The Sea Lion Groove

A lot of people confuse this Steve Gadd played pattern
with what he played for 50 ways to leave your lover.
This one was played on Grover Washington Jr.'s
tune called "The Sea Lion and is not as rudimental.

A very fun pattern to work with and inject ideas upon.

Now that brings back memories!

And you are correct. In fact both renditions of the groove provide opporutunities for experimentation. In my opinion, they are both rudimental - especially when considering that the Hi Hat pattern can be played with either the left hand (as Steve G. does it) or the right hand as you are doing.

Ever since I heard these patterns, they both are among my favorites behind the kit - yet of course the music has to be there to support the application (preferred use).

I believe I posted the chart for 50 Ways on the old forum. I still have the book and will scan the pages again to show the HH with left hand.

Great Job Don!

P.S. You know I'm not stealing your thunder by posting this tune I recorded with KOKOMO in London ('75). My point is to illustrate the different sticking. When the song came up in rehearsal, I heard the music and jumped on the 50 Ways to Lose a Lover approach. At first the the band was curious why I wanted to take it that route, but by the end of the entire tune, everyone was really comfortable with it. I think the biggest problem was to keep everyone from not rushing the song ... but that's the drummer's job! LOL!

http://www.johnsussewell.com/ManMadeLaw-SussWKokomo1976.mp3 [interestingly enough, I mixed it up on the HH with both left and right hands... it just depended on where I was going groove-wise from where I was at in the song. I can get geeky that way. LOL!

Don,

You got my mind going with these concepts, so here’s those charts from Steve Gadd’s manual entitled “Up Close.” [Manhattan Publications; 1990]

Again, he employs the left hand on the HH for fill notes… I guess you can say it’s more open handed, yet still rudimental.



http://www.johnsussewell.com/50Ways-Gadd-1.jpg

Hi ,Unc,

I understand that all beat patterns are basically rudimental by nature.
My meaning was though the Sea Lion and 50 ways are very similar
in structure, 50 ways is more rudimental in the classic sense with
the use of singles and doubles with the hands on the snare drum.

I'm glad you put up your approach to the Kokomo piece as it shows
another view to the same basic pattern.

Cool charts... Loved the mozambique pattern.

Love that new setup for you, Don.
Cool pattern, of course.



Hi, John. I will be contacting you.
Miss you, all.

Regards,

I really like this setup, Pete... When
I play out with this configuration with
a single bass drum it takes a little getting
used to as I've learned to play these songs
a certain way with the hh on the left and I
occiasionally find myself crossing over where
there's a floor tom instead of a hh... LOL!

It's getting there, though and it's opened up
a world of possibilities.

Thank you Don.