Developing Independence 3: Counting In Five

• By Libor Hadrava
• Published September 22, 2011

In our last lesson, we added bass drum permutations of a three/sixteenth-note pattern to our established and well-known snare drum rudiments while counting in three sixteenth-notes – a logical progression from our first lesson. The bass drum permutations were in the same time signature as our counting pattern, so you didn’t have to absorb too much at once – just had to make sure that all permutations happened four times before moving on.

It’s time to step it up.

This time we’re going to count sixteenth-notes in groups of five on top of our snare drum patterns. We will also play bass drum permutations of a four/sixteenth-note pattern. Keep the bass drum on each beat four times before moving it over by sixteenth-note.

This approach is yet another step toward engaging our hearing and mind back into what we physically do. Our snare drum patterns should be controlled by muscle memory, and so should counting in five, by pronouncing each number. Try to process your counting in the back of your mind. It helps that all counting is done in the same sixteenth-note pulse as our snare drum patterns.

Now we have to figure out how to play four sixteenth-note bass drum permutations and keep track as we play each four times. The best way to approach this is to penetrate both of these layers of muscle memory by listening. Our snare drum patterns are purposely kept on snare drum, and now will help us. You can hear them as a flow of sixteenth-notes. Group them in your mind by four, and all permutations of the four/sixteenth-note pattern are just a little “ear training” step away. It will get easier after a while, because it’s based on listening it in this specific way.

You will notice that some snare drum patterns are in a four/sixteenth-note pattern. Please don’t match bass drum permutations to these patterns. My system is designed to work at all times regardless of the different patterns employed (whether they are snare drum, bass drum, or counting patterns). Remember, exercises have to be in relationship to time, “the master code,” not to each other.

Just like in our previous lessons you will notice certain notes line up with your counting or bass drum pattern. Please do not force them to line up. Do not accent any notes. All snare drum, bass drum, and counting patterns should be even in volume.

Snare Drum Sticking Patterns
RLRL*
LRLR
RRLL*
LLRR
RLRR LRLL*
RLRLRR LRLRLL*
RLRRLL*
LRLLRR
RRRRLLLL*
RRR LLL*

[*] = Patterns used in the video, but you should practice all of them regardless of how similar they seem to you.

Please spend a lot of time on these exercises. There are no shortcuts, only hard work. But the results are priceless and absolutely worth it. See you next time.

How To Drum-Beginner Drum Lesson

Do you want to learn how to play the drumset? If so you should definitely check out this article. Learn the nuts and bolts of your first drum lesson.

The act of drumming in itself probably goes as far back as human existence does. Drumming is like many other talents or gifts in life such as the ability to draw, sing, and swim really well. Many renowned and respected professional drummers past and present have been born with that knack to play drums. In most cases their talent was spotted and cultivated by tutors or other drummers, or they just had to teach themselves the finer points of playing through constant practice along with trial and error. Musicians may tell you that compared to learning the piano, learning to play the drumset is easy. This is however left up to opinion.

Checklist for learning to play the drumset

• By now you've probably learnt how to hold the sticks properly in matched or conventional grip. if not, look it up.
• Make sure the drums and hi-hat in front of you are properly adjusted.
• Make sure you are comfortable on the stool or seat you are using.
• Make sure you feel relaxed in general.

In delivering your first drum lesson, some drum teachers may teach you how to play comfortable strokes with both hands first. Also, others may teach you how to read drum notes simultaneously as they teach you the drum beats. In whatever case, for your first drumset lesson simple rock beats in 4/4 time are always good options to start with.

How to play a basic rock beat in four easy steps

As such, you need to count four even beats to make one bar. In a typical, simple rock beat this is how you would play. Your right hand playing the hi-hat cymbals located to the left would tap and repeat the count 1-2-3-4 slowly and constantly. To further put the beat together you would then add the a single tap on the snare on 3. In doing so, the 1-2-3-4 count on the hi-hat must not be interrupted and the snare drum hit synchronizes with the hi-hat hit on 3 as well. Finally you must place a bass drum hit with your right foot on 1 or the first count of the bar. It combines with the first hi-hat count also.

Putting it together

1. Hi-hat and bass drum together
2. Hi-hat
3. snare and hi-hat
4. Hi-hat