8 replies to this topic

[Topcat]

Guys,

I'm after a bit of advice.......

I have decided to jump in at the deep end and have just printed off Dan's excellent transcription of Tom Sawyer by Rush. My tutor and myself are currently going through the "2 handed" method of playing of 16th note Hi Hat groove patterns, so I was just wondering if the Tom Sawyer transcription can be played by using both hands to play the Hi Hat notes?

I'm only asking beause in all of the Tom Sawyer videos that I have seen so far inclusive of "covers" the 16th notes for this song have all been played using just the one hand playing the 16th's rather than two hands playing them.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm just curious to know if I were to play this groove pattern using both hands on the Hi Hat, would it make other notes more difficult to play the further I get into the transcription itself?

Any help welcome,

Kind Regards,

Mark.

[dan_brigstock]

hey topcat,

that's not a stupid question at all, it's great that you're taking the initiative and modifying songs that are out of your reach to a level that works for you.

the only problem i can see is that you're going to struggle to play the patterns where the ride is used with the two handed method. The solution here is simple, just switch them to your hats. Even the 7/8 sections will work ok.

let us know how you get on! also i really need to update the layout on that song!!

[Topcat]

Hey Dan,

Thanks mate - Just for some more two handed hi hat exercises and to stay in line with my current drum lessons......I went through some more of your transcriptions to see which other songs contained a 16th note Hi Hat Groove.

Over the weekend I learnt some of the other songs that you have transcribed and are 16th note hi hat grooves......Boz Scaggs - Lowdown & U2 Sunday Bloody Sunday, so I thought that I'd try something out of my comfort zone.

I've just spotted the ride pattern on lines 14 / 16 etc.....damn, I didn't spot that this morning, but I'll take you advice and switch them to hi hats then, I may play them with a half open hi hat and see what it sounds like.

I'm not sure yet if I'll get past line 39 on Tom Sawyer.......looks a bit hard for me at my level gulp!!

Thanks for the swift response Dan, as always very much appreciated.

TC.

[Nate Brown]

Sounds like you'v got the motivation and determination it takes! Playing along with songs will definitely make practice time more exciting. Keep us updated on your progress!

[Topcat]

Thanks for the support Nate, will do.

I'm going to have a crack at it over the weekend and see how I get on, I'm just going to run through the first page for now to see how I get on playing the hi hat groove with 2 hands rather than one. I've just been looking at the instrumental section of the song (line 39 and onwards) and have noticed that some bars are 3/8 and some are 7/16.....confusing for me as I haven't covered these time signatures with my tutor yet.......think I'm gonna need help with these parts guys........

TC

[Nate Brown]

You can count 3/8 the same as you would 4/4, BUT you start over counting before the "&" of 2.

Example...

1 e & a 2 e | 1 e & a 2 e | 1 e & a 2 e |

Or, to count it as it's really supposed to be counted... each 8th note gets one beat (i.e. count 8th notes like quarter notes) and 16th notes are counted like 8th notes.

1 & 2 & 3 & | 1 & 2 & 3 & | 1 & 2 & 3 & |


How's that for a quick explanation!

[Topcat]

Not only was that a quick explanation, it also makes perfect sense Nate

I didn't know that it was as simple as that if I'm honest (counting wise that is) I think I'm going to start by counting it as it it supposed to be counted to start with "1 & 2 & 3 &.....1 & 2 & 3 &..... 1 & 2 & 3 &....." if I get that far into the song that is (which I will if I stick at it).

I have been talking to Dan this morning about playing the 16th note hi hat groove as it's supposed to be played, as in with one hand on the hi hat only and not 2 hands which is what I wanted to play.

This is because I had a go at the first few lines of the Tom Sawyer groove last night, and found it quite hard playing with both hands on the hi hat when it came to playing some of the other notes, and I also found it hard to keep time just using my right hand to play the 16ths. I think that this may be something to do with my technique and lack of experience, and at a guess, the fact that I have not yet been taught the Moeller technique by my tutor (I have watched a few YouTube vids on this and understand the theory, but would rather wait for my tutor to teach me one to one).

In the meantime, Dan has kindly given me some help and advice on how to improve my single hand 16th note playing, and has given me some warm up exercises, as I currently do not warm up at all.

Thanks again for your help and words of wisdom Nate, as always - very much appreciated

[dan_brigstock]

the awesome thing about nates explanation is that it can cross over to pretty much any other time signature with a 4 or 8 at the bottom =-)

[kenrichatkins]

That was a great tab. The explanations were cool and it has been great thing about the 16th note.
____________
area 51