The shuffle rhythm can be regarded as the basis of the blues backbeat, and can be heard on many jazz, rock and roll and soul music recordings.

The beat can be seen as consisting of four triplets per bar, with the first and third notes of each triplet being sounded. When played on a drum kit, this triplet rhythm is typically played as an ostinato on the high hats or ride cymbal. At the same time, a kick drum beat is sounded on the first beat of the bar snare drum beat is sounded on the first note of the second triplet

If this description is too theoretical, borrow your dad's copy of That'll Be The Day by Buddy Holly and the Crickets, or Green Onions, and try tapping along to the Da-di-Da-di rhythm going on in the background - if this works, your half way to shuffling!

Among the most expert exponents of the rhythm is session drummer Bernard Purdie, who can be heard shuffling, among other things, as drummer for Aretha Franklin