Drums · Level 4 · Pop, R&B and funk
Sixteenth-note hi-hat groove
Don’t just read about the sixteenth-note hi-hat groove. Play it.
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The hi-hat plays four notes per beat with one hand, a steady sixteenth-note pulse that drives pop and R&B.
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 e & a 2 e & a…” and accent each beat slightly on the hi-hat.
- Add the bass drum, then the snare, one part at a time.
- Set the tempo to 56 BPM and play the full groove four times without stopping.
- Raise the tempo to 80 BPM once it feels easy.
- Record a take and listen for sixteen even hi-hat notes with no gaps when the snare plays.
Listen for
Aim for sixteen even hi-hat notes with no gaps when the snare plays. A common mistake is tensing up as the tempo rises; stay relaxed and lower the tempo if needed.
Why it works
Sixteenth notes split each beat in four. Accenting the beat keeps the groove from sounding like a machine.
Questions
How do you count the sixteenth-note hi-hat groove?
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 sixteenth-note hi-hat groove at?
Start around 56 BPM and work up to 80 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 4 groove. If it feels too hard, go back to “Pop ballad groove”.