Tim - Here's a simple pattern you can teach him that he'll have a ton of fun with: RRL RRL RL: (Repeat) Accent the last right hand note pattern. The bass drum follows by being played simultaneously with -beat one- of each triplet group as well as the first R of the two single strokes group. (Follows the right hand.) You'll hear that the sticking pattern produces (almost automatically) a shuffle type feel.
To start... cross-stick/stick click all the left hand notes and play all the right hand notes on the outer edge of the snare drum. (ala playing a Bossa Nova)
Next round, play the right hand notes on a cowbell and left hand notes on the snare.
Third round, play the left hand notes on the toms; RRL (rack tom) RRL (floor tom) etc. Play all right hand notes on the ride cymbal or bell of the ride. With the steady ostinato going on the bass drum, this pattern swings really hard. Great groove. So many great variations from one pattern. Remember, stick strictly to the RRL RRL RL pattern throughout.
Here is a clip where Stanton uses this pattern. The man is wailing on the drums so it might be hard to spot when it comes up, but it is being used here in at least four variations. As you'll hear... it kills! Experiment with it. Move it around on the drums. You won't believe how much mileage you're going to get from this one sticking pattern.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eekPnWp8dJ8[/ame]
John
