Inverted Sixteenth-Note Grid Reversed

• By Terrence Higgins
• Originally published in the October 2011 issue of DRUM! Magazine

Alright, here we are with another grid exercise using the bass drum as the shifting accent, but this time we are going to take it a few steps further. In this lesson we are going to play a 4-2-1 grid pattern using sixteenth-notes, but instead of beginning with the first accent played on the first sixteenth-note, we are going to invert the accents and start on the fourth sixteenth-note in the group, then the third, second, and first.

While keeping the 4-2-1 grid pattern and keeping the sticking pattern, play down once Exs. 1, 2, and 3, then back up 3, 2, 1 for the reverse. The reason why I love practicing using the grid pattern is because it takes you through almost every combination and allows for faster development of dexterity and facility on the kit.