How to Play Hi-Hat Lifts on Drums

The hi-hat lift is just one of many techniques drummers can use with the hi-hat cymbal combo. The hi-hat is front and center in most drum kits, and knowing how to use it can increase your drum skill significantly. For lifts, there are a number of ways to incorporate the open, brassy sound of an open hi-hat into drumming. Here's how to introduce hi-hat lifts into your grooves.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Play hi-hat lifts along with quarter notes. When playing in 4/4, count your beats 1,2,3,4 and hit the open hi-hat on 1 and 3, closing it on 2 and 4. You'll get two hi-hat lifts per bar.

2. Double-up on hi-hat lifts. Try hitting the open hi-hat on every one of your four beats and closing the hi-hat in between in syncopated motions. This produces four distinct hi-hat lifts per bar.

3. Shift your hi-hat lifts off-beat. To syncopate your hi-hat lifts, hit the hi-hat in between beats and close it with your left foot on each beat.

4. Vary hi-hat lifts within a bar. Try adding just one open hi-hat note on 3 or 4, and leaving it closed for the rest of the bar. This can actually be a more effective way to add the sound; when it comes to drumming, sometimes less is more.

5. Try a non-tap lift. Open and close the hi-hat without hitting it for a different, quieter clicking sound to go along with a slow groove.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a lot of sound out of your hi-hat by coordinating your foot pedal action. Lots of drummers use the hi-hat for regular play while it is closed and open it at strategic moments. Plan this into your groove for good professional percussion.