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By Wesley Newton Published on: Mon May 9, 2022
Like how quarter notes have a single count (1-2-3-4), eighth notes have two counts represented as 1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&. We learn to play a standard eighth note groove and improvise with the four on the floor beat – on counts 2 and 4, add the kick drum with the hi-hat and the snare drum together.
Accomplished drummer and a Grade 8 in Drums with Distinction from Trinity College of Music, your teacher brings 2 decades of professional experience. He has played with iconic bands such as Groovemeister and Blushing Satellite at prestigious music festivals across the country and internationally.
This blog will teach you how to count and play eighth note grooves. Now that you are familiar with playing two popular quarter note grooves, it’s time we learn how to improvise on eighth note grooves by working on the bass drum. Let’s begin!
Before moving ahead, let’s step back and refresh our memory. Quarter note grooves are counted as 1-2-3-4. Within these four counts, we can have two notes per bar (Classic Two-Time beat) or three notes per bar (Waltz beat).
For some context, a standard eighth note groove is counted as 1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&.
Count 1 – Hi-hat and kick drum together
Count & of 1 – Hi-hat (Solo)
Count 2 – Hi-hat and snare drum together
Count & of 2 – Hi-hat (Solo)
Count 3 – Hi-hat and kick drum together
Count & of 3 – Hi-hat (Solo)
Count 4 – Hi-hat and snare drum together
Count & of 4 – Hi-hat (Solo)
This groove can be depicted in a rhythmic chart as:
Remember to count out (1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&) loud while playing as it gives you a reference point to play accurately. Take it slow in the beginning as the goal is to sound clear and not fast. Once you have championed the groove, try a faster tempo.
The 2nd eighth note groove can seem a bit tricky. However, if you begin to practise at a slow pace, eventually, perfecting the groove is inevitable.
This is how you would count and play the 2nd eighth note groove:
Count 1 – Hi-hat and kick drum together
Count & of 1 – Hi-hat (Solo)
Count 2 – Hi-hat, snare drum and kick drum together
Count & of 2 – Hi-hat (Solo)
Count 3 – Hi-hat and kick drum together
Count & of 3 – Hi-hat (Solo)
Count 4 – Hi-hat, snare drum and kick drum together
Count & of 4 – Hi-hat (Solo)
The 2nd groove remains more or less the same as the 1st eighth note groove. The only catch is that on counts 2 and 4, you add the kick drum with the hi-hat and the snare drum together. The timing in such cases can be misplaced as all of them have to be played at the same time without any delay.
Here is how the 2nd eighth note groove can be represented:
So, if you start slow and observe your breath, this groove, even though tricky, can be fun. Remember, if you want people to dance to your tunes, it's very important to enjoy yourself while you play. Next, we explore eighth note and sixteenth note fills.
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