Drums · Level 5 · Ballads and soul
6/8 groove
Don’t just read about the 6/8 groove. Play it.
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Six eighth notes per bar, felt in two big beats. The rocking groove of slow soul ballads.
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. Count “1 2 3 4 5 6” and feel the two big pulses on 1 and 4.
- Add the bass drum, then the snare, one part at a time.
- Set the tempo to 42 BPM and play the full groove four times without stopping.
- Raise the tempo to 60 BPM once it feels easy.
- Record a take and listen for the snare on 4 sounding like the middle of the bar.
Listen for
Aim for the snare on 4 sounding like the middle of the bar. A common mistake is playing it like 4/4; there are six notes, not eight.
Why it works
In 6/8 each beat divides into three, like a waltz played twice per bar.
Questions
How do you count the 6/8 groove?
It is in 6/8. Count 1 trip let 2 trip let for each bar.
What tempo should I practise the 6/8 groove at?
Start around 42 BPM and work up to 60 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 5 groove. If it feels too hard, go back to “Reggae one drop”.