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The Basic Drums Beats

by Rob Gordon http://www.learn-to-play-drums.com

Here I have laid out some of the most commont drum beats going for you to listen to and then play along too. I have assumed you don't have a drum kit if you do great if not no problem tap your legs or a table.

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16th Note "Slow Rock/Ballard" 4/4 beat

Click here to here this beat

Songs that use this beat

'Stuck On You' by Lionel Ritchie

"Express Yourself" Charles Wright and the Watss 103rd Rhythm Street Band. James Gadson on Drums

"Use me" by Bill Withers. James Gadson on Drums

To play this beat

You need to count out "1 e + & 2 e + & 3 e + & 4 e + &" See part 5 of my counting article to show you how here

1 e + & 2 e + & 3 e + & 4 e + &

RH X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

LH X X

RF X X

RH = Right Hand

LH = Left Hand

RF = Right Foot

Basically, you right hand play a continuious "1 e + & 2 e + & 3 e + & 4 e + &" on the hi-hat and you left hand plays on the count of 2 and 4 (which is known as the backbeat and would be played on snare) and your right foot the 1 and 3 (which is known as the downbeat and is played on the bass drum).

16th Note "Disco" 4/4 beat

This beat is played faster upwards of 120bpm or so

Songs that use this beat

'Rock with you' by Michael Jackson

"Ain't Nobody" by Chaka khan

"That's the way I like it" by K.C. and the Sunshine band

To play this beat

You need to count out "1 e + & 2 e + & 3 e + & 4 e + &" See part 5 of my counting article to show you how here

1 e + & 2 e + & 3 e + & 4 e + &

RH X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

LH

RF X X

RH = Right Hand

LH = Left Hand

RF = Right Foot

However, your right and left hands play a continuious single stoke roll on the hi hat as in "1 e + & 2 e + & 3 e + & 4 e + &" but your right hand plays the snare drum on the count of 2 and 4 to give the backbeatand. Your right foot the 1 and 3 (which is known as the downbeat and is played on the bass drum).

Blues beat 6/8 Beat

Click here to here this beat

Songs that use this beat

'Knights In White Satin' by Moody Blues

You need to count out "1 2 3 4 5 6 " See part 5 of my counting article to show you how here

1 2 3 4 5 6

RH X X X X X X

LH X

RF X

RH = Right Hand

LH = Left Hand

RF = Right Foot

Basically, you right hand play a continuious " 1 2 3 4 5 6 " on the hi-hat and you left hand plays on the count of 4 (which is known as the backbeat and would be played on snare) and your right foot the 1 (which is known as the downbeat and is played on the bass drum).

When you have this going try and play the 4 a little louder this is called accenting the note and in doing so you are giving this blues beat its groove and pulse by doing that.

8th note 4/4 rock beat

Click here to here this beat

Songs that use this beat

'How you remind me" by Nickelback. Ryan Vikedal on drums

"Ich Will" by Rammstein. Christopher Schneider on drums

"Standing in the shadows of love" by The Temptations.

"Sex Machine" by Jame Brown. Clyde Stubblefield on drums. This is a more complicated 4/4 8th note rock beats using ghost notes (i.e. very quiet notes), an off beat bass drum and swung hi hat.

"Cold Sweat" by James Brown. Clyde Stubblefield on drums. This is a more complicated 4/4 8th note rock beats using ghost notes (i.e. very quiet notes) and a displaced back beat. Click here for an MP3 of me playing it

"I can't stand the rain" by Ann Pebbles covered by Tina Turner

You need to count out "1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + " See part 2 of my counting article to show you how here

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

RH X X X X X X X X

LH X X

RF X X

RH = Right Hand

LH = Left Hand

RF = Right Foot

Basically, you right hand play a continuious " 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + " on the hi-hat and you left hand plays on the count of 2 and 4 (which is known as the backbeat and would be played on snare) and your right foot the 1 (which is known as the downbeat and is played on the bass drum).

When you have this going try and play the2 and 4 a little louder this is called accenting the note and in doing so you are giving this beat its groove and pulse by doing that.

Shuffles

Click here to here this beat

Songs that use this beat

'Higher Ground" by Steve Wonder and covered by Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Steve Wonder and Chad Smith on drums respectively

"Think" by James Brown. Clyde Stubblefield on drums (I think)

"Green Onions" Booker T and the MG's Al Jackson Jr on drums

"Sweet Home Chicago" The Blues Brothers Al Jackson Jr on drums. The Blues Brothers band was mostly the MG's from Booker T and the MG's

Example of 1/2 time shuffles

"Home at last" Steely Dan. Bernard Purdie on drums

"Rosanna" by Toto. Jeff Porcaro on drums

You need to count out ""1 er 2 er 3 er 4 er" " See part 4 of my counting article to show you how here

However, this looks very similar to 8th Note Rock beats above , does it not!!! Whats the difference well it is the feel and pulse that is different.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

RH X X X X X X X X

LH X X

RF X X

RH = Right Hand

LH = Left Hand

RF = Right Foot

The way to pay a shuffle is first to listen to the songs above and other shuffle songs. Shuffle is a huge feel thing as it is a beat that swings.

However to get you going try this with you right hand play the "&2 &3 &4 &1" as two quick right hands only to start with and preferably whilst listening to a shuffle based song.

Now once you have that going slow it right down and add you right foot on the one and three and your right hand on the two and four. If you can't do both just do the hand first and then the foot

Basically, you right hand play a continuious " 1 &2 &3 &4 &" on the hi-hat and you left hand plays on the count of 2 and 4 (which is known as the backbeat and would be played on snare) and your right foot on the 1 and 3 (which is known as the downbeat and is played on the bass drum).

When you have this going try and play the2 and 4 a little louder this is called accenting the note and in doing so you are giving this beat its groove and pulse by doing that.