444 – Jay Z (Analysis)

Music Lesson: Analyzing "4.44" by Jay Z

Okay, here we go with 4.44 by Jay Z. This is a program track originally, but you will see the Great Tony Royster Jr. playing this track live and interpreting variations and various arrangements.

Track Overview

• Alternative Title: We could also call it 2.22 since it's around 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
• Style: Hip hop track featuring a consistent and repetitive backing track.
• Objective: To satisfy some technique, coordination, and timekeeping while paying homage to the actual track itself.

Key Sections

A Section

• Very definite offbeat accents on the hi-hat.
• Focus on playing louder than the unaccented notes to achieve the accent.

Demonstration:

• I like to play flat on the hi-hat for a chunky accent.

Hi-hat Pattern:
1, 2, 3, 4.

D Section

• A breakdown with noticeable accents on the hi-hat.
• This rhythmic motif is played several times throughout the track (about 8-9 times).

Phrase to Remember:
At the end of the A section:
1, 2, 3, 4, Bam, Bam, Bam, bam.

• Tip: Sing that phrase whenever it appears on the chart. Variations may include leading up with a fill or improvising around it.

B Section

• Very important to catch those crash cymbal hits.
• Features a chunky eighth note groove.

Demonstration Without Crash Cymbals:
1, 2, 3, 4.

Add Crash Cymbals:
1, 2, 3, 4. (It's okay to hit one crash cymbal close to the hi-hat.)

End of B Section:

• Setup for cymbal hits with a nice big flam.
  1, 2, 3, 4. (Be very positive!)

C Section

• Can be intricate in terms of coordination.
• Experiment with different stickings on the hi-hat.

Demonstration of C Section:
1, 2, 3, 4.
1, 2, 3, 4.

• If you prefer, you can play hand to hand.

Note:

• At the end of the C section, focus on linear fills where you play one thing at a time.

D Section Breakdown

• Maintain the dynamic you established earlier.
• Introduce some snare drum and perhaps a bit of syncopation.
• Finish with a phrase and a fill.

Drum Solo

• As a Grade 5, we're incorporating longer solos.
• The solo should stay true to the hip hop groove, embellishing the main groove without being overly technical.

Rhythmic Motif:

• Hit those fills, but there's no need to overdo them.
• Pay attention to the arrangement to sound cohesive.

Ending Section

• Features the cymbal bell with an eighth note pattern and variations of bass drum.
• It's acceptable to add some development, like extra backbeats or open hi-hats.

Demonstration:

• Maintain that nice bell to body sound throughout.

Conclusion

There's a lot going on in 4.44 (or 2.22).

• Practice Tips:
  • Review your Rock School material for finer points in each bar.
  • Work out your stickings for the fills.
  • Practice each section separately and focus on transitioning between sections.

Remember: Maintain a 16th note feel throughout:
Ticket, ticket, ticket, ticket...

Have fun with that one! Thank you, and see you soon!