Rhythmic Twists in Paul McCartney’s “Salesman Saint”
In early April 2026, I spent a Beatles weekend in Liverpool with my son Jeremy. This trip was a birthday gift from him, and we had chosen to wait for spring to make it happen.
Drum Blog
Original drum exercises, excerpts from my methods, educational thoughts, and memories from my musical journey.
A blog to learn, reflect… and explore.
Montreux 2024 – Smoke on the Water Event
In July 2024, the Montreux Jazz Festival turned its attention to its own history.
On Sunday, July 7th, I was invited to take part in an afternoon event held in the Memphis Room.
On Sunday, July 7th, I was invited to take part in an afternoon event held in the Memphis Room.
Alain Rieder & Frank Gambale – Jazz-in Concert, Zurich 1992
During the summer of 1988, I had the pleasure of meeting Frank Gambale at a series of seminars in southern France, in Montpellier and Antibes, where we were both participating as instructors.
written by: Alain Rieder
Frank Zappa – Basel 1974
Following the popularity of my account of the Montreux Casino fire, I was asked to share more memories of Frank Zappa concerts. Here is the story of a concert in Basel in 1974.
If you haven’t read my Montreux story yet, I invite you to check it out here.
If you haven’t read my Montreux story yet, I invite you to check it out here.
Another New Drum Book!
More than ten years ago, I started writing a series of drum exercises for my personal use.
I soon realized that these exercises could also be useful to other drummers if I published them as a book.
I soon realized that these exercises could also be useful to other drummers if I published them as a book.
written by: Alain Rieder
PolyNome Playlists
These downloadable click tracks, in PolyNome format, are designed to help you practice concepts from my "Time Initiation" and "Time Manipulation" drum books. The 3/4 time tracks are for exercises that will be introduced in my upcoming books.
mp3 Metronome Tracks
These downloadable click tracks, in mp3 format, are designed to help you practice concepts from my "Time Initiation" and "Time Manipulation" drum books. The 3/4 time tracks are for exercises that will be introduced in my upcoming books.
Time Initiation Drum Book
I am pleased to announce the release of my new book, Time Initiation, now available in two binding versions as well as in eBook format at Hudson Music.
This method is designed to be studied before or in parallel with my previous book, Time Manipulation.
This method is designed to be studied before or in parallel with my previous book, Time Manipulation.
Filed in: Pattern Morphing written by: Alain Rieder
Introduction to Pattern Morphing
Here I present the bases of an innovative methodology that will allow you to truly progress in all aspects of your drumming.
This powerful approach can be applied to advanced exercises and concepts as well.
This powerful approach can be applied to advanced exercises and concepts as well.
written by: Alain Rieder
Frank Zappa – Montreux 1971
On Saturday, December 4, 1971, I took the train from Geneva to Montreux with a few friends to attend the Frank Zappa concert, which was scheduled for the afternoon—an unusual time for a rock concert: 2:30 PM.
Filed in: rhythmic exploration | drum lessons | videos | pattern morphing written by: Alain Rieder
Rhythmic Exploration in 12/8 and 3/4
Would you like to progress in your ability to play fills and solos? Here are a few patterns from a new – not yet published – drum book.
Filed in: Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Steve Gadd - One Point Five - Groove Analysis
In this article I describe a groove by Steve Gadd, based on an Afro-Cuban bell pattern, which can also be played on the ride cymbal.
Tags: Steve Gadd,Nanigo,Bembe
Filed in: Drum Lessons | Videos written by: Alain Rieder
Rhythmic Modulations in Herbie Hancock's Chameleon
Chameleon is a well known jazz-funk composition by Herbie Hancock.
In the original studio version, around 12 minutes into the track, there is a less known part with interesting rhythmic modulations. Let's have a look at how it works!
In the original studio version, around 12 minutes into the track, there is a less known part with interesting rhythmic modulations. Let's have a look at how it works!
Filed in: Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Soul with a Capital "S" - part 2
This is the second part of an article that was originally published in Batteur Magazine in 1997. Here I show you how to further develop the pattern that was demonstrated before.
