Drums · Level 2 · Dance, disco and house
Four on the floor
Don’t just read about the four on the floor. Play it.
Create a free TempoJam account in 30 seconds. Then try the tuner, metronome and Jam Room free for 14 days and record your first take tonight.
A bass drum on every beat and the hi-hat in between: the engine of disco, house and most dance music.
Tap an instrument name to mute it and play that part yourself.
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a steady groove.
- Press play and listen to the whole groove twice before you play.
- Mute every row except the hi-hat (or ride) and play along with the rest. Keep the bass drum foot light and even; the hi-hat plays only on the “&”.
- Add the bass drum, then the snare, one part at a time.
- Set the tempo to 78 BPM and play the full groove four times without stopping.
- Raise the tempo to 112 BPM once it feels easy.
- Record a take and listen for four bass drum notes that all sound the same.
Listen for
Aim for four bass drum notes that all sound the same. A common mistake is playing the hi-hat on the beat out of habit; it belongs between the kicks.
Why it works
Putting the hi-hat on the off-beat creates the ‘pumping’ feel dancers move to.
Questions
How do you count the four on the floor?
It is in 4/4. Count 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a for each bar.
What tempo should I practise the four on the floor at?
Start around 78 BPM and work up to 112 BPM. Only speed up when you can play it four times in a row without mistakes.
Is this drum lesson right for my level?
It is a level 2 groove. If it feels too hard, go back to “Basic rock beat”.