The Purdie Shuffle Explanation and Breakdown for Drummers!

Post # 2024-105
April 13, 2024
DrumsByLiz.com
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The Purdie Shuffle Explanation and Breakdown for Drummers!
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Drums By Liz lesson!
Thank you for all the continued support, subs, comments, likes and shares!!
I truly appreciate what all you fellow drummers and viewers do to help the algorithm push my content onward and upward!!
Maybe with your help, I can get over 10K subscribers soon to help even more drummers!!! ✨🙏🏻🌟🥁💯❤️
In this week’s Drums By Liz lesson, I demonstrate and explain how to play
the iconic “Purdie Shuffle”. As we know Bernard Purdie has contributed to multitudes of musical projects, songs and records. To this day Bernard is still the most recorded drummer out there. Bernard has contributed to over 4,000 records and worked with over 2,200 artists. That’s truly amazing! What a legacy and legend! Anytime I see an interview with Bernard, he is one cool cat. It’s also great how he has enriched the drumming community through his involvement with education doing clinics and such. Bernard is truly a big inspiration and in a class all his own!
I was going to re-film this post to try to shorten it up. My playing wasn’t exactly how I intended at times. I do not have time to edit because of a super busy jampacked schedule. So things maybe aren’t polished and perfect but it’s more about a teaching aspect and helping others. So please excuse my occasional flub ups.🤣🤣
The video ended up being a little lengthy because I go into a detailed explanation of what’s involved to foster consistency and retention.
This is a complex idea that needs attention to several technical aspects, one at a time. We don’t want to half learn something and have to repeatedly come back to these foundational characteristics that tend to hang up progress. The foundational aspects need to become routine, verbatim and very comfortable. They need to be properly set into our muscle memory.
Throughout my decades of teaching, I’ve learned to not overwhelm students with too many things all at once. I break things down into logical digestible parts, and then I help students learn how to string it all together.
As you see, this will lead to some ease of play with nice fluidity and flow. Once you get the feel of all that’s involved, it really does have a wave-like effect and feel to it. Quite unique and special!
Thank You Bernard Purdie!
You have changed the music and drumming world forever! 🥁⭐️💯❤️🙏🏻🤩🔥😎
I hope my detailed breakdown helps you gain better insight into the Purdie shuffle!
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Drums by Liz lesson. Have a great week!
As Always,
Happy Drumming! 😊🥁⭐️💯🩵🙏🏻

[@MyRsHaCKSdUNWORK]

Excellent. This is what drumming is...communication.

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you very much! I’m glad you like the concept. Thanks for commenting! Happy Shuffle Drumming!😊🥁⭐️💯👍

[@christianmolina9621]

Great technique and explanation! Cheers!

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you so much Christian! Happy Drumming!😊🥁

[@TerribleCovers11]

Brilliant.

[@DrumsByLiz]

Wow…I’m humbled that you think so. I may get over analytical at times but my goal and purpose is to explain things thoroughly and analytically. I want students to have full mental clarity. I do try my best to teach and help students obtain skills along with developing a creative drumming mindset. I love to constantly learn, so I look for more advanced concepts and ideas to study also. However, so many times it’s just people showing their skills but not explaining or actually teaching their skills. So I hope I’m helping a greater amount of people by being more detailed and analytical. Let’s just hope it’s analytical and not anal…lol🤣🤓 Thank you again & Happy Drum & Bass Fun!😊🥁⭐️💯

[@DRM_Builds]

What a groove..! I have worked on this ..! Your explanation is Awesome. !!

[@DrumsByLiz]

Yes, this is such an iconic groove to learn and use. I hope you find ways to implement this in other directions within your playing style too. It’s such a cool wave-like feel and super fun to play! Thank you for your kind comments. I’m so happy that my explanation has helped you!! Happy Shuffle Drumming!😊🥁⭐️💯👍

[@DRM_Builds]

@DrumsByLiz by the way..I will see you Friday @ 11 😀..!

[@DrumsByLiz]

⁠​⁠@@DRM_BuildsYou bet! Looking forward to seeing you for many happy drumming moments together!😊🥁⭐️💯👍

[@leora5894]

Cheers Liz, Excellent sticking technic 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you very much for your nice comments! Once you get the process down it has a nice wave-like feel to it… propelling itself in a unique and fun way. Blessings and Happy Shuffle Drumming! 😊🥁🙏🏻⭐️💯🩵

[@mellilore]

Wunderbar!!!! I'm reading next will be Fool in the Rain and after that may I suggest the snare work in Billy Cobham's "Quadrant 4"? Ghost notes galore ;-)

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you very much! Thank you for your suggestion. To be honest, I’m not familiar with that song. I will have to look into it and see how I can help. Happy Drumming! Or we could say Happy “Wunderbar”(voondabah) Drumming!😊🥁

[@KevinJones-qr2jh]

Thank you Liz! I love how you break it down. I will follow more closely after this one.

