That’s the happening thing now, making people look dumb for not being able to follow the stuff you practiced to trick them. Another little Christmas day item. This is a drummer named Ash Soan, he’s British, based in New York, and has done a lot of big gigs, here practicing along with an R&B loop:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/4061447754166455
There was some dispute on a drumming forum as to what was happening there, so I wrote out a portion of it, until it was time to start Die Hard:
It’s quick and dirty, I can’t guarantee pristine accuracy, but these are the general concepts. A lot of dotted 8th notes here, and quarter note triplets. And he has practiced pushing things around a little bit, so there’s some of that.
He’s clearly an excellent drummer. I’d be more interested in his real playing. I understand this is a practice video, and not a piece of music— and I certainly intend to post more videos of me doing nonsensical stuff in 2026. But we’re getting to a state where motivated lesser players can do this kind of thing by formula, like with Metal, or drum corps. This move specifically— the groove in a cross rhythm,with a backbeat— is a full blown cliché by now, like in flashing neon. I think it’s best to avoid that, transform it into something else.
I’m not criticisizing this drummer— I don’t want to hear someone imitate Max Roach at me, either, unless they’re a student and that was the assignment. There’s a lot of interesting stuff on Soan’s Facebook page, for anyone interested in contemporary hip hop/R&B drumming, there’s a lot to pick up there.
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.
Email Todd | Call or text +1(503)380-9259 | Chat on WhatsApp
