Welcome to Beats Working, the part of the magazine aimed at helping drummers of all abilities to develop and progress. Kicking things off this issue, Colin, Erik and I are looking at some different aspects of jazz drumming, including groupings, independence and soloing in ‘Getting Started’, ‘Creative Concepts’ and ‘Technical Difficulties’, respectively.
Next, in ‘Four-Piece Fills’, Jason Bowld explores linear triplets to spice up your vocabulary, while in ‘Percussion Toolkit’ all-round percussion guru Pete Lockett continues his look at the humble triangle, with some essential patterns that can be used to add sparkle and life to any drum track.
Rounding out the tuition section is Tom Bradley, with his beginner’s hybrid column, and Mike Sturgis, who shares some much-needed wisdom on how to survive (and hopefully thrive) in today’s challenging…