Rafa Cajón

Level 2 · Steady Time

2-2 - Eighth-note ghost engine

Alternating hands R-L-R-L - the motor behind every groove.

How to practice it

Continuous eighth-note ghost taps, strictly alternating Right-Left. The click marks the beat; you play two taps per click. Keep the taps light, even, and machine-steady.

Suggested take: ~60s · start 65 BPM → pass around 80 BPM

1
g
&
g
2
g
&
g
3
g
&
g
4
g
&
g
65 BPM

Start at 65, exercise passes around 80. Legend: B bass · S snare · g ghost · - rest

Tips

  • Say it: '1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and'. The numbers land with the click.
  • Both hands same height, same volume - record and listen for a limp.
  • Small motions. Fingers barely leave the plate.

Watch out for

  • Galloping (long-short-long-short instead of even eighths)
  • The weak hand noticeably quieter
  • Creeping louder - ghosts stay quiet

Record your take

Aim for ~60s. Put the phone ~1m away, facing the front plate. You'll get Rafa's feedback within a minute of submitting.

Up next after this: 2-3 - Backbeat skeleton