Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit introduces pupils to the DAW as a composition tool and the fundamental features of a simple rock beat. They learn about the importance of a balance of repetition and contrast in music and how they might create this. They are introduced to the basic functions of DAW recording.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify the role of the kick and the snare in a drum groove and play a typical rock pattern.

Key Notes

• A drum groove is the main rhythm or beat played by the drums in piece of music.
• The kick and snare drums play an important role within the groove.
• In rock and most pop music, the snare usually plays a backbeat, which emphasizes the 2nd and 4th beats of a bar.
• The kick drum often plays on the 1st and 3rd beats.
• You can use a digital audio workstation (DAW) to play and create drum grooves.

Vocabulary To Learn

• kick: the bass drum in the middle of a drum kit
• snare: a medium sized drum with a set of wires underneath the lower skin to create a distinctive sound
• drum groove: the overall rhythmic feel created by the kick and snare patterns
• back beat: a back beat is played on the 2nd and 4th beats of a bar, usually on a snare drum
• digital audio workstation: a digital audio workstation (DAW) is a piece of software for recording, editing, producing and composing

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Pupils start playing on the snare because they are used to reading left to right.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Creating variation to a fundamental drum groove Study Guide
• Synthesized drum sounds Study Guide
• The role of the hi-hat in a drum groove Study Guide