Drum Lesson for Rock School Grade 6: Chameleon Classic Drum Track

Introduction

Hi, welcome to our drum lesson for the Rock School Grade 6: Chameleon Classic Drum Track. This piece is by Herbie Hancock and features the legendary drummer Harvey Mason, possibly one of the most in-demand drummers of all time.

If you're not familiar with Harvey Mason, I encourage you to research him online. You'll discover some fantastic recordings he's featured on, many of which may surprise you! Harvey is an incredibly musical drummer with a beautiful sound and incredible feel.

Key Concept: Anticipating the Snare Drum

Feel is really what sets this track apart.

• Traditional Approach: Most drummers tend to play the snare drum accented on beats two and four of every bar.
• Harvey Mason's Approach: In this track, he anticipates the snare drum by playing it on the 16th note before the second quarter note.

This anticipation gives the groove a distinct lollop or flow. The result is that the snare drum is slightly ahead of where you might expect it, creating a compelling rhythm with the main impetus.

Hi-Hat Technique

On the chart, you'll see 8th notes written on the hi-hat. However, it's often played by accenting the quarter notes while keeping the offbeat eighth notes much quieter.

• Groove Example:
  • Play the first note of every group of two on the edge of the hi-hat while keeping the other note gentle.

This creates a slinky feeling in the hi-hat.

Structure of the Track

Chameleon is a quintessential jam track, often performed at local jam nights featuring jazz and fusion tunes. The song includes:

• An Intro with the bass line
• An A Section
• A B Section (not to be confused with rehearsal letter B)
• The classic ensemble figure at the end of the B section

(Feel free to imagine that ensemble figure: ba ba ba ba, ba da da da da, da... You're lucky I'm not your singing teacher!)

Important Notes

Be sure to familiarize yourself with where you are within the overall song form. I recommend referring back to the notes I made in the walkthrough in the Rock School Book for more clarity.

Original Version: The original recording of this track is 15 minutes long, but this arrangement is condensed to about 2.5 to 3 minutes. I've included some of Harvey Mason's ideas for you to experiment with.

Exploring Variations

On the third page of your materials, you'll find various subtleties featured in the drum break, including:

• Accents where you may not expect them
• Ghosted notes
• Little roll ideas and buzz notes
• A dynamic change at bar 33

Groove Solo Concept

Remember, this is a groove solo, not a flashy drum solo where you play as fast and loud as possible. Think about how you can let the groove simmer and create tension.

• Dynamics to Consider:
  • Piano at bar 33
  • Crescendo at bar 36
  • Back to forte before returning to the ensemble figure

Tips for the Drum Roll

As you prepare for the buzz roll in bar 42, keep these points in mind:

• The drum roll should feel loose and funky, avoid a militaristic precision.
• Incorporate horizontal movement in your hands, approaching the drum from the sides instead of just coming straight down.

Final Thoughts

I think we've covered all the essential elements of this piece, so do refer to the Rock School walkthroughs for detailed guidance. If you struggle with a particular section, work through it slowly with a metronome:

1. One beat at a time
2. Two beats at a time
3. Three beats, and so forth until you can tackle the whole bar.

This way, you'll progressively piece the entire track together.

Tempo

The tempo for this arrangement is set at 100 BPM; however, be aware that the original Headhunters recording starts slightly slower and gradually speeds up. Embrace the loose feel around the notes while locking in with your fellow musicians.

Enjoy playing this wonderful example of Harvey Mason's drumming style in Chameleon!

Meet Your Instructor

Hi, I'm Stu Roberts, a drummer based in the UK. I describe myself as a versatile professional drummer who has had the good fortune to perform in over 50 countries with various artists.

I've played with:

• Take That
• Brian May of Queen
• Carrie Ellis
• Alexandra Burke
• Monty Python

Along with numerous other acts. My focus has always been on good music, no matter who it's with.

Throughout my career, I've aimed to be a working drummer and musician, and I'm delighted to share my insights with you in this lesson. Enjoy and happy drumming!