PRODUCTION THROUGH PERFORMANCE

Learn

2.1 Basic Backbeat

Each part of the drum set has a specific role in a groove. The kick drum marks the beginning of each measure and is matched by the bass instrument The snare plays the backbeat. The hihat or ride cymbal plays a stream of the groove’s subdivision. Drummers will often use the same one or two-measure groove for a song section or the entire song.

  • Watch the walkthrough video.

  • Listen to a basic backbeat groove.

  • Learn the information below.


BASIC BACKBEAT

This beatmap is a visualization of one of the most played drum patterns in recorded music. It has been used in rock, EDM, country, funk, latin, and hip hop music. The hihat plays a quarter note subdivision, the snare plays the backbeat on 2 and 4, and the kick plays on beats 1 and 3.

Terms
Kick: The largest drum of the drumset. The kick drum plays one to four other times each measure, often starting on beat one.
Snare: The snare drum usually plays on the backbeat.
Hihat: Two cymbals connected to a pedal. The hihat usually plays the base subdivision of the groove.
Groove: A pattern that the drumset plays over one or more measures.

 

Practice

BASIC BACKBEAT

Follow along with the video to practice the basic backbeat groove.

  • Using the Paper Drum Machine, play along with the video.

  • After completing the video, play the basic backbeat along with the drumless song playlist and the drumless tracks below.

  • You can also practice with a drumless track from this Youtube Playlist →

Extra Practice

 

Play

KEYDRUMMING

The location of drum sounds on a MIDI keyboard is the same across DAWs. Using the keyboard as an acoustic instrument, practice drum grooves using the instrument locations. This will allow you to play the correct drum sounds when you move on to a DAW.

  • Click on the image to open the instrument map in a new window or print for easy reference.

  • Follow along with the video.

    • If you are using a typing keyboard: S = Kick Drum | D = Snare Drum | U = Hihat

KEYDRUMMING WITH A DAW

Now that you have a feel for where the instruments are on the MIDI keyboard, use Soundtrap to play a basic backbeat along with drumless song playlist.

  • In the DAW, add a new track > drum & beats.

  • Practice playing a basic backbeat.

    • If you are using a typing keyboard: S = Kick Drum | D = Snare Drum | U = Hihat

  • Play along with the drumless songs playlist.

 

Test

GROOVE PERFORMANCE

Demonstrate your ability to perform a basic backbeat groove.

  • Know the test’s guidelines! Review the Rubric →

  • Read the recording instructions, and record the basic backbeat groove using the drumless template on Soundtrap.

  • Reflect on how you did with the Self Assessment →

    1. Add new track > Drum and beats track.

    2. Disable the looping function by double-clicking the purple bar over the timeline.

    3. Add a little reverb by clicking on the dragging the reverb knob to the right.

    4. Record the basic backbeat groove using the drumless track on Soundtrap.

    5. Press record and play four to eight measures of the groove with or without the metronome.

    6. Check your work by clicking on piano roll and zooming in on your notes.