Jazz Drum Lesson: Learning "Elvin Triplets" with Peter Erskine || ArtistWorks

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In this online drum lesson, two-time Grammy Award-winning drummer, member of iconic jazz-fusion groups Weather Report and Steps Ahead, and ArtistWorks master instructor, Peter Erskine, teaches one of his favorite triplet patterns, which he lovingly refers to as “Elvin Triplets” in honor of the late great jazz drummer Elvin Jones. Peter provides several variations on his original bass drum, snare, and floor tom-tom “Elvin Triplet” to illustrate how subtle adjustments to a relatively straightforward pattern can create immensely different grooves, feels, and dynamic variation.
More on "Jazz Drums with Peter Erskine:"
Have you always wanted to learn how to play jazz drums? Through our comprehensive drum lessons online and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn from internationally renowned drum master Peter Erskine, and get personal feedback on your playing.
Peter’s course starts with the basics and teaches everything from beginner drums to advanced performance techniques, improvisation methods, jazz standards, and beyond. So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, all levels are welcome and all students will grow and improve their skills as drummers and musicians.
Learn more about Peter's jazz drum course here:
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[@dieconashi]

That little fill at 2:14 is pure Peter to me. He has his own touch on the drums that goes from feather light to explosive so effortlessly. Master drummer.

[@andydovey7417]

Putting the technique to one side, his kit sound is amazing!!

[@65drummer1]

Neil Peart was a great rock drummers but when he got involved with the Burnin for Buddy project he sought Peter to teach him the swing. That is one hell of a compliment and respect.

[@Frenky_73]

I love many wonderful drummers, of all genres, such as Vinni Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, Gavin Harrison, Virgil Donati etc. But Mr. Erskine is a REAL LEGEND to me. I have a lot of records that he has played on. And let's not forget that he also taught Neil Peart.

[@lucasalvarez3313]

I really like that he doesn't say go practice this 20 times but instead he shows the emotion of discovery as if it was his first time playing those patterns. And that invites me to do the same. What a great teacher!

[@rick3747]

Yes, John Bonham borrowed his triplet thing from Elvin mixed in with some goodies from Buddy and Morello.

[@volpeverde6441]

bonzo liked alphonse mouzon as well....

[@rick3747]

​@@volpeverde6441 Yes, that is correct. I think Bonham borrowed Mouzon's funk, fusion vibe esp on Led Zep's "Physical Graffiti" and "Presence."

[@robertoricci3393]

Bonham isn't the beginning and the end of drumming. He wasn't even the first rock drummer to play triplets, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell and Carmine Appice used them before him. And of all of them were fans of Elvin Jones and other jazz giants.

[@rick3747]

@@robertoricci3393 No, but his influence to this day is well beyond Ginger's and Mitchell's will ever be to Rock and even Jazz drummers. Heck, Ginger was basically laughed at by claiming he is a real Jazz drummer playing Rock by Buddy, Williams, Cobbham and other real Jazz drummers. So yes, John Bonham is that important for bringing swing time into the mainstream Rock drumming, triplets and of course his incredible bass drum work on a single kick.

[@robertoricci3393]

@@rick3747 don't think Baker influence is inferior to Bonham. He pioneered jazz fusion with Graham Bond and created the classic rock drum solo. There's a long list of drummers influenced by him. Bozzio, Aldridge, Bruford, Copeland and even Bonham himself to name a few. He was an a-hole for sure but a revolutionary musician. Jazz musicians always bad mouthed rock drummers because jazz popularity was in decline. Very few like Max Roach were open minded and appreciated newer forms of music.

[@coolhatadventures8111]

Peter, I have loved your playing for many years and as an Elementary School Music Teacher, I love your teaching. Great job and God bless !!

[@bobweber4140]

Thankyou sir love the flutter on the hi hat

[@sytekanddavies9216]

This is awesome! 🙏 Thanks!!❤

[@robmurray2310]

That alternating triplets with the left foot, is that what Tony Williams used in the live album my funny valentine'? Always wanted to know he played that hihat lick!

