Drum and Bass · hard · 165 BPM
Amen Break
The most sampled breakbeat in history, lifted from The Winstons' 'Amen, Brother' and the backbone of jungle and drum-and-bass. Its syncopated, ghost-note-laden snare placement and shuffling swing give it that endlessly chopable, rolling feel. Played fast it becomes the breakbeat science of an entire genre.
Press play to hear it, then open the full machine to edit, loop, and play along with your own kit.
What this teaches
Teaches syncopated backbeat displacement and the loose breakbeat phrasing behind jungle/DnB.
Heard in
- The Winstons - Amen, Brother
More grooves
GrooveSteps practice notes · Updated 2026-10-18 · How these examples are made
Listen for this
Use this simplified breakbeat study to locate snare placements and short gaps at a slow tempo. It is synthesized from the displayed grid, not an audio sample from The Winstons or a complete transcription of the original break. Increase speed only after the phrase boundary stays clear.
Practice the arrangement
- Start with the sparsest row. Count every subdivision, including the silent positions.
- Add one voice at a time on your kit, or listen to the full loop and clap just one part. Keep the main pulse unchanged.
- Play four loops at a comfortable tempo. Change one note, then compare the variation with the displayed pattern before adding another.
Read the final example without sound
This loop has 16 steps, with 4 steps per main beat. Count each beat as number, e, and, a. The table lists the occupied positions; every unlisted position is a rest. Start at 165 BPM or lower the control until you can follow each part.
| Voice | Count positions |
|---|---|
| kick | 1 · 2 & · 3 & |
| snare | 2 · 2 a · 4 · 4 a |
| hihat | 1 · 1 & · 2 · 2 & · 3 · 3 & · 4 · 4 & |
| ride | 4 & |
These positions describe the programmed example, not an artist recording. Playback uses synthesized sounds. A real performance also involves touch, dynamics and phrasing.
Keep practicing
Build a practice routine · Read drum notation · Browse the lesson path
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