The Billie Jean - the "backbeat"

Back to Basics Drumming Lesson: Lesson One

Instructor: Mike Stedgley
Platform: musicgurus.com

Today we're going to do Lesson One: Starting at the very beginning.

The Most Basic Beat

We're going to play and learn one of the most basic beats in modern popular music. In fact, it's the kind of beat that everyone who sits at a drum kit will want to play or will try to play first.

Example: Billie Jean

One of my favorite examples of this beat is the intro to "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, played by the phenomenal session drummer John Robinson. His art is definitely "less is more," and playing this basic beat throughout the entire song is a good discipline in itself when it comes to drumming.

Understanding the Beat

We'll see how this beat is constructed and learn a little about counting along with it.

Counting Basics

• Counting is a funny thing in drumming.
• You don't always count in your head when you play, and hopefully, you don't count out loud.
• Instinctively, you'll know where the beats fall and how things should sound.

However, for teaching purposes, counting is essential. Let's break down the beat:

Hi-Hat Pattern

1. Every bar has four beats:

   • Count: One, two, three, four.
   • Repeat: One, two, three, four.

2. Play Two Hits on the Hi-Hat for Each Beat:

   • Count: One, two, three, four.
   • Sound: 1, 2, 3, 4 dot.
   • Slow it Down:
     • One, two, three, four.
     • One, two, three, FOUR.

Consistency is Key

Focus on making each hit on the hi-hat sound as even as possible. Avoid variations in volume or speed. Practice making the hits sound consistent:

• Count: 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Adding Bass and Snare

Next, you'll add the kick drum and the snare drum:

• Kick Drum: Play on the 1 and 3 of each bar.
• Snare Drum: Play on the 2 and 4 of each bar.

Your pattern will now sound like this:

• Hi-Hat: 1, 2, 3, 4.
• Kick Drum: 1, 2, 3, 4.
• Snare Drum: 2, 4.

Practice Counts

• Kick: 1, 2, 3, FOUR.
• Snare: 1, 2, 3, FOUR.

Mastering the Beat

The art of playing this simple beat lies in getting everything to sound even:

• Ensure volumes are consistent.
• Maintain tempo: start slow and gradually speed up as you become more comfortable.

Syncing the Instruments

When you hit the snare or kick drum, make sure you hit it at the exact same time as the hi-hat:

• If it sounds slightly off, adjust it.
• Starting at a comfortable speed will help you build your accuracy.

Adding Variations

Once you've mastered the basic beat, consider adding some variation to keep it interesting:

• Cymbal Hits: At the start of every group of four bars, hit a cymbal simultaneously with the kick drum.
• Movement: Move your right hand (the one playing the hi-hat) around the kit while maintaining the same rhythm.

Ride Cymbal Variation

Another option is to play what you play on the hi-hat on the ride cymbal, which is a common variation.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to play the most basic beat in popular music. Remember to focus on consistency, timing, and even volume while adding your own flair as you grow in confidence. Happy drumming!