How to Play a High Hat and Bass Drum

Learning to drum takes considerable time and practice. You have to master coordination, dexterity and consistency. One way to develop those skills is to break drumming elements into components. You can train the right side of your body by working the high hat and bass drum together.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start your metronome. Count off one or two measures (four to eight beats) in your head. Count the beats as numbers, "One, Two, Three, Four...." This helps reinforce what beat occurs on what count.

2. Right hand and foot will play first and third beats together. First and third beats foot. Hand half beats (eighth notes.) Don't worry about high hat lifts at this point.

3. Practice until you're comfortable. The key to drumming is developing the muscle memory so that you don't have to count consciously as you become more experienced.

4. Mix the bass drum beat. Kick the drum on the first two and third two half beats (count "One and...Three and....") The more you practice the more you'll be able to coordinate your right hand and foot.

5. Add the high hat lift. Begin with the lift on the second and fourth (third and seventh half-beat) and then all four beats. Experiment until you're comfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• You can practice without drums. When you're at the office or on the bus tap the kick drum beat with your right foot and the high hat beat with your thumb. You can use your desk, your knee or a book as your practice pad. Count the beats in your head to reinforce the notion of count and beat.