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Standard Rock Beat Overview

The document outlines various basic rock beats and their characteristics, including examples of songs that utilize each beat style. It covers standard rock grooves, four-on-the-floor patterns, off-beat rhythms, stomp beats, surf beats, Motown grooves, and syncopated kick patterns. Each section provides a list of notable songs that exemplify the respective drumming style.

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7 views2 pages

Standard Rock Beat Overview

The document outlines various basic rock beats and their characteristics, including examples of songs that utilize each beat style. It covers standard rock grooves, four-on-the-floor patterns, off-beat rhythms, stomp beats, surf beats, Motown grooves, and syncopated kick patterns. Each section provides a list of notable songs that exemplify the respective drumming style.

Uploaded by

uncivilized tom
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Basic Rock Beat

Standard straight rock groove—kick on 1 & 3, snare on 2 & 4, hi-hats eighths or quarters.

Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

Back in Black – AC/DC

Highway to Hell – AC/DC

I Love It Loud – Kiss

Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day

When You Were Young – The Killers

Island in the Sun – Weezer

Body Is a Wonderland – John Mayer

Another One Bites the Dust – Queen

Don't Change – INXS

21 Guns – Green Day

Supersonic – Oasis

Again – Lenny Kravitz

You Only Get What You Give – New Radicals

2. Basic Rock Beat (with Floor Toms)


Basic rock groove with prominent floor toms to add heaviness or tribal texture.

Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

Enter Sandman – Metallica

3. Four on the Floor


Kick drum hits on every beat (1-2-3-4), often danceable or disco-inspired.

Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees

No One – Alicia Keys

I’m Good (Waffa)

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

Hot N Cold – Katy Perry

Stuck in the Middle With You – Stealers Wheel

Day Tripper – The Beatles (chorus only)

Float On – Modest Mouse (sixteenth-note hi-hats)

Miss You – The Rolling Stones (swing/disco groove)

4. Off-Beat Rock Beat


Kick placed on "ands" or in unexpected spots—adds bounce or swagger.

Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC

Beat It – Michael Jackson

Hold On – Alabama Shakes

Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash

Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

My Gun – The Reubens

Piece of Peace – Spearhead

Losing My Religion – R.E.M. (kick on & of 2)

I Wanna Hold Your Hand – The Beatles (verse only)

Hurts So Good – John Mellencamp (kick on & of 4)

Where Is the Love – Black Eyed Peas (kick on & of 2 and 4)

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses (similar syncopation)

5. Stomp Beat + Hi-Hats


“Stomp-style” beat like “We Will Rock You,” often with added hats or crashes.

Yellow – Coldplay (verse only)

The Joker – Steve Miller Band

Dakota – Stereophonics

Day Tripper – The Beatles (verse only)

6. Surf Beat
Two snares per bar—classic surf rock pattern.

Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys

7. Motown Groove
Swingy/syncopated kick/snare pattern typical of 1960s Motown records.

Reach Out I’ll Be There – The Four Tops

8. Syncopated Kick Pattern


Complex or less predictable kick placements—adds texture or tension.

Coin Laundry – Lisa Mitchell (two kicks, rest, kick)

Come As You Are – Nirvana (syncs with bassline)

Monsta – Benee

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