Sacha K – DRUMMER & EDUCATOR

The six-stroke roll is a versatile and musical rudiment, but it’s non-alternating nature gives it some limitations that this lesson helps to overcome, making it even more useful. The second half of the lesson breaks the six stroke roll in half with the aim of creating more melodic…

Jan082016January 8, 2016July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Extending The Flam Accent

This group of exercises shows you some extensions and modifications to the flam accent rudiment with the aim of enhancing it’s usefulness as a musical tool, and allowing you to work it in with other different but related sticking patterns. Each exercise should be practiced on it’s own…

Apr102015April 10, 2015July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Sixteenth-Note Kick Grooves

This lesson shows you a set of bass drum variations for your rock & funk beats. This means that bass drum notes may fall on any sixteenth-note in the bar.

…

Apr102015April 10, 2015July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Sixteenth-Note Kick & Snare Grooves

This lesson shows you a set of combined bass drum and snare drum variations for your rock & funk beats. This means that bass drum and snare drum notes may fall on any sixteenth-note in the bar.

…

Jan102015January 10, 2015July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Four-Way Sticking Possibilities Part 1

This lesson shows you 100 different ways to combine single-stroke and double-stroke stickings between the four limbs. Each set of 10 exercises uses a common foot ostinato (repeating pattern), while the snare stickings change for each individual exercise. Video and part 2 coming soon.

…

Aug272014August 27, 2014July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Polyrhythms For Dummies

This lesson introduces you to the concept of polyrhythms, and demonstrates the formula for working out everything from basic and advanced polyrhythms based on any two numbers you like.

Here’s the formula you’ll see explained in the video:

Polyrhythm Formula:
Take X:N (N = primary pulse, X = secondary pulse)
1. Create a bar with ‘N’ primary…

Aug242014August 24, 2014July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Performing with Chukale – “Chan Chan”

Posted in Demonstrations & Improvisations

I’ve been using a new camera to record some gigs lately so I’ll be sharing the footage from time to time. This is Chukale playing one of our favourites ‘Chan Chan’, featuring guest pianist Marialy Pacheco from Cuba.

…

Aug192014August 19, 2014July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Hi-Hat Control Exercises

This lesson aims to get you using your hi-hats more dynamically and creatively. The exercises themselves are rooted in 4-way co-ordination and take you through different combinations of limb actions such as:
– Striking the snare while opening the hi-hats
– Striking the bass drum while opening the hi-hats
– Striking the snare while closing…

Aug132014August 13, 2014July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Swinging Latin Grooves

These ‘swinging latin’ grooves came out of the bebop era, when Cuban percussion rhythms were being introduced to American jazz. They are often used in songs that change between a straight ‘latin’ feel and the triplet-based swing feel (e.g. Green Dolphin Street). They are played straight in the demonstration video, but can also be played…

Aug012014August 1, 2014July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Drum Fills For 4/4 Rock & Funk

In this video, you’ll see 55 different 4/4 drum fills that you can copy and try out in your own drumming. They start out simple and get more complex toward the end.

See the slow-motion version of the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olrj3XsjVWc

Download a sample from this PDF:

…

Jul162014July 16, 2014July 2, 2018by Sacha K

Songo Triplet Lick

Posted in Demonstrations & Improvisations

This video shows you a drum lick based on a 12-note triplet sticking suitable for dropping into a Songo or other Cuban feel without breaking away from the main cowbell beat.

…

Stick Technique – Traditional Grip

Ever see those drummers who hold one of their sticks funny? If you want to know what that’s all about this lesson shows you why and how to do it.

…

Stick Technique – The Basics

Never held a drum stick before, or just want to know if you’re on the right track? This is the lesson for you. You’ll learn where to put your hands and why drummers get their sticks to ‘bounce’ or ‘rebound’.

…

Stick Technique – Rim Shots

This lesson shows you how to draw out maximum power and tone from your snare drum using a common technique called the rim shot.

…

Stick Technique – Matched Grip

Matched Grip’ is the most practical and commonly used grip for modern drummers. This lesson shows you the basic concept, and the 3 variations on matched grip used by drummers around the world – French Grip, German Grip and American Grip.

…

Stick Technique – Dynamic Strokes

This is one of my favourite concepts to teach. The ‘Dynamic Strokes’ (Full, Down, Tap, Up) are key in an approach to stick technique that gives you more speed, power and dynamic contrast in your drumming. It’s about knowing where your sticks are coming from and going to at all times.

…

Rudiments – Triple Stroke Roll

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Triple Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Triple Ratamacue

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Triple Ratamacue drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Triple Paradiddle

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Triple Paradiddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Thirteen Stroke Roll

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Thirteen Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Ten Stroke Roll

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Ten Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Swiss Army Triplet

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Swiss Army Triplet drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Six Stroke Roll

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Six Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Single Stroke Seven

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Stroke Seven drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Single Stroke Roll

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Single Stroke Four

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Stroke Four drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Single Ratamacue

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Ratamacue drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Single Paradiddle

In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Paradiddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied to the drum kit.

…

Rudiments – Single Flammed Mill