Music Lesson: Analyzing "Lore" by Richard Spavin

Overview

In this lesson, we'll explore "Lore" by Richard Spavin. The piece has a drum and bass feel and is characterized by its uptempo nature.

Key Elements

• Eighth Notes: We'll be playing eighth notes on the hi-hat throughout the piece.
• Syncopation: The most challenging element is the syncopation between the bass drum and the snare.

Structure of the Piece

• Intro:
  • The piece begins with a 12-bar intro.
  • The drums enter on beat two (there's no crash on beat one).
  • Emphasizing beat two is a recurring theme throughout the track.

Idea of the Piece

This creates an over-the-bar-line quality, giving the music a sense of being in an odd time signature.

Drumming Patterns

• First Eight Bars:
  • I'll play the first eight bars for a practical understanding.
• Underlying Two-Bar Pattern:
  • This pattern runs throughout the piece.
  • Note the transition where we come off the hi-hats to hit the crash cymbal.

Specifics on Notes

• Crash Cymbal: Hit on the and of one.
• Snare: Hit on beat two.
• Hi-Hats: Don't close until the snare drum note is hit.

Progression Through the Piece

• Letter B:
  • The feel straightens out into a straight drum and bass pattern.
  • This pattern remains until four bars before letter C.

Sample of the Feel at Letter B

Here's a sample of that feel at letter B.

Transition to Letter C

• Drum Break:
  • Here are the four bars that form the drum break at the end of letter B.

Section Breakdown at Letter C

• The section at letter C contains 32 bars that are among the most challenging.
• Let's break this down into four eight-bar sections:
  • Bar 73: First eight bars of letter C.
  • Bar 81: Next eight bars.
  • Bar 89: Further eight bars.
  • Bar 97: Last eight bars leading into letter D.

Final Section

• At Letter D:
  • We emphasize beat two between the snare and crash cymbal.
• Outro:
  • Transition from the open snare sound to the cross stick.

Conclusion

Here are the final seven bars. This should provide all the parts you need to play this challenging track.

Enjoy!