Music Lesson: Rhythm and Techniques in "Overload"

In the rock piece Overload, we need to ensure that we're allowing enough space in the first, second, and third bars in particular.

Space and Timing

• There are half note rests taking up the second half of bars one and three, so keep counting through those.
• I know there's a metronome on the track, but imagine you're playing in a band:
  • You are the drummer.
  • There’s no metronome, and you're playing live.
  • There's all that space after beats 1 and 2.

If you can be counting it or feeling the time, it helps tremendously. Some people nod their heads when they're playing—not just trying to look cool, but for a purpose:

• It’s a way of feeling the pulse and the time.
• Tapping your left foot might lead to hi-hat notes you don’t want.

It’s important to internalize the time if possible. But to begin with, try counting, as I think that will help you the most.

Bar Structure

• First Line:
  • Lots of space in the first line.
  • In the fourth bar, the hi-hat is introduced:
    • Hi-hat with bass drum on beat one.
    • Count through the rest on beat two.
    • Bass drum on beat three and a snare on beat four.

I’m using my left hand for the snare notes, as this sets me up for when the groove kicks in. I will be playing the snares with the left.

• Line Two:
  • There’s a conventional indie rock groove:
    • Eighth note hi-hats.
    • Bass drums on one and three, snares on two and four.
  • Don’t get too comfortable, as it changes a bit in the second bar.
  • It resolves back to a more standard groove in the third bar and then a variation in the fourth bar of the second line.

Observing Rest and Groove

• Third Line:
  • More of the same groove.
  • A variation in the second bar.
  • The groove resumes in the third bar.
  • A departure in the fourth bar where:
    • We have our hands playing together in unison on all the quarter notes.
  • Make sure they’re not flamming—they should land together.

Snare Technique: Rim Shot

Now, let’s talk about a technique you can use across any genre: the rim shot.

• If you have an acoustic drum kit, this works well:
  • You can play the snare as you've been doing, or...
  • For more volume, try playing the snare in the middle of the drum while also striking the rim.

If executed correctly, you get a sound with much more attack—a bit more metallic and a sharp snare note.

I try to use this in the fourth bar of the third line to help it cut through more. Don’t feel pressured to do this; it’s just a technique you might consider using in various genres:

• Metal
• Rock
• Indie
• Soften less in country
• Doesn’t work as well in hip hop.

Continuation of the Piece

Back to the piece—by the end of the third line, you've established the quarter note time feel, which continues into the fourth line:

• We’re bringing the bass drums in and dropping down to hi-hats on beats three and four of the first bar.
• The snare comes back in on beat four of the second bar of the last line.
• We lead up to an eighth note fill all the way through three and four of the third bar, landing neatly on beat one of the last bar.

Demonstration

Let me play bars three and four for you of that fourth line:
1, 2, 3, 4.

And again those four snare notes. As it’s towards the end of the piece, consider using this as an opportunity to try the rim shots:

• They also work with the right hand but can be quite hard to get right.

If you miss it, you might get a sound that isn’t what you want. Here’s a demonstration of four rim shots:

• They definitely cut through more than regular hits.

Of course, you can hit the snares harder and not play a rim shot, but I’m just giving you an option, especially as we reach the end of the piece.