BONHAM TRIPLET FUNDAMENTALS Triplets Revisited Lesson

This is a complete, from-the-ground-up lesson on Bonham drum kit-played triplets (between right & left hand to bass drum foot). It's the "how to" for the basic, yet all-important, tom-toms/bassdrum combo triplet riff made very popular by John Bonham.
I have a few videos on "Bonham triplets" posted, but I feel this is the most complete and comprehensive of the Bonham Triplet tutorials from a learning/fundamental standpoint.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• terry keating
• led zeppelin
• how to play led zeppelin
• how to play John Bonham
• Bonham triplets

[rsalg1203]

I love you humor and your videos.

Speaking of being wired, I believe that I have a short circuit that prevents me from doing fast triplets.. Seriously, I can play drums relatively fast, I have good coordination and I can keep good pace playing slow to moderate speed triplets. But once I start to quicken the pace I lose my control and it all goes to hell. Have you ever met someone that had this disease?

[bonzoleum]

@rsalg1203 I think there are definitely certain physical actions that for certain people trigger some sort of a short-circuit type of thing. I would recommend using a metronome to try and find the BPM (the actual velocity threshold) that it starts to fall apart, and then practicing to the metronome up to that threshold and see if you can slowly move that threshold higher (play it faster)...

[Foppa921]

@bonzoleum I enjoy your videos, but this one really just made me realize how weird my hand tendencies are. I'm right handed in almost everything, except the drums. But, I lead with my left. So naturally, when I do my triplets, I start on the floor tom (which is on the left on my set). I think you're saying this is what Bonham did (but reversed because he's righty). Is that right?

[bonzoleum]

@Foppa921 Yes, but Bonham-being righty-led triplets with his opposite (weaker) hand. Most folks will lead triplets with their strong hand. (By triplets here of course I mean the hand-hand-foot combo).

[juandrader]

wait i didn't get it, i don't understand english that well P: i'm left handed it's easier for me to do a triplet? or should i lead with the right hand?

[bonzoleum]

@juandrader Sorry about the delay. If you're a lefty I would say: Yes reverse the hands. Use your LEFT instead of RIGHT.

[1111Paiste]

@mcblane15 I don't think there is a right way or wrong way to do them. Like Terry said, Bonham led with his left on the triplets. I learned by copying as Bonham as well. When I was learning I also assumed the I the triplet was a descending fill from high to low, so rack tom (high), floor tom (middle), and then kick (low). Dong them in different orders in not wrong, just adds to your drumming vocabulary I think. Peace!

[mcblane15]

when I actualy learned how to play triplets, I always start with foot :D

[bonzoleum]

@sparkles67 I have to see more of "The Groove" footage to see who is my fav. Tichy does Immigrant nicely!

To me Bonham playing is a distinct style & feel-it's separate from strict technique.. I've seen many folks who are great solid drummers with busloads of chops, and they can't cop the feel of Bonham to save their life!

[sparkles67]

@xACIDxHEADx het terry, hello from vancouver, good luck to your blackcocks this year!!! have you seen brian tichy's "the groov remains the same"? it think its amazing. blows me away how some brilliant drummers like carey and mayer dont really pull it off, then a guy like jimmy d'anda just wails! anyway, wondering what you think of it and if you had any favorites?

cheers.