Playing the “Herta” pattern in groupings of 3’s, 5’s and 7’s.

The “Herta” pattern is a hybrid rudiment which originates from military drumming. It consists of a single drag played with alternate sticking. A basic “Herta” is written below.

Click play to listen. Example played at 60 BPM.

 

One of the most well known uses of this pattern is in the song “Bleed” by Meshuggah. In this song Tomas Haake plays the “Herta” pattern with his feet whilst playing a quarter note rock groove with his hands.

Opening groove in “Bleed”

Click play to listen. Example played at 115 BPM.

 

This pattern is in groups of 3 16th notes. To practice this play 16th notes on the snare drum accenting groups of 3.

Groups of 3’s

Click play to listen. Example played at 50 BPM.

 

Once you have this add the “Herta” pattern in place of the accents.

 

The next step is to transfer this pattern to the feet. Notice which hands fall in unison with which feet. The aim is to avoid flams between limbs.

 

The “Herta” pattern can also be played in groups of 5’s. In the song “Bleed” the “Herta” pattern changes to groups of 5’s at 0:52 seconds into the song.

2nd groove in “Bleed” – Groups of 5’s

Click play to listen. Example played at 115 BPM.

 

Practice groups of 5’s the same way as groups of 3’s. Start by playing all 16th notes in the bar and accent groups of 5’s.

Groups of 5’s

Click play to listen. Example played at 60 BPM.

 

Then replace the accents with the “Herta” pattern

Click play to listen. Example played at 60 BPM.

 

There is a section later in the song “Bleed” at 2:32 min which combines the groups of 3’s, 5’s and 7’s.

The sequence is:

7 → 7 → 5 → 3 → 5

Section 5 from the song “Bleed” – combines 3’s, 5’s and 7’s

Click play to listen. Example played at 115 BPM.

 

Practice changing from 3’s to 5’s to 7’s to master this groove. Set the metronome to a slow speed to start with before progressing. Then slowly increase the speed.

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