Percussion Tips
By: Megan E. Thomas
Drum Set Hi-Hat Variations
After mastering the skills discussed in my previous article, “Drum Set Basics,” we move on to add some variation. One way to add variation to a basic drum set groove is to change the hi-hat pattern. Altering the hi-hat pattern can drastically change the sound of the groove. This allows the drummer to adapt to the correct "feel" of a tune or to add variation to different sections of a song, like the chorus section, etc.
One hi-hat pattern is playing quarter notes instead of the standard eighth notes. This pattern could also be played on the ride cymbal or the bell of the ride cymbal. Following are two examples of quarter notes on the hi-hat or ride. The top notes with the "x" as the note heads are the hi-hat. The next note down is the snare drum and the bottom note is the bass drum.
Sixteenth notes are another way to alter the hi-hat pattern. Following are two basic examples of using sixteenth notes. Play all sixteenth notes on the hi-hat or ride using the right hand.
After mastering the right-handed sixteenth notes on the hi-hat with several bass drum variations, try a different sticking. Alternate hands on the hi-hat while playing sixteenth notes. This will work by starting with the right hand on the hi-hat followed by the left. The right hand will hit the snare drum on counts 2 and 4 instead of hitting the hi-hat. Alternating hands allows the speed or tempo to be increased.
Work on these hi-hat patterns slowly by themselves first, then add snare, and last add the bass drum into the mix. As these grooves become comfortable, try different bass drum patterns and increase the tempo in small increments.
Meg Thomas Bio
Meg Thomas, percussionist from Chicago, is an active performer and teacher who received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Millikin University. Meg performs and teaches several different percussion instruments such as congas, drum set, bongos, timbales, djembe, tabla, cajon, darbuka, berimbau, cuica, bodhrán, and other percussion instruments.
Meg is involved in several original music projects as well as being an avid performer in the festival and jobbing band circuits. Meg has played in numerous bands over the years, playing in venues that range from House of Blues to Alpine Valley to The Park West to The NBC/Disney Holiday Parade to thousands of clubs, festivals, and bars. Meg has performed on local and national TV, and has also been on local and internet radio. She has experience in a plethora of genres: rock, soca, pop, calypso, blues, punk, fusion, latin-jazz, metal, salsa, world, folk, classical, reggae, disco, R&B, percussion groups, dance ensembles, etc.
In addition to being an active performer, she plays sessions at recording studios, puts on world percussion seminars, facilitates drum circles, teaches private lessons, and writes the Drum and Percussion Tips of the Month column for the webzine, ChicagoMusicGuide.com. Meg is part of the Vic Firth drumstick and mallet company's Education Team as a Vic Firth Private Drum Teacher and has a Sabian Cymbal endorsement.
Visit Meg's website:www.MegThomasPercussion.com
Visit Meg's myspace page:
www.myspace.com/mtpercussion