2.1 - Basic Backbeat

Now that we're experts in steady beat and subdivision, it is time to start putting these ideas into use as drum beats. For your first project, you're going to learn the basic backbeat, or the basic rock beat, pictured here:

So what's new in this beat map? A few things:

1. We can see that there are now instruments marked in the beat map. We see lines with rhythms for hi-hat, snare, and kick drum.

2. This beat map shows every 16th note division, but notice that the written subdivision for this beat is 8th notes (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +)

In order to play these beats on your piano keyboard, use these fingers:

KICK - LH middle finger on C

SNARE - LH index finger on D

HI-HAT - RH middle finger on F#

Here is how I recommend approaching a new beat:

1. Always use a metronome. You have your choice of the ones on the website, google, or even the click in Logic. The other option is to use one of the backing tracks on the metronomes and grooves page.

2. Practice each hand separately. This is truly an under-rated yet well-proven approach to this kind of issue. I personally would spend a few minutes working on my left hand to get the coordination between kick and snare drums accurate. Spend a bit of time with your right hand to make sure that you are in time with your subdivision.

3. "Chunk" your hands together. Try putting together a few beats at a time at first. For less complex beat maps, you can try to do the whole measure in one go. For more complex beat maps, you may wish to start off with just one or two beats in the measure. 

OPTION 1:

1. Create a new project in Logic Pro X.

2. When prompted for a track, choose Software Instrument

3. Change the instrument patch. Click on Drum Kit --> Bluebird

4. Set a comfortable tempo for yourself. I recommend anywhere from 60 to 90 bpm.

5. Make sure the click is turned on, as well as the count in button. The default count in is one bar - you can change this by right-clicking the count in button and choosing the amount of bars.

6. Record yourself playing the basic backbeat 4 times in a row.

7. Listen to your recording. If all of the following are true, you are ready to submit your project:

   1. Is your subdivision in time with the click? 

   2. Are you alternating the kick and snare drums on every beat?

   3. Did you play the pattern at least 4 times through?

8. If the answer is yes to all of the questions above, save your project as 2-1 LASTNAME and upload to your google folder. If not, go back and re-record the backbeat.

OPTION 2

1. Create a new project in Logic Pro X.

2. When prompted for a track, choose Software Instrument

3. Change the instrument patch. Click on Drum Kit --> Bluebird

4. Duplicate this track 2 more times by pressing Command-D (⌘-D)

5. Set a comfortable tempo for yourself. I recommend anywhere from 60 to 90 bpm.

6. Make sure the click is turned on, as well as the count in button. The default count in is one bar - you can change this by right-clicking the count in button and choosing the amount of bars.

7. Record yourself playing the basic backbeat 4 times in a row, following this method:

   1. On the first track, record the subdivision in hi-hat.

   2. On the second track, record the snare drum part.

   3. On the third track, record the kick drum part.

8. Listen to your recording. If all of the following are true, you are ready to submit your project:

   1. Is your subdivision in time with the click? 

   2. Are you alternating the kick and snare drums on every beat?

   3. Did you play the pattern at least 4 times through?

9. If the answer is yes to all of the questions above, save your project as 2-1 LASTNAME and upload to Schoology. If not, go back and re-record the backbeat.

Following your submission of project 2-1, please fill out the following google form. There are no wrong answers, so feel free to be honest about your work. All self-assessments are graded based on completion.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE BASIC BACKBEAT SELF-ASSESSMENT