Drums Grooves in 5 (2+3) & (3+2) Quarter notes and Eight Notes

Drum Grooves (Percussion instruments) in 5 (2+3) & (3+2) with Quarter notes and Eight notes

This part of the “Method for Improvisation in Odd Time Signatures” focuses on the two groupings of Odd Time Signatures in “5” organized as 2+3 and 3+2. Whether the meter in 5 is written as 5/2, 5/4, 5/8 or 5/16, actually it depends on the tempo e.g. 5/2 and 5/4 are generally used for notation in slower tempos and 5/8 and 5/16 in quicker tempos. In this section we will explore various Drum Grooves using the 2+3 and 3+2 groups, utilizing notes up to 8th note values. Further studies will focus on various patterns with 16th notes.

The basic pattern is set between the Kick drum and the Snare drum although a HiHat/Ride cymbal could be added. 

For percussion instruments like Bongos or Congas one can use the same patterns where could replace the “kick drum/low” sound with the low pitch percussion instrument (low bongo/low pitched conga (Tumbadora) and the “snare drum/high” sound with the high pitch percussion instrument (hi bongo/hi pitched conga (Quinto)

The drummer could practice the patterns without HH/Ride cymbal at first until he becomes more comfortable with the counting and the feel. After that, he could add straight eight notes in the HH/Ride. There are also a few HH/Ride rhythms that could be superimposed on top of the Kick/Snare patterns. The drummer should be able to play ANY of the Kick/Snare patterns along with ANY of the HH/Ride rhythms and be able to switch them at will.

Each section has a short-written instruction how should be practiced so that the student will benefit the most from it. Students are also highly encouraged to examine other parts (Melodic Ideas, Piano Comping Patterns and Bass lines) than the ones applicable to their own instrument to understand how it all fits in the “big” picture as an ensemble.

Through these very carefully selected examples, exercises and etudes, the “complexity” and the “awkwardness” of these meters, will soon be replaced with a new and fresh outlook about these “strange”/”odd” rhythms.

The student will also have access to Play-a-long tracks which will accompany the exercises and make practicing much more fun.

For more info please e-mail: errolrackipovjazz@gmail.com