How to Play a High Hat

Playing drum kits requires dexterity and coordination. Every beat requires a different combination of two hands, two feet, drum and cymbal. One of the best ways to develop the dexterity and coordination you need is to work the high hat into your beat.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Metronome

1. Practice with a metronome. Start at 70 beats per minute, which is slow enough to allow you to follow the beat and concentrate on working with the drums.
2. Hold your wrist parallel to the high hat. Keep the drumstick balanced loosely between your ring and middle fingers and your thumb. You want to play the beat with your wrist, not your elbow.
3. Press the high hat pedal to close the cymbals. The high hat is played closed on most beats to choke the sound.
4. Start with a basic beat. Count out eighth notes on the high hat, two cymbal strokes (half-beats) per metronome beat. Add bass drum on the first and third beats, snare on second and fourth. Continue until you feel comfortable.
5. Release the pedal every eighth half beat. Lift your foot just enough to open sound.
6. Close high hat on every first beat. This will accent the beat with a double hit, the clap from the closing cymbal and the stroke with the drumstick.
7. Move the open beat around. Try opening the cymbal just before the third beat, and then before the second beat. The different sound is subtle, but it will improve your coordination with your left hand and right foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Working the high hat pedal may feel awkward at first. Don't pay attention to the sound, but to the beat.