Virgil
03-22-2006, 09:37 AM
Sixteenth note time signatures represents a large part of my rhythmic vocabulary. There are many many ways to creatively use these time signatures. In this lesson I offer some insight into how to learn to feel these groupings in the easiest and most useful way possible. By simply playing odd 1/16 note groupings as single stroke rolls, you will be well on your way to 'feeling' them. Of-course it is important to be aware of dynamics and to 'ghost' all the secondary notes, in order to give the groove a nice flow, and not make it sound heavy handed and too linear. If you have had limited experience playing odd groupings, I recommend you spend time playing ex. 1 on the snare drum, until it becomes as natural as playing normal 1/16 notes. Going through the examples in the lesson 'Defining Odd Time Signatures/Meters" is recommended as an introduction to Odd Times.
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/groove-16oddtime.wmv)
When playing an odd number of notes in a measure, the leading hand will alternate every measure when playing single strokes. This makes it very adaptable for playing backbeats in odd time grooves. (See ex. 2).
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-a.gif">
Bass drum variation.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-b.gif">
Accenting every second hi-hat beat, suggests an 1/8 note feel.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-c.gif">
Using a second hi-hat. This option substitutes a second hi-hat instead of alternating hi-hat /snare. (see video example)
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-d.gif">
A useful way to learn how to improvise with the bass drum while playing the 5/16 groove, is to systematically move through all the 1/16 note positions , starting on beat 1, then 2,3,4 and 5. Moving through all 1/16 note positions - One bass drum beat every two bars.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-e.gif">
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-f.gif">
Moving through all 1/16 note positions - One bass drum beat every bar.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-g.gif">
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-h.gif">
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/groove-16oddtime.wmv)
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/groove-16oddtime.wmv)
When playing an odd number of notes in a measure, the leading hand will alternate every measure when playing single strokes. This makes it very adaptable for playing backbeats in odd time grooves. (See ex. 2).
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-a.gif">
Bass drum variation.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-b.gif">
Accenting every second hi-hat beat, suggests an 1/8 note feel.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-c.gif">
Using a second hi-hat. This option substitutes a second hi-hat instead of alternating hi-hat /snare. (see video example)
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-d.gif">
A useful way to learn how to improvise with the bass drum while playing the 5/16 groove, is to systematically move through all the 1/16 note positions , starting on beat 1, then 2,3,4 and 5. Moving through all 1/16 note positions - One bass drum beat every two bars.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-e.gif">
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-f.gif">
Moving through all 1/16 note positions - One bass drum beat every bar.
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-g.gif">
<img src="images/!charts/groove16thnote-h.gif">
<img src="images/attach/wmv.gif">For a video demonstration, click here. (http://www.virgildonati.com/msgboard/attachments/groove-16oddtime.wmv)