Grouping 16th notes in 3’s in 4/4 time creates motion and great grooves!!

The Power of 3 in 4.4 Funk - 2

Grouping 16th notes in 3’s in a measure of 4/4.

If you group 16thnotes in 3’s in a measure of 4/4 there will be 4, groups of 3 (=12) plus one group of 4, total 16. That takes account of all the 16th notes in the measure.

123,123,123,123,1234 - total 16, 16thnotes.

(Note: you can put the group of 4 anywhere in the measure. For this exercise we’ll put the group of 4 at the end of the measure.)

Video explanation:

1 – 16ths on HH. Groups of 3 with LH on SD playing the 2 & 3. 123,123,123, 123, 1234 + total 16, 16th notes.

2 – Add LH, no rim shot.

3 – Add LH, with rim shot.

4 – Add BD in holes, without SD, i.e. on 1 of each group.

5 – Add LH, with BD, no rim shot.

6 – Add LH, with BD & rim shot.

Workbook

a) Follow the video explanation and play exercises 1-6 above.

b) Create and play two beats of your own using these ideas.