Music Lesson: Breaking Down "Footsteps in the Dark" by the Isley Brothers

Introduction:
So that was a break from a track called Footsteps in the Dark by the Isley Brothers. Again, another well-used hip hop tune.

Overview of the Beat:

We're going to start with this one because it's quite simple, although there are a couple of little twists that make it interesting:

• Kick and Snare Pattern:
  • Classic 1 and 2 and 3 and 4:
    • 1, 2, 1 and 3 on the kick drum
    • 2 and 4 on the snare drum

That's all that happens with the kick and snare.

The Hi-Hat's Role:

The interest comes from the hi-hat, which:

• Skips around and doesn't play all the beats you might expect.
• Instead of a straight eighth note pattern, it mixes up doubles and leaves out beats in certain places, creating a "skipping" effect.

This is a really good example of how a couple of alterations on the hi-hat can make the whole beat sound different upon analysis.

Benefits of This Break:

This break is ideal for:

• Hi-Hat Technique Development:

  • It helps you get a feel for where to put beats in or drop beats out.
  • You can start slowly and speed up to improve your sticking on the hi-hat.

• Coordination Practice:

  • While the kick and snare remain rock solid on the 1 and 2, 3 and 4, the hi-hat plays off-beats, challenging your coordination by getting your different body parts to do different things.

Technical Tips for Hi-Hat Playing:

When playing this particular break, consider the following:

• Elbow and Wrist Position:

  • Hold your elbow slightly higher and keep your wrist up.
  • This position allows for better bounce on the hi-hat.

• Playing Technique:

  • You want to strike the top of the hi-hat, as playing on the side can reduce bounce.
  • Hold the stick between your thumb and index finger, with your other fingers wrapped around the bottom.

Conclusion:

Speeding it up is an excellent way to significantly improve your right-hand hi-hat technique.