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 or 8th notes, but rather as an instrument that can be incorporated into any linear-type groove. I stumbled on the idea of hi-hat substitutions when I was playing a lot of electronica. The beats in that music are usually created by DJs or producers and often have many different hi-hats playing within one groove. In order to replicate these patterns live, I had to figure out how to get as many different sounds out of one hi-hat as I could. I would incorporate the bell of the hi-hat, the edge, and the foot chick. I started by experimenting with the famous Purdie shuffle heard on the Steely Dan tune “Home […]

November 2012 Issue