Here’s Groove Of The Week #47:

We’re keeping things simple this week. We’re taking a common groove and just adding some open hi-hats to it to make it sound funkier. Let’s get to learning!

Get The Groove

Let’s start of with the basic groove we’re changing up:

This groove has been featured in many songs and is one of my favourites to play. However, we’re going to augment it with open hi-hats to create a new groove.

You most often hear open hi-hats on the off-beats, and most commonly on the “&” of four. However, they can be played on the beat also to great effect. Check out these songs to hear the open hi-hat being played on the beat:

• Walk This Way – Aerosmith
• Umbrella – Rihanna
• The Man Who Can’t Be Moved – The Script
• You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
• Squib Cakes – Tower Of Power.

Here’s our groove modified to include the open hi-hat:

If you’re not comfortable putting the hi-hat on the beat then this may feel strange to you at first. As always, when you’re playing open hi-hats, try to make them sound the same and last for the same duration. Focus on closing the hi-hat together with the right hand on the “&” of 3 and the “&” of 4.

Taking It Further

Once you get comfortable playing the open hi-hat on beats 3 and 4, try adding it to other beats. Here’s some examples:

Our first two variations are very common 8th note rock beats. The final variation features a 16th note bass drum on the “ah” of 3; this might cause some co-ordination issues. Take it slow until you can make it sound good.

I hope you’ve enjoyed Groove Of The Week #47. If you’re in Singapore and you’d like a free trial drum lesson, send us a message on the contact us page.