Now playing: Steve Smith – Three Over Four Solo by Steve Smith. Paused, Muted
Steve Smith – Three Over Four Solo
The “Three Over Four” solo is something I do as a warm-up. I find a tempo that I can play triplets on the bass drum and then double those triplets with the left hand on the snare, that ostinato is in 4/4.
With the right hand I’ll play in 3/4 over the 4/4 ostinato. First, I’ll play a basic 3 over 2 (quarter note triplets in the right hand) and then quote Max Roach’s “The Drum Also Waltzes” with the right hand. As you hear in this version, I then ground my playing in a 4/4 swing pulse. After a while you can hear me go into an “implied metric modulation” meaning I play in 3/4 over the 4/4 pulse.
This all happened quickly because Sonor wanted a short drum solo to demonstrate the beautiful tones of the Sonor Vintage Kit and celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Sonor Drums!
- Steve Smith
The Setup: Sonor Vintage Series kit made of Beech in the Vintage Pearl finish.
18”x14” Bass Drum with tom mount
12”x08” Rack Tom
14”x12” Floor Tom
16”x14” Floor Tom
14”x5.75” Snare Drum
Zildjian Cymbals, drummer perspective Left to Right:
15” Fat Hats
20” K Mini-Bell Prototype
22” K Prototype
21” Staccato Ride
Remo White Coated Ambassadors: Snare drum and Toms
Clear Powerstroke3: Bass Drum
DW5000 Double Pedal w/single chain.