Messed Up Flam Tap Groove
This wicked groove breaks a pseudo-flam-tap pattern up across the ride bell, toms and snare.
The bass drum in the first bar sandwiches two off-beat 8th notes in between 16th note doubles. The second bar flips it around with the 8th notes on the outside.
It might be easier to learn this groove if you start with the hands’ foundation. Below is the main pattern with all of the left hand strokes played on the snare drum. After you master the foundation, try moving the strokes to the toms like in the full beat.
Foundational hand pattern
Notice that the hands start with a left-handed flam tap in the first bar and then switch to a right-handed flam tap in the second bar.
Remember to take it slowly at first, keeping it clean and consistent. Gradually build your coordination and speed.
Author
Publisher of OnlineDrummer.com, Alfred Publishing author, Ddrum artist, and veteran Drum! Magazine contributor, Nate is a graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio and holds a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Findlay.
