Bass Drum Variations
This section contains every possible rhythmical variation for bass drum using quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, certain rests and the dot. As it is technically difficult and uncommon to group 3 or 4 sixteenth notes in a row, these rhythms have been excluded where possible.
The examples in this section have been grouped together according to:
- which examples contain a bass drum on beat 1
- which examples contain a bass drum on beat 2 (with the snare).
This is done so that beat creation can occur in order of common usage, e.g., most rock beats begin with a bass drum on beat 1.Most rock beats avoid playing bass drum and snare together (on beat 2).
The hi-hat and snare drum pattern most commonly used in rock (Example 1) is notated with each bass drum variation. Don't forget that example 1 can be joined with other examples when creating beats in * time.
Suggested Practice Method
1) Make sure you are familiar with the How to Use This Book section, as correct book usage relies upon an understanding of this material.
2) Play any or all examples (1 - 149) as written. I recommend playing each example 20 times before continuing
3) Join any 2 examples together to create 1 bar of standard * time. Possible * time combinations in Section 1 = 22,201.
