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Year 7 - Music

The role of the open and closed hi-hat in an RnB drum groove

Fills and variation in RnB drum grooves

Unit Summary

This unit develops pupil understanding of drum grooves, specifically how to create variation through adding embellishments around the basic rock groove. Pupils also learn about the fundamental shared features of pop music.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to play a hi-hat pattern using both open and closed positions.

Key Notes

  • The hi-hat can be played open, which produces longer vibrations, or closed, which produces a cleaner, short sound.
  • Hi-hat quavers, with an open hi-hat on the last quaver of a bar, can provide a typical pattern for an R'n'B drum groove.
  • When recording different parts in to a DAW it can be helpful to solo the track so you can hear it clearly.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • solo: to listen to the music in one track in a DAW you need to solo that track
  • open hi-hat: an open hi-hat is played with the two cymbals apart
  • closed hi-hat: a closed hi-hat is played with the two cymbals meeting

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • You can play an open hi-hat all the way through the bar or anywhere in the pattern.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

The hi-hat can be played open, which produces longer vibrations, or closed, which produces a cleaner, short sound. Hi-hat quavers, with an open hi-hat on the last quaver of a bar, can provide a typical pattern for an R'n'B drum groove.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'solo'

to listen to the music in one track in a DAW you need to solo that track.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: You can play an open hi-hat all the way through the bar or anywhere in the pattern. Correction: The hi-hat can be played open at any point, but it shouldn't be overused, and stylistically it works well on the last quaver or off the beat.

More Lessons In This Unit

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