Need valued opinions

[sugabear]

Wassup peeps. I have a question and would appreciate any responses. I've been playing for quite a few years now and ever since I've been struggling with songs in 6/8 time. This type of time includes songs like You Brought The Sunshine (Clark Sisters), You Bless Me (John P. Kee), Tell The Devil I'm Back (Bishop Larry Trotter), and songs of the sort. I think my biggest problem is my hihat hand. To me, it seems too busy. Furthermore, I've always had a problem with what I should do with my hihat hand. Should I do straight 8ths, 16ths, or broken patterns and accents? Which type of pattern would create a good groove that other musicians can rely on?

[StraightPockett]

Personally I prefer a broken pattern on the hats. It makes the song sound so much more interesting. I try to go back to my marching band days for those patterns, and any that sounds crazy. I'm a very POCKET player (i don't know many licks/fills) so this is my way of jazzing any song up. Playing straight 8th and 16th note patterns is monotonous, makes the song sound like it's going on forever.

[n18thst_ii]

I say broken ryhthms and accents because like the other guy said it make songs sound alot interesting. I use it all the time especially with opening the hi-hat and closing it real quick on the accent to give it that nice sound.

[2quick]

Broken accents are always good for songs in 6/8 time.  It always keeps the audience guessing.  They never know what they might hear next.