Second Line drumming
With
Pat LevettPat Levett breaks down New Orleans second line drumming - the snare phrase that kicks it off, combining bass drum and cymbal, and snare embellishments.
What's in the course
12 lessons (0h 53m) · 2 free
01. The New Orleans groove & feel
Free lesson3:38
02. Pat Levett demonstrates some New Orleans Style Drums
Free lesson2:34
03. Adding a bass drum pattern
2:34
04. Second Line drumming
You are here4:37
05. New Orleans Rock & Roll - Fats Domino
4:53
06. The Dirge - Funeral March
3:24
07. The Rebirth Groove
4:04
08. Mardi Gras Indians
5:54
09. New Orleans Funk
7:48
10. Zydeco Music
3:55
11. Allen Toussaint
5:09
12. Fill-ins & creative ideas
5:00
Lesson transcript
Snare Drum Techniques and Embellishments
To kick off a second line, the snare drummer plays a phrase that sounds a bit like this. You can download this on the PDF.
When the whole band hears that phrase, they're off and ready. You'll hear that the bass drum and the cymbals come in on the last part of that phrase.
Emulating the Sound
I came up with the idea of playing the bass drum and the cymbal together to emulate that sound.
- The hands will play this rhythm.
- The bass drum, our lead instrument, will play over that.
You may notice that sometimes I'm putting a roll with my left hand, which contributes to the overall sound.
Alternate Playing Methods
I understand that many people might not have this as part of their setup.
Here are some alternatives:
- You can play it on a ride cymbal.
- You can also use your hi-hats and splash them.
So, I can play the same phrase, same exercise, but just using these hi-hats instead.
Listen closely to the difference.
Snare Drum Embellishments
There are many embellishments you can do on the snare drum, lots and lots of different ones.
For example:
- Traditional Jazz Idea: The left hand just bouncing on the hands. You can add the bass drum to that.
- Rolling Technique: This might be used more as a fill rather than a regular pattern.
- Regular Jazz Time: Just playing with the right hand.
The more you listen, the more you'll hear the subtle changes in individual approaches to playing the same thing and the same tune.
It's very much open to interpretation, and I hope you find it rewarding.
I look forward to seeing you in the next lesson!
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
After graduating on drums from the Guildhall School of Music in 1999, Pat has performed and recorded with Liane Carroll, the James Taylor Quartet, Tim Minchin, the Ronnie Scott's All Stars, Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), Earl Thomas, Paddy Milner, the Phil Stevenson Trio, the Downtown Dukes, 24 Pesos, the Puppini Sisters, Sandi Thom and Bernard Purdie, amongst others.
He has toured extensively across America, Russia, Asia and Europe, playing many well-respected venues, festivals, TV and radio slots. Pat also plays chromatic harmonica and is a featured soloist on two albums by Will Grove-White (Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain).
His own projects include 'The Coalminers', dedicated to playing New Orleans funk and soul, and 'June Afternoon', an organ trio featuring Ross Stanley and Nat Martin.
In his New Orleans Style Drumming course, Pat unpacks the grooves, feel and second-line vocabulary that define the city's sound, so you can lock into authentic funk and soul behind the kit.
