Once again the latest episode of the blockbuster action franchise “Mission: Impossible” has reinforced our familiarity with one of the two most famous 5/4 compositions in the history of popular music.

First to achieve widespread popular acclaim was the song “Take 5”. This ternary jazz composition, written by Paul Desmond and performed with the Dave Brubeck Quartet needs little introduction.

In contrast, the theme from the Mission: Impossible TV series is a tremendous platform on which to build proficiency in the execution of a binary 5/4 drumming groove.

In the first Mission: Impossible feature film, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. (both members of the band U2) created a “remix” version which introduced an 8/4 time variation of the original 5/4 motif. Both time signatures have since become a mainstay in all 5 of the films.

The study flows provided as part of virtuosoDrummer.com’s “Developing a Groove™” Series exploit both of these timings from the perspective of the Groove as well as Fills.

In keeping with the direction and purpose of the virtuosoDrummer.com website, all 4 limbs are developed in the execution and performance of these drumming charts.

Also note that the charts make use of the “grand staff” as a 4-limb drumming notation convention. This is done in order to clearly convey the separate limb performance intentions written into the patterns.

Check them out!

Mission: Impossible - 5/4 time
Mission: Impossible - study flow 01
Mission: Impossible - study flow 02

Mission Impossible - 8/4 time
Mission: Impossible - study flow 03
Mission: Impossible - study flow 04

Just completed!

virtuosoDrummer.com announces the addition of a set of documents detailing the execution of the Percussive Arts Society’s “Top 40” Drum Rudiments for full drumset played with all 4 limbs simultaneously. Consistent with our overall philosophy of muscle-memory coordination development, each rudiment is presented with full horizontal, vertical and cross-body implementation. Left hand/left foot and right hand/right foot leading is addressed as well, of course.

These exercises bring the traditional two handed approach into the reality of present four limb necessities and give promise to the future of expert drumming

Here’s the link to the main page: http://www.virtuosodrummer.com/pas-international-drum-rudiments-with-4-limbs/virtuoso-drummer-pas-international%20drum-rudiments-4-limbs-drumming-independence-ambidexterity.html

Tags: Half-Body Localization, Cross-Body Localization