please explain to me(keys) what you mean by shuffle.i listen to a lot of the old school jazz organ cats,and their stick players are out of sight.purdie played with a lot of those guys.charlie earland(organ) used to talk about 10/4.i've played 4/4.12/8,guess there is even 7/4.9/8,11/8.is the "shuffle" the snare,ride,or something else? sorry-don't speak "sticks"but trying to learn.be blessed.playin for JESUS
I snagged this from a couple previous explanations I gave to an LGM members. I hope this gives you some understanding to the subject...
NOTE: Shuffles can be played anywhere on the kit. RnB focuses on the kick, HipHop on the Kick and hihat. Blues put it everywhere but a lot on the snare, hihat and ride cymbal, Jazz puts it on the ride and snare mostly. Country puts it on the kick and hihat mainly. Rock is on the kick with double pedal or double bass drums.
Shuffles... aahh they get us all at some point because there areso many. The Jeff Porcaro DVD from Hal Lenard, The Groove Master VHS from Bernard Purdie - The Master, The MD Fest Weekend 2005 DVD - Zoro section is great on shuffles, Blues Drumming with Tom Breitchlin (sp?) - the basics of swingingand shuffling, THe Drumset Crash Course by Russ Miller.
Shuffles are swing patterns that use the first and last notes of a 8th note triplet grouping 1 a2 a3 a4 wher the "a" sets up the next note like Tap-daTap-da Tap (Generally jazz, blues, runb, gospel, rock-n-roll) or a 16th note duple grouping with is a bit bouncier and quicker than the 8th note shuffle, TapdaTapdaTap (hard rock, nu metal, drum-n-bass, hip-hop). Thick hiphop hihat-ish or drum-n-bass.
The big thing is to learn how to read it and count it aloud. Then count it aloud while playing it. You need to be able to play consistant 1-handed and 1-footed 8th note triplets and 16th notes without accents. Then practice then with accents on the first note of each set. Then only play the first and last notes of each set grouping... resting (not playing/silence) the middle note(s). DO all this with a good metronome that plays triplets and duples (quadruple 16th notes=4). Lock with e metronome and treat it like it isanother instrument in the band and make it groove.
Counting the 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 12/8 are essential. I recommend the DVD and book set - Groove Essentials/Groove essentials the Play-a-long book to demonstrate/help you practice. Shuffles are all about pocket(place in the beat) and feel (swung/laid-back/syncopated, bouncy). Double-Pedal rock shuffles are the same way but seem to sit differently and call for more power and more confidence. You can here some wild shuffles on the thread called More Marco, Rabb and Lang.
One-thing I have found with my study/practice of the shuffle is that you have to be solid and confident to be able to go in and out of them as well as flexible. You need to be able to play them single-limb or multi-limb and with diddles and multiple bounces etc.
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more.