Here is the follow-up to last week’s introduction to independence against the “e-and-a” cymbal ostinato.
These 16 exercises offer every 16th note bass drum possibility before two and four on the snare drum. The “e-and-a” cymbal pattern is laid on top of these grooves so you can work on the mechanics of developing this independence.
At first, this might seem like a weird cymbal pattern to work on. One thoughtful student of mine asked me if I thought it was worth her limited practice time.
That’s a difficult question to answer and it begs the question of artistic exploration. How could anyone know if the idea is useful unless they experiment? Personally, I had no idea if it would sound good but I dug into it anyway. Happily, I was surprised by how cool and different it sounds.
As I’ve been working on these kinds of independence ideas, I recently returned to using a second closed hi-hat on the right side of my kit. I used to be really into this, but I got away from it for a while. I’m finding that I really like it again. Combining the right side hi-hat with my left foot on the “main” hi-hat allows for the creation of some very cool grooves and ideas.
In this case, simply playing quarter notes with your left foot and playing the “e-and-a” on the right hi-hat gives you the complete stream of all the 16th notes, but with a very different sound,
Just another thing to think about and try.
OK, enough of my rambling! Here is the PDF with the 16 exercises: “E-And-A” Cymbal Independence Part 2
Let me know how it goes and post some comments below to let me know!
He first gained attention as one of the winners of Modern Drummer magazine's very first drum solo contest, judged by Rush's Neil Peart.
He's played with Oz Noy, Will Lee, Alison Krauss, Curtis Stigers, Emily Remler, Joel Hoekstra, GE Smith, Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Tony Shanahan, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and many other artists.
For more info: onlinesessiondrummer.com
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As a beginning drummer I say many thanks for this exsercise.
Greetings from Tienen, Belgium, Europe.
D.P. (stands for Danny Pipe. Don ‘t ask me why.).
Hi Danny !
You’re welcome!
Thanks for reading.
MF