Other Lessons using Cuban Rhythms
(relatively) Easy Ostinato to Develop Feel and Coordination
This lesson mirrors my last lesson to my Latin Funk Connection class at Musicians Institute. In this class, during the 10 week quarter, we focus on the similarities between "Latin" music and Funk. In this particular class, I gave my students a very basic assignment to develop their groove and, at the same time, their coordination. Do you have the book Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone? You should! Many feel that this book is a cornerstone of learning to play snare drum and drum set. These exercises are based on pages 5-8 from Stick Control. The following ostinato, a repeated rhythmic figure, is to be played with your bass drum. This rhythm is one that you, as a drummer, must be able to feel and play with conviction. It can be heard the world over, from the United States to the Netherlands, Japan to Brasil, Cuba to the Ukraine. For beginners, just play the pattern. For intermediate players, play the pattern and play the hi hat on quarter notes or eighth notes.
Here are the first four patters from page 5 of Stick Control. They are written as 16th notes. Play these, on the snare drum, over the bass drum pattern. Make sure that the notes all "line up" correctly, with no flamming. For those intermediate students, you may play these phrases as 32nd notes as well.
Once you have these first four patterns mastered, then move on to the next patterns in Stick Control.
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Coordination and Sticking Idea
I've been busy doin some short video clips. Here's another. This comes from a Cuban percussion break I heard performed by a famous group called Los Papines. It's commonly called a cierre. What I did was transcribe the break, then apply it as a drumset pattern, fill, or across the barline type of pattern. This short video shows the drum set exercise then the hand pattern exercise. Both are relatively advanced. I've included the notation as well. Both of these ideas are available in my book Practical Applications. Oh, I also teach by video! Here's the drum set application. I know, it's difficult! It's a true coordination exercise. On the video I'm also playing HH on every quarter note.
Now, the hand pattern. This lesson, as you can see, is very advanced. Hey, if you find it too challenging, there are many other lessons on this site.
Here's the QuickTime video. It's about 1 mb in size.
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Applying the Clave to the Drum Set Very Practical Grooves
Here are some basic, practical groove applications of the Cuban clave rhythm. Ride can be on hi hat or cymbal. No hi hat part is written. Middle line is snare drum and bottom line is bass drum. Letters A and C are applications of the son clave. Letters B and D are applications of the rumba clave. Letters C and D can be played "hand to hand" (RLRL) on the high hat, with the back beat being played with the right hand.
Applying the Clave to the Drum Set Very Practical Grooves #2
OK, now we're going to add ghost notes to the grooves from the last lesson. Of course, beats 2 and 4 are emphasized here. DO NOT FORGET THAT! This ghost note pattern is one of very many patterns. You have to keep your ears open to the many patterns out there. For those of you who try this groove, let me know what you think.
