The pattern
240 BPM · 12/8 · 24 step
| Instrument | Beat 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Beat 2 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Beat 3 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Beat 4 | Step 11 | Step 12 | Beat 5 | Step 14 | Step 15 | Beat 6 | Step 17 | Step 18 | Beat 7 | Step 20 | Step 21 | Beat 8 | Step 23 | Step 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kick | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest |
| Snare | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest | hit |
| Closed hi-hat | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest | rest | rest | rest | hit | rest | rest |
| Ride | hit | rest | rest | hit | rest | hit | hit | rest | rest | hit | rest | hit | hit | rest | rest | hit | rest | hit | hit | rest | rest | hit | rest | hit |
How to play it and where it comes from
Bebop (1940s: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie; Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums) between 180 and 300+. Triplet grid in 12/8: 3 steps = one swung quarter note, BPM referring to the quarter note. The ride keeps time (spang-a-lang) with the hi-hat on 2 and 4; kick and snare do not keep the groove but "comment": the kick drops "bombs" at irregular points and the snare comps in dialogue with the soloist. At the fastest tempos the swing flattens toward nearly straight eighths. Variants: trading fours (4-bar drum solos), ride on the quarter notes at extreme tempos.