I call it the Reed linear system, it’s a thing I started doing on my own years ago, using Reed— the book Syncopation. I imagine others do it, because it’s kind of obvious. I never worked it exhaustively, mostly using is as a starting place for some basically creative practicing. And that’s what we’ll do here, with some suggestions for things to try, while not necessarily making it a finished system you would drill through an entire page.
The basic thing is to play the book rhythm in an alternating or quasi-alternating sticking, or with the hands in unison, and filling in the spaces with the bass drum. Try them with some one or two measure phrases, see what you like, for whatever tempo you’re doing them. Of course we’re moving all of this around the drums.
This is really an illustration of a way of thinking— these are all things I have done, and that most players do/would do/have done, spontaneously and automatically with similar materials and ideas. Same with this recent post— it’s just stuff you do.
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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