Drum Patterns

Drum Patterns 

A drum pattern is the arrangement of drum sounds across time. Drum patterns usually include kick drums, snares, claps, hi-hats, and percussion.

The kick drum is often the deepest drum sound. It gives the beat power and weight. In many styles of music, the kick helps drive the rhythm.

The snare or clap usually provides the backbeat. In many songs, the snare or clap lands on beats two and four. This gives the listener a steady point of reference.

Hi-hats help create movement. They can play steady eighth notes, fast sixteenth notes, rolls, or open hat accents.

Percussion adds extra rhythm and texture. This may include shakers, tambourines, bongos, congas, snaps, rimshots, or other sounds.

A basic drum pattern may sound like this:

Count: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
Kick: on 1 and 3
Snare or clap: on 2 and 4
Hi-hat: steady across the beat

Once the basic pattern is created, a producer can make it more interesting by adding variation. This could include extra kicks, hi-hat rolls, open hats, pauses, drum fills, or small changes at the end of every four or eight bars.

Different styles use different drum patterns.

• Hip-hop beats may use slower, heavier drums.
• Trap beats often use fast hi-hats and deep 808 kicks.
• Dance music may use a steady four-on-the-floor kick pattern.
• R&B may use smoother drums with more space.
• The drum pattern should match the mood of the song. A serious song may need darker drums. A dance song may need brighter, more energetic drums. A laid-back song may need a slower groove.

Good drum patterns leave space for vocals, melodies, and bass. A beat does not have to be crowded to be powerful.

Basic Pattern Example

Kick on beats 1 and 3
Snare on beats 2 and 4

Activity

Students design a basic drum pattern.