Lesson Two: The Bass Drum in New Orleans Drumming

Hi and welcome to lesson two of the New Orleans drumming experience!

The Importance of the Bass Drum

In this lesson, we will discuss:

• The bass drum's role as the most important drum.
• Common misconceptions about the snare drum and hand drumming.
• The bass drum as the lead instrument for phrasing any groove or street beat.

Understanding the rhythms of New Orleans is crucial. If you've ever seen a parade band, you may have heard of "second lining." For reference, more details will be in the accompanying PDF.

What is a Second Line Groove?

The second line groove has evolved over the years and has various interpretations. However, it remains a traditional element in street parades.

Elements to Consider:

• Snare Drum: Plays the "doobie, doobie, doobie" rhythm.
• Bass Drum: Establishes the phrase with a strong push on beat four of the second bar.

Rhythm Example:

• Boom, boom, boom, boom.

Experimentation and Dynamics

• Experiment with how loud you want to play the accent.
• Listen to different bands to see the range of dynamics:
  • Some people play the accent loudly.
  • Others gently push it along.

Contextual Considerations

• Outdoor Brass Bands: You might want to emphasize beat four.
• Smaller Bands: A gentler push may be more appropriate.

Conclusion

Always think of the bass drum as your number one priority, with the hands accompanying it.

I'll see you in lesson three!