Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run
With
Max SedgleyBreak down the classic drum break from the Steve Miller Band’s ‘Take the Money and Run’ - a much-sampled groove built around the double stroke roll.
What's in the course
19 lessons (0h 56m) · 2 free
01. Practice tips for drum breaks
Free lesson3:49
02. The Isley Brothers - Footsteps in the Dark
Free lesson4:33
03. The Isley Brothers - Footsteps in the Dark (top view)
0:55
04. Barry White - I'm Gonna Love You A Little Bit More
4:19
05. Barry White - I'm Gonna Love You A Little Bit More (top view)
0:55
06. Skull Snaps - It's A New Day
2:57
07. Skull Snaps - It's A New Day (top view)
0:54
08. Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution
7:16
09. Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution (top view)
0:54
10. The Winstons - Amen, Brother
6:06
11. The Winstons - Amen, Brother (top view)
1:20
12. Banbarra - Shack Up
4:17
13. Banbarra - Shack Up (top view)
1:10
14. Marva Whitney - Unwind Yourself
5:06
15. Marva Whitney - Unwind Yourself (top view)
0:50
16. Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - Ashley's Roachclip
3:28
17. Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - Ashley's Roachclip (top view)
1:19
18. Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run
You are here5:28
19. Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run (top view)
0:56
Lesson transcript
Music Lesson: Exploring the Double Stroke Roll
And that break was from a track called "Take the Money and Run" by the Steve Miller Band. Again, another classic hip hop break used in many different places, people like De La Soul, Ice Cube, and many, many more.
Features of the Break
-
Double Stroke Roll:
- A standout feature in this break is the double stroke roll at the beginning, acting as a fill.
- You'll hear a double stroke roll followed by a single stroke roll, ending on the toms before hitting the cymbal.
-
Groove Element:
- There's another double stroke roll kind of halfway through the groove, which adds a nice feature as a fill.
-
Hi-Hat Technique:
- The break also incorporates an open hi-hat, similar to many other breaks we've looked at.
- This quick release and step down on the hi-hat on the offbeat helps keep the beat moving along.
Analyzing the Groove
There's a lot going on in this groove. After the open hi-hats, you encounter another double stroke roll, making it a recurring feature of this break.
Let's slow it right down and simplify it a little bit:
- Double Stroke Roll:
- It's crucial to recognize that the double stroke roll is an important rudiment featured at the beginning with doubles throughout the groove, particularly with the left hand.
- This makes it a fantastic example of using the double stroke roll to its fullest.
Essential Practice Tips
The double stroke roll is one of the most important rudiments to know how to play, and you should be practicing it frequently. Here are some practice tips:
-
Surface Options:
- Any chance you get, whether it's on the back of a book, a table, or something that gives you a bit of bounce, helps you get those doubles in.
-
Coordination Exercises:
- Practice with your left hand and the kick pedal.
- Also, switch it around and practice with your right hand to work on coordination.
Speed Variations
- You can focus on three different speeds:
- First Double
- Second Double
- Single Stroke at the End
This practice will be beneficial for developing coordination between ghost notes in your left hand and the kick drum pedal, which will also be busy doing the occasional double here and there.
And that's the double stroke roll!
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Max Sedgley is a British producer, drummer and DJ with a degree in classical music. His compositions have featured on numerous TV programmes and adverts, including the series Six Feet Under, and he was the drummer for drum & bass producer Roni Size. He also records under the name Cadien.
In his courses he teaches drumming from the ground up - sticking, core grooves and the eight-note rock pattern - and the iconic 60s and 70s drum breaks that have been sampled into countless modern records.
