Bass Drum
Splits
Bass Drum
Splits
Marching bass drums typically come in sizes ranging from 14″ up to 32″. Each player carries a uniquely tuned and sized drum. As a result, each player can be considered a soloist.
Bass sections usually have between 3 and 6 players. Parts are “split” among all players of the section to create runs.
“Splitting” refers to the concept of assigning a rhythm, rudiment, or group of notes among 2 or more players. A rudimentary split might ask one player to cover all right hand notes while the other takes the left.
While “splitting” is common place among bass drummers, any section can create a fun visual moment with a split down the line. Snares might assign an A/B split within a roll. Marimbas might create a ripple down the section. Get creative and be careful not to overdo it.
MP3
100 BPM
60 BPM
Practice Tips
The stickings below are based on right hand lead natural sticking. When playing 16th notes in this sticking pattern, the right hand falls on all downbeats and upbeats while the left cuts that in half on all Es and As.
When playing a bass drum, however, you will want to lead with the hand that faces the audience. As a result, you should also practice left hand lead and alternate stickings as well.
The stronger you are at timing, the easier it will be for you to split with a friend or within a bass line. Work with a metronome and develop a strong sense of pulse.
Continue to develop the same skills as the upper battery, such as Legato strokes, staccato strokes, and rolls. The more you are capable of playing on your own, the more advanced splits you can achieve.
Exercises
16th Timing Check
Play one bar of time/check and then insert any of the 16th partials found below. Check or compare your timing, stroke types, sticking, and sound quality of each insert to that of your 16th note check. The goal is to cut each beat in to 4 equal parts. Strive for mathematical accuarcy and spacing. Be sure to check out Legato Strokes to develop an even 16th note check and partials.
- Also try in 2/4 time and 1/4 time
- Combine inserts to create a single measure
3 Partials
Each of the bars below have one 16th note removed from each beat.
- The right hand should not stop moving
- Maintain continuous eighth notes/full strokes in the right hand
- Drop the left evenly placed in the middle
- The left hand keeps going while removing a right
2 Partials
Two 16ths have been removed from each beat.
- Continue subdividing and counting 16th notes
- Avoid crushing each grouping of two
Split Partials
Every other 16th has been removed from each beat.
- Eighth notes follow their own sticking pattern, however, try playing all right, all left, and alternating
1 Partial
Three 16ths have been removed from each beat.
- Quarter notes follow their own sticking pattern
- Eighth notes follow their own sticking pattern
1 Partial + Left Timing
In the first 4 bars, keep time lightly on the rim with your left hand. As you remove the left hand in the next 4 bars, keep that same sense of pulse going in your feet. Learn the relationship between each partial and the downbeat.
- E’s fall right after your foot
- A’s right before the next beat
- &’s land exactly in the middle
1 Partial Split
Assign each player one of the first 4 bars and create the splits found below.
Dotted 8ths + Left Timing
Develop the dotted eighth note. Start with the left keeping time lightly on the rim or on your leg then remove it in the next measure.
Laser Beams
Laser beams reference the sound of an old toy gun. Build confidence in both 1 partials and dotted 8ths.
Split Dotted 8ths
Start with one dotted eighth on each drum and then fill it in with 3 evenly spaced notes.
Split 2 Stickings
The various stickings below will be utilized as players turn and face a different direction on the field. Developing doubles on each hand will help to facilitate split 2s and eventually split 4s. Be sure to check out double beat and the push pull technique.
Overlapping 2s
Overlapping rhythms will help to not crush splits. In this exercise, player one’s last note should be player two’s first.
- Try overlapping any of the other 3 partials
- Create additional splits using the 2 partials
- Play as both singles and doubles
3s
For further study, be sure to check out Hup Dup as well.
- Try assigning a student to each measure like the overlapping twos above
- Work to remove the release by placing on the rim or leg
Triple Stroke
Triples use a similar technique as creating doubles. In order to increase tempos, continue to develop twitch legatos and the push pull.
4s + release
Offsetting diddles on each hand will produce single stroke 4s. Use the push pull technique and delay one hand briefly. Both hands come down one after another, similar to producing a flat flam.
Down and Up beat 4s
Overlapping 4s
8 Bar Split
Here are 8 of the more common 8th note splits. More combos to come soon.
Split 2s
Create 16th note split 2s by adding left hands or diddles to each of the 8th note splits above.
- Add left hands to laser beams to create 32nd not splits
Split 3s
Split 4s
When playing 32nd note singles, each hand is only responsible for playing two 16th notes. Start by practicing split 2s on both right and left hands. Then try as double stops before offseting to create singled 4s.
- Work for 4 notes that all sound the same
- Don’t accent the first 2 notes
Triplet Timing
Cut each beat equally in to 3 parts.
Triplet Partials
Quarter Note Triplets
Quarter note triplets are like playing regular 8th note triplets with one hand removed.
Hand to Hands
Video Tutorials
Playlist
Transcript
Where to Next?
?
