Drop two voicings can be a very effective way to bring fullness and harmonic variety when you find yourself on a one chord for a number of bars. Watch the Barry Harris videos on the Major b6 Scale for a full explanation of the usefulness of adding the flat 6 degree to the major or minor scale.

I found this easier to play in keys without many accidentals but in unfamiliar keys it was more daunting.  I wrote them out as a reference but with the idea of memorizing them in all keys. Each scale degree has a unique voicing so once it’s been memorized it’s much easier to play in less familiar keys.

Click on the link below to download the Drop 2 Voicings.

Drop Two Major b6 Scale – 12 Keys

If you’d like to practice some simpler voicings with roots utilizing the major b6 scale then download this as well.

Maj (Flat 6) Scale – Simple Voicings Including Roots

Hello Friends,

If you have enjoyed working out of Ted Reed’s Syncopation in 4/4 as I have, I invite you to enjoy pages 38-45 in 3/4. This adds a whole new dimension to the possibilities of Syncopation.

To start you can keep the feet simple while you get used to the etudes but feel free to try any of your favorite fill-ins and augmentations.

Click the Image Below For The Full Free 3/4 PDF Download!!

Syncopation in 3/4 – Pages 38-45 PDF

And if you like the 3/4 examples try this 5/4 version!

Click the Image Below For The Free 5/4 PDF Download!!

Or Just Click Here

There’s much more to come soon, I promise! Let me know what you think and tell all your drummer friends about my book, Syncopation Companion published in 2021 by Sher Music. 

You can buy the book here!!

https://www.shermusic.com/9780997661781.php

Check out this great review of my new book Syncopation Companion in the UK publication Jazz Journal!

Syncopation Companion

Syncopation Companion


This well-presented book from Sher Music takes the lessons of Ted Reed’s seminal 1958 Progressive Steps To Syncopation to a new level 


By Mark Youll – 04 August 2021

Praised and endorsed by notable educational establishments and top-drawer players such as Peter Erskine, this new drum book from Bryan Bowman advances methods first introduced by the great Ted Reed and his Progressive Steps To Syncopation – a publication released in 1958 that came second in Modern Drummer magazine’s greatest instruction book poll in 1993.

Whereas Reed’s 65-page book addressed the study of syncopation in rich detail, primarily between snare drum and bass drum, Bowman’s 166 pager takes Reed’s concepts to another level. Of course, Bowman isn’t the first to advance Reed’s original ideas for studying syncopation, but his approach is unique. From the opening section (focusing on the application of various drum rudiments), what is clear is Bowman’s intention to present all the exercises as ready musical statements and lift the given patterns from the snare or practice pad to the complete drum set.

Bowman also deems it essential to have a copy of Reed’s book to hand (to use simultaneously with this companion) and to have a basic grasp of rudiments to maximize the benefits of this one. He also maintains the importance of the individual’s imagination when taking the hand patterns throughout and laying them over the foldout etude of foot patterns at the back of the book, and then also over particular pages of Reed’s book.

Bowman’s book is beautifully presented throughout and a noticeably nice touch to help grasp the accents added to various patterns is Bowman’s idea of presenting a second stave above the exercise, highlighting just the accents. This also helps students not so proficient in reading rhythm develop their reading chops. 

The second section also takes in odd-time metre reading, linear ideas, jazz comping, syncopation in straight rock situations and its application to Afro-Cuban grooves. As a drummer myself I’ve found Bowman’s book, like some of the others he references and recommends throughout, one hard to put down. It’s brimming with great content for drummers of every genre.

Bowman sells Syncopation Companion in the book’s introduction as a “a toolkit for musical expression” and “an avenue to reach your potential on the drums” and succeeds in what he sets out to do, namely help build strong technique, independence of limbs, reading and, above all, strong musicality. Drummers, go get this book.

My new book Syncopation Companion is available now! 

