easy lesson

The Driving Eighth-Note Kick

Add energy to a rock beat by doubling up the kick. The busier bass drum pushes the song forward and powers punk, pop-punk, and hard rock.

Play it yourself — keyboard or your own kit

1. Begin with the basic rock beat.

2. Add a kick on the '&' of beat 3 (step 10) to push into beat 4.

3. Add another kick on the '&' of beat 1 (step 2). Busy, driving low end — the engine of punk rock.

Open the full drum machine →