Teaching Drumset Grooves
by Peter O'Gorman

Percussion students often find themselves in situations where they need to learn a new drumset groove (beat) but are uncertain of how to proceed. Without a step-by-step process for the student to follow, learning the new groove can be tedious and frustrating.
     This article outlines two systems that I have found to be extremely effective in teaching students new grooves.

SYSTEM A
     Frequently when a student is having trouble learning or perfecting a groove, the trouble can be traced back to the inability to coordinate two of the limbs. By isolating and practicing each of the two-limb combinations (ride & snare drum, ride & bass drum, and snare drum & bass drum), the student can often work out the coordination challenges before putting the groove together.

Groove to be learned:

Notation Key:

Step 1

Choose a slow tempo!
Example:

for eighth note based grooves

for sixteenth note based grooves

     I recommend practicing with a metronome or drum machine. Note: When the tempo is slower than , students may find it easier to play along with eighth note clicks rather than quarter note clicks.

Steps 2, 3, and 4

     Play the three two-limb combinations, repeating each several times.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

     Start by playing two of the limbs (example: snare drum & bass drum). After a few repetitions, add the third limb (example: ride) to complete the groove.

Step 6

     Increase the speed of the groove by small increments (example: , , , etc.) until the desired tempo is reached. Repeat the groove several times at each tempo.

SYSTEM B
     Frequently when a student is having trouble learning or perfecting a groove, the trouble can be traced back to one or two notes in the pattern. By starting the groove at the beginning and adding notes one at a time, the student will dramatically increase his or her awareness of each note (count) in the groove. Usually this increased awareness is all that is needed to learn or perfect a groove.

Step 1

     You guessed it, choose a slow tempo!

Steps 2, 3, and 4

* Play the first two notes of the groove.
* Add a single note in each succeeding step. Repeat each step several times.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

     Continue this process until the groove is complete.

Step 6

     Increase the speed of the groove by small increments until the desired tempo is reached. Repeat the groove several times at each tempo.

     While both of these learning systems are quite effective, you may find that one works better than the other depending on the type of groove and the learning style of the student.
     For more challenging grooves or for students who need to take smaller steps, it is possible to combine these two systems. After practicing each of the two limb combinations, add the third limb one note at a time.

Example:

* Start by playing the ride and snare drum parts.
* Add the bass drum part one note at a time.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

     There are several variations of these systems that may also be effective in teaching drumset grooves. Be creative and trust your instincts when working with students.

Peter O’Gorman is a percussionist, composer, educator, and author of the critically-acclaimed drumset method series Drum Sessions. He maintains an active private lesson studio and is president of the Minnesota Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.

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