The quarter-note hi-hat style has a distinctive sound and feel that makes it well worth the extra effort required to perfect it. I first heard this style played by Clyde Stubblefield on James Brown’s recording of “Mother Popcorn,” and many of the following rhythms are based on Clyde’s work. A new type of coordination must be developed for the quarternote style, because we can no longer rely on the familiar, steady 8th-note hi-hat pattern. It is really easier to play two limbs at the same time than it is to play them separately. In the quarter-note style, much of the work is done by the left hand and right foot playing separately, without the reinforcement of the right hand on the hi-hat. This presents a new challenge. The quarter-note style is used in medium-slow to fast rock and funk (quarter note = 96-160). Make sure that the backbeats are still […]

July 1985 Issue