Drum Set Lessons / LATIN RHYTHMS: (Cha-Cha)
(EZ Cha-Cha: Step #1.)
Hear it! It's the simplest Latin Rhythm on the Planet!
We'll call the above beat pattern a 'quasi' Cha-Cha. It is a great little 'wannabe' and will work (in a pinch) as a Cha-Cha if you
can't play the more difficult, classic Cha-Cha patterns (below). This one is pretty easy! You will be dropping a
lay-over rimshot on every count.
This one will gradually help you get that lay-over rimshot under control and set you up for the more complex
variations to come.
If you aren't accustomed to playing the lay-over rimshot, you may need some time to play
quite a few Cha-Cha recordings before moving on. These techniques develop and improve as we jam and play the music.
All the classic fills will work with this pattern just as if you were playing an 8th rock beat.
It IS an 8th-note 4/4 (or 2/4) pattern . . . with a rimshot twist.
Now notice the accent marks on the Cowbell (above.)
You'll be accenting on every number count. This gives the pattern a Quarter-note 'feel' even though we are playing 8ths on the Cowbell.
These two beats sound alike! I couldn't get the midi maker to play accents on the cowbell!
VIDEO: Click here to see, and hear the above pattern.
This vid is designed for Internet Explorer (IE) using Windows Media Player (WMP).
Video: For almost all handheld devices and other browsers.
VIDEO: Click here to see, and hear the above pattern.
You know the drill by now. For IE using WMP.
Video: For almost all handheld devices and other browsers.
This 'CLASSIC CHA-CHA' (above) looks and
sounds simple enough, but is it simple? Yes! Though it takes awhile to get the left hand flowing from a lay-over
rimshot on the snare, up to the high-tom for two strokes with the butt of the stick and then back again to the next lay-over rimshots
on the snare. Now try to add those accents on the Cowbell as in the above example. Remember 'Santana' 0f 60s & 70s Latino Rock?
'Black Magic Woman' might be a good song to try with all these beat patterns. I had to jerry-rig my midi maker to get this
sounding decent. It should sound better than this on a real drum kit.
EASY RHUMBA & BOLERO RHYTHMS:Incidentally the snare lever needs to be released on all these patterns, converting your snare into a high-pitched tom (similar to a high-Timbali). Flip the lever on the side of your snare into the 'off' position, to produce these more authentic Latin tones.
VIDEO: Click
here to see, and hear
the above pattern. For IE using WMP.
Video: For almost all handheld devices and other browsers.
VIDEO: Click here to see, and hear the above pattern with
Internet Explorer.
Video: For almost all handheld devices and other browsers.
You can play a lot of years without the variation in the
above example, but I like it! It's a more sophisticated form of Cha-Cha. Here, we are catching a quick
butt-of-the-stick to the snare (batter) just prior to moving to the high tom. It adds a nice touch of class to the pattern.
VIDEO: Click here to see, and hear the above pattern using IE.
It's a lot easier when you see it done.
Video: For almost all handheld devices and other browsers.
It is also VERY common to play Quarter Notes
on the Cowbell, Now we are playing 'Quarter-note Cha-Cha'. You can add that passing butt-of-the-stick (trick) to this pattern
too, if you wish.
Copyright Bill Powelson 1965-1996-2008-2014 @
all rights reserved.
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