3 bars of groove + 1 bar of fill
What we learn
- Rhythmic variations
- Sixteenth notes, dotted notes and rests; eighth–sixteenth combinations, short syncopations and dotted rhythms.
- Grooves & fills
- Single-stroke and rhythmic fills, moving between drums and controlling dynamics. Gradually add double strokes and grace notes.
- Tuplets
- Triplets, sextuplets and different stickings. Combine them with other rhythms when they feel comfortable.
In class
- Play the new rhythm on the snare and count it clearly.
- Keep the rhythm unchanged while moving it around the kit.
- Play three bars of groove and one bar of fill, then return to beat one.
What to aim for
Recognise the practised rhythms, keep the correct bar length during fills and return cleanly to the next bar.
At homePractise one new rhythm and a four-bar phrase. Make it clear before increasing the tempo.