The Rock Shuffle

Book Pages

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  p.1 — Foundational Rock Shuffle Beats

  Start your rock shuffle journey with these foundational shuffle rhythms and patterns. Some drummers prefer counting the triplets as ‘1 & ah 2 & ah …’ while others use ‘1 trip let 2 trip let …’—both approaches work! The rock shuffle is sometimes notated in 12/8, but it looks and feels the same as it does in 4/4, so you can count it the same way. Mastering this feel will give your grooves a deep, driving pulse that works across blues, rock, and beyond!

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  p.2 — Making it Shuffle with Snare

  Adding an extra snare stroke at the end of the shuffle enhances the groove’s swing, reinforcing the shuffle feel. This subtle variation injects a rockabilly or surf-music vibe, giving your playing a lively, rhythmic bounce.

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  p.3 — Shuffling the 2 and 4

  On page 2, you practiced adding a snare stroke at the end of the shuffle. Now, we’ll apply this same technique to beat 2. These grooves incorporate snare strokes at the end of both beats 2 and 4, reinforcing the shuffle feel and adding extra drive to your playing.

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  p.4 — Leading the “4”

  These grooves introduce a snare stroke just before the backbeat on beat ‘4,’ creating a subtle sense of anticipation. This rhythmic push enhances the groove, making the backbeat hit feel even more satisfying when it lands.

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  p.5 — Leading both Backbeats

  Increase the anticipation by adding a snare stroke before each backbeat on beats ‘2’ and ‘4.’ This technique builds rhythmic tension, making the backbeats feel even more impactful and driving the groove forward.

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  p.6 — Leading and Shuffling

  Blend the techniques of leading the backbeat with shuffling the backbeat to craft a high-energy shuffle that propels the music forward. This combination enhances groove depth, adding both momentum and dynamic feel to your playing.

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  p.7 — Snare on the Downbeat

  These grooves introduce a snare stroke on the downbeat of ‘3,’ adding a strong, driving pulse that enhances the shuffle feel and makes the rhythm more pronounced.

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  p.8 — Syncopating the Shuffle

  Up to this point, every snare stroke you’ve played has aligned with a hi-hat stroke. These grooves introduce syncopation by placing snare strokes between the hi-hat strokes, adding a new layer of rhythmic complexity to the shuffle.

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  p.9 — More Syncopated Snare

  These grooves introduce syncopation on both beats ‘1’ and ‘4’ by placing snare strokes between the hi-hat strokes. This subtle variation enhances the groove, adding depth and a funkier shuffle feel.

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  p.10 — Trailing the Backbeat

  These grooves accentuate the backbeat on beat ‘4’ by following it with a snare stroke placed between the hi-hat strokes. This added syncopation enhances the groove, giving it extra drive and rhythmic texture.

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  p.11 — Trailing both Backbeats

  Follow both backbeats with a syncopated snare stroke to reinforce the shuffle feel. This repeated pattern enhances the groove, adding emphasis to the backbeats and driving the rhythm forward.

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  p.12 — Three Snares

  These shuffle grooves highlight beat ‘4’ by incorporating three consecutive snare strokes, adding extra drive and rhythmic intensity to the groove.

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  p.13 — Three Snares on “2” and “4”

  On page 12, you played three snare strokes on beat ‘4.’ These grooves expand on that concept by applying the same technique to beat ‘2,’ creating an even more dynamic and driving shuffle feel.

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  p.14 — Syncopate the Bass Drum

  So far, we’ve explored various snare placements to craft dynamic shuffle beats. Now, further your rock shuffle by incorporating syncopated bass drum patterns, adding even more groove and drive to your playing.

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  p.15 — Building the Shuffle with Hands and Feet

  These grooves introduce a snare stroke at the end of the shuffle, seamlessly blending with the syncopated bass patterns you’ve been practicing. The result? A shuffle groove that’s funkier than ever!

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  p.16 — Shuffling both Backbeats on Snare with Syncopated Bass

  These grooves shuffle both backbeats on the snare while locking in with syncopated bass strokes—layering even more groove into the rhythm. That’s a whole lot of shuffle!

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  p.17 — Leading the Backbeat and Syncopated Bass (1)

  On page 4, you practiced ‘leading’ the snare by playing a stroke before the backbeat on beat ‘4’ to create subtle anticipation. Now, push the groove even further by integrating syncopated bass strokes, enhancing rhythmic depth and drive.

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  p.18 — Leading the Backbeat and Syncopated Bass (2)

  Leading both beats ‘2’ and ‘4’ with a snare stroke while incorporating syncopated bass creates a distinct and dynamic rock shuffle feel, adding rhythmic tension and groove.

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  p.19 — Snare on the Downbeat with Syncopated Bass

  On page 7, you practiced placing a snare stroke on the downbeat of ‘3.’ Now, put that skill to work by combining it with syncopated bass strokes, adding even more groove and rhythmic complexity to your playing.

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  p.20 — Syncopated Snare in Beat “3”

  Energize your shuffle by using the popular technique of adding a snare stroke between the hi-hat strokes on beat ‘3.’ This subtle variation injects extra groove and liveliness into the rhythm.

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  p.21 — Syncopated Snare in “1” and “3”

  Enhance the shuffle feel by adding a snare stroke between the hi-hat strokes on both beat ‘1’ and beat ‘3.’ This extra layer of syncopation reinforces the groove, making the shuffle even more dynamic and driving.

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  p.22 — Syncopated Bass and Trailing Backbeats

  On page 10, you practiced ‘trailing’ the backbeats by adding a snare stroke after the snare on beat ‘4.’ Now, take this technique even further by incorporating syncopated bass drum patterns, adding greater depth and complexity to your grooves.

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  p.23 — Trailing the Downbeat and Syncopated Bass

  Take your ‘trailing’ technique further by adding a snare stroke after the snare on beat ‘1.’ This not only reinforces the downbeats but also maintains the signature feel of the rock shuffle, adding both drive and groove.

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  p.24 — Putting it All Together (1)

  Put your hard-earned skills to the test with these advanced rock shuffle patterns. These grooves combine everything you’ve practiced, pushing your coordination, feel, and groove to the next level!

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  p.25 — Putting it All Together (2)

  Master these final advanced rock shuffle grooves, and you’ll be ready to tackle any rock shuffle that comes your way. With these skills in your arsenal, you’ve officially conquered the rock shuffle—congratulations!