The Half Note
This is a half note worth two counts. Two half notes make up a complete bar in * time and are played on the first and third beats.
Examples 1
Bass Part - This example uses half notes only.
Drum Part - The bass drum and snare drum alternate underneath a repetitive hi-hat pattern in this example.
The Half Note Rest
This is a half note rest and indicates two beats of silence. The half note rest is always written on top of the third staff line.
Examples 2
Bass Part - This example uses half notes and half note rests.
Drum Part - This example adds a bass drum to beat '3'
NOTE: It is important that both the bass player and drummer read and understand notes and note rests as they are introduced, as it is impossible to alw ays include them for both instruments simultaneously.
The Quarter Note
This is a quarter note worth one count. 4 There are four quarter notes in one bar of * time
Examples 3
Bass Part - This example uses quarter notes only.
Drum Part - This example introduces a quarter note hi-hat pulse played with the right hand.
The Quarter Note Rest
This is a quarter note rest and indicates one beat of silence.
Examples 4
Bass Part - This example uses quarter notes and quarter note rests.
Drum Part - The bass drum plays a constant quarter note pulse in this example.
Examples 5
Bass Part - This bass line combines half notes and quarter notes.
Drum Part - This example introduces an open hi-hat to beat '1' of the first bar. The symbol 'O' indicates that the hi-hat should be struck in a slightly open position on that particular beat. The symbol 'X' indicates the beat in which the hi-hat is closed. Experiment with different degrees of openness until you find the sound you like.
Examples 6
Bass Part - A different combination of half notes and quarter notes is used here.
Drum Part - The bass drum is synchronised with the bass part in this example.
The Whole Note
This is a whole note worth four counts. One whole note makes up a complete bar in * time and is played on the first beat.
Examples 7
Bass Part - A whole note is played in the first bar of this example.
Drum Part - A quarter note rest is introduced to beat 3, bar 1, in this example.
The Dot
This is a dot and is placed after a note to indicate that that note value has increased by half. Therefore, the dotted half note in example 8 is equal to a half note plus a quarter note in value
Examples 8
Bass Part - The dotted half note is used in this example.
Drum Part - The right hand plays ride cymbal bell in this example.
Examples 9
Bass Part - This example uses a number of previously covered concepts.
Drum Part - The snare drum in this example no longer conforms to the 'back beat' (beats 2 and 4) snare used in all previous examples.
Examples 10
Bass Part - This example also uses a number of previously covered concepts.
Drum Part - The right hand alternates between ride cymbal and ride cymbal bell in this example.
Examples 11
Bass Part - Again, different combinations of previously covered concepts are used here.
Drum Part - As in example 6. this pattern synchronises the bass drum with the bass guitar pan.
