Eighth TripletsHowever; many rudiments employ triplets. This roll pattern is actually a primary NOTE-VALUE that falls in-between 8th-notes and 16th notes. In many ways the 8th-triplet roll is a much more important roll than ANY of the rudiments! We will begin by learning a simple 8th-triplet fill pattern.
With a little imagination the 8th-triplet fill may be extended and varied millions of ways around the drumset. Remember. The bass drum is extremely important! Without it you will most likely lose control of the tempo and the roll as well. Be sure to pat your (right) foot as indicated in the written notation. Watch and listen to the video and audio files. Memorize the 'sound' of triplets. You will be hearing and using them everywhere.
Memorize . . .
First: Memorize the stroke pattern. You will be playing a steady stream of six notes per group. Pat your right foot, to mark the
first note in each new group. Repeat, repeat, repeat until a steady and rapid flow is achieved.
8th triplet roll. 
Move to the hi-hat at
the end of the pattern. Repeat until it's easy. 
Hear it! 8th triplets into 8th rock. Repeat until it's easy.
VIDEO: Click to 'Play', see, and hear it done.
Video:
Adapt this 'fill' to a beat in progress . . .
Remember! The beat pattern does not have to be the basic 8th 'rock' pattern as
written in these exercises. The 'Permutation' lesson will reveal over 4.3 billion variations
of this individual beat category (8th 'rock' 4/4). Triplets may be used with mixed variations
and syncopations of this . . . or ANY basic beat category.
Hear it! Drop the fill into a beat in progress.
I've decided to give you a little to think about on the pattern above. As I said earlier, triplets may be varied millions of ways. In this variation, the bass drum (right foot) replaces the first note in each group of three. This is much easier to play than the traditional triplets. I have nicknamed these 'rock triplets' because they are very popular amongst rock drummers. However; in the next breath I should include that jazz drummers and all highly skilled drummers will use them consistently as well.
Triplets are popular with drum solo artists too, because the variation possibilities are almost endless. Experiment with triplet varieties of your own and try them all with your favorite music.
THE FINAL STEP:
Playing with music, is the most important part. If you can adapt these patterns to music and learn to use them habitually, they
will reach perfection very quickly. You should be having fun as they develop, while playing along with the music you love.
At this point in the course, you may now study any lessons that interest you . . . AS they interest you. The following lesson is suggested but only if you find it interesting. You will be needing all the following beat variations sooner or later. The GOOD news is that many of them will occur naturally 'IF' you are jamming with recordings routinely.
NEXT? Primary Rock-Beat Variations: These are the foundation rhythms that have continued to dominate rock music styles for the past thirty-five years. You should do more than just learn them. Memorize and play these patterns until they are a part of your soul.
Back to the lesson menu . . .
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