[@vonwulffesfeld8451]

Great!! Thanks a lot .

[@howeigreenbro6477]

Effendi, song by McCoy Tyner, album: Inception. Drum solo by Elvin Jones, around the 5 minute mark--sounds like Elvin Triplets...1962

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love your work!!

[@milo8796]

I love it

[@RodrigoRaez]

Qué maestro. Muchas gracias!

[@SamSoapyThomas]

I think Tony Williams plays a roll of these triplets, with the bass drum in the middle - RFRLFLRFRLFLRFRL - or similar on Proto-Cosmos, around the 01:50 mark. Want to learn it, it's daunting though.

[@rhythmfield]

A sweeter warmer tone has ne’er issued forth from the instrument we call drums

[@dmgsoultogetherness6667]

always great to hear

[@EricDobko]

The master!

[@joeymcdermott]

4 minute mark took me!

[@joeymcdermott]

3:39 to be more specific

[@donovanjones4175]

Someone tell this guy to slow down, I’m trying to get the sticking right😊

[@mmgreen31]

Anyone who Neil Peart went to for lessons is probably in elite status lol.

[@jeffreymarcum9053]

Ahh "Bonham triplets" lol

[@domenicv7962]

I blow my own mind sometimes.....never had a lesson, never liked 'other' drummers, except the truly greats, first set in 1958, played all over the world. I still desire to play, but good opportunities are very rare these days at any age. Problem is....talent is rare out there.....even the so called good ones stink in my opinion. Most of the best today are hidden from sight....Give me Buddy, Gene, Speedy Jones, and the like.

[@filipdinevmusic]

horrible triplets

[@gringostarr69]

I only have one pair of your signature sticks left that I have played almost to the core, but I'm going to put them to my dying grandfathers coffin with him. He is amazing jazz-drummer talent, but today the time came for him to go to hospital to spend his last few days of this period of time here. Sorry for bumming you out. Huge respect for your playing Peter!

[@michaelgreen5206]

Know who you are Mr. Erskine!! In fact, met you at the Bake Potato many years ago. For people that don't known who he is, he was the drummer for Weather Report, John Scofield, Al Di Meola, Maynard Ferguson, Dianna Krall, and many other famous bands.

[@jazzpotato180]

what a master. one of my favourite

[@deantalbotdrums]

And he taught Neil Peart for years when Neil wanted to refresh his drumming techniques. 🥁👍

[@josefinacupido9872]

I love that, dangerous, so much of drumming today somehow leaves out the looseness for danger to occur ! Jose’

[@giovannigamberini1971]

The third variation - bass drum in the middle of the triplet, hands going rfr lfl rfr lfl - , played at different speed rates (up to very fast) and "modulating", shifting instantly between different speeds, is so "Tony Williams" 😉 as the second variation - bass drum in the first place - is so "Steve Gadd". And of course the "Elvin" variation leaked into the playing of iconic rock drummers such as Ginger Baker, John Bonham and Ian Paice 💪🏻

[@jamesbond4633]

A lot of people these days call them the "Bonham" triplets. Little do they know where they actually came from. Then one can ask ...where did Elvin get them from? Did he invent them or see someone else do them? Who knows. It's all awesome and we are all beggars ...borrowers and thieves in a good way!!!! People who are dismissive of what goes before them are missing out on a lot. You can take things and apply them to your playing and make them sound fresh and find some sort of variation as described in this video.

[@tomjones2348]

This is so inspirational. Peter has a wonderful way of articulating what he's doing. Easy to understand. Is anyone else floored by Peter's tone and technique? (For Peter fans, check out "Blue Skies" featuring Al Jarreau...it's on youtube)

[@bobbysands6923]

You are a fantastic teacher, Peter. I saw you do a clinic at Russo Music in Trenton way back in 1983. I still practice some of the stuff you showed us, and the triplet stuff was some of it.

[@ralphonofrio1518]

One of my favorite jazz drummers...I teach all this to my students...Permutation makes many ideas possible...Love Peter.

