Virgil
09-21-2004, 12:20 AM
This rhythm I used on several recordings. Firstly on the tracks "Banana Peels" and "Drumspeak" from the Stretch CD, then also on Derek Sherinian's first solo CD on the track "Space Martini".
The thing that makes this rhythm really groove is the work with the left hand. Although quite subtle in the overall picture, it's this that gives it a nice movement and flow. It's the ghost notes that tie it all together with it's subtle dynamics. On the video you'll hear this part isolated, and it becomes obvious how important it is to the overall feel. I decided to isolate this left hand part on the chart so you can work on it separately, and really understand it. Of course the other important consideration, and the main part of this groove is the pattern with the feet. If you have trouble with the left hand ghost notes, it can still be effective, played as in Ex. 1 with 1/4 notes on the hi-hat and the main back beats with the left hand.
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration of Banana Peels, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/explanation-bananapeels.wmv)
In ex. 1 I have notated the fundamental groove, with no ghost note embellishments. The idea is for the feet to become well acquainted with the pattern, whilst maintaining a 1/4 note groove with the hands.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-a.gif">
Ex.2 is the left hand pattern I play on the snare. All unaccented notes are ghosted. the main backbeats are accented, and the secondary accents are in parenthesis. These are played at about half the volume of the main backbeats.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-b.gif">
Now I have added the right hand hi-hat 1/4 notes along with the left hand part.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-c.gif">
Finally, I put it all together.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-d.gif">
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration of Banana Peels, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/explanation-bananapeels.wmv)
The thing that makes this rhythm really groove is the work with the left hand. Although quite subtle in the overall picture, it's this that gives it a nice movement and flow. It's the ghost notes that tie it all together with it's subtle dynamics. On the video you'll hear this part isolated, and it becomes obvious how important it is to the overall feel. I decided to isolate this left hand part on the chart so you can work on it separately, and really understand it. Of course the other important consideration, and the main part of this groove is the pattern with the feet. If you have trouble with the left hand ghost notes, it can still be effective, played as in Ex. 1 with 1/4 notes on the hi-hat and the main back beats with the left hand.
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration of Banana Peels, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/explanation-bananapeels.wmv)
In ex. 1 I have notated the fundamental groove, with no ghost note embellishments. The idea is for the feet to become well acquainted with the pattern, whilst maintaining a 1/4 note groove with the hands.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-a.gif">
Ex.2 is the left hand pattern I play on the snare. All unaccented notes are ghosted. the main backbeats are accented, and the secondary accents are in parenthesis. These are played at about half the volume of the main backbeats.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-b.gif">
Now I have added the right hand hi-hat 1/4 notes along with the left hand part.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-c.gif">
Finally, I put it all together.
<img src="images/!charts/bananapeels-d.gif">
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration of Banana Peels, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/explanation-bananapeels.wmv)