The rhythmic scale is a great way to work on your ability to move between different note values flawlessly while improving your general control and coordination on the kit. Ash Pearson’s here to teach you how to take the scale and apply it to your daily double-bass workouts so you can start breaking out of your 8th and 16th note box.
It’s good to start with a slow tempo (anywhere from 40-60 BPM) until you’re fully comfortable within each subdivision. Groups of five and seven tend to be the most difficult (as they’re generally the least used in today’s music), so don’t be discouraged if those don’t “click” right away.
Ash Pearson
is the drummer of Boston-based technical death metal band Revocation, and formerly of heavy metal band 3 Inches of Blood. He is also a member of Zimmers Hole and Old Black (featuring Jed Simon) and is affiliated with bands Ultra Earth and Ritual Dictates (featuring Justin Hagberg).