In this double kick groove construction lesson you will be taking the straight Constant 16ths In A Common Time Groove pattern and removing all 'e' counts on the feet. This will leave the feet playing a 1 + a rhythm and you will be applying a right hand and snare part over this rhythm in various ways.

This new rhythm will give a groove a 'galloping' feel which is used a lot in the metal genre. That said, when used correctly this groove can fit most styles of music.

Shown below is the pattern the feet will be playing in all grooves. By now you should be familiar with this simple rhythm but you may need to spend some time working on the co ordination of your feet. The way I would approach this is to think of it as straight singles with the first left foot taken out, giving you an ordering of 'R R L R R L'. Remember that in our double kick notation the left foot for a double kick is shown on the line below the standard bass drum, this makes working the ordering of the feet for this pattern a little easier. Here it is:

An exercise

Spend some time getting comfortable with this foot part before progressing to using it in groove parts. As usual, start with a low tempo but build up to a higher tempo than you would normally, around 160bpm would be good.

Listed below are some examples of grooves with this rhythm applied. I have tried to give as many different construction ideas as possible but remember to treat these as suggestions for constructing your own versions.


Example 1

A common time example with eighth note right hand.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


Example 2

A half time example with a quarter note right hand.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


Example 3

A double time example with eighth note right hand.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


Example 4

A common time groove where the right hand follows the rhythm of the double kick.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


Example 5

The rhythm applied under a 3/4 waltz style groove.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


Example 6

A half time version in 5/4.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


Example 7

Adding in an additional sixteenth note in a common time version of this groove.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


Example 8

Filling in some 'e' counts with a ghosted snare in a half time version of the groove.

A groove with a galloping 1 + a double kick rhythm


TASK

  1. Using the 2 minute rule, get all grooves examples up to a tempo of at least 150bpm.
  2. Create further variations on these grooves.
  3. Apply these grooves to a phrased piece.

 

Lessons

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