How to Play a Syncopated Beat on Drums

Syncopated notes are played between the main beats of a song and they accent a rest or silent beat. Instead of being played on the 1, 2 or 3 count of a song, syncopated beats are the "and" in between. Artists play syncopated beats on drums to develop new rhythms and patterns for intensity and creativity.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Start slow and take time to think about where you want to add a note. Place a quick snare between the cymbal or bass note.

2. Use a metronome to help keep the beat steady. Set it to play eighth notes at twice the normal tempo.

3. Add a bass drum or snare before and after the cymbal notes. Remember not to hit the cymbal as you hit the snare.

4. Try to play triplets on the drums. These are sets of three notes played on or offbeat and you can vary the accent between the three notes.

5. Play triplets on the snare first emphasizing the 1 beat of the triplet. Bring in the bass drum on the first beat also.

6. Keep the rhythm on the snare and bass drum, but change the emphasis of the snare to the second beat. Practice until you feel comfortable and then shift the snare accent to the third beat.

7. Vary the play of each triplet on the drums. Still accent the bass drum on the first beat. Alternate the snare. Accent the third beat in one triplet, then the first beat the next time and the second beat after that. Play more than one triplet in a row.

8. Insert offbeat triplets into the song. Emphasize the first beat with the bass drum. On the snare, drop the first beat in the triplet. Continue to play the remaining triplets this way.