Lesson 45 of 114DrumsBeginner

Example 4 - Borderlands Bars 1-4

Focus on playing bars 1–4 of "Borderlands," a classic country rhythm. Sophie demonstrates how to balance the bass drum and snare for smooth, polished performances.
Part of the courseRockschool Drums Method for Beginners114 lessons (3h 47m)

This lesson is part of the full course. 1 lesson is free to watch.

from$13/month

Explore the course
Cancel anytime30-day refund
Sophie AllowayYour guruSophie Alloway

What's in the course

114 lessons (3h 47m) · 1 free
    • 01. Introduction to Country Music

      4:13

    • 02. Skills Checkpoint

      1:54

    • 03. Example 1 - Half-Note Rest

      1:18

    • 04. Example 2 - Placing of the Half-Note Rest

      1:31

    • 05. Example 3 - Bass Drum Phrases

      1:29

    • 06. Bonus Exercise 1

      1:27

    • 07. Bonus Exercise 2

      1:10

    • 08. Country Lesson 2 - Combining Bass Drum, Snare, and Hi-Hat

      3:07

    • 09. Example 1 - Combining the Bass Drum & Hi-Hat

      1:40

    • 10. Example 2 - Adding the Half-Note Rest in Various Positions

      1:10

    • 11. Example 3 - Moving Quickly Between Drum Voices

      1:10

    • 12. Example 4 - Borderlands Bars 1-4

      You are here

      1:06

    • 13. Bonus Exercise 1

      1:30

    • 14. Bonus Exercise 2

      0:56

    • 15. Country Music Section Summary

      0:26

Lesson transcript

Example 4: Learning to Play Borderlands

In this lesson, we will focus on the first four bars of Borderlands. We’ll be practicing some techniques we've just learned.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Transitioning between the bass drum and the snare
  • Observing the rests in the music

Let’s give it a try!

Count In:

  • One, two, three.

$13/monthSubscription

114 lessons

3h 47m of structured video lessons

Advanced video features

Slow down, loop a passage, follow along

Mobile, tablet & desktop

Practise wherever you are

100% satisfaction guarantee

30-day money-back guarantee

Meet your guru

Sophie Alloway

Sophie Alloway

Sophie Alloway is a session and touring drummer at the heart of the London jazz scene. She has performed with Jason Rebello, Yazz Ahmed, Laurence Cottle and Tony Allen, and notably played for Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace shortly before he became King.

Touring credits include Roots Manuva, the Thriller musical and Paul Stacey (Oasis / The Black Crowes). She is also the drummer in original fusion band Lydian Collective, with over six million Spotify streams.

Sophie has recorded sessions at Abbey Road, AIR and Angel studios, and her television appearances include Later… with Jools Holland, Glastonbury and two series of Adrian Dunbar’s drama Ridley. She is featured on Abbey Road Masters: The Drum Sessions and performed for the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2024 finalists, broadcast on BBC TV and Radio. Jon Newey of Jazz FM dubbed her the “goddess of groove”.

Sophie Alloway
Pat Levett
Joe Glossop
Frank Doll
Katie Melua
Ed O'Brien
Imogen Heap
Adam Mishan
Chet Atkins

Learn from Sophie Alloway and hundreds of others

Unlimited access, money back guaranteed

$13/month

Subscription