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.