Check Patterns & Reading Skills

This article assists educators in helping the percussionist by using rhythmic building blocks as a means of improving music reading skills.

Excerpt from UMass Cadence

Here are a few measures of Oye Tu Conga, as performed by the UMass Drumline. It combines open rolls, flams, and syncopated rhythms. Step 1: Basic Rhythm – First, start with just the rhythm. Remove all the accents and additional “stuff” and just learn the basic pattern.

Excerpt from “Oye Tu Conga”

Here are a few measures of Oye Tu Conga, as performed by the UMass Drumline. It combines open rolls, flams, and syncopated rhythms. Step 1: Basic Rhythm – First, start with just the rhythm. Remove all the accents and additional “stuff” and just learn the basic pattern.