LESSON SIX

The Sixteenth Note

This is a sixteenth note. It lasts for one quarter of a beat. There are four sixteenth notes in one beat. There are 16 sixteenth notes in one bar of * time.

The following example contains a bar of sixteenth notes played on the snare drum. Use alternate sticking (RLRL and then LRLR) and remember to count out loud as you play. Once you have control of the example, try playing it with one hand only (RRRR and then LLLL). Although this is less common with sixteenth notes, it is used in more advanced drumming and is therefore worth mastering.

Now try moving between quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes. Keep the tempo consistent throughout regardless of the type of note being played.

Here are two more examples which should help you become familiar with sixteenth notes. Play each one starting with the right hand and then the left hand.

As well as alternating, this example could also be played using one hand on each particular drum - RRRR LLLL etc and LLLL RRRR etc.

Now try playing some short fills using sixteenth notes, as demonstrated in the following examples.

This example makes use of a whole bar sixteenth note fill. Take it slowly at first and practice alternating between the fill and the basic beat.

Two Handed Funk

Here is an example of a common way in which sixteenth notes are used in Funk. The hi hat is played with alternating right and left hands. In this groove, the right hand plays the backbeat on beats 2 and 4. The hi hat is not played on these beats. If you have trouble with this one, practice the hands only first before adding the bass drum.

(Hands Only)

The following example makes use of a whole bar sixteenth note fill. Take it slowly at first and practice alternating between the fill and the basic beat.

(Full Groove)

Sixteenth Note Variations

The following examples demonstrate the use of two common rhythms consisting of two sixteenth notes and an eighth note within a beat. Be sure to count out loud as you play. Play examples 69 and 70 RLRL and LRLR as well as RRRR and LLLL.

Once you have control of these rhythms, try playing them on the hi hat with the right hand as demonstrated in the following examples. You could also use these hi hat patterns with some of the eighth note grooves you learned earlier in the book. Experiment!