Beats - Part One - Preparation
For beats, you want to start off by playing the high hat for a long period of time. Get used to timing. Don't rush. Timing is important because the drummer is the most important part of a band. The drummer sets the tempo. Now, when getting used to timing, use one hand, and once you can play the high hat for a long period of time without speeding up or slowing down, play a roll with both hands. Try to do this without speeding up or slowing down
Playing beats
Now, to playing actual beats. Do what you learned to do for preparation. Count aloud "1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4". Keep playing and on beats "1" and "3", play the bass drum. On the other 2 beats, AKA 3 and 4, play the snare. You should have this:
Hi hat and snare
hi hat and bass
hi hat and snare
etc.
Now, notice how there is one hi hat hit in between Each snare hit. Now try doing two. It will help to count "1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3". Play the bass drum on 2 and 3. Play the snare on 1. Keep repeating. This is what you will get:
Hi hat and snare
hi hat and bass
hi hat and bass
hi hat and snare
etc.
The most used beat would be with 3 hi hat hits in between snare hits. For this you can count 1-2-3-4 like the first beat. You can play the snare on 1,2,3, or 4. Then, after the snare hit, play one hi hat play the bass drum. You will get this
Hi hat and snare
hi hat
hi hat and bass
hi hat
hi hat and snare
repeat.....
