Hardcore Punk · medium · 200 BPM
D-Beat
The driving punk beat pioneered by Discharge, defined by its galloping kick pattern that pushes against the off-beats while the snare holds the backbeat. The relentless, slightly off-kilter kick syncopation gives d-beat its raw, urgent, crust-punk drive. It became the rhythmic template for hardcore and crust scenes worldwide.
Press play to hear it, then open the full machine to edit, loop, and play along with your own kit.
What this teaches
Teaches the syncopated d-beat kick gallop locked under a steady backbeat at punk tempo.
Heard in
- Discharge - Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing
- Discharge - The Possibility of Life's Destruction
More grooves
GrooveSteps practice notes · Updated 2026-10-18 · How these examples are made
Listen for this
The kick's repeated motion is the first coordination target. Keep the snare backbeat fixed while isolating the foot pattern. Reduce the tempo when adjacent kick notes collapse together; speed is useful only when the spaces remain intentional.
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 200 BPM or lower the control until you can follow each part.
| Voice | Count positions |
|---|---|
| kick | 1 · 2 & · 3 · 4 & |
| snare | 2 · 4 |
| hihat | 1 · 1 & · 2 · 2 & · 3 · 3 & · 4 · 4 & |
| crash | 1 |
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
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Found a mismatch between the explanation and the player? Send a correction with the page address and the step or count that needs attention.