In My Place – Coldplay (Analysis)

Welcome to Music Guru's Drum Lesson: In My Place

Hi, and welcome back to Music Guru's drum lesson on In My Place. I'm sure you're familiar with this Coldplay track. It was a huge hit!

Analyzing the Music

As a drummer, the first thing I look at in the first bar is:

• Dynamic: What is it?
• Tempo: What is it?
• Stylistic Indications: Are there any?

Thankfully, this chart provides that information.

• Tempo: 80 beats per minute (quite a slow tempo)
• Dynamic: Forte (the 'F' stands for loud)
• Time Signature: 4/4 (four quarter note beats per bar)

Playing Style

The section is described as heavy rock, which means you're going to hit the drums with serious intention to create a big sound.

Hi-Hat Technique

• The hi-hat plays eighth notes consistently throughout.
• If you see an open sign above the notes, it means to open the hi-hat so that the sound 'slosh' together.

Tip: When playing the hi-hat like this, aim for the sound of breaking glass. This can help you achieve an abrasive yet smooth sound.

Don't hit the hi-hats too hard; the natural sound of the hi-hats and the vibration of the cymbals will carry the sound well, especially with a mic over the snare drum.

First Section Breakdown

• First 10 Bars: Play the same groove but add the crash cymbal on the first beat of bar one.

  Tip: Make sure you know exactly where you are as the music progresses.

Section B: Dynamic Shift

In Section B, you'll notice:

• The hi-hats are shut.
• A plus sign above the second eighth note in bar 11 indicates to shut the hi-hats until otherwise noted.

Opening the Hi-Hat:

• At the end of bar 12, open the hi-hat going into bar 13.

Pay attention to your foot coordination!

Common Notation Practices

• In bars seven and fifteen, look for two bar repeats, a shorthand notation to save time.
• If you see a one-bar biz bar (one slash), it means repeat the previous one bar.
• Two slashes across the bar line mean to repeat the previous two bars.

Section D: Simplicity in Drumming

At rehearsal letter D:

• There's very little going on; just a couple of hits on the ride cymbal and a cymbal roll.
• Producers often emphasize that it's not about playing really fast, but rather about playing effectively.

Thought: Excellent music often doesn't rely on flashy drumming. Instead, focus on supporting the music without dominating it.

Practical Tips

• In bar 30, when you perform the cymbal roll, use a single stroke roll between the two crashes.
• Play backbeats on the ride cymbal until the end of that section.

Unison Fill

For the unison fill:

• Use a 16th note subdivision with the snare and floor tom while avoiding flams (where one hand hits slightly earlier than the other).

Crescendo:

• There's a crescendo written in the notation, which signifies to get louder gradually.

Example: Playing bar 33 and 34. Notice how playing on the edge of the drum instead of the center can create dynamic variations.

Section E: Riding the Rhythm

In section E:

• Move up to the ride cymbal instead of using the hi-hat.

Tip: Just play those eighth notes relaxed and let them percolate on the cymbal for rhythmic propulsion.

Dynamic Contrast

Use a crash cymbal on the first beat of every bar in section E. Notice the dynamic difference created throughout the piece with tonal shifts between open hi-hat, shut hi-hat, and ride cymbal.

Final Thoughts

Good luck with this piece; it's great fun!

• Practice Tips:
  • Work on your bass drum technique to ensure those notes land well.
  • Practice with and without a click.
  • Record yourself and analyze your playing while referring to the original recordings.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself, because that's what playing drums is all about!