Patterns: Time Functioning Patterns

Time Functioning Patterns tackles the exact skills that separate developing drummers from confident ones: rock cymbal grooves that sit solidly in the pocket, jazz independence that lets both hands and feet operate as equals, and Gary's innovative linear phrasing approach that opens up fresh soloing vocabulary. The modular design means you can extract exactly what your students need right now without working through unnecessary material.

Dense with possibility. Every page rewards close attention and repeated practice, building muscle memory while training the ear and mind to hear the drumset as an integrated instrument rather than separate voices competing for space.

Intermediate to advanced drummers ready to move beyond basic timekeeping and develop the independence and conceptual thinking that jazz, fusion, and modern rock performance demand. This works equally well for self-study and in private or group drum lessons.

• Start with the rock cymbal patterns at a tempo where precision matters more than speed. The goal is groove control, not velocity.
• Work the jazz independence exercises hands-only before adding bass drum patterns. Isolate each layer until it's automatic.
• Apply the linear phrasing concept by transcribing solos you admire and identifying how the phrases connect across the kit.

Assign sections strategically based on your ensemble's needs: assign rock cymbal work to drummers struggling with consistent groove, tackle independence exercises with drummers preparing for jazz band, and introduce linear phrasing to advanced students looking to expand their soloing toolkit.

• Rock cymbal ostinatos with consistent timekeeping
• Jazz independence between hands and feet
• Linear phrasing concepts for soloing
• Groove pocket and pocket maintenance
• Polyrhythmic coordination across the kit