Grooving and Syncopated Fills Part 3

In this final section we'll add The Ruff/ Flam and Linear Ruff to the syncopated rhythms from the last lesson. To recap here's the 3 measure syncopation:

Let's start with a rudiment called The Ruff. It's played with 2 grace notes and then a final stroke. The grace notes have no rhythmic value so the last note will lock in with the metronome:

Play a. first until comfortable then switch to b.

Here's The Ruff applied to the 3 syncopated rhythms. After you get comfortable with the RH lead switch over to the LH lead for more exercises:
 
1)     
       

The flam is another accidental rudiment. The grace note again has no rhythmic value and has a line drawn through it for that reason. The grace note is struck right before the main note and can be played non alternating and alternating:

Non Alternating
                       
Alternating:
                     

Now let's apply The Flam to the 3 syncopated rhythms:

The linear Ruff is played with the main note in the Bass Drum. You can use any 2 drums for the grace notes but for this exercise we'll play the High Tom and the Floor Tom and Alternate the hands:

You should also play these exercises with RH lead only and LH lead only.

Now we'll apply the Linear Ruff to the syncopated rhythm:

As you can see a wealth of fill ideas and grooves can be pulled out of a simple syncopation from a catchy melody. Find other cool syncopated patterns in the melodies of songs you listen to and apply these techniques to expand your rhythmical vocabulary. Remember if the rhythm is catchy and people like it they will probably like your fills and grooves as well.

Bill Stuhlly is a professional drummer in L.A Visit www.myspace.com/stuhlly for resume and recordings and his band The Dirges www.myspace.com/thedirges