Vater Beat Poster by Steve Fidyk
Drummers keep time by playing BEATS. For most situations, the music and musicianship within the ensemble will determine your approach to beat development. For contemporary music, the quarter note pulse is the foundation and the SUBDIVISIONS between each quarter note give a particular style its identity.
This poster features fifty beats for practice organized by genre. They are intended to provide the player with a diverse collection that can be used in a variety of musical situations. Practice these examples with a metronome or drum machine at the prescribed tempo markings. This experience will better prepare you for contemporary work in a recording studio. The best way I know to learn and understand a particular style of music is my listening to recordings and interfacing with live musicians. Check out the recorded performances for each beat excerpt featured on this poster and pay close attention to the way each drummer plays time, grooves, and interacts with the rhythm section and ensemble. - Steve Fidyk
