Playing the Open Hi-Hats
Another important drum technique which is common in current Rock styles is playing the open hi-hat cymbals. This involves releasing the pressure of the left foot to partially open the hi-hats and then playing the open hi-hats with the side of the stick.
An open hi-hat is notated by a small o above the note. The hi-hats are then closed where a + appears and played as normal until the next o symbol appears. The exact degree of opening is up to you. Experiment until you are happy with the sound, but don’t open it too far or the sound becomes sloppy and makes it difficult to keep good time.
Once you are confident playing the open hi-hats, the next step is to add the bass drum and snare drum. Practice this example many times until you are totally comfortable with it.
When you can play the previous example, try this groove which uses eighth notes on the hi hat, which is opened on the "and" section of each beat.
A good way to become familiar with any new technique is to incorporate it into some beats you are already familiar with. Try using the open hi-hat technique with some of the Rock beats you have learned in previous lessons. Here are some examples.
Another way to become thoroughly comfortable with a new technique such as playing the open hi-hats is to systematically practice going through all eight 8th note positions with it one at a time as shown in the following example, and then in combinations.