[@DrumsByLiz]

You’re very welcome Kevin! I’m glad my explanation helped you! Happy Shuffle Drumming! 😊🥁⭐️

[@janarleth9811]

Really like your teaching style Liz. I ran into my usual problem with the Moeller technique last week. I don't like it. 😂 This leads to a bigger question for me - what should I focus on? I know that's a common question in the online drumming world. One benefit of returning to lessons is having a teacher assess my current skills and where to go next. I did check out your website but wasn't able to send you an email. I will try again and come back here if I don't succeed. I think you are the only drum teacher with a dog nearby, or at least who mentions a nearby dog. I love it!

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you Jan! It was great to chat today. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow for a little drumming fun! 😊🥁 And yes we will see if my dog Tango wants to sit in…lol

[@tricky92x]

You go Liz!

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you…much appreciated!😊🥁

[@Bowmanfan48-88]

The best teacher there can be- Zac

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you Zac…you are so kind. How about you being one of the best students there can be!! You are progressing at a super fast rate and I’m so happy for your success! Keep moving onward and upward on the coolest instrument ever! Happy Drumming!😍🥁⭐️💯👍🙏🏻😎

[@Bowmanfan48-88]

Thank you!

[@DanielMendoza-dt9ms]

Woooow ❤❤ Que buen vídeo Me suscribo ya mismo a su canal. Gracias por compartir conocimiento. Do you give private classes? Saludos desde Toluca, México 😊

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you very much Daniel! I am happy to help and share my knowledge. Yes I do give private lessons out of my home in NC and online. I teach many people throughout the United States online now. Please visit DrumsByLiz.com for contact info or call/text me directly. Thanks again and Happy Drumming!😊🥁⭐️💯

[@DanielMendoza-dt9ms]

@@DrumsByLiz ok. I will. 😃😃 i'll text you

[@DrumsTillDeath]

😳go Liz

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you very much Steven! You too… for lotsa Happy Drumming! 😊🥁

[@HighCoup333]

Explained! I never could understand Bernie's explanation of the beat: oo-wee oo-wee oo-wee and a oo-we oo-wee-yah! This is much easier to follow.😂

[@DrumsByLiz]

Yes, it’s a bit more complex and requires some patience to get everything flowing nicely. I’m very glad to hear my explanation helped you! Thank you for commenting. Happy Purdie Shuffle Drumming!😊🥁⭐️

[@edwardmann6902]

Really good explanation and performance. What kind of sticks are those?

[@DrumsByLiz]

Thank you so much, Edward! Those are Eric Moore‘s Dopestickz. I use the Neon Glow Ball tip 5AX. I never played with colored sticks, but once I started posting lessons, I figured it would be a visual help for the viewer/student. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really like the feel, weight, length and balance of the stick. Also, the neon coating stays on relatively well compared to other coated sticks that immediately flake off. A few years back the ball tip of these sticks would wear out prematurely. Evidently they improved things and made the ball tip stronger and more durable. So now with that improvement, I’m even happier. I’m not burning up sticks every 4 to 6 months. I also like the fact that I’m supporting another drummer. Check out Eric Moore. He is an amazing drummer! 🥁🔥🔥🤩💯👍

[@edwardmann6902]

@@DrumsByLiz Thanks for the info. I’m a Regal Tip user and since they’ve gone out of business I constantly check out coated sticks. I have checked out Eric Moore and the man is an excellent player with lots of chops and passion.

[@james22939]

I love you so much

[@DrumsByLiz]

You are so kind! Love and lotsa Happy Drumming back to You, James! 😍🥁⭐️💯👍

[@james22939]

@@DrumsByLiz you mean everything

[@kitdinker]

The Rosanna shuffle a week ago, the Purdie shuffle today, can I guess what's coming up in a week? Would I be a fool in the rain?

[@DrumsByLiz]

Are you telepathic?..lol. Yes you are correct. I hope to wrap it up next week with “Fool in the Rain” . It’s been a gradual build up of skill and technicality with “Rosanna” and now the Purdie shuffle. Next week we will add some HH intricacy into the whole process. I like your creative “handle” you came up with too! Happy Shuffle Drumming Kitdinker! 😊🥁⭐️💯👍

[@kitdinker]

@@DrumsByLiz My handle speaks the truth unfortunately. But awesome instruction as usual! Looking forward to the next lesson!

