Sixteen Beat Coordination

Book Pages

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  p.1 — Foundational Sixteenth-Beat Pattern

  The alternating sixteenth-beat pattern uses both hands to strike the hi-hat in an alternating motion. When a snare drum stroke is played, the corresponding hand momentarily leaves the hi-hat to hit the snare. This technique generates an energetic, lively and dynamic groove. These exercises develop coordination for the foundational sixteenth-beat hand pattern while incorporating varied bass drum patterns for added depth and groove.

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  p.2 — Sixteen-Beat with More Advanced Bass Placements

  Continue refining the foundational sixteenth-beat hand pattern by incorporating more advanced bass drum placements. Adding bass drum strokes on the ‘ah’ introduces syncopation, creating a funkier, more dynamic groove.

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  p.3 — Bass Drum on the “E”

  These challenging grooves create a subtle yet infectious funk feel by strategically placing sparse bass drum strokes on the syncopated ‘e,’ adding rhythmic complexity and groove.

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  p.4 — Kicking the “Es” and “AHs”

  Expanding the groove to include bass strokes on both the ‘e’ and ‘ah’ enhances its funky feel, making it more pronounced and dynamic. If you’re leading with your right stick on the hi-hat, every syncopated bass stroke will align with your left hand, reinforcing the groove’s rhythmic flow.

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  p.5 — Snare on the “Ah”

  The snare drum can also be played on syncopated strokes, adding even more rhythmic complexity. When additional snare strokes are introduced, the hi-hat pattern naturally shifts, creating the illusion of one rhythm (i.e. hi-hat rhythm) layered on top of another (i.e. snare and bass rhythm).

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  p.6 — “AH” on Beats 2 and 4

  Placing snare drum strokes on the ‘ah’ after both beats 2 and 4 establishes a consistent, driving pattern that reinforces the groove and adds rhythmic momentum.

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  p.7 — Syncopated “E” Stroke

  Placing the snare drum on the ‘e’ creates a subtle push, building anticipation for the backbeat and adding a forward-driving energy to the groove.

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  p.8 — “Es” and “AHs” Across the Snare

  These grooves incorporate snare strokes on both the ‘e’ and ‘ah,’ adding dynamic visual movement and injecting extra excitement into the rhythm.

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  p.9 — Adding Syncopated Bass Drum

  Up until now, you’ve played drum beats where all bass drum strokes landed on eighth notes. These grooves introduce bass drum hits on the ‘ah,’ adding a funkier, more energetic feel to the rhythm.

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  p.10 — Syncopated Bass on the “E” Stroke

  These grooves feature bass drum strokes on the ‘e’ while maintaining a repeated alternating sixteenth-note hand pattern, creating a syncopated, funky feel.

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  p.11 — Combining the “Es” and “AHs” on Bass

  Things get funkier when the bass drum lands on both the ‘e’ and ‘ah,’ adding deep syncopation to the groove. Keep in mind that if you’re leading with your right hand, these syncopated strokes will align with your left stick for a smooth, locked-in feel.

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  p.12 — Syncopating the Hands and Feet

  These exercises challenge you to develop coordination by combining syncopated hand and bass patterns. Lock in the groove, embrace the challenge, and get funky!

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  p.13 — “Upping” the Snare Game (1)

  These grooves strengthen coordination by combining advanced hi-hat and snare patterns with syncopated bass strokes, adding depth and complexity to your playing.

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  p.14 — “Upping” the Snare Game (2)

  Keep developing your coordination by incorporating additional snare strokes against the syncopated bass. Take notice of the hi-hat pattern that is created as your hands move between the hats and the snare.

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  p.15 — More Snare & Bass for Advanced Coordination

  Develop the coordination to tackle even more advanced syncopated rhythms—keeping your hands moving fluidly and the groove feeling alive!

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  p.16 — Two Syncopated Bass Strokes

  Layer in more syncopated bass against the hand pattern. These grooves drive hard by featuring two consecutive syncopated bass drum strokes—landing on both the ‘e’ and the ‘ah’—for a powerful, dynamic feel.

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  p.17 — Speeding Up the Bass Foot

  Playing two consecutive bass drum strokes makes a bold statement in your grooves. These exercises introduce bass drum strokes on the ‘ah,’ immediately followed by the downbeat, adding punch and drive to your rhythm.

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  p.18 — “& AH” on the Bass

  Keep refining your foot technique while maintaining steady sixteenth-note patterns on the hi-hat and snare. Focus on control and precision to lock in the groove.

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  p.19 — “E &” on the Bass

  Starting two consecutive bass strokes on the syncopated ‘e’ creates a funky, powerful rhythmic statement that drives the groove forward.

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  p.20 — Doubling Down on the Downbeat

  Starting two consecutive bass strokes on the downbeat delivers a strong, commanding rock feel that drives the groove with power and intensity. These beats emphasize bass strokes on the downbeat, immediately followed by the ‘e.’

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  p.21 — Bringing the Bass Work Together

  Get funky by locking in the sixteenth-beat hand pattern while applying all the syncopated bass combinations you’ve practiced. Feel the groove and let the rhythm flow!

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  p.22 — Moving the Snare and Bass

  These beats elevate the groove by combining syncopated strokes between the hands and bass drum, adding depth and rhythmic complexity.

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  p.23 — Syncopated Hands Against Two Basses (1)

  These advanced grooves feature two consecutive bass strokes woven into syncopated hand patterns, creating a dynamic and rhythmically rich feel.

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  p.24 — Syncopated Hands Against Two Bases (2)

  These rhythms blend a steady sixteenth-note hand pattern with two consecutive bass strokes starting on the ‘e,’ adding syncopation and groove depth.

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  p.25 — Downbeats and Hands

  On page 20, you practiced doubling the bass drum strokes on the downbeat with a basic hand pattern. Now, take it further by applying this technique to more advanced hand patterns, enhancing your coordination and groove control.

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  p.26 — Putting it All Together (& Moving the Backbeat)

  These advanced sixteenth-beat patterns combine everything you’ve practiced so far, resulting in really funky grooves. In exercises 13 through 16, the backbeat shifts from beat 4 to the ‘&’ of 4, introducing a subtle hesitation feel that adds rhythmic tension and groove. Once you’ve mastered these grooves, you’ve truly conquered the sixteenth-beat. Now it’s time to take your new skills and unleash them into the wild!