easy lesson
Your First Rock Beat
This is the beat behind thousands of rock and pop songs. We'll build the classic eight-note rock groove one limb at a time: first the steady hi-hat that keeps time, then the kick on beats 1 and 3, and finally the snare backbeat on 2 and 4. Once these three layers lock together you'll have the single most useful pattern in all of drumming.
Start with the timekeeper. Play steady eighth notes on the closed hi-hat with your right hand: count '1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and' and hit on every number and every 'and'. That's 8 even hits across the bar, landing on steps 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14.
Add the kick drum on beats 1 and 3 (steps 0 and 8). These two kicks fall exactly together with hi-hat hits, so play your right hand and right foot at the same instant. This is the low-end pulse that anchors the groove.
Add the snare backbeat on beats 2 and 4 (steps 4 and 12) with your left hand. The snare is what makes people nod their head. You now have all three voices: kick, snare, and hi-hat, the complete basic rock beat. Play it slowly and evenly until it feels automatic.