Foundations Book: Lesson 13 - 8th Note Rests

Описание: Foundations Book – Lesson 13: Eighth-Note Rests

Module Four | Graded Level: Upper Beginner → Early Intermediate

Lesson Focus

This lesson develops students’ ability to perform and internalise eighth-note rests within two-bar drum-set patterns, with a particular emphasis on bass drum placement. Students learn to shift rhythmic emphasis away from the straight quarter-note downbeat toward the eighth-note upbeat, introducing controlled syncopation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Perform two-bar patterns incorporating eighth-note rests on the bass drum
Demonstrate accurate timekeeping while shifting rhythmic emphasis off the downbeat
Apply syncopation within a steady groove context
Coordinate bass drum, hi-hat, and snare with increased independence
Identify and execute rhythmic displacement toward the eighth-note upbeat

Technical & Musical Skills Developed

Bass drum control and precision
Hi-hat independence (including open hi-hat concepts)
Internal pulse awareness
Groove consistency across two-bar phrases
Early development of stylistic phrasing

Pedagogical Context

This lesson draws on Gene Krupa’s foundational drum-set methods, extending what I identify as his ninth and tenth key concepts—Open Hi-Hat Techniques and Bass Drum Techniques. These ideas are reframed to support contemporary drum-set pedagogy while remaining grounded in groove-based learning.

Curriculum Alignment (Indicative)

Australian Curriculum (Music – Years 7–10):

Develop technical and expressive skills in performance
Apply rhythmic concepts in ensemble and solo contexts
AMEB / Trinity / Rockschool (Drum Kit):
Rhythmic accuracy and groove control
Coordination and independence
Studio-Based Progression:
Transition from straight time to syncopated patterns
Preparation for intermediate groove and fill concepts

Suggested Assessment Tasks

Perform lesson patterns at multiple tempos with a metronome
Apply eighth-note rests within a student-selected groove
Record and self-evaluate time feel and consistency
Demonstrate pattern fluency without written notation

Play along with me as you read through the .PDF which is available for students on my website.
If you want a copy of the .PDF message me [email protected] or send request in the comments.

My drum set tutor book 'Foundations: A Workbook to Develop Practice Skills and Knowledge for Playing The Drum Kit" contains many examples from the Foundations, Intermediate and Advanced Levels.

The Foundations Level 1 consists of 20 lessons:
Module 1: Elements
Module 2: Coordination
Module 3: 8th Note Rock
Module 4: 8th Note Rests
Module 5: Hi-Hat Work
Module 6: Summary

The Intermediate Level 2 consists of 26 Lessons.
Module 1: Triplets
Module 2:16th Notes
Module 3: Accented Notes
Module 4: Triplets and Subdivisions
Module 5: Grooves and Combinations
Module 6: Summary