Sixteenth Notes
This is a sixteenth note. It lasts for one quarter of a beat. There are four sixteenth notes in one beat. There are 16 sixteenth notes in one bar of * time.
The following example contains a bar of sixteenth notes played on the snare drum. Use alternate sticking (RLRL and then LRLR) and remember to count out loud as you play. Once you have control of the example, try playing it with one hand only (RRRR and then LLLL). Although this is less common with sixteenth notes, it is used in more advanced drumming and is therefore worth mastering.
Now try moving between quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes. Keep the tempo consistent throughout, regardless of the type of note being played. As in the previous example, alternate RLRL and then reverse the sticking (LRLR)
When you can keep a steady tempo while moving between quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes on the snare drum, try moving around the drumkit using both eighth notes and sixteenth notes while playing quarter notes on the bass drum as shown in the following example.
Now try playing a fill using sixteenth notes as shown here. The fills you learned in the previous lesson were four beats in duration, but it is common to play fills which last for only one or two beats.
A great exercise for becoming comfortable with a new note value is to alternate between a basic groove and a fill every two beats as shown here. Take it slowly at first and as always, count out loud and use your metronome to make sure your tempo remains consistent throughout the example.
