This slow, not so typical shuffle groove for “Black Velvet” just kills me every time I hear it. I thought it was worth transcribing and posting this as many drummers out in the world want to know how to play it and/or read it. You’ll notice that although it’s a *relatively* simple triplet/ /shuffle / rock beat, Anderson’s accents on the hats (3rd beat of 1st triplet and 2nd beat of 2nd triplet, the whole song seriously swings. He just nails it on the track, laying WAAAAY back on the back side of the down, up and back beats of this sweet shuffle.
Here’s the drum transcription for Black Velvet:
(click for detailed view)
Drum Transcription – Black Velvet – Alannah Myles- Drummer – Jørn Andersen
Jørn Andersen’s recording / laying it down on Black Velvet:
Jorn Anderson Drummer – Black Velvet – Alannah Myles
It’s really nice to know that talent like Jørn Andersen exists out in the universe.
Rock on, brother…
Note, before I published this article, I researched quite a bit and found that there were 2 different drummers on the album. Jørn Andersen and Randy Cooke. Most of my research showed that on this particular song, Randy Cooke was the drummer. I was wrong. Luckily, thanks to a Youtube user named moondowg1-Farley & The Stooges (a former family member to Jørn) let me know that Jørn was indeed the one that laid down this groove. So after more research I corrected the post. Thanks MoonDowg!
The album on Amazon
The album on iTunes
Alannah Myles – Black Velvet
It’s a great groove indeed ! Hi-hat transcription is incorrect.
The accent is on the first triplet, third triplet of beat 1, then the second triplet of beat 2, then first and third triplet again on beat 3, and the second triplet of beat 4. Basically every other triplet :) 6 accents to the measure.
Thanks, Jesper,
Yeah, before I transcribed, I listened over and over and I just don’t hear the accent on beat 1 (only the accent of the kick drum on measure 1 & 3)
Cheers!
There is discussion going on whether the hihat is played single-handed or two-handed. From all the drum covers you can find it seems to me that this swing and this groovy hihat flow comes just naturally when played two-handed (best results with leading left hand, I think), while it somehow sounds “forced” when played single-handed.
Hi David. I think there’s no HH stroke on the first beat of the second triplet i.e. the snare stroke only.
I’ve tried playing it both ways and it flows better if you don’t play that note.
Old Charlie Watts trick ?
Kind regards
Keir ( Australia )
Hey, Keir… thanks for the note. I’ll have to listen (and play) it again to test’er out.
I really appreciate you writing in to point that out.
Cheers!