Glen Velez practice rhythms for tar
Friday, September 30th, 2005
This is a set of simple practice rhythms from a frame drum workshop a few of us took with Glen Velez.
There are many more rhythms like these in Glen’s books which can be bought from his web site: Glen Velez - Frame Drums.
These practice rhythms can be played on any drum. This is as close as I can come to Glen’s notation and I’ll work on improving the notation over time.*
1. || D-TK T-TK D-TK T-TK ||
2. || TKD- TKT- TKD- TKT- ||
3. || TKTK D-TK T--- TKD- ||
4. || TKT- TKD- TKTK D-TK ||
Notes
D = dum, bass note, strong hand
T = tek, edge or rim or high note, strong hand
K = kah, edge or rim or high note, weak hand
- = rest
*The notation will format differently on different browsers and IE users may not see things formatted correctly. Tip, get Safari, it’s free and it works on Macs and Windows now.
This is awesome!
Diane, great. Try copying and pasting the notation into a word processor on your computer, enlarging the type (leave the font if you can) and printing. If that looks okay we’re in business.
Sound play okay?
Thanks for looking.
Why did you change the 3rd measure in #3 from T— and use vertical bars for the 3 rest beats? Rests in the other measures are indicated by -. Shouldn’t the notation be consistent?
The 1st time I viewed this entry you had used the T—, so the change surprised me.
Maybe you did not receive my 1st comment (after 1st viewing) which said the format looks good and should work fine. I will try to work out notation for some other rhythms to help with the progress, if that is okay.
Evelyn, I’ll print a screen shot for you to look at tonight. The reason it looks funny on your browser is because you’re using IE (internet explorer) and it doesn’t parse this stuff correctly.
It looked okay the first time because I tried to make it right for IE but it looked like hell for everyone else. So, I gave up and did it the right way hoping that IE users will get smart at some point and upgrade to firefox (link above).
It’s formatted correctly, you’ll see. It’s your browser.
Hey, thanks for looking.
Okay, between Mayank Bhatia in California and Monika Koethnig in Germany I think we fixed the notation so it will look good to everyone. Maybe.
Let us know. You IE 6 users, you’re the ones we want feedback from.
And, while you’re at it, why not upgrade to Safari!
Hi Richard,
I’m from São Paulo, Brazil. Glen and Lori are here!!! We’ve took a masterclass yesterday and there is a lot comin’ today. I’m so excited!
Glen is teaching his notation to us too.
Thanks for the post, for sharing.
Best wishes,
Gustavo
Gustavo: Fantastic, lucky you. I’ll post a lot more of this stuff if I know you’re enjoying and using it and feel free to email me any of your notation you’d like me to post. I’m getting back into frame drumming now after a bit of time off and am loving it.
I wish I were down there in Brazil… both with Glen and Lori but also just to be in Brazil. Thanks.
Hi Richard,
I’ve recorded a 7 against 5 polyrhythm. Check it out on my blog (it’s in portuguese but “just push PLAY” at the end of the first post): http://blog.takadime.com/
I’d love to hear some feedback from you!
Thanks!
Gustavo: Fantastic man, I love your playing. Is that all one take or did you record multiple tracks?
It’s just great, thanks for the link.
I hope you’ve noticed that I’ve been posting lots of much simpler rhythms up here in the category Drum Rhythms.
Thanks, Richard!
You can always reach me at gustavodrums (gmail.com).
I recorded multiple tracks. I think this 7:5 is great for two people playing.
You can watch me playing a 5 against 3 on the foot on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW-XQAuudcg
Yes, I’ve subscribed to your blog and I’m always around here.
THANKS!!!! Let me know if you ever come to Brazil, ok? ;-)
Fantastic Gustavo, very impressive. Do you also play those rhythms on frame drums or just drum kit? Thanks for the link, well done man.
I used to play the drums, but now I’m livin’ at an apartment and my drum kit is in boxes… ;-)
I’m beginning to play the tar and some shakers (caxixi and ganzá), inspired by Glen Velez workshop, and that’s it for now!
Maybe a bodhran would be nice too, but that’s all new to me.
Thanks for the feedback!!!
Gustavo: Ah, well, great, keep on working on frame and maybe we’ll meet up someday and can play together, I would really love that. Hey, I have a surdo and I know how to play it although I pretty much suck playing my pandeiro.
hey Richard,
i love Bazit and Chaca and am able to go back and forth.
Now if i can just get my drum to cooperate with the Moroccan 12 count, the 4-3-5 and Bembe, i’ll be a happy drummer.
Norah: Fantastic. That’s some pretty advanced drumming you’re doing there. I need to post all of those 12 count rhythms up here and yes, I need to get busy and record some sound to go with all of this stuff to make it useful.