easy lesson

The Disco Beat (Open Hi-Hats)

That unmistakable disco shimmer comes from opening the hi-hat on the upbeats. Pair it with four-on-the-floor and you have the sound of an entire era.

Play it yourself — keyboard or your own kit

1. Start with four-on-the-floor kick and the snare on beats 2 and 4.

2. Now the disco signature: a closed hi-hat on the beats and an OPEN hi-hat on every '&' (the upbeats). The open hat sizzles, then chokes shut when the next closed hat lands.

Open the full drum machine →