La Grange - Opening Fill - How To

A quick lesson on how to play the opening fill in the song La Grange by ZZ Top.

Sorry about the poor sound quality. My camera's mic is on the fritz.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• drums
• ZZ
• Top
• La
• Grange
• lesson
• rock
• frank
• beard

[scottp118]

It's much easier to just use doubles on the snare in this, am I alone? Nice job though! Like it.

[only1boneman]

@scottp118 Actually, I find it quite difficult to play it that way. Without the accent it's easier but trying to accent the second note of each double (the third note of each triplet), to me, is quite a challenge.

[mrpaddywagon]

i need an answer... after the third and last hit on the hi-hat, is it 2 hits on the snare and three hits on the tom?

[only1boneman]

The entire fill is written out at 1:05

The answer to your question is yes.

[DonnyDooley]

Hey Boneman,

 Great instructional video. Thanks for the help. It looks like you have a kit just like mine. Circa 1964 Blue Ludwigs with the supra-phonic snare?

[only1boneman]

They are Ludwigs (super classics - I think) and that is a supra-phonic snare but I bought them new sometime around 1990.

[83DrumProdigy]

i will occasionally play the soc cymbal strokes with just my left foot(like a quick open "Chick" ) its not as fun or as visually striking as the "correct" tabbed way but its efficient .

[sickdrumstar]

@scottp118 That's a more efficient way of doing it, but in my opinion this way just looks cooler. It also stays true to the check pattern.

@only1boneman I like that you have your hi-hat clamped to a separate cymbal stand, it cracks me up when I see people whaling on their hi-hat while the hi-hat swings about. I also like that you're using the ebony heads, I use them myself.

[karkaj]

Thank you very much for the video.

I don't knew how to make a worthy cover of this fantastic intro.

You have made my drum-life much easier. It works to me.

Greetings from Barcelona (Spain)

[patrickfrize]

@only1boneman It's the accents that make it swing/groove. But it is more challenging. Good breakdown. Thanks for the vid.

[mitnostrebo]

Well DONE! Demystified . Helps to see it

[WhyHerro]

Nice video cheers

[jimmym1a1]

@only1boneman I think this is the first vid I've seen that plays the opening like I do...I think it's the correct way too...it's how I learned to play

[ephemera2010]

this is a fantastic video

[intrepidro]

thanks for this one!

that fill is sick!

[balerinauzicka]

wow...you have very hairy hands...like me!