Play it by the Numbers!

In this look at DrumSet techniques, everything is expressed in terms of duple or triple, that is, in 2’s or 3’s.
Measures are defined as containing Primary Counts & Background Sub-divisions Primary Counts are either Strong or Weak
The basic (duple / triple) units from which all measures are derived are:

The two-count measure (or unit) normally consists of a Strong first count followed by a Weak second count.


The three-count measure (or unit) normally consists of a Strong first count followed by a Weak second and third count.

A four-count measure normally consists of two duple units. In order for it to qualify as a four-count measure, the third & fourth counts must be different from the first & second counts.


A five-count measure has one duple and one triple unit. It can be configured either as a 2+3 or a 3+2 measure. Larger Primary Count measures are constructed similarly.

Background Sub-divisions are grouped in 2’s or 3’s
A measure can have Even Counts (all duple or all triple) or Uneven Counts (mixed duple & triple).

While the BassDrum usually provides the strong count, and the SnareDrum/HiHat combination provides the weak count, the Cymbal pattern can be any combination of notes or rests in the background sub-division.
The next page will show all of the basic strong & weak counts using the above elements for
duple & triple sub-divisions. The cym pattern can be any of the ones shown above.