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.
Play it yourself — keyboard or your own kit
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.