Lesson 89 of 114DrumsBeginner

Example 2 - Snare Drum Variations

Sophie Alloway works through a groove where the snare drops out on beat two in the second and fourth bars, using steady eighth-note hi-hats to keep your timing locked.

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. Hip-Hop Introduction - Basic Beats and Fills

      1:33

    • 02. Example 1 - Snare & Bass Drum Fill

      1:10

    • 03. Example 2 - Snare & Hi-Hat Fill

      1:08

    • 04. Example 3 - Fill Using Snare, Hi-Hat & Bass Drum

      1:09

    • 05. Bonus Exercise 1

      1:38

    • 06. Bonus Exercise 2

      0:47

    • 07. Hip-Hop Lesson 1 Summary

      0:32

    • 08. Hip Hop Lesson 2 - Introduction to Eighth Note Beats

      3:53

    • 09. Example 1 - The Basic Eighth-Note Beat

      1:19

    • 10. Example 2 - Snare Drum Variations

      You are here

      1:28

    • 11. Example 3 - Bass Drum Variations

      1:09

    • 12. Example 4 - 'The Dogg' Bars 13-16

      1:56

    • 13. Bonus Exercise 1

      1:04

    • 14. Bonus Exercise 2

      1:09

    • 15. Hip-Hop Section Summary

      0:32

Lesson transcript

Snare Drum Variation Exercise

In this next example, there's a little variation on the snare drum in that it's missing on beats two in the second and fourth bar.

Key Points:

  • Watch out for that.
  • Try and keep your timing consistent.

The hi-hats really help here, especially now that we're playing eighth notes on the hi-hats. That'll help us keep time.

1, 2, 3, 14.

You might have noticed that I decided to play a slightly heavier hi-hat sound on that one, just so that you could hear the difference.

Questions to Consider:

  • See what you prefer playing.
  • See what you prefer the sound of.

$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