If you are struggling to learn a new beat try the following:

1)   Slow it way down

2)   Count the rhythm out loud

3)    Sing it!  ( If you can sing it you can probably play it!)

Dynamic Independence

Try this exercise for dynamic independence.  With your right hand on the ride cymbal, your left hand on the snare drum, your right foot on the kick pedal and your left foot on the high-hat pedal, beat straight quarter notes with all four limbs.  Gradually do a crescendo (getting louder) with your right hand only, keeping the dynamics of everything else the same.  Then do a gradual decrescendo with the right hand. Repeat with the left hand, right foot and left foot.  When you have mastered this then you will have achieved dynamic independence!