Phrases & Phrasing
Phrases and phrasing are two terms that are often thrown about in musical discussions, but not often enough for drummers and with some ambiguity. In its simplest form, a phrase is one complete musical thought and phrasing is how we impart more emotional/musical meaning to those thoughts using dynamics, accents, effects, etc. Specifically as it applies to drumming, there are 3 types of phrasing that we must be aware of that I have applied terms to for clarification.
PHRASE LENGTHS
It is essential for every musician to be able to feel music in measure groupings without counting. These groupings are referred to in music as a phrase. A good musician can feel many different phrase lengths (2, 4, 8, 16, or even 32 bars). 4 bar phrases are the most important length of phrase to develop an ability to feel because of its frequent use in most American styles of music, and it is also the foundation for feeling larger phrases. Keep in mind however that the natural process for a beginner to develop the ability to feel multiple measure groupings is to count them. I recommend saying (or at least thinking) the number of the bar at the beginning of each bar. For example: Instead of counting (verbally or mentally) “1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4 etc.…” for four measures, try saying “1 2 3 4, 2 2 3 4, 3 2 3 4, 4 2 3 4”. Practicing this way will lead to a better ability to feel 4 bar phrases, and eventually larger measure groupings.
ACCENT PHRASING
This is playing varying lengths of unaccented subdivisions (8thnotes, triplets, 16thsor rolls) between each accent. The larger our space between our accents, the larger the accent phrase. This can be very effective at the beginning of a drum solo. As drummers, the notes we play between our accents gives them length, much like a horn player’s long notes.
REST PHRASING
This is leaving varying amounts of rest between our accent phrases. It is a not only important for drummers to practice leaving space in their playing, but also to practice beginning and ending phrases on different counts. Leaving space in a solo is not only an effective way to keep a listener interested, but also gives particularly young soloists a chance to plan ahead, as to not let our hands get ahead of our real time creative thought process (improvising).
Phrases & Phrasing
Phrases and phrasing are two terms that are often thrown about in musical discussions, but not often enough for drummers and with some ambiguity. In its simplest form, a phrase is one complete musical thought and phrasing is how we impart more emotional/musical meaning to those thoughts using dynamics, accents, effects, etc. Specifically as it applies to drumming, there are 3 types of phrasing that we must be aware of that I have applied terms to for clarification.
PHRASE LENGTHS
It is essential for every musician to be able to feel music in measure groupings without counting. These groupings are referred to in music as a phrase. A good musician can feel many different phrase lengths (2, 4, 8, 16, or even 32 bars). 4 bar phrases are the most important length of phrase to develop an ability to feel because of its frequent use in most American styles of music, and it is also the foundation for feeling larger phrases. Keep in mind however that the natural process for a beginner to develop the ability to feel multiple measure groupings is to count them. I recommend saying (or at least thinking) the number of the bar at the beginning of each bar. For example: Instead of counting (verbally or mentally) “1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4 etc.…” for four measures, try saying “1 2 3 4, 2 2 3 4, 3 2 3 4, 4 2 3 4”. Practicing this way will lead to a better ability to feel 4 bar phrases, and eventually larger measure groupings.
ACCENT PHRASING
This is playing varying lengths of unaccented subdivisions (8th notes, triplets, 16ths, etc. or rolls) between each accent. The larger our space between our accents, the larger the accent phrase. This can be very effective at the beginning of a drum solo. As drummers, the notes we play between our accents gives them length, much like a horn player’s long notes.
REST PHRASING
This is leaving varying amounts of rest between our accent phrases. It is a not only important for drummers to practice leaving space in their playing, but also to practice beginning and ending phrases on different counts. Leaving space in a solo is not only an effective way to keep a listener interested, but also gives particularly young soloists a chance to plan ahead, as to not let our hands get ahead of our real time creative thought process (improvising).