Playing grooves using triplets
Posted on Jul 20, 2011 in Creative Concepts
Triplets are groups of 3 notes. They are used in many different forms of drumming, whether constructing drum fills, solos or grooves. In this article we’re going to look at using triplets to construct a groove. Andy Burt gives us an introduction to triplets and how to count, play and apply them in a groove context. The Triplet Feel Sometimes referred to as 6:8 or 12:8 Blues, or even the 6...
Read MoreParadiddle Mania
Posted on Mar 13, 2011 in Creative Concepts
In this edition of the blog, we’ll explore further into the world of drum rudiments. Previously we talked about single strokes and double strokes in the context of drum rolls (click here to read the article). The paradiddle is a versatile rudiment because it utilises both the single stroke and the double stroke within a particular sticking combination. Diddlin’ away The paradiddle...
Read MoreRudimentary Rolls
Posted on Jan 26, 2011 in Guides and Resources
The ‘highlights’ of the drum rudiments: Part 1 – Rolls. Drum rudiments are the building blocks of developing stick control. The rudiments are useful and relevant to almost every aspect of drumming. They help build drumming ‘vocabulary’, consistency, accuracy, and the tools for developing expressive playing. You use rudiments in fills, grooves and to create...
Read MoreIf you can say it, you can play it
Posted on Nov 10, 2010 in Creative Concepts
Some of our previous articles have been based around the theme of ‘drumming as a language’. We looked at the written language of drumming and visited the idea of punctuation in drumming. The Elephant Drums teaching method is all about the application of drumming in a practical musical context. Therefore let’s try to take some of the linguistic concepts discussed in earlier...
Read MoreLong and short dynamics
Posted on Sep 20, 2010 in Creative Concepts
This article is closely related to the previous discussion on drumming as a language (see ‘the secret of reading drum music‘). Let’s build upon the idea of ‘communication’ through music, this time paying particular attention to dynamics. SHOUT! whisper SHOUT! whisper If you were to vocalise the words above in the manner the words describe (i.e. you shout the word...
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