Pack overview
What you will practice
These patterns depend on placement and restraint. The pulse often feels spacious, so rushing an offbeat or filling every gap removes the character of the style.
Use the playback as a reference, but practice counting through the silent positions as well. A note that arrives after a deliberate rest should feel connected to the pulse, not late.
Learning goals
- Place offbeat hi-hat and cymbal notes without rushing.
- Maintain a relaxed backbeat at slow and medium tempos.
- Hear the difference between reggae, ska and heavier Afro-rock phrasing.
- Treat rests as measured parts of the pattern.
Practice routine
- Tap quarter notes with your foot before playing the pattern.
- Practice the cymbal or hi-hat line alone until every offbeat is even.
- Add the snare, then place the kick without making the pattern heavier.
- Record four bars and check whether the second half stays as relaxed as the first.