Recently I had a lesson with John Riley where we discussed soloing. The creation of vocabulary was a big part of the talk. There was a notion of efficiency in how one works on stuff–which I realized is extremely important, but I want to save that for later because it deserves its own entire post.
Taking his advice, I started coming up with ideas. And this one–I’m calling it “Paradiddle Plus One”–is so simple but sounds so great that I had to share it with you.
Just take a single bass drum note and follow it with a paradiddle. That’s it. Start with a bass drum note, follow that with a right-handed paradiddle, add another bass drum and follow that with a left-handed paradiddle. Repeat.
This pattern (aka “Nasty Lick #127”) has so many possible orchestrations and sounds great in many different rhythmic metrics. I’ve only really scratched the surface on the worksheet I’m providing you as a PDF here: Paradiddle Plus One
As always, take my material as a starting point. I’m sure there are many more variations on orchestrations or rhythmic ideas that you can apply to this pattern…have at it! Feel free to email me and let me know what you think.
PS – Imagine that you could regularly get these Nasty Licks delivered to your email inbox every time we post one. Great drumming vocabulary to raise your drumming level–free. Go do it–just type your email addy into the form below, and click that button.
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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Very cool
Thanks, Edward!
As you say … just one dime idea with endless variations!?
Killer! Going to work on this, especially in 32nd notes.
Hey Mike –
That’s great! Let me know how it goes…
MF
Hey Terry — Yes, endless ways to use it…. what I usually do is find a few that I really like and stick with them…..
MF