Intro to the 8th Beat

If you want to be a successful drummer, the first step is to master the 8th beat technique. It’s the foundation for many of the drum beats you will encounter in popular music and is found in numerous songs from the 60s through today.

This technique gets its name because every stroke of the groove falls directly in-line with the 8th notes being played on the hi-hat. If you find yourself playing a bass or snare stroke that isn’t in sync with the hi-hat, you’re playing it incorrectly.

Ostinato [os-ti-nah-toh]

An ostinato is the part of the groove that repeats over and over. All 8th beat grooves share the 8th note ostinato, which is played with the right stick, or the left stick, if you’re playing left-handed (see below).

Popular 8th Beat Groove Examples

The “Mother of All Rock Beats” from the earlier page was your first 8th beat. To continue exploring 8th beat grooves, here are four popular songs also using this technique. These grooves are used in many songs from the 60s through today, but here are a few examples. Remember to consider the learning techniques explained previously as you try to play these.

Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top

Take a Walk – Passion Pit

Note:

Take it Easy – The Eagles

All I Want – Toad the Wet Sprocket