DRUMS
GOING BEYOND THE SONG - PLAYING “8’S” FOR DRUMMERS | Carl Albrecht
Most musicians agree that the drummer keeping once you’ve mastered a song take the next step single hand lead. As you get faster use two
the time solid is the backbone to any band. and work on your own variations of the ideas hands.
But it is also true that all the players in a group you copy. Here’s one way. And it works!
4. THE SHUFFLE OR SWING FEEL – This is a triplet
affect the feel of a groove. Also, the sound in
pattern minus the middle note. 1 trip let 2 trip
the venue, and a good monitor mix have a huge Let’s talk about the practice of “playing 8’s.” This let… but the “trip” is silent. Or think 123 123
impact on the way music feels at any given time. is an exercise to make your groove feel second 123 123 etc. but the 2 is silent.
I really think that when all of the elements come nature and create your own ideas at the same These are the basic four groove families that
together that’s when musicians are the happiest. time. I have written about this before, and I all patterns and styles seem to build upon. Be
… And yet, the drums are at the foundation of it believe it’s the best way to achieve a natural flow sure to mix things up. Don’t just play one type
all. So let’s keep building up our foundation. in your playing. Yes, all studying is important, of groove. And be sure your play list contains
and I like working on a variety of techniques. But songs of many different styles. These will be your
My last article talked about playing lots of songs this one routine seems to have a huge impact starting point. You can do variations of any kind
to build your drumming vocabulary. Becoming a on every drummer I work with. Repetition is the after every eight bars, as if you were creating a
musical drummer is the goal of all the rudiments, key. In my clinics over the years this exercise new song, but maintain the same count and feel
books, and studying. It is absolutely necessary is the most challenging. Most students could of the basic groove.
for a musician to become articulate and solid at play a variety of ideas and tricks, but most of playing the music. So great “song playing” is the them struggled to maintain a consistent, steady This one exercise really seems to help drummers
end game for all players. groove for a long period of time. This is a relax and find the “flow” of a groove. Concentrate
drummer’s top priority. It’s gotta’ groove! on precision and feel. Don’t try to be flashy or
But to go one step further as a creative drummer,
complicated at first. Think “meat and potatoes”
Playing 8’s is simply playing eight bars or for this groove building routine. Then try variations
measures of the same kind of groove without as you get more comfortable. Remember the
changing the pattern. Start by using a pattern goal with this is to gain confidence and solidify
you’ve been playing from your current song list. your groove. Get in the flow of the pattern you
Be sure to do no fills in the 4 th bar; which is a play and make it feel great. Don’t let anything
very common thing to do. That does happen change from bar to bar until you play some fill in
musically in many songs, but for the sake of this measure eight. Listen carefully to be sure every
exercise wait until bar eight. You must also use note is as perfect as you can make it, but be
a metronome or drum loop device to keep your relaxed at the same time.
time rock solid. Play for four to five minutes for
one groove concept, because most songs are Record yourself doing this every day! Listen
normally that long. Also, be sure to count out back and pay attention to how it really feels.
loud at first… 1 234 2 234 3 234 4 234 5 234 Keep doing this until your groove feels relaxed
6 234 7 234 8 FILL. Count with the subdivision and solid at all times. As my friend Abe Laboriel
of the pattern too… 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & - and so on. would say, “To groove, or not to groove… there
You can choose from four groove families. is no question.” This is so true my friends.
1. 8 NOTE GROOVES - which are counted 1 & Everything else is just icing on the cake. Now
TH
2 & 3 & 4 &.
go do it!
2. 16 NOTE GROOVES – counting 1e&ah 2e&ah
TH
3e&ah 4e&ah. Slower versions you can lead
with one hand, but as it goes faster use two
hands.
3. TRIPLET GROOVES – count 1 trip let 2 trip
let, etc. OR 1 la lee 2 la lee 3 la lee 4 la lee.
Again, slower tempos can be played with a
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March 2020
Remember, “Discipline is a powerful thing.”
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. Contact Carl for coaching, online
lessons, producing, or sessions. I’m still growing too..
www.CarlAlbrecht.com
[email protected]
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