Sputnik Music Forums - View Single Post - Lesson: Developing Bass/Snare/Tom Triplets

billdrum · 01-31-2008, 09:59 AM

Developing Bass Drum/Tom triplets

There are six combinations of triplets using alternating hand strokes and one bass drum stroke:

R=right hand, L=left hand, F=foot/bass drum

1. RLF
2. LRF
3. FRL
4. FLR
5. RFL
6. LFR

If you can develop each of the six combinations, you will have more flexibility in using them in fills or solos, and develop more dexterity around the kit in general.

1) Start with one of the combinations. RLF is probably the easiest for a right-handed player, and is very easy to apply to the kit. Start with your hands on the snare drum only, slowly, repeating the sticking pattern over and over, maintaining a steady, even triplet. Gradually increase your speed until you hit your limit. Do it repeatedly to increase your speed limit. Also be sure your sounds are in balance (ie. the kick shouldn’t be significantly louder than the hands and vice versa).

2) Now try a pattern….keep your left hand on the small tom, begin your right hand on the snare for the first triplet then the floor tom for the second triplet (snare-high tom-foot/floor tom-high tom-foot) still maintaining the RLF sticking pattern. Again start slowly and gradually increase speed. Find other repeating patterns that work for you.

3) The last step is to spread the pattern randomly around the kit. Keep the RLF sticking pattern but move your hands anywhere on the kit, using toms, snare, cymbals, whatever you can hit. Be strict and consistent with the sticking though, keep the triplets even, and balance your sound. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed.

Now follow the same steps for each of the other sticking policies. Convenient patterns will vary with each. With daily, patient practice, you should develop the coordination and speed to master all of the combinations. As you begin using them in actual fills, remember they can be used as triplets or sextuplets, or super-imposed over quarter note triplets for more advanced fills. Experiment with different patterns for use in fills and solos.

BONUS: Take each combination a step further for use with 16th/32nd notes by adding an extra foot: RLFF, LRFF, FFRL, FFLR, RFFL, LFFR. You can use a double pedal on this for real speed, or use it to develop your single pedal speed.

Enjoy!

01-31-2008, 09:59 AM	#1
billdrum Time Is Of The Essence Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: IL Posts: 4,636	Lesson: Developing Bass/Snare/Tom Triplets Developing Bass Drum/Tom triplets There are six combinations of triplets using alternating hand strokes and one bass drum stroke: R=right hand, L=left hand, F=foot/bass drum 1. RLF 2. LRF 3. FRL 4. FLR 5. RFL 6. LFR If you can develop each of the six combinations, you will have more flexibility in using them in fills or solos, and develop more dexterity around the kit in general. 1) Start with one of the combinations. RLF is probably the easiest for a right-handed player, and is very easy to apply to the kit. Start with your hands on the snare drum only, slowly, repeating the sticking pattern over and over, maintaining a steady, even triplet. Gradually increase your speed until you hit your limit. Do it repeatedly to increase your speed limit. Also be sure your sounds are in balance (ie. the kick shouldn’t be significantly louder than the hands and vice versa). 2) Now try a pattern….keep your left hand on the small tom, begin your right hand on the snare for the first triplet then the floor tom for the second triplet (snare-high tom-foot/floor tom-high tom-foot) still maintaining the RLF sticking pattern. Again start slowly and gradually increase speed. Find other repeating patterns that work for you. 3) The last step is to spread the pattern randomly around the kit. Keep the RLF sticking pattern but move your hands anywhere on the kit, using toms, snare, cymbals, whatever you can hit. Be strict and consistent with the sticking though, keep the triplets even, and balance your sound. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed. Now follow the same steps for each of the other sticking policies. Convenient patterns will vary with each. With daily, patient practice, you should develop the coordination and speed to master all of the combinations. As you begin using them in actual fills, remember they can be used as triplets or sextuplets, or super-imposed over quarter note triplets for more advanced fills. Experiment with different patterns for use in fills and solos. BONUS: Take each combination a step further for use with 16th/32nd notes by adding an extra foot: RLFF, LRFF, FFRL, FFLR, RFFL, LFFR. You can use a double pedal on this for real speed, or use it to develop your single pedal speed. Enjoy!