1 - Control strokes

A control stroke is a ghost note after an accented note or rim shot on the SD.

This gets a little more difficult, but special things take more effort, right? That’s what makes them special.

First, the fulcrum: in match grip the fulcrum is where you hold the stick, between the forefinger and thumb .

You’ll need to use a bit of pressure at the fulcrum on the left stick when executing the accented note, but relax your grip immediately after the accent as you bounce the second stroke off the head. Both the accented note and the unaccented ghost note are played with one motion of the arm and hand. A very slight effort is needed for the ghost note. If you think about it too much, it gets forced and stiff. Just let it happen.

Start by playing the following exercise very slowly. 52 BPM

A. Control stroke Exercise

 
 

B. Control Stroke Beat 1

 

This groove incorporates the accented/unaccented concept on “4” and the “e of 4.” 59 BPM

 

C. Control Stroke Beat 2

 

Here’s a beat with a control stroke and a pullout. Play the accented snare drum notes as rim shots. 60 BPM

2 - Layered ghost notes

“Layered” simply means that two sounds or two parts of the kit are played at once. We’ve already dealt with this in several of the previous beats: ghost notes played along with hi-hat notes. This is basic. Now let’s play ghost notes along with bass drum notes. This is different.

Wait, you might say, why should we do this at all? Wouldn’t the bass drum note cover up the ghost note on the snare drum anyway? Well, it does pretty much, but not completely, and the fuller effect of this combination is a subtle difference that’s well worth the effort.

A. Layered Ghost Note Beat 1

 
7 - Layered Ghost Note Beat 1- Transcription.png
 

B. Layered Ghost Note Beat 2

 

Here’s a beat with a layered ghost note on the “e of 3.” It also has a hi-hat variation. Notice the swing feel throughout.

9 - Layered Ghost Note Beat 2 - Transcription.png

Workbook

1. Play the Control Stroke Beat 1, 8 times, 80 BPM. Stop on the downbeat of the 9th bar.

2. Play the Layered Ghost Note Beat 2, 8 times, 80 BPM. Stop on the downbeat of the 9th bar.

3. Play along to “Pass The Peas” – The J.B.’s

 
The James Brown band, i.e. the J.B.’s. Bootsy Collins holding the bass in the back. To the right of Bootsy, drummers Jab’o Starks and Tiger Martin

The James Brown band, i.e. the J.B.’s. Bootsy Collins holding the bass in the back. To the right of Bootsy, drummers Jab’o Starks and Tiger Martin

Figure out the arrangement on your own and play appropriate figures.

A. Use this beat

11 - Beat for Pass The Peas.png
 

B. Pass The Peas, original recording