Music Lesson: Ray Charles' "Georgia On My Mind"

Hi everyone! Here we're looking at the Ray Charles classic "Georgia On My Mind." This piece is in 12/8, which may differ from the time signatures you're more familiar with, such as 4/4.

Understanding the Time Signature

• In 4/4, we typically play eighth notes on the hi-hat with two eighth notes per beat.
• In 12/8, we feel three eighth notes for every quarter note.

This change in approach significantly impacts fills, bass drum patterns, and overall playing.

Key Patterns to Practice

Main Pattern

Let's start with the main pattern that runs through the first half of the piece:

• 12 eighth notes per bar.
• Play the bass drum on beats 1 and 3.
• Play the snare on 2 and 4.

There are variations on the bass drum pattern throughout the piece.

Variation in Bar 4

In bar 4, we add the last eighth note of the bar on the bass drum.

• This pattern sounds like this: (insert sound).

Variation in Bar 8

In bar 8, we encounter our first fill. Here's what to do:

• Play the last three eighth notes of the bar down the snare, high tom to floor tom.
• Move off the hi-hat to play snare with your left hand instead of the backbeat on beat 4.
• Open hi-hat on the third eighth note of beat 3 and close it when you hit the snare.

Transitioning Back

Next, we'll transition back to the hi-hat after playing the crash on this side of the kit. Let's cycle this bar around.

Moving to Letter B

Now, from the hi-hat to the ride cymbal, and in letter B, there's a similar fill that creates that transition.

Bass Drum Pattern from Bar 15

Let's take it from bar 15 (two bars before letter B) to bar 24, where we have another fill:

• This fills takes us from the ride cymbal back to the hi-hat.

• Play all of the eighth notes between the floor tom and snare drum, maintaining the bass drum on beats 3 and 4.

• From bar 23, it will sound like this: (insert sound).

Challenging Bar 28

In bar 28, we encounter perhaps the most challenging bar of the piece:

• Play an open hi-hat on the last eighth note of the bar.
• The bass drum pattern combines the patterns we've previously encountered.

Let's practice that pattern without the open hi-hat to start.

Proper Hi-Hat Technique

• On the last eighth note, open the hi-hat and play both feet together on the downbeat of the next bar to achieve a closed effect.
• Keep your heel down on the hi-hat and lift your toes for that open sound.
• Don't open the hi-hats fully; instead, aim for a "sizzling" effect, rather than a crashing sound.

Incorrect!: (insert sound)
Correct!: (insert sound)

Conclusion: Bringing It All Together

As we approach the end of the piece, we revisit the same fill with the eighth notes around the kit.

• Let's play from bar 34 to the end of the piece.

Final Challenge

As a final challenge, while working on this 12/8 feel, try different fills around the kit to understand the spacing of 3 eighth notes per beat.

• Some ideas you've used in 4/4 may not translate directly, so be creative and explore!

So those are all the parts you need to play the track! Hopefully, this lesson gives you insight into playing in 12/8, a crucial groove for drummers to master. Have fun playing along with the track!