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Bass Drum Backbeat

by Michael Green

The backbeat--definitely a staple in American music, Rock and Roll, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Country and so on and so forth. We drummers put a lot of thought and time into playing snare drum on "2" and "4." And rightfully so, your backbeat can make or break you in the eyes and ears of other musicians. But what happens when the backbeat gets transferred to the bass drum? I remember the first time I tried to do this, all the years of emphasizing the snare drum on "2" and "4" started to work against me and my feet and hands did not want to co-operate. I thought for this month's article I would present some examples where the bass drum is essentially being used as a backbeat. Lets look at a few different situations in a few different styles of music.

First let's look at a very common appearance of the bass drum playing the backbeat in typical rock beat setting when the band "breaks it down." The first measure is the basic idea. The second measure, with a flam on the snare on the down beat, is a nice way to set the mood.

Quite often in a big band or jazz setting the whole rhythm section will accent "2" and "4." I like to splash the hi-hat with my left foot along with the bass drum. The first measure is meant to get you used to the triplet subdivision and the second is the basic idea.

This example is based on a samba feel. During my studies with Chester Thompson he liked to use this kind of idea to change up a typical samba. The first measure here will help you get used to the added sixteenth notes to the bass drum backbeat. The second measure gives more of a latin flavor.

The last example here brings us into the world of reggae. You can play the sixteenth notes straight or, to make it really groove, swing the sixteenth notes. The first measure will get you used to the subdivision. The second measure adds the reggae spice. Note that the snare is played on the rim, also know as the "side-stick."

Well that should be enough to shake up some of your natural tendencies. I hope that this article has been informative and fun. Feel free to email comments to me at michaeldrums@gmail.com.

Best wishes,
Michael