Be aware that as you perform the straight style beat in 1/8th mode you will essentially be playing 8 counts or hits on the hihat but the 1/8th note triplet will be using 12 counts or hits , maybe a problem maybe not. The answer lies in your ability to realize that to squeeze 12 hits in where 8 hits are used simply means that the 12 hits need to be faster that’s all. How much faster I hear you say, weeeeell that’s the trick.

As you play the beat you will or should know the count, that is 1&2&3&4& and from this should really know the ¼ note pulse 1 2 3 4. Ok now just stop playing the beat and keep counting your ¼ counts of 1 2 3 4. Next simply feel the ¼ counts and count and play your triplet from before over the top, easy.

This time play the beat and do it for only a small time say 3 bars and at the start of the 4th bar attempt to go into your 1/8th triplet count all the time maintaining the same tempo and ¼ note pulse as before. Once you start to get confident with this spice it up a bit with toms or different beats to join it with, you will really start to get a good feel going as the count winds its way between the patterns.

The outcome will be a great sounding passage of play and the concept that you know more and are trickier than you thought you were. Please do try this if you haven’t and if you have and can do this already then revamp it with even more beats, toms etc.

See ya Dean Tucker