I was teaching one of my pupils today at a drum lesson and, is so often the case, they asked me a great question that made me stop and think. He asked what were my favourite linear drum beats and how do I construct them in the first place.

Well, I couldn’t give him a straight answer as I don’t have any specific favourite linear grooves. I tend to just play and see what happens. But I do have a few favourite “building blocks” that I use within most of my linear playing.

Let me show you those now…

 

Linear Groove 1

This little idea involves playing blocks of four notes through 1/32nd notes. I simply love to include the bass drum when I’m playing ideas like this. The 1/32nd notes start on Beat 3 and take up an entire beat. The right hand stays on the Hi-Hat and so gives me the opportunity to lay down snare ghost notes or replace the double bass drum with snare drum if desired.

 

Linear Groove 2

As you can see from this groove, I like the combination of Right, Left, Foot Foot. It’s a combination of notes known as a Quad and is one of my favourites. The bracketed notes are supposed to be played super quiet to give the groove great dynamics.

 

Linear Groove 3

The choice as to whether you choose to accent the snare on the “a” of Beat 2 (2 e + a) is yours to make.

 

Linear Groove 4

You just gotta love 1/32nd notes within a linear drum beat. Try this beauty out!

 

 

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