[@paradiddle16]

He's such a great teacher on top of his amazing playing!

[@johnselig8261]

That was a Great lesson and explanation...Thank you!

[@volpeverde6441]

liked his weather report stuff with jaco.... what a rhythm section to back up joe and wayne....

[@stuartdryer1352]

I'm not a drummer and I've never sat at a drum set. But what this guy can do is mesmetizing.

[@rhythmfield]

Your comment is proof that this is a really effective presentation!

[@cookq]

It's Peter Erskine. One of the great drummers of the 20th century. He's teaching the sticking techniques of the late, great Elvin Jones, the Jimi Hendrix of drums. It is mesmerizing.

[@stuartdryer1352]

@@cookq Yes. Along with Steve Gadd.

[@mat4410]

Oh my goodness! Breaker was so right! I’ve heard Elvin do it! Love how Peter builds on it really well.

[@briancaterino2479]

So Bonham took his triplet figure from Elvin though he thought ihe heard it from Appice

[@MrMrh1958]

John Bonham applied this alternating triplet pattern when soloing!

[@davidcurtis4478]

Always love watching Peter Erskine

[@MykWazowski]

Peter is master at his craft.

[@russellesimonetta9071]

I learned them as Bonham triplets.

[@chrislinhares7311]

Middle of the tuplet?

[@brianchisnell1548]

Buddy triplets

[@princeikel4349]

🐛 🪲 🐞 💩

[@vincealbertmusic]

His feel is out of this world! Marvelous and elegant playing!!

[@jmfs3497]

Fantastic. I am coming from grunge/early rap background, but have been reading the name "Erskine" for the last few years. Nice to put a name and a sound to a face! I LOVE your sound! Nice hands!

[@hotstix7014]

Thank you very cool patterns from one of my favorite drummers.. i’ve been a big fan of Peter Erskine and Elvin Jones, for a long time.. 😊

[@KenHada]

One of my hero’s!

[@johnnatelli3841]

Funny, I always thought of them as Bonham triplets. 😂 Now I know where he got them from.

[@francoisalghisi5300]

Learning from the Masters...Thank you for the video.

[@Ilovemusic793]

Saw Peter with Steely Dan 1993 nuff said!

[@mattlehnardt8035]

A few well played notes by Pete Erskine says so much musically. This is how I want to play, like a human- being.

[@jessebarr4681]

Not a Martian or a Borg?

[@skipperry63]

Your mom came to your gig! That’s awesome.

[@d.d.b.5228]

Thanx for the solos of the stuff you just taught

[@scottmoyer1357]

Elementary Watson!

[@russelpedersen6703]

Still remember a 75/76 jazz clinic when you were with Stan Kenton and the use of your heal keeping time on the "and" beat. I believe we both had hair back then...I miss using a comb.

[@KevinNelson-x8z]

Small world. I attended those clinics 74/75 and 76/77 in Sacramento. Sacramento State if memory serves. Fond memories.

[@TroyDrumBoy]

A great lesson from a true legend and a master of his craft!!

[@RubenvanRoonDrumChannel]

Nice lesson! thnx Gadd played KLR I think that is the hardest one:)

[@tomcarr4630]

Love this lesson! Well explained and demonstrated. Thank You.

[@trickeyD]

thanks!

[@funkeysignails]

Something about the last beat took me straight to Bernard P. So cool. His shuffle started rolling in my mind.

[@kpra.2pro590]

til brecker could do that.. but that makes total sense. !!'

[@janedubourg4837]

Sounds like a kid banging on the drums.

[@nickfili9409]

LOVE this lesson! Inspired to do a retro deep dive back into my "Elvin Trips" and work up those other variations. Thank you, Peter! BTW - I was there at the clinic you did at UNT when Doc threw the box of freebies at us and yelled at us for acting like animals. Ring a bell? (circa 1992?)

[@mjm5081]

Thank you for sharing. Happy Drumming!

[@Cheeselovincowboy]

A superstar! Saw PE with Maynard and he was amazing. My favorite.