Gary Chaffee’s Time Functioning Patterns

It would take too long to write about the importance of Gary Chaffee here, so I’ll just say that this book is a must-have for intermediate/advanced players. The “Fat Back” section in particular is required for all my students once they can read 16th-note rhythms.

Chaffee designed the “Fat Back” section so that it methodically covers virtually every 16th-note rhythmic combination that can be played on the kick drum, while maintaining a steady backbeat (fat back) on the snare. The concept then is to vary your hi-hat or ride cymbal ostinato, making the sequence challenging and interesting. I tell my students that if they can play this sequence, in time, at different tempos, with some authority, then they can play pretty much any 16th-note groove they want.

Todd Sucherman said he still plays through this “Fat Back” section, and considers it like “going to the gym” for drummers. I agree wholeheartedly. That alone is worth the price of the book. So if you’re sitting at home, not sure what to practice? Practice the Fat Back exercises!

There’s a lot more in this book, and it gets pretty deep. I highly recommend it.