Example 2 - Adding the Back Beat

Sophie Alloway
Sophie Alloway

Lesson time: (0min 58sec)

Add the snare backbeat on beats 2 and 4 to your groove. This essential technique enhances rhythm and creates the characteristic drive of rock and metal music.

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This lesson is part of the course Rockschool Drums Method for Beginners
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Lesson transcript:

Hi-Hat and Snare Drum Lesson

So now we're going to keep the hi-hats going.

  • They’re playing on all the quarter notes.
  • We’re going to add the snare drum to two and four, which is the backbeat so commonly heard in rock, metal, and pop music.

Counting:

1, 2, 3, 4.

About the instructor

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”. read more

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114 lessons (3h 47m)
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