3 Awesome Dave Weckl Licks You Need To Know

Here are 3 awesome licks from Dave Weckl! Let get right into it!

Our first example looks like this:

Play this using the following sticking: L(flam), R, L, L(flam), R, L, R(flam), L(flam).

We have a 3 note idea played using 16th notes. Flam followed by 2 singles. If you are not used to this odd grouping I recommend counting out loud and subdividing quarter notes or eighth notes with the hi hat pedal to help you know exactly where you are.

Sticking: K, R, L, L, K, R, L, L, K, R, L, R, L, R, L, L.

This is idea is similar to a Paradiddle (L, R, L, L). But we take the first note (L) and use the KICK DRUM instead. I love this idea because it uses rudiments in a creative way and focuses on the LEFT HAND which is usually the weaker of the two for most drummers.

Sticking: K, R, L, K, R, L, K, R, L, R.

For the third and final example, we will be playing groups of 3 notes over 16th notes. We repeat a 3 note idea 3 total times in the space of 2 beats of 16th notes.

Practice using these stickings and orchestrations until they feel comfortable and you are relaxed. Then, its time to get creative! Explore new combinations by changing the orchestration - take the same rhythms and move them around to different parts of the drum set. I like to start by inverting parts of the fill - for example on the first fill try moving just the flams while keeping the snare drums as written. So the flams will be played on the Rack Tom, Rack Tom, Floor Tom, Rack Tom. This way you are being creative with a new idea, and begin making it your own. Continue exploring new combinations and see how many you come up with.

A great place to start is simply moving one hand to a different drum or cymbal while playing the same exact rhythm.