Filed in: Drum Lessons | Pattern Morphing written by: Alain Rieder
Soul with a Capital "S" - part 1
In this article written in 1997 for Batteur Magazine, and adapted for this blog, I used a Tower of Power song as a pretext to present a popular and interesting groove pattern.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Polyrhythmic Ostinatos - part 3
This lesson is adapted from an article that was published in Batteur Magazine in 1998. It talks about a concept used by Michael Brecker in one of his compositions, and Peter Magadini is also mentioned.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons | Videos written by: Alain Rieder
Polyrhythmic Ostinatos - part 2
Here is the adaptation of an article that was published in the April 1998 issue of Batteur Magazine from France. I recently added a video that demonstrates the concept. An excerpt from a recording of Vinnie Colaiuta with Jing-Chi illustrates the article.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons | Videos written by: Alain Rieder
Polyrhythmic Ostinatos - part 1
Here is an adaptation of an article I wrote in 1998, and that was published in the March 1998 issue of Batteur Magazine from France. To illustrate the article, there is an excerpt from a recording by Andy Newmark with John Lennon. I recently added a video to further demonstrate the concept.
Filed in: Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Displaced Groove - Sunnyside
In this post, recycled from an article published in Batteur Magazine (France) in 1999, I deconstruct a groove pattern that Dave Weckl created for a Mike Stern song, Sunnyside.
Filed in: Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Soul Vaccination - David Garibaldi
This series of exercises can help you learn Soul Vaccination's main groove pattern, as created by David Garibaldi in the 1973 classic album Tower of Power.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons | Videos written by: Alain Rieder
Implied Metric Modulation
A short video to demonstrate some of the rhythmic concepts developed in my Time Manipulation Drum Book. These are displaced 12/8, shuffle and half-time shuffle ideas, played inside of 4/4.
Filed in: Rhythmic Exploration | Drum Lessons | Videos written by: Alain Rieder
Cross-Rhythmic Exercise in 7/8 - 2
Another polyrhythmic exercice in 7/8, with six or three-note groupings. This is from a new drum book that I'm writing and which is called Melodic Possibilities.
Filed in: Rhythmic Exploration | Drum Lessons | Videos written by: Alain Rieder
Cross-Rhythmic Exercise in 7/8 - 1
A polyrhythmic exercice in 7/8, with three-note groupings. This is from a new drum book that I'm writing and which is called Melodic Possibilities.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Time Manipulation - Section 7 - Rhythmic Modulation
Section 7 of Time Manipulation shows a number of polyrhythmic ostinatos examples, as well as metric and polymetric modulations.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Time Manipulation - Section 5 - 12/8 Patterns
Section 5 of Time Manipulation is in 12/8, and will let you work on both basic and polyrhythmic patterns.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Time Manipulation - Section 4 - Beat Displacement
Section 4 of Time Manipulation is meant to approach beat displacements in a simple and progressive way. It includes three sets of seven exercises, and I feel they are one of the most interesting series of exercises in the book.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Time Manipulation - Section 3 - Anticipations
Section 3 of Time Manipulation is meant to work on anticipations. Snare-drum and bass-drum notes that are played accented right before a beat, when they are followed by a rest, can be considered as being an anticipation of that beat.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Time Manipulation - Section 2 - Polyrhythmic Patterns
In Section 2 of Time Manipulation, new patterns are formed using some of the basic rhythmic figures seen in Section 1. This is done in a musical way, using polyrhythms that are ubiquitous in many musical traditions, as well as in current styles.
Filed in: Time Manipulation | Drum Lessons written by: Alain Rieder
Time Manipulation - Section 1 - Basic Patterns
The exercises in Section 1 of Time Manipulation include most rhythmic figures made of eighth notes and sixteenth notes, and of their equivalent rests.
Filed in: Videos
Mort un dimanche de pluie - Film
In 1986, I appeared as a studio drummer in the French film, "Mort un dimanche de pluie" (Death on a Rainy Sunday), which was shot in the Geneva area.
Sting - Paris 1985 - Bring on the Night
In May 1985, Sting was preparing for a series of seven concerts in Paris at the Mogador Theatre, and I was fortunate to be invited to attend one of his rehearsals at the Theatre.
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