Things You'll Need:
- Kick drum
- Snare drum
- Hi hat cymbal
- Drum sticks
- Ear plugs
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Step 1
Hit the snare drum repeatedly using quarter notes, which is almost identical to counting to four out loud. If you wish, use a metronome--this will help you keep the beat and learn exactly when to hit the drum.
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Step 2
Use eighth notes on the hi hat. Press the pedal down so the cymbals are touching and produce a clipped tone. Eighth notes are twice as fast as quarters, which means you hit the cymbal twice for every time you hit the snare.
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Step 3
Incorporate your kick drum sparingly. Overusing the kick can bog down your beats when you are just starting out. In this beat, think of the kick drum as a guide post that signals when a new set of four beats is beginning. This means on the first quarter note you hit with your snare also use the kick pedal.
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Step 4
Hold this pattern until you no longer feel uncomfortable and the beat moves at a fluid pace. Here is where you can incorporate different drums, if you have them, to add color and different tones to your beat.
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Step 5
Play a drum fill. Traditionally, the fill is a signal to other players that another series of four or eight beats is beginning. After playing your quarter note beat four times through, do a quick drum roll where the first quarter note should be. This is complicated because it requires you stop using the hi hat briefly. See if you can keep the time this way--it's tougher than it sounds.
