I've wanted for weeks to do a lesson on subdivision changes. If Microtime is the first-order differentiator between great players and mediocre ones, precise subdivision isn't far behind. I first got interested in the concept when I was practicing the Rudimental Ritual this summer and realized most people I'd heard play it were missing the most fundamental and deep part of it - the 2-against-3 and 4-against-6 tension. People were playing it too fast, just "seat of the pants"ing transitions from half notes to quarter triplets with a bossa kick drum pattern.
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudes!!!! You can't bullshit this stuff. Not if you want to be great.
So I'm gradually going to be tackling this issue, which is a challenge for me as well, but I'm starting simple. This week, I talk about the following:
- How to transition seamlessly from eighths to triplets to 16ths without guessing.
- The two "frames of reference", how they're different, and why they're important.
- Exactly what to work on to practice both.
This is a departure from the big projects of the last few weeks, but I hope you'll find it valuable.
Aaaaaaalsooooooo - I'm not borrowing anyone else's music for this week's episode, so I can be commercial as hell. Which is why I'm going to tell you about the 80/20 Roadmap, the best $5 you're going to spend for your drumming the rest of this year (and luckily it's December 21 as I write this!).
Want to be great at drums but not sure how to close the gap? Most drummers suffer from the same 3 problems. The Roadmap shows you what they are, and how to fix them.