Intro to 16th Note Bass Phrasing

So far, all of the rhythms you’ve practiced have snare and bass strokes that fall directly in line with the hi-hat strokes. Many drum beats use sixteenth-note phrasing, which is the technique of placing strokes in between the 8th notes on the hi-hat strokes (i.e. on the “e” and/or “ah”). It’s important to keep your 8th notes on the hi-hat very consistent. Developing good timing is essential to your success as a drummer.

Bass Drum: The Heart Beat

The bass drum is the heart beat of a song. The audience can feel it thump in their chest as they listen. Your bass drum needs to drive the song in a meaningful way. This section of the book introduces a lot of different patterns for the bass, but it’s important to remember that bass-rich patterns shouldn’t be used just for the sake of having more bass. As a drummer, it’s your job to find the beat that brings the song to life.

As a side note, as you listen to songs, you’ll notice that a lot of times there is a specific “heart beat” for each section of the song (i.e. verse, intro, chorus, etc.). Try listening to how the bass patterns change in your favorite songs as they progress through different sections.

Sixteenth-note Phrasing with the Bass Drum

Sixteenth-note phrasing can be accomplished by placing a bass stroke in between the hi-hats. Check out how this technique is used in Jane Says—Jane’s Addiction (1988).

Jane Says – Jane’s Addiction