Writing Your Own Drum Beats

In this article, guest-blogger Wietse Hendriks shows you how to write and compose your own drum parts. Covering topics like where to find inspiration and how to deal with band leaders, conductors and composers, Wietse taps into his twelve-and-a-half years of experience as a drummer.

Actually here to learn more about drum notation? Then check out this article.

Imagine

Where do you start when someone asks you to come up with your own drum beat for a certain song? Over the years, I’ve seen a fair number of drummers (as well as other musicians) freeze following this exact question. Being put on the spot like this isn’t easy. While drummers usually play along to an existing song or play a pre-written part, there are countless times when you have to improvise. The first time I was asked to improvise I was part of a symphony orchestra. The conductor wasn’t happy with what we were doing and flung words like ‘zip’, ‘panache’ and ‘vigour’ at me in an attempt to explain how they wanted me to drum. I decided I needed to figure out how to come up with my own parts then and there.

Step by Step

When you’re suddenly forced to improvise, it can be difficult to find a good starting point.

Your first step is to count. Count along with the beat and, if possible, ask the band to play it on repeat so you can get a better understanding of how the song is structured.
Once you’ve figured out the timing, start drumming along in a simple groove and let your fellow musicians know what you’re doing.
While you play the basic groove, the next step is to figure out the feel of the song. Listen to the other musicians. Are they playing fast or slowly? Loudly or softly? In major or in minor? If the song has lyrics, be sure to read them or ask someone to explain them to you so that you understand the meaning behind the song. Your band leader or conductor will generally know what each song is about.
Once you’ve figured out the feel, you can start expanding on the basic groove you’ve been playing by adding an effect or accent, going for off-beats or doing something radically different.

Writing Your Own Drum Beats

Sit Back and Listen

There are countless different styles. Some well-known drummers have such a specific style and sound that you can recognise them from the first measure. The most important thing that any drummer who wants to write their own song material can do is listen to as many different styles and drummers as you can. This not only expands your musical vocabulary, but allows you to improvise based on parts you’ve heard before, perhaps even parts from your favourite drummers.

Experiment With Different Sounds

You can easily switch up your sound without switching kits. Take playing a groove on your toms. If you play your toms more gently, you can very subtly back up the band. If you play your toms more forcefully, you can make the crowd go wild. Experimentation is key here. Just don’t forget to consider the style of the song and the style of the musicians you play with. You don’t want to stray too far.

The Biggest ‘Don’t When Writing Drum Parts

Inexperienced drummers sometimes get a little too caught up trying to get into the spotlight. Instead of listening or thinking, they’ll go all-out, banging on as many drumheads as they physically can in the process. If this is you, then don’t be surprised if your band leader starts looking for a new drummer directly after the show. As I’ve said before, it’s crucial that you listen to what the song needs. This means doing your thing at the right moment.

Writing Your Own Drum Beats

The Required Gear

Do you need special gear to write your own parts? You actually don’t, but as always, there are some bits of kit that can make life a little easier.

If you can read musical notation, then sheet music and a music stand are essential. Trust me, memorising parts is much harder than you might think. In fact, Queen and Bowie would’ve lost their improvised masterpiece ‘Under Pressure’ if they had never written it out.
Use different sticks, shells and cymbals to discover new sounds. Sticks and cymbals are especially good for experimenting with your sound. Thinner sticks are great for jazz, while chunkier drumsticks are better for styles like metal.
With a practice pad, you can quietly jam, practise and improvise in between playing sessions.

Recap

Listening is a core skill for writing drummers. Attentively listening to the piece you’re writing a part for, and listening to different styles and drummers is the key to success. Writing your parts in the comfort of your own home or rehearsal room is always the easiest, but sometimes, you’re going to have to improvise on the spot, and that’s when it’s best to start out with a simple groove and take it from there. And remember, ultimately, it’s all about making every song sound as good as it possibly can. Sometimes, that means putting your ego aside. Good luck!

Where do you get your inspiration from and what does your writing process look like? Tell us below!