Bass Drum
Splits
Bass Drum
Splits
Marching bass drums typically come in sizes ranging from 14″ up to 32″. Each player carries a uniquely tuned and sized drum. As a result, each player can be considered a soloist.
Bass sections usually have between 3 and 6 players. Parts are “split” among all players of the section to create runs.
“Splitting” refers to the concept of assigning a rhythm, rudiment, or group of notes among 2 or more players. A rudimentary split might ask one player to cover all right hand notes while the other takes the left.
While “splitting” is common place among bass drummers, any section can create a fun visual moment with a split down the line. Snares might assign an A/B split within a roll. Marimbas might create a ripple down the section. Get creative and be careful not to overdo it.
Practice Tips
The stickings below are based on right hand lead natural sticking. When playing 16th notes in this sticking pattern, the right hand falls on all downbeats and upbeats while the left cuts that in half on all Es and As.
When playing a bass drum, however, you will want to lead with the hand that faces the audience. As a result, you should also practice left hand lead and alternate stickings as well.
The stronger you are at timing, the easier it will be for you to split with a friend or within a bass line. Work with a metronome and develop a strong sense of pulse.
Continue to develop the same skills as the upper battery, such as Legato strokes, staccato strokes, and rolls. The more you are capable of playing on your own, the more advanced splits you can achieve.
Mp3
100 BPM
60 BPM
Exercises
16th Timing Check
Play one bar of time/check and then insert any of the 16th partials found below. Check or compare your timing, stroke types, sticking, and sound quality of each insert to that of your 16th note check. The goal is to cut each beat in to 4 equal parts. Strive for mathematical accuarcy and spacing. Be sure to check out Legato Strokes to develop an even 16th note check and partials.
- Also try in 2/4 time and 1/4 time
- Combine inserts to create a single measure
3 Partials
Each of the bars below have one 16th note removed from each beat.
- The right hand should not stop moving
- Maintain continuous eighth notes/full strokes in the right hand
- Drop the left evenly placed in the middle
- The left hand keeps going while removing a right
2 Partials
Two 16ths have been removed from each beat.
- Continue subdividing and counting 16th notes
- Avoid crushing each grouping of two
Split Partials
Every other 16th has been removed from each beat.
- Eighth notes follow their own sticking pattern, however, try playing all right, all left, and alternating
1 Partial
Three 16ths have been removed from each beat.
- Quarter notes follow their own sticking pattern
- Eighth notes follow their own sticking pattern
1 Partial + Left Timing
In the first 4 bars, keep time lightly on the rim with your left hand. As you remove the left hand in the next 4 bars, keep that same sense of pulse going in your feet. Learn the relationship between each partial and the downbeat.
- E’s fall right after your foot
- &’s land exactly in the middle
- A’s right before the next beat
1 Partial Split
Assign each player one of the first 4 bars and create the splits found below.
Dotted 8ths + Left Timing
Develop the dotted eighth note. Start with the left keeping time lightly on the rim or on your leg then remove it in the next measure.
Laser Beams
Laser beams reference the sound of an old toy gun. Build confidence in both 1 partials and dotted 8ths.
Split Dotted 8ths
Start with one dotted eighth on each drum and then fill it in with 3 evenly spaced notes.
Split 2 Stickings
The various stickings below will be utilized as players turn and face a different direction on the field. Developing doubles on each hand will help to facilitate split 2s and eventually split 4s. Be sure to check out double beat and the push pull technique.
Overlapping 2s
Overlapping rhythms will help to not crush splits. In this exercise, player one’s last note should be player two’s first.
- Try overlapping any of the other 3 partials
- Create additional splits using the 2 partials
- Play as both singles and doubles
3s
For further study, be sure to check out Hup Dup as well.
- Try assigning a student to each measure like the overlapping twos above
- Work to remove the release by placing on the rim or leg
Triple Stroke
Triples use a similar technique as creating doubles. In order to increase tempos, continue to develop twitch legatos and the push pull.
4s + release
Offsetting diddles on each hand will produce single stroke 4s. Use the push pull technique and delay one hand briefly. Both hands come down one after another, similar to producing a flat flam.
Down and Up beat 4s
Overlapping 4s
8 Bar Split
Here are 8 of the more common 8th note splits. More combos to come soon.
Split 2s
Create 16th note split 2s by adding left hands or diddles to each of the 8th note splits above.
- Add left hands to laser beams to create 32nd not splits
Split 3s
Split 4s
When playing 32nd note singles, each hand is only responsible for playing two 16th notes. Start by practicing split 2s on both right and left hands. Then try as double stops before offseting to create singled 4s.
- Work for 4 notes that all sound the same
- Don’t accent the first 2 notes
Triplet Timing
Cut each beat equally in to 3 parts.
Triplet Partials
Quarter Note Triplets
Quarter note triplets are like playing regular 8th note triplets with one hand removed.
Hand to Hands
Video Tutorials
Playlist
Transcription
Where to Next?
?
