Drum Beginner: Basic 4/4 Rock Beat. No Drum Kit Required!

A classic 4/4 rock beat is a great place to start as a drum beginner. With this beat, you’ll be able to tap along with most rock and pop tunes you hear on the radio, and in your own collection whether old school or the very latest.

But First, The Drum Beginner Make-Do Drum Kit…

If you’re not sitting at a drum kit, no problem, you can use your right hand for your hi-hat (“hats”), and your left hand for the snare drum – your right foot will be the bass drum (“kick”). If you’re left handed, just change right for left. If you are sitting at a drum kit, simply follow along on your kit.

Firstly get comfortable at a basic stool or chair. If you’re a drum beginner who doesn’t have a drum kit to play just yet, but have drum sticks, a great make-do for snare and hi hats is to use a phone book as your snare drum, and another harder book (one you don’t mind trashing) for your hats. If you don’t have sticks, no problem, use your hands, your thigh (snare) and a desk or table for your right hand (hats).

As a drum beginner, you’ll want to position the top skin or hitting surface of your snare drum at around waist height (if using a phone book, position it on another chair), and your hi hats at about half a drumstick higher than your snare drum (say on a desk or table).

Okay Let’s Get Started!

With your right hand (hats) tap out 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4……… each number is represents one tap. It will really help if you actually count out loud.

Now it’s time to bring in the snare drum. This is the beat that the crowd will be clapping along with at your concerts …for each count of three, hit your snare (left hand). When you hit your snare, use a little more force than what you’re using with your right hand on those hi hats.

Now to make it groove by adding some back beat with the “kick”. Keep both hands (your snare and hats) going and now tap your right foot for every count of 1 — keep persisting until you’re doing it without thinking too much – now thanks to Drum Beginner, you officially ROCK!

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