Index
We must admit that the rhythmic musical theory in general is approached in a unpleasing way and is observed by "the butt end of the spyglass" (for example the quarter note is equal to a time.... what is far from being the rule).
This is why we present it here to you in a simple and direct way : by proposing to you to study
before all for understanding the relations of the notes one with another.
On this basis, all that you will learn, and that we will study in the next pages of Tougoudoum (bars, rhythms, unisons...), will follow naturally and without useless stress !
THIS TABLE
NUMBER
• are the cymbals stands provided with double feet (more solid) ?
WHEN THE DRUMMER IS SHOWING OFF
THE LENGTH OF THE NOTES
THE PARADIDDLE
THE TI'BWA
TO CHOOSE WELL YOUR DRUMSET
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229K
89K
248K
33K
168K
The paradiddle is one of the military drum rudiments (or techniques). Without going into the details, retain that it consists of a mixture of sigle stroke roll (a strike of each hand) and long roll (two strikes of each hand).
Adapted on the drums, this technique creates "shifted" patterns while allowing the drummer to know at any moment where he is!
The Ti' Bwa is the standard pattern of the rhythms from Martinique/Guadeloupe (West Indies). You do not trust his apparent facility, it should be held without changing, often at high tempos, nor leaving the soloists who "turn around" it destabilize you.
At the natural state, it is played this way (over 2 times) :
At the drums, one can build a rhythm like this :

The purchase of a drumset is of course a serious decision, then here are some advice to help you to choose it :

- First know that most of the time, a new drumset is sold without the cymbals and the seat. Ensure that the salesman gives you all information on this subject. The purchase of a seondhand drumkit often solves the question : its owner has already bought the cymbals and the seat and will sell, in general, the complete drumset.

- Do not precipitate on an expensive model. There are small marks today having considerably raised the quality of their products. By privileging the purchase of good heads (double thickness for example), you will obtain a more than correct sound.

- wether it is new or secondhand, pay attention to some important points of your future drumset :

• finally, more than the arguments of the salesman, trust your own feelings and ask yourself especially if the drumset and the cymbals correspond to the music which you will play.
• can you easily put the drum "at your hand" (height, slope of the barrels) ?
• are the screw (fixing the heads) solid, turning with gripping in the shells ?
• is the bassdrum pedal adjustable in flexibility and soundless ?
• is the stand of snaredrum rather heavy ? does the "basket" where is fixed the snaredrum enclose the instrument well ?
• are the fastenings and screws allowing the orientation of the toms solid, without loosening ?

One often speaks, and unfortunately rightly, of competition between musicians, in particular between the drummers. This phenomenon is not new :

Indeed, during a concert, Zutty Singleton, kindly, lent his drumset to Baby Dodds, who struck the (newly paid) drums so strongly that he crashed to pieces the head of the bassdrum.

The moral is that even an exceptional drummer as Baby Dodds can be tempted "to show off" to the detriment of the music itself.

LET'S MEDITATE ON THIS...

Zutty Singleton is a very endearing drummer, but also
a precursor in many fields. His play is
characteristic of that of the drummers of his
time, the 20s : beginning of the chabada on
the cymbal, bassdrum played on all times,
snaredrum technique heired from the military drum.

For all that, Zutty Singleton was one of the first
"to get rid" of the many accessories of the drumset of
the 10s (Wood-blocks, cow-bells...) in order to play with precision
the unisons with the other musicians
(in particular with the trumpet player
Louis Armstrong) and the rhythmic innovation :
mixes of "buzzle" (beating obtained by letting
rebound the sticks) and accents, nuances and
distribution of the sounds around the instrument.

In addition, he has been one of the first to impose the drums as
an soloist instrument on more than 4 measures and to use
the brushes. Very open musician, Zutty Singleton had the occasion to play with the
first boppers in the Forties and directed several formations.
Respected and loved by musicians, he dies in 1975 in New York.