Porcaro and Texas Shuffles Explained

Extending my series on Shuffles, I'm going to provide the patterns to two of the more popular Shuffle patterns: Rosanna (Porcaro) and Texas.  If you have not worked with shuffles yet, please take a look at the first two parts of this series: Do You Know How to Shuffle and Groove The Half Time Shuffle

The Rosanna or Porcara Shuffle 

 

This shuffle was made popular by Jeff Porcara, the drummer for the rock group Toto with the song Rosanna; as the names apply.

If you have not done so already, you may want to take a few minutes to look at this article to become acquainted with shuffles and in particular the way in which they are counted: Do You Know How To Shuffle. You may also take a look at this article on Ghost Notes as they are also included in this two patterns: Drum Lesson 7 - Alternated Patterns Part 3.

This pattern can be a little complicated; at least it has been for me. As with all shuffles, this is triplet based, with the count of 1 being a hi-hat and kick drum combination, a snare beat on 2 and another hi-hat on the count of 3.  The second triplet starts with on the count of 4 with a hi-hat, the count of 5 is a ghost note snare beat (see this article mentioned above) followed by the count of six with a hi-hat and kick drum.  The count of 1 on the third triplet starts out with a snare beat, followed by ghost note snare on the count of 2, hi-hat on the count of 3, hi-hat / kick on the count of 4, snare beat on the count of 5 and ends with a hi-hat on the count of 6.

Rosanna Shuffle Part 1

The next measure in this pattern starts out with the count of 1 of the triplet with a hi-hat, followed by a ghost note snare beat on the count of 2, then a hi-hat and kick drum on the count of 3.  The next triplet starts out just like the first triplet accept that the snare beat on the count of 5 is a normal one.  The third triplet is the same as the one is the first part and the last triplet is the same as the second triplet; hi-hat, snare and hi-hat / kick combination.  

Rosanna Shuffle Part 2

The Texas Shuffle

The Texas Shuffle, while not as specific as the Rosanna, has many incantations and varies through-out its usage.  Below I have listed some songs that utilize this shuffle pattern so that you can give a listen to them and get a feelings for this groove.

"La Grange" by ZZ Top

  "Collins Shuffle" by Stevie Ray Vaughan

"Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" by Joe Nichols

"Should've Said No" by Taylor Shift

Lets dive into the specifics of this pattern with the first example.  This example starts out with a hi-hat / kick drum on the count of 1, a rest of count of 2 followed by a ghosted snare beat the count of 3.  The other three triplets follow this pattern.

Texas Shuffle Example 1

The second example starts out with a hi-hat / kick combination on the count of 1, rest on the count of 2, ghosted snare beat and hi-hat on the count of 3 and this pattern repeats for the remainder of the measure.

Texas Shuffle Example 2

There are many different varies and there is no right or wrong way for the shuffle to be played as the two examples above show.

So, that's it.  Now that the Rosanna and Texas Shuffle has been explained, it's time to take it to the kit and apply these three new patterns which will your arsenal of drumming techniques. I have created a downloaded PDF file that you can print and take to your kit; get it here: Porcaro Texas Shuffle Explained.