The Isley Brothers - Footsteps in the Dark
With
Max SedgleyMax Sedgley breaks down the Isley Brothers' 'Footsteps in the Dark' drum break - a simple kick and snare with a skipping hi-hat - a groove sampled on dozens of hip-hop tracks.
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
You are here4:33
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
5:28
19. Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run (top view)
0:56
Lesson transcript
Music Lesson: Breaking Down "Footsteps in the Dark" by the Isley Brothers
Introduction:
So that was a break from a track called Footsteps in the Dark by the Isley Brothers. Again, another well-used hip hop tune.
Overview of the Beat:
We're going to start with this one because it's quite simple, although there are a couple of little twists that make it interesting:
- Kick and Snare Pattern:
- Classic 1 and 2 and 3 and 4:
- 1, 2, 1 and 3 on the kick drum
- 2 and 4 on the snare drum
- Classic 1 and 2 and 3 and 4:
That's all that happens with the kick and snare.
The Hi-Hat's Role:
The interest comes from the hi-hat, which:
- Skips around and doesn't play all the beats you might expect.
- Instead of a straight eighth note pattern, it mixes up doubles and leaves out beats in certain places, creating a "skipping" effect.
This is a really good example of how a couple of alterations on the hi-hat can make the whole beat sound different upon analysis.
Benefits of This Break:
This break is ideal for:
-
Hi-Hat Technique Development:
- It helps you get a feel for where to put beats in or drop beats out.
- You can start slowly and speed up to improve your sticking on the hi-hat.
-
Coordination Practice:
- While the kick and snare remain rock solid on the 1 and 2, 3 and 4, the hi-hat plays off-beats, challenging your coordination by getting your different body parts to do different things.
Technical Tips for Hi-Hat Playing:
When playing this particular break, consider the following:
-
Elbow and Wrist Position:
- Hold your elbow slightly higher and keep your wrist up.
- This position allows for better bounce on the hi-hat.
-
Playing Technique:
- You want to strike the top of the hi-hat, as playing on the side can reduce bounce.
- Hold the stick between your thumb and index finger, with your other fingers wrapped around the bottom.
Conclusion:
Speeding it up is an excellent way to significantly improve your right-hand hi-hat technique.
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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.
