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Afrobeat Drumming Coordination Exercises And Grooves With Audio

Nick Turner

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Afrobeat Drumming: Coordination Exercises and Grooves with Audio

by Joseph Alexander

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	211389 KB
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	116 pages

Afrobeat drumming is a unique and exciting style of music that combines elements of funk, jazz, and traditional African drumming. It is characterized by its complex rhythms, polyrhythms, and syncopations. If you're interested in learning how to play Afrobeat drums, it's important to understand the basic coordination exercises and grooves.

Coordination Exercises

The following coordination exercises will help you develop the hand-foot coordination that is essential for playing Afrobeat drums. Start by practicing each exercise slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.

Single-hand drumming: Play a simple rhythm with your dominant hand on the snare drum. Once you can play the rhythm comfortably, add your other hand to play a different rhythm on the hi-hat.
Double-hand drumming: Play a simple rhythm with both hands on the snare drum. Once you can play the rhythm comfortably, add your feet to play a different rhythm on the bass drum and hi-hat.
Polyrhythms: Play two different rhythms simultaneously with your hands and feet. Start with simple polyrhythms and gradually increase the complexity as you become more comfortable.

Grooves

The following grooves are some of the most common in Afrobeat drumming. Start by practicing each groove slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.

Afrobeat Basic Groove: This is the most basic Afrobeat groove and it is played with a 4/4 time signature. The bass drum plays on beats 1 and 3, the snare drum plays on beats 2 and 4, and the hi-hat plays on beats 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Afrobeat Funky Groove: This groove is a variation of the basic groove and it is played with a 4/4 time signature. The bass drum plays on beats 1 and 3, the snare drum plays on beats 2 and 4, and the hi-hat plays on beats 1, 2, 3, and 4. The difference between this groove and the basic groove is that the hi-hat plays a syncopated rhythm on beats 2 and 4.
Afrobeat Polyrhythm Groove: This groove is a more complex groove and it is played with a 12/8 time signature. The bass drum plays on beats 1, 4, 7, and 10, the snare drum plays on beats 2, 5, 8, and 11, and the hi-hat plays on beats 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Audio Examples

The following audio examples will help you hear how the coordination exercises and grooves sound. Click on the play button to listen to each example.

Afrobeat Coordination Exercise 1
Afrobeat Coordination Exercise 2
Afrobeat Coordination Exercise 3
Afrobeat Groove 1
Afrobeat Groove 2
Afrobeat Groove 3

Afrobeat drumming is a challenging but rewarding style of music to play. With practice, you can develop the coordination and skills necessary to play Afrobeat drums. The coordination exercises and grooves in this article will help you get started on your journey to becoming an Afrobeat drummer.

Afrobeat Drumming: Coordination Exercises and Grooves with Audio

by Joseph Alexander

4.6 out of 5