Presented by Slagwerkkrant,

Virgil Donati

Sabian, Pearl

The Netherlands, November 9-10 2003

Rhythmic Factors

Drummers have a special concern with rhythm. As a feature of our rhythms, we strive for a juxtaposition
of steadiness, as against freedom of rhythmic invention. We need to develop a sense for subdivided and
subordinate accents in our playing. This is not only helpful for our overall creativity, but also for mastering
strong, steady time and placement.
Understanding the relationship between notes of differnt values, and their placement in a measure of time,
is an important step towards being creative with rhythms. The following exercises show the connection
between 1/4 note triplets, 1/2 note triplets and 1/8 note triplets.

~1}

4
4 .. ..
3

4
4 ..

~2}

..

.. ..
3

..

..

You can use this understanding to create interesting ideas such as these, which are
examples of rhythmic modulation.

~3}

> 3 >
>3
..

> 3 >
>3

> 3 >
>3


3

~4}

> 3 >
>3
..

>
>3 >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
.. ..

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Rhythmic Factors
-2-

Layers

This concept explores the possibilities of layering different patterns.

This is the avant-garde of rudiments. Firstly you split a rudiment between two
limbs, and then combine it with a different pattern played between the remaining two limbs.

~5}

6
8

R.H.
R.F.

6
8

L.H.
L.F.

~6}

Paradiddle/Double Paradiddle layer

>
>
>
..


>
>
..


Fiveadiddle/Paradiddle layer

>
5 ..
16

>

> >

>

>
.
.
>
..

>

>

>

>

>

5 ..

16

>

>

>

>

>
>

..

..

This layer combines a basic groove with groups of 3's. You can then break away from the
groove with the right side, and improvise patterns. This is a good soloing idea.

~7}

4
4

>
>

>
>

>
>

4
4

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Rhythmic Factors
-3-

~8}

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

~9}

>
>
>
>
>
>

Transcriptions

Ataraxia - Main Groove (Planet X - "Moonbabies")

7
16

>j j

>j r > >j

j

>j
j

>j
j

>r

>r j >j
j

>j

>7r 1r 2j 3 >4j 5 6j 7

The hi-hat part has a 4 feel:

7
16

>1j

>j

2 3 4 5

Sounds like this -

4
4

>

>

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
r r >j j >j
j

>

>

>

2 3 4

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>

>

>

Rhythmic Factors
-4Exerpt from "Quantum Factor" - In this example, the snare plays all the ensemble hits
and the bass drums fill in with sixteenth note triplets:

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
..


6

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


6

>
>
>
>
>1.
>
>
>
..


6

>
>
>
>j

2.

Unison lines from "Apocalypse" (Derek Sherinian - "Planet-X")

%
..

1.

..

y y y y
y
y
y
y

D.S.

2.

y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
..

3

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