For this 6/8 groove concept you will be playing eighth notes on the bass drum through the whole bar, this means you will have a kick falling with the snare. The idea is similar to the Four On The Floor concept in that it has an almost 'urgent' feel. The concept is fairly straight forward and the only thing that may cause you issue is getting the snare to fall at the exact same time as the kick. If this is giving your grief check out this Hand/Foot Co Ordination Exercise. You may also find that you're right foot starts to get tired after playing this pattern for a while. Practice the groove idea regularly and your foot stamina will show improvement.

I'll start by showing the groove with both eighth notes and dotted crotchets on the right hand so you can get an idea for the basic concept:

The two forms of of the groove.

Written below are a few four bar patterns where this concept has been combined with other 6/8 groove construction ideas along with some fills. Notice that in most fills the eighth note kick continues.


Example 1

A four bar pattern with this concept applied


Example 2

A four bar pattern with this concept applied


Example 3

A four bar pattern with this concept applied


Example 4

A four bar pattern with this concept applied


Example 5

A four bar pattern with this concept applied


TASKS

  1. Using the 2 minute rule, get all patterns up to a tempo of at least 120bpm.
  2. Create your own variations on these patterns. Write as many down as possible.

Lessons

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