In this final segment we’re going to focus on the three different parts of 8th-note triplets (“one-trip-let”). Playing on the downbeats is pretty simple, and the third partial isn’t too strange, since we hear it all the time in swing and shuffle patterns. But isolating the middle beat of the triplet might start out feeling a bit awkward. There’s a lot of space between the three partials. The common tendencies are to rush/crush the space between the notes or to stiffen up and drag during more syncopated rhythms. It’s very important to be able to feel each individual triplet partial comfortably, especially when you start playing quarter-note triplets and associated rhythms. The exercises focus first on the partials played as accents among taps, and then the spaces in between are left open. Playing the correct sticking is crucial. The stickings will usually flow into and out of the check patterns, […]

July 2014 Issue