This is a nice, simple, basic double-bass pattern. This pattern can lead to many things in the future (fills, grooves, etc.) and there are numerous ways to apply this pattern around the drum set. It is a very popular pattern; every body has heard it and seen it—two strokes with the hands and two strokes with the feet.
One thing I like to do when I practice this exercise is get an even sound on both sides and each limb. Each hit with the hands and feet must be balanced and clear. When you do speed up, you don’t want to sacrifice the sound for the speed. The speed will come in time as you practice this drum lesson. Once you are comfortable with the exercise, you can begin to move the hands around the toms a little.
To take this lesson a step further, you can try playing a double stroke on the right or left hand and a double stroke on the right or left foot, and remember to work your weaker side more often than your stronger side.
Here are a couple basic transcriptions from the video. Exercise A is the basic pattern, exercise B and C involves the pattern phrased around the toms, and exercise D is the pattern notated as 32nd notes. Have fun and explore the many ways to play this around your drum set!
Ryan Carver is a professional musician and educator based in New Jersey, USA. Find him online here.
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