In previous months we have learned about an often-ignored sound of drumming called Flat Flams. Then we learned about Joe Morello’s creative way of combining eighth notes with Flams.This month we will continue with a study of playing triplets with Flams. Flams are useful on both the snare drum and drumset applications as both fills and within grooves. Joe Morello really breaks everything about down about playing and using flams in his legendary book Master Studies. Eighth Notes with Flams These exercises should first be played as written, on a snare drum or practice pad, without accenting the flams. After playing these at a medium dynamic, practice them at various dynamic levels, from very soft to very loud. You should also practice different ways of playing the flams, from very closed— almost “flat”— to somewhat open. As with any exercise, adapt it to your own particular needs, and to the […]

August 2023 Issue