DNB Beat Repeat – Playing 3 Beat Loops

Rhythmic hemiola is a subdivision of the beat that differs from the time signature, with the intention of playing on our expectations.

These Jungle grooves take any three semi quavers of the beat and loops the pattern repeatedly, stretching across the barline before opening up to restart on beat 1 of the 4/4 time. I’d play these all the time, as fills or turnarounds, or to sit on for several bars as if a loop marker has been left on repeat giving a 3 against 4 poly meter or hemiola effect. They’re quite natural patterns and you hear them often in drum and bass. The Paradiddle-diddle, played repeatedly across 8th and 16th subdivisions is king here.

Example ;