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One of the things I do to keep myself 'fresh' is to listen to the rhythm players who most inspire me. I try to figure out, not only what rhythm they are playing, but also what particular sticking pattern they are using. For example, If you listen to John Joe playing a jig, can you tell when he is playing DUDUDU and when he is playing DDUDDU? I can with some of the tunes. There is a slight difference in the timing of the strokes and it creates a distinct sound that can be heard if one carefully listens.
Don't limit yourself to one type of music. When was the last time you sat down with a couple of Rush songs and tried to figure out what Neil Pert was doing?
I always tell my students that the music is your first, best, and last teacher. Lilt the tune, figure out what you are emphasizing as you lilt. Is that what you drum? Is that what the melody players emphasize? What would the mirror image be?
Mike Reynolds, an accordion player who leads the local Comhaltas Session with his father, Larry, once said to me; "Sometime the beat you miss can be more important than the ones you hit"
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