How to Play a Drum Machine

A drum machine is an electronic device that can replace the need for a real drummer. Drum machines are great alternatives for situations where a live drummer is not available or is too expensive for a small-budget production. In some cases, a drum machine may actually be preferred over a live drummer because drum machines are not limited to the sounds available on an acoustic drum kit alone. Drum machines can mimic the sound of acoustic drum kits very well, and they are also capable of producing endless synthesized sounds that cannot be created with real acoustic drums.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose a sound that fits the style of music you want to play. Drum machines have "sound banks" filled with preset sounds that are immediately available to use. Scroll through the sound bank using either the scroll wheel or arrow keys until you find a sound that fits your needs.

2. Tap the hi-hat pad with your left hand in a steady rhythm. Count to yourself or out loud--1, 2, 3, 4--and play the hi-hat pad on each beat count.

3. With your right hand, play the bass drum pad on beats 1 and 3. Do not stop playing the hi-hat pattern with your left hand. The hi-hat and bass drum will be hitting together on beats 1 and 3 simultaneously.

4. With your right hand, play the snare drum pad on beats 2 and 4. Again, do not stop playing the hi-hat pattern.

5. Repeat the pattern multiple times. This is one of the most basic patterns in popular music. Repeat the pattern as many times as needed to fill out the length of your song.

6. Add fills if necessary. Many songs contain only one pattern that lasts for the entire duration of the song. However, adding fills before choruses or during moments of tension and excitement can make your drum patterns more interesting. Step outside of the main rhythm pattern during these sections and play the crash cymbal or tom pads.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment. Once you have mastered the basic pattern discussed in Steps 1 through 6, make up new patterns of your own. Also, listen to the drums on recordings of music that you enjoy and play the drum patterns on your drum machine. All drum parts you hear in recorded music will be either a similar or more complex variation of the drum pattern you just learned.

Resources

• Musician's Friend: Electronic Drums Buying Guide