How to Play 2 and 4 On a Snare Drum

Playing 2 and 4 on a drum, or playing the backbeat, is the structural foundation for nearly all pop music from rock to country to jazz. Playing the backbeat well requires more intuition than other beats, luckily you can learn to have this trick. At its core the backbeat is the repeating accent of a beat and you can't play in a group or band without it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Snare drum
• Drum stick
• ear plugs

1. Place the snare in front of you, traditionally between the knees. Turn your metronome on to a 4/4 beat. If you don't have a metronome simply tap a 4/4 beat with your foot.

2. Practice the quarter note beats, so you can anticipate when they are coming.

3. Hit the snare drum on the second and fourth beats. This will allow for a long pause in between snare hits. This may sound odd now, but once you begin incorporating other drums and cymbals, the backbeat is the rhythmic foundation for any song you contribute to.

4. Listen to your favorite music. Listen for the backbeat. While hitting the drum every other beat sounds easy, the hard part is getting a feel for when and how to use it. Find an album or song where the drumming really sticks out to you. Chances are, that drummer has a strong sense of backbeat. Try to imitate the player's sense of timing on your snare.

5. Mix in other drums to make a complete beat. By adding, for example, eighth notes on your cymbal and kick drum hits, you add a complicated dynamic to the beat but it also helps you see how important the 2 and 4 beat are to the entire package.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear ear protection while playing the drums.