Grandmaster Wong analyses the rhythmic patterns of drumming

The beats of the gong, the cymbals and the drum that make up the percussion music of the Lion Dance, are analysized. The base of the Lion Dance muscic is two beats, like 1 2 1 2 1 2 etc. The basic strikes of the gong are simple: just strike at 2. The basic strikes of the cymbals are the same two beats: strike at 1 and 2. In other words, the basic rhythm of the cymbals is 1 2 1 2 1 2 etc.

The strikes of the drum are more complex. The drum provides the melody of the Lion Dance music. We may classify the drumming into two main types: Majestic Drumming and Leisure Drumming. A useful pattern of Leisure Drumming is 2 5 2 5 2 5 etc. Another useful pattern is 5 7 5 7 5 7 etc. You may have variations with these patterns.

An important pattern of Majestic Drumming is known as Four-Side Majesty, and is composed of the following beats: 7 7 7 5 2 7. Each 7 consists of 6 beats, with a double beat at 2. And there is an off-beat at the beginning and the end for 5.

These symbols are meant for those who have attended the course. Other people, obviously, would have no idea of what these 5, 2 or 7 mean.