Drum Lesson 5 - Alternating Patterns Part 1

Hello my fellow drummers and musicians out there! It has been several weeks since my last post and like everyone else, I have been a busy person. For this lesson, which occurred on 4/17/2013 with my instructor Jack I. Hall at the Willis Music Store on Hurstbourne Lane here in Louisville Ky. Today's lesson focused on Alternating single strokes applied to the drum kit utilizing the kick drum, hi-hat and snare drum.

Here's the objectives: To use both hands on the hi-hat playing alternating strokes with the left and right hand's and second work on the coordination between the left hand and the right-foot; this not natural in our day-to-day life.

Let's get to it! The first measure below is mostly straight forward, all measures will be sub-divided (meaning two sets of notes repeats itself), sixteenth notes on the hit-hat, kick drum on the count of one and snare drum on the count of 2 and 4. Notice that on the count of 2 and 4, you have to drop you your right hand down to play the snare. In order to accomplish this a sticking pattern on the hi-hat needs to be applied: R, L, R, L.  The reason for this is sticks don't get crossed up and gives time for us to get the right stick back in position to play the next beat on the hit-hat.  This is very important! 

Alternating Patterns Part 1 - Measure 1

Notes: Each of the measures will build upon this set of notes for the remainder of the lesson. Also, if you don't know how to count sixteenth notes or need a refresher check my lesson out here on musical theory!

The second measure below, sixteenth notes on the hat, an additional kick drum is added on the count of the &'s of each set of notes (& of 1, & of 2, & of 3 and & of 4).

Alternating Patterns Part 1 - Measure 2

The third measure below, sixteenth notes on the hat, an additional sixteenth note kick drum is added on the count the a of 1 and a of 3.

Alternating Patterns Part 1 - Measure 3

The fourth measure, well remember what I said above about the left hand and right-foot coordination, well here it is. We have sixteenth notes on the hat as previous, the kick drum that was on the & count of 2 and 4 is moved to the e of 2 and e of 4. This means that the left hand will play the hi-hat and the right-foot will play the kick drum. Again, take this slow to work on the technique and the increase your speed when you are comfortable with being able to complete the measure several times through.

Alternating Patterns Part 1 - Measure 4

The fifth measure continues with sixteenth notes on the hat, that awkwardness of the left hand hitting the beat on the hat and the right-foot with the kick drum along with an extra kick drum being placed on the & of 2 and & of 4.

Alternating Patterns Part 1 - Measure 5

The final measure moves the kick drum again, this time is lands on the a of 2 and the a or 4. This means that you have a double kick moving from the count of a of 2 to 3 and from a of 4 to 1. For some reason, this measure gave me the most trouble due double kick on a of 2 to 3 and a of 4 to 1.

Alternating Patterns Part 1 - Measure 6

That is it for the fifth lesson, as you can see from the above, this is some good material that can be added to you practice work that will really get you going with alternating singles on the hi-hat, snare and bass drum and will work on the coordination between your left hand and right-foot. Remember, when practicing, start at a slowly, use a metronome and be patient. Happy Drumming to all and if you have any questions, drop me a message or email!