#1570 | Intermediate

African Rhythms Applied To The Drum-set

By: Tosin Aribisala

Afrobeat Basics

1) Bass Drum - Usually played as two consecutive 16th notes that fall on the downbeats
and other variations.
A. B.

. . . .
C. D.

. . . . .
2) Snare Drum Variations

r
.. . ..
A. B.

3) Hi-Hat Rhythms

xxx xxx xxx xxx X x X x X x X x

A. B.

C.
X xxx x x xxx x D.
xXx xXx xXx xXx

4) Putting It All Together

A.
x x x x x x xxx x x x
B.
X x x x x x x x x x

X xX x X xX x x x x x x x xx
C. D.

x x x x
x X x x X x x X x x X x x x x x x x x x
E. F.

 #1570 | Intermediate

African Rhythms Applied To The Drum-set

By: Tosin Aribisala

Modern African Grooves For The Drum-set

Styles - Afrobeat, Makossa, Soukous (cousin grooves with related rhythms)

1) Main Bass Drum Pulse For African Pop

2) Snare Drum Rhythms For Makossa
A. B.

. .
y ..
y y y y
. . .
* use cross-stick as well
C.

y ..
y y y y y y y y y y
. .
3) Hi-Hat Patterns For Makossa

x x x x x x x x x x x x
A.

x x x x x x x x x x
B.

x x x x x x x x x x
C.

x x x x x x x x x x x x
D.

 #1570 | Intermediate

African Rhythms Applied To The Drum-set

By: Tosin Aribisala

1) Snare Rhythms
A.
j j B.
j
. .

68
C.

>> >> >> > > B.

2) Hi-Hat Rhythms
j j
x x x.
A.
x xxx xxx xxx x x x x

C.
> > > > > > > > D.
68 x x x x x x x x x x x x 68 x x x x x x x x

E.

68 x x x

x

x

>> >> >> > > B.

3) Putting It All Together

x x x.
A.

x x xx
x x x x x x . x x x x
.
> > > > > > > > D.
68 x x x x x x x x x x x x 68 x
C.

x x x x