House Music Drum Patterns: The Basics
Contents
Before you can start writing your own house music drum patterns, it is important to understand the basics. In this blog post, we will cover the basics of house music drum patterns so that you can start writing your own.
Introduction
House music is a genre of music that originated in the United States in the 1980s. It is characterized by a heavy use of electronic instruments, particularly synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers. House music is generally easier to dance to than other genres of music because it has a strong beat that can be followed easily. Because of this, it is often used in clubs and other venues where people are dancing.
The House Music Drum Pattern
The house music drum pattern is a key element of the genre, and is often what defines it from other forms of electronic dance music. The drum pattern is usually in 4/4 time, with a kick drum on every quarter note and a snare on the 2 and 4. The hi-hats are often syncopated, and may be played on every quarter note or every other quarter note. The house music drum pattern can vary in complexity, but the basic idea is always the same: four-on-the-floor beats with a consistent kick and snare pattern.
The Basic House Music Drum Pattern
The basic house music drum pattern is a four on the floor beat with a kick drum on beats one and three, and a snare on beats two and four. The hi-hats usually play eighth notes throughout the entire pattern.
The Most Important Part of the House Music Drum Pattern
The hi-hat is the most important part of the house music drum pattern. It is the main beat that keeps the tempo and gives the music its characteristic sound. The hi-hat can be played with a variety of strokes, but the most common is the quarter note.
The hi-hat is usually played on beats two and four, with a snare drum on beat three. This creates a strong backbeat that drives the music forward. The hi-hat can also be played on all four beats, giving the music a more laid-back feel.
In addition to the hi-hat, other drums can be used to create a variety of house music drum patterns. The snare drum can be used to add color and texture to the pattern, and the kick drum can be used for accenting certain beats.
The House Music Drum Pattern Variations
There are three main variations of the house music drum pattern:
The first is the original drum machine-based sound that was popularized in the 1980s. This sound is typified by a simple 4/4 beat with a strong bass drum on the 1 and 3, and a hi-hat on beats 2 and 4.
The second variation is more influenced by disco and funk, and includes a variety of different percussion instruments in addition to the drum machine. This sound is typified by a 4/4 beat with a strong bass drum on the 1 and 3, and a hi-hat or other percussion instrument on beats 2 and 4.
The third variation is influenced by techno and electronica, and is typified by a more complex beat with multiple percussion instruments. This sound often has multiple layers, with different percussion instruments playing on different beats.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this quick guide to house music drum patterns! As you can see, there are a few basic elements that all house tracks share. By understanding these basics, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own dancefloor anthems.
