In this article, we’ll apply 16th-note triplets to two bass drums, and form various rhythm and hand-foot combination patterns. First of all, consider how much space is taken up by a 16thnote triplet. In one bar of 4/4, a 16th-note triplet takes up one-half of a beat, which is the same amount of space as one 8th note or two 16th notes. This is shown in the following three patterns. These patterns are identical, except the bass drum(s) changes on the & of 3. In the first pattern, the bass drum plays an 8th note on the & of 3. In the next pattern, the bass drum plays two 16th notes starting on the & of 3. By playing a 16th-note triplet beginning on the & of 3 with two bass drums, the following pattern is formed: This is one way of applying the 16th-note triplet to double bass drums. […]

December 1986 Issue