June 2014 Issue – Volume 39 • Number 6

June 2014 Issue – Volume 39 • Number 6

ZZ Top Tres Hombres

A heinous decision in the ’80s to remix ZZ Top’s classic early tracks didn’t totally diminish Frank Beard’s funky grooves, but it sure was a buzzkill. Fortunately, that call was reversible, and Beard’s beauteous beats were presented in all their…

Dubstep Drumming Part 2: Essential Tracks

In the last article we examined the various components used in dubstep, including the 2-step groove, the wobble bass, and the rewind. Now let’s take a look at some influential and real-world dubstep patterns and tunes. The following transcriptions are…

Steve Goulding

London’s historic ’70s pub-rock scene was the starting point. Today, forty years into his career, the drummer has left his mark on dozens of albums, tours with numerous hit groups—and now a popular Hollywood movie.   London’s pub-rock movement of…

Syncopation Revisited Part 1: Basic Applications

This month’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop features some of my favorite applications of the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. Syncopation has been a staple since it was first published in 1958 and is regarded…

Rhythm And Timing Part 4: 8th-Note Triplets

This month we’re going to make the switch to 8th-notetriplet rhythms. Within the sets of three notes, we’re first going to get into the three available two-note groupings. I’ve found that the best way to count triplets is “one-trip-let, two-trip-let,…

Groove Freedom Part 1: One-, Two-, and Three-Note Permutations

Welcome to the first of three articles based on my new book, Groove Freedom. I wrote the book for my own practice after realizing how limited I was in certain grooves—in other words, how little “freedom” I had. Playing a…