Page o’ coordination: the middle of the triplet

[UPDATE: download link is working now!]

This is the first of two rather punishing entries into this Afro 6 series of stuff; this is actually preparation for the next one, which is really hard. Here our ostinato has both feet played in unison on the middle note of the triplet (6/8 is counted in two, with a triplet subdivision), along with the Afro-Cuban/African bell pattern in the right hand. Be careful the time doesn’t shift on you— you don’t want to start hearing the feet notes as being on the beat; you may have to count out loud, in 2 (1 is on the first 8th note in the measure, 2 is on the fourth), to keep it straight.

This is not a performance ostinato; we’re cutting some new coordinational pathways, and getting better acquainted with the middle note of the triplet, which is more strongly felt in African music than in American music.

Here’s a fresh link to the left hand moves I do with all of the POCs. If you’re just getting started with these things, I suggest you start with this page, this page, and then this page. Then root around under the Page o’ Coordination-labeled archives for the more challenging stuff.

Get the pdf

And once again, here’s a track I like to play along with:

I am happy to help you with any of the materials on the site, and with anything else drumming related— contact me for private lessons, online world wide, or in person in Portland, Oregon. All levels of players, and all people, are welcome.

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