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Approaches for Big Band Rhythmic Articulation This month we’ll explore ways of approaching and articulating ensemble rhythms. As drummers, we obviously can’t perform note lengths with the same exactness as a horn player. We can, however, use the many long…
Improve Your Bottom Line Part 3: Bass Drum Comping in 5/4
Welcome to the third and final installment in this series on bass drum comping. This time we’ll be working in 5/4. The phrases included here are intended to help you develop dynamic balance with your bass drum foot in unison…
Don’t Disturb the Groove! Part 2: Hi-Hat Substitutions
In this article we’ll discuss substitutions where we’re basically using the hi-hat foot to replace either a hand or a bass drum note. The idea is to look at the hi-hat as not just an instrument that plays quarter notes…
The CRASH Course to Success Part 4: Skill
This month we focus on the fourth part of our CRASH concept for success. For those of you who have not been following this series, CRASH is an acronym that stands for “commitment, relationships, attitude, skill, and hunger.” These are…
Five-Note Phrasing - Part 2: Adding More Tension and Release
In this lesson we’ll continue exploring five-note phrases within a 16th-note subdivision. To become fluent with these groupings, you need to internalize where the five-note phrase begins and ends. To review, let’s reinforce the ability to hear the starting point…
Must-Know Grooves - Disco, a Drumming Staple of the 1970s
In this new series we’ll be taking a close look at some of the most influential, practical, and essential drum grooves of all time, studying a pattern’s history and learning how to play it step-by-step. If you’re serious about getting…
Blake Richardson on Between the Buried and Me’s Automata, Part 1
Digging Into the Veteran Technical-Metal Group’s Latest Offering
Maximize Your Practicing — Get the Most From Whatever Time You Have
It seems that now more than ever we live in a world where it’s a challenge to find the time to do anything outside our daily responsibilities. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Fours and Sevens in 7/8 — Part 1: Single Strokes
This month we’re going to work on a couple of shortburst single-stroke rudiments: the single four and single seven. The key to executing these rudiments effectively is using finger control to play rapid free strokes. Single fours and sevens are…
Improve Your Bottom Line — Part 2: Bass Drum Comping in 3/4
Continuing with the concept introduced in the last issue, this article explores bass drum comping ideas in 3/4. The phrases included here are intended to help you develop dynamic balance with your right foot in conjunction with your three remaining…
Exploring The New Frontier — Moving Beyond Pattern-Based Thinking
Practice materials laid out in any given method book are often validated by the possibilities for musical application that await those who work through the pages patiently of diligently. This article is designed to give you a glimpse of the…
Don’t Disturb the Groove! Part 1: Broken Doubles and Paradiddles
“Don’t disturb the groove.” Whether we’re playing to an audience that’s pumping their fists, moshing, or simply dancing, as drummers we never want to be the one held responsible for clearing the floor. But what happens when someone yells, “Give…
