1 minute read
NOTATION KEY
from Off the Grid-SAMPLE
by Tapspace
WHAT IS THE GRID?
The “grid” (as it relates to rudimental drumming) is not a single exercise or pattern but rather a concept that can be applied to many phrases, patterns, or rudiments. Beginning with a basic pattern, applying the concept of the grid means shifting, adding, or subtracting an added variable (i.e., accent, flam, diddle) across different partials of the pattern while keeping the fundamental pattern constant. In the example below, the beginning (constant) pattern is a paradiddle, and the shifting variable is an accent. The accent shifts through each partial of the beat while the paradiddle sticking remains constant.
A common format for practicing grid exercises is called 4-2-1. These numbers refer to the number of times you play the grid pattern before moving on to the next version of the pattern. Play the “fours” phrase once, the “twos” phrase twice, and the “ones” phrase four times.
Examples of grid patterns found in Off the Grid include the following:
Snare drum 1
Flammed mill grid (m. 2, first two counts)
Flam accent grid (m. 9, first two counts)
Snare drum 2
Accented cheese grid (m. 6, last two counts)
Double flam choo-choo grid (m. 47)
