MODERN DRUMMER  •  August 2012

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n this article, we’re going to look at a
very simple three-note sticking pattern

(LLR) and apply it on the drumkit in a way
that you may not have thought of before—
with the double strokes voiced between the

hi-hat and snare. It’ll take a bit of time to get the orchestra-
tion under control, but it will be worth the effort. I’ve found
that, when used judiciously, this concept can be a great way
to add a little spicy sauce to your grooves.

I’ve placed brackets around the three-note stickings in

order to make it easier for you to recognize the pattern. Start
off slowly, and repeat the stickings until the motion of your
hands feels natural and relaxed. Take your time, and enjoy
the sounds of these funky ideas.

To begin, here’s the basic sticking phrased as triplets.

Here’s the same idea, but phrased as 16th notes, with the

right hand moving to the toms.

Once you have those exercises under control, try the fol-

lowing 16th-note grooves.

In these examples the three-note lick is phrased as 16th-

note triplets.

In this final groove, I’ve introduced another three-note

lick (RRL), voiced on the rack tom, ride cymbal, and snare.
Try coming up with your own variations.

To watch a video demonstrating these grooves, log on to the
Education page at moderndrummer.com.

R O C K   ’ N ’   J A Z Z   C L I N I C

Funky Threes

Breaking the Mold With Broken Stickings

by Jeff Salem

Jeff Salem is an internationally recognized drummer/
educator based in Toronto. He has released three instruc-
tional videos (Groove-a-Diddles, Drumology, and Double 
Bass Vocabulary Volume 1) and written two books for 
Hudson Music (Turn It Up & Lay It Down: Messin Wid Da Bull
and A Rhythmic Twist). For more info, visit salemdrum.com.

MUSIC KEY