Rock N Jazz Clinic Online

The Third Hand Concept, Part 2

U s i n g Yo u r B a s s D r u m To S p i c e U p F i l l s
by Ted Bonar & Ed Breckenfeld
n Part 1 of this series (July 2000), we
discussed some basic ways to add single
bass drum notes to common rhythms in
T.T.
S.D.
order to add a new texture to your drum fills.
F.T.
B.D.
Much of that approach was based on developing the ability to fill the holes in basic
hand patterns to give them a new sound. We concentrated primarily on filling single 16th notes with the bass drum, like so:

hand when playing fills. Mastering this technique adds variety

and interest to fills and solos for drummers of all levels.
This month well explore and develop double strokes on the
bass drum and incorporate them into a few basic rhythms. Now,
doubles require a technique that can be practiced for years, and
there are countless ways to develop playing strong, distinct double
strokes on the bass drum. This article is not intended to develop
the double-stroke technique, but rather to suggest musical ways to
incorporate it.
The double stroke needs to have two separate strokes of distinct,
consistent volume and attack. Its common among drummers to
play the first stroke stronger than the second. This is a trap that
you should try to avoid.

..

We talked about how this technique effectively gives you a third

As in the first part of this series, the flow of 16th notes must not be disturbed. Remember, youre thinking of the bass drum as
your third hand. Play these basic permutations slowly and consistently, and build up the speed over time.

.. .. .. ..
R L
L R

R L
L R

R L
L R

R L
L R

R L R L R L
L R L R L R

R L R L R L
L R L R L R

.. .. .. ..
R L R L R L R L R L
L R L R L R L R L R

R L
L R

R L
L R

R L
L R

R L
L R

R L
L R

.. .. .. ..
R L R L
L R L R

R L R L R L
L R L R L R

R L
L R

R L R L R L R L
L R L R L R L R

R L
L R

R L
L R

.. .. .. ..
R
L

L R
R L

L R
R L

L R
R L

L
R

R L R L R
L R L R L

L R L R L R
R L R L R L

L
R

10

.. .. .. ..
R L R L R L R L R
L R L R L R L R L

L R
R L

L
R

L R
R L

L R
R L

L R
R L

L R
R L

12

11

.. .. .. ..
R L R
L R L

L R L R L R
R L R L R L

L R L
R L R

R L R L R L R
L R L R L R L

L R
R L

L R L
R L R

Mastering the previous exercises will help to develop a smooth transition from your hands to your bass drum. As in Part 1, utilizing a
metronome can be invaluable, and you can play your hi-hat foot on all four quarter notes for an extra challenge.
Now lets look at a few practical applications of the previous ideas.

13

14

.. j
R L

R L

R L

R L R L R L

15

17

..
R L R

R L R L

.. ..

R L R L

L R L R L R L R L

..

21

..
j

L R

R L

18

19

R L

R L R L

..

.. ..

R L R L

L R

L R

R L R

L R L R

20

L R

j
j
.. ..

.
R

R L

R L

..

R L R

22 j

..

L R L R

.. ..
R L R

..

R L R L R L

16

.. j
R L R L

.. ..

..

See the September 2000 Modern Drummer for the complete lesson.

Copyright 2000 by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited.