In this lesson you will be learning simple three note grouping that can be used as a 'building block' for fill construction. This pattern will also make a good exercise for foot control and general co ordination. In this lesson the pattern will be two notes on the hands followed by a note on the foot. Shown below are quarter, eighth and sixteenth note triplet versions of this.
Quarter Note Versions
I'll start by showing a slowed down version of the pattern as quarter note triplets. As quarter notes each grouping fills half a bar, so it is played twice in a full bar. The hands can be played all on the right, the left or alternating. Playing the pattern with all variations is a useful exercise.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get the exercise up to a tempo of at least 180bpm.
Eighth Note Versions
This is then doubled up to eighth notes. Nothing has changed except the speed of the part.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get the exercise up to a tempo of at least 150bpm.
Sixteenth Note Versions
Here is the full speed versions. Each block now fills one beat so there are four occurances in each 4/4 bar. Again, experiment with different stickings.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get the exercise up to a tempo of at least 130bpm.
- Experiment with different stickings for the hands.
- Orchestrate the hands.
