almost all music can practice pad if you like, but also be sure to have play the hand patterns. Simply walking on the
be broken down into “duple” time, which is time playing the patterns around the drum set main counts: kick on 1, hat on 2, kick on 3, hat
too. on 4. Or Kick drum on all 4 pulses (1/4 notes);
One more basic exercise.
hi-hat on 2 & 4. These are very common. Try
1. Single Stroke Roll any foot pattern you like, but start with these
simple ones first.
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
2. Double Stroke Roll
R R L L R R L L repeat…
Also try playing the sticking patterns with the
3. Paradiddle
kick drum as part of the pattern… Such as the
R L R R L R L L
repeat…
“R’s” being your hands & the “L’s” being the
4. Variations kick. This is a great foot coordination exercise.
R R L R L L R L…. R L L L R L L L…. Yes, you could use the hi-hat foot as part of
R R R L R R R L…. L R R R L R R R … the pattern, but let’s start with the kick for now.
L L L R L L L R…. R R R R L L L L As a hi-hat primer you could play constant 1/4
notes or 1/8 notes with your hi-hat foot as you
For
the
1 la lee
triplet
feel
2 la lee
you
3 la lee
count play these hand and kick combinations. But
4 la lee, etc.
can
only do that after you’ve got the other parts
or 1 trip let 2 trip let, or tri-pa-let tri-pa-let and
working smoothly.
so on. Whatever counting method helps you
focus on a triplet feel is fine.
Building on this solid rhythmic foundation
will strengthen everything else you do as a
Now play these patterns:
drummer. With all the variety of drumming
concepts there are. to learn the basics is
1. Single Stroke Roll
still vital.
R L R L R L R L R L R L
repeat….
2. Triple Stroke Roll
R R R L L L R R R L L L
repeat….
3. Double Paradiddle
34
R L R L R R
January 2018
L R L R L L ….
Carl Albrecht
Professional drummer for 30+ years, playing with
Paul Baloche, Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, Abe Laboriel,
LeAnn Rimes and others. He’s also a clinician,
author & pastor.
www.CarlAlbrecht.com
WorshipMusician.com