[@DrumsByLiz]

⁠@@kitdinkerDon’t sell yourself short! We are always our own biggest critic. If you are tackling these more technical concepts such as Rosanna & the Purdie shuffle , you are by no means a slacker. Thank you for all your interaction and great comments!😊🥁⭐️💯👍🩵

[@giantsdrumroom]

Natural evolution :D

[@DrumsByLiz]

⁠@@giantsdrumroomExactly!🥁⭐️🤓👍

[@m00nchildblues]

I cant bounce like that on my rubber headed HH of my alesis nitro max 😢

[@DrumsByLiz]

I’m sorry that’s a downfall for you. Electronic kits have their pros and cons. An acoustic set does provide a better feel. It’s OK though, because you can practice or jam out at 3 AM and no one knows…for lotsa extra Happy Drumming!…lol😊🥁👍

[@krusher74]

yes you can! its just technique and practice. with pratcie any surface can be used. Just go slow till you get the wrist/finger motion correct.

[@Nitromessiah]

most recorded drummer?!?? Hal Blaine has entered the chat....

[@DrumsByLiz]

I heard Bernard Purdie say he played drums on 4,000 records/albums and worked with over 2,200 different artists/musicians, holding a record for the most recorded drummer. I’m sorry if I was incorrect in thinking Bernard still holds a record? Can you please share your knowledge on Hal Blaine’s accreditations in comparison to Bernard Purdie? I’m not fully researched on this. Thank you!😊🥁⭐️

[@RustyKnorr]

Purdie has already clearly demonstrated and taught this in detail. Just watch HIS video.

[@DrumsByLiz]

I know I watched Bernard’s video and explanation. Bernard (the most recorded drummer of all time to this day) is a million times better drummer than I will ever be. His sound and feel is far superior. Maybe a more advanced viewer/student doesn’t need the detailed guidance of my posts. To me, it’s more about breaking down the concept and helping intermediate players along. I’ve been teaching for decades now and I know it’s a process. This is why it will be three weeks of study on shuffles. Starting with more basic Moeller method training, then into ghost notes, developing touch and feel preciseness, varying BD lines, and then some HH intricacy put in next week when we study “Fool in the Rain”. I made these videos from a viewer’s request/prompt to do so. Just a little give back to others in the hope that they too will enjoy studying/progressing on the coolest instrument on earth! Best wishes Rusty! Happy Shuffle Drumming! 😊🥁

[@krusher74]

TRIGGERED!!!

[@2014andon]

Seeing a woman on drums is as rare as seeing a woman on drums

[@DrumsByLiz]

Haha…yes not as rare as years ago. Back in the day, it was challenging. Boys tried to intimidate me somewhat. I had to prove myself all the time. It made me study more intently and become skillful. Being athletic and a tomboy hanging out with my 4yr older brother and his buddies all the time helped me to learn and understand how boys communicate differently than girls. Sure I had Barbie dolls and such, but I was never very impressed with girly things. I always wanted to be where the action was… playing football or some rugged activity like dirt biking. And then I discovered drumming…so perfect. An athletic activity with a side dish of creativity. That was the cat’s meow! I took a 1 hour snare drum lesson every week and a 21/2 hr drum set lesson every week with wonderful teachers/mentors. I probably practiced on average 3 to 4 hours a day most days. More on the weekends if there was time. I started teaching at 15yrs old…a lifetime ago…lol I often tell students to thank their parents for allowing them to play this instrument. I know my parents could’ve easily said no, that’s not what a young lady is going to do in life. Looking back I was incredibly fortunate and I’m so grateful my Mom and Dad provided all of those years of lessons and supported me along the way. I am forever thankful because I know I was totally stepping outside of a comfort zone. And believe me there were naysayers ….mostly adults trying to tell me it wasn’t ladylike or I should refine myself and become more ladylike. I’m sorry, but I’m just wired differently than most women. Sorry to get long-winded, but hopefully it’s inspiring for some other young ladies who may be dealing with some of these issues. Have determination, become skillful, believe in yourself, and enjoy the journey! 🙏🏻😊🥁⭐️💯👍🤠

[@ProudAmerican10]

Not a fan (lazy drummer)

[@DrumsByLiz]

That’s ok…but maybe just maybe someday the mood will strike you?…. It’s not as hard as it seems if we follow the breakdown and have patience with our learning. I get it though, and it’s all good with our personal preferences and what we pursue. Either way we are “Happy Drumming!”😊🥁

[@jeffbaker3354]

🤡

[@krusher74]

We were all young and stupid once!

[@matman9512]

Most limited drummers don’t realize that he did play very lazy that that was his style. (he even said it in an interview ) It wasn’t insulting it’s just a fact this older woman must’ve been sleeping during that interview I personally like that style little laid-back, but it does get boring, but it’s good for the band. That’s why lots of guys hired him. He just set the groove very simply but that’s why they liked him the only problem I have with him was they were things he said he did that he did not do some people are easily impressed

[@ProudAmerican10]

@@krusher74 that’s my opinion and opinions are like assholes everybody has one you must have two. Yo dude I’m older than you