SIMPLE RHYTHM CONSTRUCTION SET (PART I)

This is a collection of popular small rhythm elements and their hand patterns. These elements are combined in different ways and make up most of the world's hand drum rhythms.

S = slap
B = base
P = pressed base
t = touch
O = open tone
x = open tone that may also be played with a stick. ? =
can be S, B, P or t l & r = striking hand

Three space element:

|1 2 3|        |1 2 3|
|?   O|        |? x x|
 l   r          l r r

Four space element:

|1 & 2 &|    |1 & 2 &|    |1 & 2 &|     |1 & 2 &|
|B   O  |    |O   ?  |    |?   O O|     |O O    |
 r   l        r   l        r   r l       r l

Six space element:

|1 2 3 1 2 3|     |1 2 3 1 2 3|     |1 2 3 1 2 3|
|B   B O   O|     |B   B O O O|     |?   O O O  |
 r   r l   l       r   r l r l       r   l r l

|1 2 3 1 2 3|     |1 2 3 1 2 3|     |1 2 3 1 2 3|
|O O O t t t|     |P   O   O  |     |P O O P O O|
 r l r l r l       l   r   r         l r l r l r

Eight space element:

|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &|   |1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &|   |1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &|
|x     x     x  |   |O   O O   O O  |   |B     O B   O  |
 r     r     r       r   r l   r l       r     l r   l 
tresillo            cinquillo           calypso

|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &|     |1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &|
|O   O   ?      |     |O O ?   t t t  |
 r   r   l             r l r   l r l