All Questions
51 questions
1
vote
1
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70
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What is the timing of the first two drum beats
This is a snare only measure taken from
What are the timings of first two beats? [1-e-&-a-2-e-&-a]
If first two beats are not there,rhythm would be
1-s-&-a 2-...
- 433
1
vote
2
answers
65
views
Paradiddle Control
I've been working on one of the rudiments of drumming - paradiddles. Get so fast, and they're regular, but get past that tempo, and they go out of shape and time. What hints can I use to improve?
- 197k
1
vote
0
answers
57
views
rhythmic stress double check please?
Lately I am reading Jack Perricone's Melody in Songwriting, and in it there is a chapter dedicated to 'rhythmic stress'.
His opinion is that rhythm is a skeleton to a song, the most basic part, and I'...
- 1,701
1
vote
1
answer
148
views
Determining counts of semiquavers that are joined to quavers
I was given a 4/4 bar, and I'm trying to figure out what's the exact time at which to play the notes using these counts: 1-e-&-a-2-e-&-a-3-e-&-a-4-e-&-a
My attempt is written in grey ...
- 113
1
vote
2
answers
438
views
How to transition from a swing feel to a straight feel
I'm working on an arrangement that has a Reggae PreChorus moving into a Rock beat similar to what's known as a "Half-Time Beat". Now my problem is moving from the swing feel of the reggae to ...
- 155
4
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Is timing with left foot (weak foot) a fundamental skill?
I have been playing drum for years (not but close to 8 years), self-learning most of the time, with really not enough practicing. Yet I am able to play some intermediate songs without much pressure. ...
- 215
1
vote
0
answers
129
views
Did percussion instruments communicate spoken words in click languages?
There are a number of click languages in Africa where 'clicks' function as part of their language. It seems like it would be possible to communicate some words with percussion instruments (maybe a ...
- 403
1
vote
2
answers
119
views
What instrument in a drum kit is played on the second and fourth beat of a song during a verse or pre-chorus?
I've tried to locate this particular sound in a drum kit, but I can't figure out what it's called. It's equivalent to hitting your drumsticks together on every second and fourth beat of a song during ...
2
votes
3
answers
374
views
Why do snare players only have one drum?
In marching drum lines, like Blue Devils, it's common that there are some tenor drum players with 4-6 drums, but the snare players only have 1 drum. To me, that seems like a waste. Sure, more drums/...
- 1,488
3
votes
3
answers
418
views
two hands playing different things - how do you feel or hear or pronounce it?
I'm playing djembe for 4 years, and now trying to play dun-duns. Basically, it's two sticks and two drums or a bell+drum for now.
I'm trying to learn some rhythm in which the bell on the left hand and ...
- 31
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is there a name for this simple drum pattern/fill?
I had meant to ask this question for some time. This question triggered the thought to ask.
I am a drummer of many decades. I feel I am competent, but have never bothered to learn how to read. And ...
- 1,510
2
votes
1
answer
333
views
Best techniques for hihat foot independence
I am self taught regarding drum set and have neglected training hihat foot independence. I can keep with a metronome alright so the sense of timing is not much of an issue, but when I try to open/...
- 145
1
vote
1
answer
106
views
What types of feels are there for drumming?
Playing as strictly a metal or hard rock drummer, I am only aware of a swing feel (accenting every other hi-hat note), or a straight feel (this would be more of a flat, driving beat. More monotonous)....
- 1,510
0
votes
1
answer
253
views
Name and origin of this alternative rock drumbeat
Does anyone know the name and origin of this drumbeat? It's widely used in alternative rock, and although I think people would tend to describe it as "funky," it isn't a textbook funk beat ...
- 1,834
2
votes
2
answers
265
views
How do you decide what kind of rhythm/time signature to use?
What would make you want to use 4/4 time compared to 3/4 time? Or 6/8 time over 3/4 time? I'm starting to get a grip on understanding different rhythms and how to read them etc. but I want to ...
- 453
1
vote
8
answers
807
views
What are ways to emphasize a rhythm/time signatures without drums?
What are some ways a song without drums can indicate the rhythm/time signature through the melody or chord progression? It seems that when drums are involved, they play a certain beat over and over ...
