This could add complexity for musical reasons, not those that feed the drummer’s ego. Each example, however, includes some suggestions for variations that could make the drum beat more complex.Ĭomplexity should never be the goal, but sometimes taking a drum part to the next level means varying the rhythm or instrumentation. The goal of this article is to introduce these simple drum beats in musical contexts that would perhaps suffer with more complexity.
For example, combine the halftime feel with a shuffle, and you’re almost to an iconic shuffle like the one Jeff Porcaro played on “Rosanna.”
Simple Drum Beats as Building BlocksĪfter you play through these beats and consider the song examples mentioned, think about how many complex drum beats include two or more concepts from these simple beats. The variations are so simple that he just adds an extra sixteenth note after the downbeat to fill in the space and speak a little. It’s a boom whack beat with a few kick drum variations. John Bonham’s beat on “Kashmir” is a good example of a simple drum beat. But, most importantly, simple drum beats make a big difference for the music they serve. It could be that the kick, snare, and hi-hat are the only instruments involved in the beat. Most drummers wouldn’t read into these terms too much, but it’s important to think about what a simple drum beat really means.Ī simple drum beat is crafted from parts with consistent rhythms and drum set instrumental choices that don’t involve many changes. Simple drum beats are not necessarily the same as an easy drum beat or a basic drum beat.