Linear drumming is a technique used primarily in
Jazz-
Fusion and
Funk drumming. The best way to describe this
fun technique is as such:
In
standard or
normal drumming you keep
time, (or an
ostinato), using the
high-hat or
ride cymbol. More often then not just 4/4 time
pattern.
In
linear drumming however, you
never hit more then one piece of your kit at the same time...This throws the idea, (and ease), of the
ostinato out the window. This makes for really fun beat patterns that can be used as good fills.
Use the following drum pattern as a kick-start to understanding linear drumming,
mang.
K = Kick Drum
H = High-Hat
S = Snare
T = Tom
______H________H__________
_________S________S_______
___K_________K____________
This one is
beyond easy, but you get the idea. Mix it up by switching the Kick for the High-Hat, or replacing Snare with a
Tom. When attempting to write your own patterns, keep in mind that
linear drumming is a game of
memory. It's like learning to
count to 100...1 through 10 is kinda easy, but the higher (IE, more complex), you go, the more challenging it becomes. Don't kill yourself. Stick to patterns of 2 to 4 measures while getting a feel for what
linear drumming is all about
mang.
Here is another to play around with. I think this one makes the linear idea a little more clear.
Repeat this pattern at a steady pace until you get
bored:
___H_____ H_________________
_____T______K_______________
_S______S______S__S_________
Please read my write ups on
ghost notes in drumming and
Improv drumming