- 453
1
vote
3
answers
368
views
How do I add drums to an already written rap?
I spent a lot of my free time over the last year working on a diss track and practicing so I can rap at a decent pace, and I'd like to actually record it at some point. Problem is, I'm struggling to ...
- 121
3
votes
2
answers
963
views
Playing a steady beat consistently on drums
I've been self-learning to play drums over the last month and my metronome has been the most useful tool in helping me learn to play things that feel difficult to me. I managed to learn how to play ...
- 177
4
votes
3
answers
465
views
Are the drum patterns in songs comprised of rudiments?
I've been trying to get some basic understanding of drumming. The first thing I came across is rudiments. Some have likened it to practicing scales for melodic instruments.
But I was wondering if ...
user34288
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
What are Upbeats and Downbeats in a 16 Step Sequencer?
I'm trying to figure out the terminology of upbeats and downbeats in regards to a step sequencer. In this image of a 16 step sequencer, each box represents 1/16 of a measure:
Is it correct to say ...
user34288
2
votes
3
answers
201
views
Practice timing and general drumming skills
6-7 years ago, I started learning how to drum. However, I was a kid, and whenever I played or even had a lesson, it basically just ended in my trying to learn to play whatever rhythms of whatever ...
- 123
4
votes
4
answers
232
views
Rhythm non-standard notation
I have read this paragraph a couple of times, but I haven't really had a light bulb moment.
My interpretation is that the upper example wants one to play
In bar 1: four beats of ones own choosing
...
- 41
10
votes
3
answers
670
views
Is it wise to focus on putting odd beats on left when playing double bass drums?
I need to learn two double bass drum patterns:
The first one is just repeated over and over again. The second repeats the first measure and then repeats the second measure.
My question is about how ...
- 1,488
0
votes
2
answers
838
views
How can I switch up a four on the floor drum rhythm? [closed]
So I'm working on a song with a 4otF rhythm, but the beat gets rather boring after a while (it's a somewhat long song). I'm looking to switch up the drums but I'm not sure I know what pattern to use ...
- 229
6
votes
3
answers
803
views
Words to describe this Dance Music texture/effect
So we always have like in dance music 4/4 and like 4 kicks in one bar with two claps or snares on every second beat going and let's say I add some bassline that plays totally different rhythm/pulse (...
- 225
0
votes
1
answer
235
views
Is the metronome the closest thing to a mechanical drum?
I noticed there's a lot of drum machines out there, but they're all electrical. Is the metronome the closest thing to a mechanical drum? and by mechanical I mean, there's no batteries/electricity ...
user34288
51
votes
10
answers
24k
views
Why can't drums produce melody?
A note is a vibration at a certain frequency. A drum produces a tone with a certain pitch much like a string percussed with a mallet.
Why is a drum unfit for playing a melody while a string inside a ...
- 792
2
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What is the name of this drums "disco" rhythm/technique?
I can hear this drums beat in several songs, but could never find a tutorial about it because I don't know what it's called.
Genesis - Abacab
(listen to the drums at ...
- 131
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Writing to 4/4 midi grid with triplets for drums
I'm trying to write the following to a MIDI grid and unsure exactly how it should be written. Any help would be great.
This is how i have the grid so far. 1/32 Quantize
T = Tom (Aka LT)
K = Kick (...
- 111
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to improve rhythm timing on off beat rhythms
I am practicing Rock You Like a Hurricane by Scorpions for a long time, but I mess up on the timing in one or the other place. In that song, the snare comes at 3rd beat (or 7th if you count 8). And ...
- 287
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Feeling the beat in the wrong place
This question is related to Basic Punk Rhythm Guitar--Snare Feels Like Down Beat, but essentially different.
I have been playing the drums for quite a long time. When I started drumming I practiced ...
- 113
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Drum Programming and Tempo/BPM
I have a song that I am making in 88 bpm. I want to add the bass to sound like a heartbeat at 44bpm to simulate a slow, meditative feel. However, I am having trouble deciding where I should place the ...
- 21
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Convenient notation for doubletime
I am trying to write drum sheet music and I'm not sure if using the following notation, to indicate doubletime
over this one
is allowed.