Syncopation Companion by Bryan Bowman Bryan Bowman’s book is a beautifully useful tool. I am looking forward to utilizing it with my students as well as on my own practice pad.” — Peter Erskine An integrated approach to rudimental drumming, expanding on the myriad possibilities of Ted Reed’s classic Syncopation text and then applied to contemporary drumming styles. A must-have book for those who seek to improve their rudimental technique, sight-reading, and four-way coordination on the drumset! Learn more…

Syncopation Companion: An Integrated Approach to Rudimental Drumming is an in depth look at the ways to use Ted Reed’s book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer.

The book will be published by Sher Music Co. in early 2021.

Here are some of the things people are saying about Syncopation Companion.

“My course of study as an aspiring drummer did not include working out of Ted Reed’s “…Syncopation” book, much to my regret in later years. My sense of having missed out on some essential training was somewhat offset by my mistrust or misunderstanding of the Reed book and its intended goals. 

Bryan Bowman’s revisit and expansion on the topics of syncopation and rudimental drumming bridges the gap for me, as I’m sure it will for many other drummers — as well as providing a beautifully-useful tool for students of the Reed, Dawson and Wilcoxin methods and etudes.

I am looking forward to utilizing this book with my students as well as on my own practice pad.”

– PETER ERSKINE

“Syncopation Companion: An Integrated Approach to Rudimental Drumming, by Bryan Bowman, is a wonderful addition to the world of drum set pedagogy, extending the great work of jazz education pioneer Alan Dawson’s methods with Ted Reed’s Syncopation. Indeed, a rich legacy to stand upon. I am most impressed by the logical progression from Chapter One through Chapter Twelve and the inclusion of concepts applicable to various styles, including Jazz, Rock, Funk, Brazilian, and Afro Cuban genres. The technical exploration presented in Syncopation Companion will surely extend the hand and four-way technique of the intermediate-advanced drummer, making it an excellent resource for drum set and percussion teachers alike, who are looking to challenge their students’ overall musical development.”

— YORON ISRAEL (Chair and Professor of Percussion, Berklee College of Music)

“Bryan’s book is an excellent source for those who are looking for interesting and engaging ideas based on the Syncopation book! All too often students (as well as their teachers) have a limited arsenal of ideas when it comes to the possibilities hidden in this widely used textbook. I would  recommend Bryan’s Companion to the army of drummers out there who own Ted Reed’s book but don’t really know how to put it to full use!”

– MARKO DJORDJEVIC (Associate Professor, Percussion, Berklee College of Music)

‘Bryan Bowman‘s book, The Syncopation Companion, is a masterfully crafted, well organized, learning tool for all Drummers who are interested in moving forward on the instrument. The systems introduced in Bryan’s book are perfect vehicles for musically incorporating rudiments into any drummer’s vocabulary. The exercises can be challenging, but also very gratifying and fun!

I started working out of Syncopation by Ted Reed when I was seven years old. I still work out of it today. I’m looking forward to digging into The Syncopation Companion for many years to come!”

– DAVID ROKEACH (Drum set instructor at Stanford University.

Has performed/recorded with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Joe Henderson,,Rita Moreno, Mark Murphy, Gregory Porter, Maria Schneider, Taj Mahal and many others)

“I have done so many applications of Syncopation in my life. For many years I had an idea to come up with a book of all these applications. Well, I have to say, you have done it for me! In fact, you have surprised me with many applications. I think you have done a tremendous job and I would definitely recommend it to my students.”

MARIANO STEIMBERG, Assist. Prof. of Drums, Berklee College, Valencia, Spain campus

 

    Many drummers are familiar with the Philly Joe Stickings for groups of three triplets. Here are some variations you might enjoy. Practice them with the hi-hat on two and four.

These stickings work well for medium to fast jazz soloing. Philly Joes solo on Workout is a good example of how he would use this technique.

Philly Joe Stickings – PDF Version

Louis Hayes
Fours on Cannonball Adderley’s Hoppin’ John
Louis Hayes Fours – Cannonball – Hoppin John – Trading Fours

Philly Joe Jones 
Philly Joe Jones – Hank Mobley – Workout PDF

Kenny Barron – Embracable You – PDF