Example 1 - Combining the Bass Drum & Hi-Hat
Lesson time: (1min 40sec)
Sophie Alloway breaks down your first bass-drum and hi-hat combination, played in sequence rather than together, to start building coordination between hands and feet.
Course preview
This lesson is part of the course Rockschool Drums Method for Beginners
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Example One: Bass Drums and Hi-Hats
In this lesson, we're going to focus on playing some bass drums and hi-hats.
Structure
- Not in Unison: We will not play them at the same time yet.
- Sequence: Start with bass drums and then move to hi-hats.
Recommendations for Right-Handed Players
If you're right-handed, I recommend:
- Hi-Hats: Use your right hand for the hi-hats.
- Sticking: Instead of alternating, stick to your dominant hand for all the hi-hats.
Let's Try It Out
Here's Example 1:
Count: 1, 2, 3, 4, SA.
Reflection
I found this exercise enjoyable because:
- The guitar provides a nice rhythmic pattern that helps us find our place in the beat.
- This setup leads into the bass drum notes and hi-hat notes smoothly.
Overall, it was fun to play along!
About the instructor
Sophie Alloway is a session and touring drummer at the heart of the London jazz scene. She has performed with Jason Rebello, Yazz Ahmed, Laurence Cottle and Tony Allen, and notably played for Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace shortly before he became King.Touring credits include Roots Manuva, the Thriller musical and Paul Stacey (Oasis / The Black Crowes). She is also the drummer in original fusion band Lydian Collective, with over six million Spotify streams.Sophie has recorded sessions at Abbey Road, AIR and Angel studios, and her television appearances include Later… with Jools Holland, Glastonbury and two series of Adrian Dunbar’s drama Ridley. She is featured on Abbey Road Masters: The Drum Sessions and performed for the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2024 finalists, broadcast on BBC TV and Radio. Jon Newey of Jazz FM dubbed her the “goddess of groove”. read more