Drummers: Wanna show us what you got?

Rock Blues - Some Advice Please?

Hey gang,

My weekly jam crew seems to pull out a blues jam on a regular basis. I'm pretty solid with rock and funk but I'm lost when it comes to blues - I mean I mimick it BADLY - needs lots of work and practice.

I think the beat should go like this: Snare is continuous with ghost notes: 'and one', 'and TWO', 'and three', 'and FOUR' with accents on the 2 and 4. Kinda like du-dum, du-DAH! du-dum, du-DAH! ...with quarter notes on the ride cymbal.

Can anyone give me some music/bands to listen to, practice to - in this style/genre?

Sorry not sure if this is much help - but that's why I need advice - I'm kinda lost in this 'genre'.

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Permalink Reply by sean carr on March 5, 2009 at 2:06pm: you cold try checking out any of delbert Mcclintons stuff also you could google on any blues shuffle material i mean alot of the blues rock stuf is more of a feel thing but that should give you a general idea , hope it helps out; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mathieu Benoit on March 6, 2009 at 12:26am: Listen to Stevie Ray with Double Trouble. That band is tight as hell and a really good source for Blues/Rock drumming.

You got the right idea, from what I gather you are saying there. Shuffles are based in 8th note triplets so long as you remember that that's what separates it from regular straight time 4/4 stuff that you normally play in rock and funk (I'm assuming) you'll be fine. The left hand shuffle stuff can be tricky because usually our left hands are weaker. So try simplifying your left hand shuffle if you find yourself tiring out to quickly. There are about a dozen combinations of left/right hands playing swing/shuffle patterns that you could use that would work. But if you are new to it try something simple to start with that still keeps the feel going.

For example just try playing a shuffle on the right hand with just 2 and 4 on the left. Or even a simple swing pattern on the right hand with just "ah 2" and "ah 4" on the left. Once your left hand gets strong enough that you can play the full shuffle as you are describing in your example then it will come out effortlessly, until then if you are constantly fighting it then it could get in the way of the groove. In that case simplify it.

Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob Hughes on March 10, 2009 at 12:47am: Hey thanks guys - this is helpful - I'll load some of these tunes to my ipod and give it a go!

Right Mathieu - that's what I do now ('cept I play open-handed so it's my right :) - just looking for a variety of music that I can practice along to - to 'strengthen' this style...

It tends to break down quickly (losing the shuffle feel) in a jam situation - and it's apparent the drummer really needs to hold this one together - or drive it along.

Thanks again - all the best,
Rob; ▶ Reply to This