Part 8 · Reading & Musicianship · Chapter 94

Syncopated Reading

Syncopated reading lines train you to read rhythms that fall off the beat. Play these on the snare while the bass drum keeps quarter notes.

EXAMPLE 94.1Line 1
TEMPO
EXAMPLE 94.2Line 2
TEMPO

Ties across the beat.

EXAMPLE 94.3Line 3
TEMPO

Sixteenth-note syncopation.

Keep the foot goingTIP

The bass drum on every beat is your anchor. If the foot stops, the reading has taken over. Slow down until both work together.

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