Lesson: Exploring the Ride Cymbal and Hi-Hat Techniques

Hey, welcome back again!

Introduction

In this lesson, we're going to start moving our timekeeping hand when we're playing grooves. We'll begin by shifting from the hi-hat to the ride cymbal.

Ride Cymbal vs. Hi-Hat

The ride cymbal produces a much washier sound compared to the hi-hat. It's less of a "chick" and more of a nice underbody of sound.

Exercise: Playing the Ride Cymbal

Let's try the beat we practiced last lesson, featuring the two semiquavers and the "and" of two, but this time, we'll place our right hand on the ride cymbal.

Tips for Playing the Ride Cymbal

• Aim for the following areas:
  • Edge: If you hit it too close to the edge, it will crash immediately and lose definition.
  • Bell: Playing on the bell creates a cool sound, but ensure it's the sound you're looking for.
  • Body: Hitting around the body provides a nice wash. The bell is a lot straighter.

Both are valid choices; just be aware of the differences.

Demonstration

Here's how it sounds on the ride cymbal: (Same beat as before, but with the right hand on the ride cymbal.)

Practically every beat you play on the hi-hat can be transferred to the ride and vice versa. This gives you another sonic choice, which is especially useful when playing with a band.

Example: Billie Jean

For instance, when playing a song like Billie Jean, you can transition between the verse and chorus. This simple shift offers two vastly different possibilities with the same groove.

Experimenting with Open Hi-Hat

The second part of this lesson will focus on experimenting with an open hi-hat.

Open Hi-Hat Technique

We already have the foot "chick" sound, but what happens when you play it while the hi-hat is open? A completely different sound!

• How to Open the Hi-Hat:
  • Loosen your foot just enough so that both cymbals hit off each other, creating that nice sizzle.

Play the Beat

Let's take the same beat and incorporate the open hi-hat.

• Pattern: Open the hi-hat on beat four and then close it again on beat one.
• Result: It will sound like this:
  • "One and two and three and four. Open, open, shut, open, shut."

Focus on Timing

The tricky part is getting the hi-hat back down on beat one. Remember:

• On beat one, both feet come down.
• Open feet should come straight down immediately.

Sound Quality

Aim for a nice, washy sound. Avoid the crash cymbal sound. The beat can sound great at any tempo, slow or fast, but maintains the same groove.

• Variations:
  • The first groove sounds really rocky, like Black Sabbath, pure heavy stuff!
  • The second almost resembles an Uptown Funk vibe. For that sound, ensure the hi-hats are tightly closed for a defined "chick."

Practice Assignment

What I'd like you to do is:

• Practice the groove at your own comfortable speed.
• Experiment by filling in semiquavers, changing your hand position with each beat.

This could result in something completely different!

Remember:

• If you want consistency, keep your hands the same.
• Start thinking of your own variations to make it your beat, not mine.

Conclusion

As always, practice it slowly. Remember: rebound sticks are key, rebound, rebound, rebound, and more rebound.

Thanks very much for watching!