Grab your free transcription of the exercises in this video (it will be emailed to you).
Today’s video is over something deceptively-simple, but which, once you make it work for you, is a huge unlock.
Over the years I’ve talked a fair bit “hemiola”, or making 4-beat phrases into 6-beat phrases, and repeating them to make a more interesting, syncopated shape. It’s a handy way to get more mileage out of an idea.
But what if we went “back to zero” and pretended 3 and 6 beat phrases hadn’t been discovered.
Imagine if, suddenly, by decree, every drummer in the universe had to play “symmetrical” phrases. (Phrases based on 4 or 8 beats that resolve inevitably and predictably to the downbeat.) Gartstka, Larnell, Nate, Keith - everybody could do all their fancy stuff, but they could only play symmetrical phrases.
This would be a drab universe.
For drummers familiar with asymmetric phrasing, it would be an exercise in frustration listening to our heroes “boxed in”, and none of their fast chops able to save them.
“Freeeee Carloooock,” we’d yell at the YouTube. “Let the big dog EAT!”
And for those unfamiliar with the underlying theory, our drum heroes would just lose about half their “magic”. Inexplicably, they’d just sound more boring and predictable.
Turn this around, and, by adding one simple tool, we’d restore color to the “black and white” world of boring drums.
An if this tool is powerful enough to make-or-break a Benny Greb solo or beat, imagine what it could do for you.
This is the first in a series of videos exploring elements other than fast chops that create greatness in drumming: asymmetric phrases.
But I’m not even talking about 5s or 7s.
The simple, humble 6s and 3s have been around since Haydn in European music, and probably longer in other traditions. But we started to see them in American music in ragtime and New Orleans marches.
The create a flavor or repetitive syncopation that’s more interesting and danceable, but likely won’t get anyone fired from a gig.
And today, using simple examples, we’ll explore some ways to add them to your drumming immediately.
Hope you enjoy!