In this concept you will essentially be turning your left foot into a metronome when playing a groove. This only really works when the right hand is not playing the hi hat. Whilst this does add an extra layer of rhythm to the groove, it's main purpose is time keeping. It is quite useful when a groove gets more complex as it adds a sort of 'latching point' to the pulse.
Applying this concept is incredibly simple, take an existing groove and add quarter notes on the left foot underneath. Several examples of this are added below. It may be worth going through some of our Foot Strength/Stamina lessons before attempting these grooves.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
Example 6
Example 7
Example 8
TASKS
- Learn the grooves above up to a tempo of at least 140bpm.
- Apply the concept to different grooves.
- Create some 4 bar phrases using these grooves.
The short piece below makes use of some of the ideas covered in this lesson. The left foot crotchet count continues under all fills in a similar way it has in our rudiment feet patterns.
