Advertisement

Video Lesson: Hidden Rhythms, by Mike Johnston

 This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the February 2016 issue, which is available here.

Rock ‘N’ Jazz Clinic

Hidden Rhythms

Part 1: Cookin’ With 16ths

The concept of discovering hidden rhythms within common subdivisions reminds me of the first time I removed the back of my boom box when I was about twelve years old. I knew that this simple device must have something fascinating inside it to reproduce radio waves and play cassette tapes, but it wasn’t until I popped off the back that I discovered the wealth of technology hiding in there.

In this article we are going to explore a single measure of unaltered 16th notes. On the surface, it looks mundane. But a plethora of patterns—from world rhythms to odd groupings—is waiting to be found inside those notes.

Check out a video demonstration of the exercises below.

Mike Johnston

For the complete lesson with transcriptions, check out the February 2016 issue, which is available here.

Learn about the February 2016 issue of Modern Drummer featuring Adam Deitch


Advertisement