Why "Spang-A-Lang?"

**ZackPomerleau** · 09-08-2010, 04:32 PM

Why is the ride cymbal pattern in jazz mostly 1 2 and 3 4 and 1? I don't understand why that was used in that way (I LOVE it, but I'm curious). I heard guys doing it on hi-hat and others started doing it on the ride. So, any idea what caused that particular rhythm and not just 1, 2, 3, 4?

**Nechre** · 09-09-2010, 06:59 AM

Are you asking about the swing pattern?

**mind_drummer** · 09-09-2010, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by ZackPomerleau

Why is the ride cymbal pattern in jazz mostly 1 2 and 3 4 and 1? I don't understand why that was used in that way (I LOVE it, but I'm curious). I heard guys doing it on hi-hat and others started doing it on the ride. So, any idea what caused that particular rhythm and not just 1, 2, 3, 4?

Just try playing 4 on the floor, hi-hat with foot on the 2 & 4 and swing your ride cymbal as 1 "& 2", 3 "& 4". You'll hear how the feel of the beat change...

When playing with brushes on the snare drum surface, your right hand still accent on the 2 & 4 and swing the last two notes of the triplet while the left hand keep and steady sweeping motion.

**ZackPomerleau** · 09-09-2010, 05:11 PM

Nechre, yes I am.

Mind_Drummer, I hear that, I guess I'm just curious on the history and the beginnings and how it came about.

**bassist learning drums** · 09-09-2010, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by mind_drummer

Just try playing 4 on the floor, hi-hat with foot on the 2 & 4 and swing your ride cymbal as 1 "& 2", 3 "& 4". You'll hear how the feel of the beat change...

When playing with brushes on the snare drum surface, your right hand still accent on the 2 & 4 and swing the last two notes of the triplet while the left hand keep and steady sweeping motion.

Walk The Dog, Walk The Dog!