To me, the first one seems more convenient, especially when ...
user34952
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Fitting melodies to beats!
OK, need a head's up so I can practice this: the basic technique for fitting a tune to a beat. Take, for example, Red Red Wine. UB40 did it as a reggae song. I've heard it as a blues ballad, a pop ...
4
votes
2
answers
510
views
How does one place a beat 'on' a given note/rest value?
I am reading a book about music for digital artists, and am reading through an intro to drumming. This is the part I am confused with:
''The ride element can be placed on the quarters, eighths, or ...
- 629
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Performing/Recording Drums over backing track that already contains drums
When I record myself playing along with a drumless track I sound perfectly in time, but when playing along with a track that already has drums in it I am a tiny fraction out which makes every note ...
- 270
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How can I improve my sense of time?
I'm a semi-professional drummer, and feel that lately my sense of time is slipping. Specifically, I tend to count in songs a bit too fast and/or the tempo rushes a bit over the course of the song.
I ...
- 191
9
votes
4
answers
16k
views
Must one be born with a sense of rhythm to learn to play a drum set with both feet and both hands?
I am a semi pro musician (only because folks are generous enough to pay me to perform on occasion - not because of great talent) and can play guitar well enough to accompany my singing and play a ...
- 27.5k
9
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Drummer: Follow Bassist, Guitarist, or Lead
I spent the first 10 years of my drumming life identifying the flashiest elements of songs I played, and charting my performance around those accents. What this meant is that I found myself following ...
- 1,510
6
votes
2
answers
915
views
Rests & Their Usefulness in Drums
Well, I'm a drummer. I've been drumming for the past three years. I can read sheet music and I have this question.
What's the point of having 'rests' in drums. I mean, why can't you leave the part ...
- 163
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Samba percussion for songwriters
I'm a song-writer (a guitar player) and I need to write drum parts for myself. I discovered how cool the brazilian samba carnival percussion is (not the watered down European jazz-samba), but haven't ...
- 820
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How do I make this beat fit in the measures evenly, time signature-wise?
In a program for tabbing (but I use with MIDI creation) called Tuxguitar, I've written out a drum beat on hihats, and I'm pretty sure the bpm is correct, and everything SOUNDS correct, but I can't get ...
- 469
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is Dot & Tie in Drumming sheet?
What is exactly the difference of the Dot and Tie sheet music? I know how it works on piano, is it the same with the drums?
- 617
18
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Basic Punk Rhythm Guitar--Snare Feels Like Down Beat
I'm a pretty good guitarist, and I can play some tricky rhythms (weird time signatures, syncopation, some of the easier djent stuff) but I've always had trouble when my drummer starts to play anything ...
- 183
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Understanding the rhythmic structure of a song
I have played drums for a few months. Currently, I play for myself. I do exercises from stick control, but I also want to 'play along' to songs.
Given a song A, how do I start playing along? By ear? ...
- 361
29
votes
3
answers
17k
views
When playing drums behind the beat, what instruments define the actual beat?
As a drummer, I'm trying to improve my micro-time to put more feeling in the grooves I play. For certain songs (ballads for example), you usually try to get a "laid-back" feeling by playing slightly ...
- 1,599
4
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Common drum rhythm index
I'm looking for an index of common rhythms. This video shows basically what I had in mind, only it is for the bass.
I'm pretty sure there has to be names and a list somewhere for the common rhythms ...
- 1,905
15
votes
7
answers
13k
views
Rhythm/Drum exercises without drums
I am a 24 year old computer engineering student who just have started playing drums. I spend on avarage 1 hour on bus to school and 40-60 min on exercise like running, biking, etc every day. My point ...
- 361
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to determine time signature of drum tab?
Recently I started playing drums on the side just to relax, so nothing serious. I picked up this song because the drums seemed reasonably complex so that they would present a fair challenge for the ...
15
votes
4
answers
11k
views
Music Theory for a Beginning Drummer
I've been learning Drums for the past few months (lifelong dream, and I should have my very own kit in 36 hours or so! \o/) and my teacher has been teaching me how to sight-read. I'm doing quite well (...
- 293