Triplet Accent Studies

Lesson 6/87 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Complete Drums

Triplet Accent Studies

The following patterns use the rhythmic possibilities concept to dictate the position of accented notes with the following ostinato:

Combination Sight Reading Exercises

The following 3 sight reading exercises feature combinations of various rhythmic figures. Each exercise is highly syncopated and requires a sound understanding of previous sight reading material.

New rhythmic figures are added to successive exercises.

It may be necessary to break each exercise into smaller digestible pieces, e.g., learn each bar individually, learn combination of 2, 4 and 8 bar phrases, before attempting the entire 16 bars.

Sight Reading Exercise 28

Sight Reading Exercise 29

Sight Reading Exercise 30

Combination Triplet Sight Reading Exercise

The following sight reading exercise features combinations of various triplet rhythmic figures.

Sight Reading Exercise 31

Advanced Independence Concept 3

The combination sight reading exercises can be used to further develop co-ordination and independence in the following way:

Choose an ostinato.
Choose the limb and voice requiring independence.
The chosen limb from step 2 plays the sight reading exercise while the appropriate limbs simultaneously play the ostinato chosen at step 1.

Here is an example of the process:

STEP 1 - Ostinato pattern:

STEP 2 - Right foot, Bass Drum

STEP 3 - Here is an example of step 3, using the first 4 bars of the combination sight reading exercise 28.

The advanced independence concept 3 explained previously, can also be used in conjunction with the triplet combination sight reading exercise 31. Here is an example of that process:

STEP 1 - Ostinato pattern

STEP 2 - Left hand, sidestick

STEP 3 - Here is an example of step 3, using the first 4 bars of the triplet combination sight reading exercise.

Ostinato Patterns

Here are some suggested ostinato patterns which can be used with advanced concepts 1, 2 and 3. The suggested limb and voice requiring independence is listed with each ostinato. The ostinatos are split into 2 categories:

1) Straight interpretation - limb requiring independence plays:

(I) Rhythmic possibilities (example 967.)
(II) Sight reading exercises 1065 - 1067.

2) Triplet interpretation - limb requiring independence plays:

(I) Rhythmic possibilities on (example 1033 - 1040.)
(II) Sight reading exercise 1068, swung interpretation of sight reading exercises 939 and 940.

Straight Interpretation

Bass drum (RF)

Snare drum (LH)

Bass drum (RF) plays written part, snare drum (LH) fills in sixteenth note gaps.

Bass drum (RF)

Bass drum (RF) plays written part, snare drum (LH) fills in sixteenth note gaps.

Hi-hat (RH)

Bass drum (RF)

Snare drum (LH)

Bass drum (RF) plays written part, snare drum (LH) fills in sixteenth note gaps.

Bass drum (RF)

Snare drum (LH)

Bass drum (RF) plays written part, snare drum (LH) fills in sixteenth note gaps

Bass drum (RF)

Note:RH= Right Hand LH=Left Hand RF=Right Foot

Ostinato Patterns - Triplet Interpretation

Bass drum (RF)

Snare drum (LH)

Bass drum (RF) plays written part, snare drum (LH) fills in eighth note triplet gaps.

Bass drum (RF)

Snare drum (LH)

Bass drum (RF) plays written part, Snare drum (LH) fills in eighth note triplet gaps.

Sidestick (LH)

Bass drum (RF)

Snare drum (LH)

Bass drum (RF) plays written part, Snare drum (LH) fills in eighth note triplet gaps.

Hi-hat (RH)

Bass drum (RF)

- Create your own ostinatos.
- Develop independence with the limb of your choice.
- Try adding a foot closed hi-hat pattern to each ostinato, e.g.:

- Remember to count.

Jazz Independence

Jazz independence refers to the ability to co-ordinate snare and or bass drum beats independently to that of the swing ride cymbal pattern. Most "comping" (phrasing with snare and or bass drum) rhythms are derived from eighth note triplets and eighth note triplet rests. In * time, there are 390,625 rhythmic possibilities for snare and or bass drum using eighth note triplets and eighth note triplet rests. The following method is designed to develop comping independence with a swing ride pattern, using the fewest possible exercises.

There are 16 independence exercises (combinations of snare and or bass drum over 4 events).