Part 1: Paradiddles and 16th-Note Subdivisions   Having a tight, solid, good-feeling groove has always been important in drumming. In many cases, bandleaders, singers, and other musicians value a drummer with a solid groove and a good feel more than someone with a lot of chops. We set up the foundation for the music, so we must develop the ability to create a sturdy groove for our bandmates to play over, with a feel that makes everyone comfortable. A great way to develop your groove is to practice things that take you outside your comfort zone and expand the boundaries of your playing. Try working on ideas that are more complex than what you’ll play on the gig. This will make the grooves you play in performance as easy and natural as breathing. The exercises in this first article are designed to help you break the habit of always playing […]

May 2013 Issue