Become A Drummer - Level 1 - Lesson 1 Examples

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Lesson 1: Building Core Grooves

In this lesson, you will develop 4 core grooves that act as a foundation for different genres of music.  They set the stage for you to be grooving with different feels. 

At these beginning stages, you need to develop some hand to foot coordination, so the first exercises do just that!  The early examples each with help you build the coordination needed and by the last examples, you will be grooving! 

The first example is very simple... BUT, the tricky part about it is keeping every note evenly spaced.  You are going to be playing quarter notes with 4 counts that repeat on the high hat.  Keep it going throughout the whole video, because a playalong song joins you halfway through! 

Core Groove 1: Step 1

Now that you have the four counts down, it's time to layer in a bass drum note on each count 1 (also known as the downbeat).

Core Groove 1: Step 2

Now replace the bass drum with a snare drum note.  

Core Groove 1: Step 3

It is time to play the 1st completed Core Groove!  Alternate the bass drum and snare drum notes on every downbeat (count 1).  The bass drum and snare drum go back and forth and are separated by 4 high hat notes.  

Core Groove 1 (Fours)

Playalong

Now, alternate the bass drum and snare drum notes on every downbeat (count 1) but separate them by 3 high hat notes.  That gives you Core Groove #2!  

Core Groove 2 (Threes)

Playalong

Now, alternate the bass drum and snare drum notes on every downbeat (count 1) but separate them by 2 high hat notes.  That gives you Core Groove #3!  

Core Groove 3 (Two's)

Playalong

Core Groove 4

Now, alternate the bass drum and snare drum on every beat.  This time, there are no high hat notes in between the bass and snare drum. 

Quick Explanation

Playalong

Congratulations getting through these!  These four core grooves will set the stage for more grooves to come.  Keep practicing and check out the next lesson to continue your drumming journey!  

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