Rock On: 3 Rock Drum Beats for Beginners

Hey drummers, want to learn how to play rock beats that will make the crowd move and shout? Here, San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W. breaks down the strategy behind rock drumming, and gives you three rock drum beats to practice at home…

Excited to start playing some rock drums? These three easy rock beats are perfect for beginners. With a little practice, you’ll have them down in no time!

What is the Most Basic Drum Beat?

When you’re mastering easy drum beats for beginners, you might be wondering with the most basic drum beats for beginners might be:

• Most people would say that the most basic drum beat for beginners is a simple 4/4 pulse, sometimes called a rock beat. 
• This beat can be played on any type of drum, and is often used as the foundation for more complex rhythms. 
• To play a 4/4 beat, simply alternate between striking the drum with your left and right hand. 
• The hi-hat can be used to add variation to the beat, by adding accents on the upbeats or off-beats. For example, a common variation on the 4/4 beat is to play an upbeat on the hi-hat, followed by four quarter notes on the snare drum.
• This basic beat can be embellished with fills and other variations, but it remains the foundation of many popular styles of music.

That said, there are plenty of other basic drum beats you can learn, too. Experiment to find the easiest ones for you – and the ones that work best with the style of music you’re trying to play. 

Consider signing up for drumming lessons to better acquaint yourself with the many simple drum beats for beginners that are out there, and check out the video below for more information on what it’s like to take drum lessons:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6R2QeM3fBA

What Should a Beginner Drummer Learn?

When it comes to playing the drums, it is important to start off with a solid foundation. Here are some of the basics that every beginner drummer should learn. 

1. Learn How to Read Music 

One of the first things that you need to do when learning how to play the drums is to learn how to read music. If you can’t read music, you will have a hard time following along with other musicians and knowing when to come in with your drum parts. There are plenty of resources out there that can help you learn how to read music, so make sure to do your research and find a method that works best for you. 

2. Find a Teacher 

Although you can technically teach yourself how to play the drums, it is always helpful (and more fun) to learn from someone else. A good teacher can help you progress more quickly and avoid developing bad habits. If you don’t know any drummers in your area, there are plenty of online resources that can connect you with a qualified teacher no matter where you live. 

3. Buy or Rent Some Drums 

You obviously can’t play the drums without an instrument, so one of your first steps should be to buy or rent a drum set. If you’re not sure whether or not you want to commit to playing the drums long-term, renting might be a better option for you since it is typically cheaper than buying outright. However, if you’re confident in your abilities and want to invest in your new hobby, buying drums might be the way to go. Just make sure that you do your research before making any big purchase! 

4. Join (or Start) a Band 

Playing the drums is more fun when you get to jam out with other musicians. Joining an existing band is a great way to meet new people and practice your skills, but starting your own band is also an option if you can’t find anything that fits your style or taste. No matter which route you choose, playing with others is essential for honing your skills and enjoying yourself as a musician. 

Tips for Mastering Drum Beats for Beginners

Rock ‘n’ roll: what is it, and what makes it rock? A solid, authoritative drum beat, that’s what. It’s up to you as the drummer to make sure the band and the audience have something to make them move, shout, and throw their hands in the air.

Here are some tips to help you improve your rock drumming, and some rock drum beats that will leave your fans begging for more.

Different Styles Have Different Sounds

This may seem obvious, but it’s important to note that different music styles have different sounds. Rock music has a completely different sound than jazz.

If you look at the snare, bass drum, and hi-hat as three sections of a triangle, you will be able to make a sound pyramid. The sound at the top has the least room, so you will play this quietly, by comparison.

When you play jazz, place these three elements in order from top to bottom (softest to loudest) as follows: Bass drum (quiet unless accenting), snare (medium to soft unless accenting), and cymbals (loudest, main focus).

When you play rock, do the opposite. The cymbals will be loud, but not louder than the snare and bass. The snare should be loud and cracking. When I play rock and I hit my snare, it makes peoples’ eyes twitch, and this is a good thing!