DUPLE GROOVES
Rhythm Backing Tracks in Duple Meter
Each groove starts out at its most basic. However variations are a part of all drum playing, so after the first 8 or 16 bars you will hear two types of variation:
- Variations within any measure
- Fills at the end of a group of four, eight, or sixteen measures
Below are play-along videos for several different duple meter grooves. Each is played at several different speeds.
Duple Groove number 1
We Will Rock You
Main Pattern: The “stomp, stomp, clap” rhythm of the original studio recording. In live concerts, this was performed as a drum pattern by Queen drummer Roger Taylor. The “stomp, stomp” part was composed of the kick drum and two floor toms, which he played with a “flam”. The “clap” part was a snare drum, played with a “flam”.
What is a FLAM??? It’s when the drummer hits a drum with both sticks, hard, with one just slightly after the other. The resulting tone is powerful and loud and ‘thicker’ if you will. The sound is like when you say the word FLAM.
VARIATIONS & FILLS: I keep to the pattern for the first half, with a crash cymbal every 16 bars or so. The second half of the track I made some variations so you can hear how the original can be changed and developed. Just keep up your counting.
This main pattern is the “source material” for the groove. You can always hear it, but there will be variations as noted above.
Variations & Fills: Subtle. Mostly quarters and 8ths on various cymbals.
Meter: Duple Simple
Time Signature: 2/4
How you count it:
KICK drum/Floor tom: 1 &
SNARE drum: 2
A nice grid:
1. Rhythm Backing Track in Duple Meter Groove 1 - 60BPM
2. Rhythm Backing Track in Duple Meter Groove 1 - 70BPM
3. Rhythm Backing Track in Duple Meter Groove 1 - 81BPM
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL TEMPO OF WE WILL ROCK YOU
4. Rhythm Backing Track in Duple Meter Groove 1 - 92BPM
Duple Groove number 2
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
The song is from the album Led Zeppelin III. Bron-Y-Aur is the name of a small cottage in Wales where the band wrote a lot of songs. It’s pronounced “bron y-eye-er” sort of. Welsh is hard.
The lyrics are dedicated to singer Robert Plant’s dog. Awwwww!
Main Pattern: Kick-Hat, Kick-Hat. all the way through, counted as “1 & 2 & ”
This pattern is inspired by the song Bron-Y-Aur Stomp by Led Zeppelin drummer THE MIGHTY JOHN BONHAM. With such a simple pattern it is truly wonderful how much variation and interest Bonham keeps up throughout the entire song. It is very much worth your listening time.
Variations & Fills: After a few 16 bar repetitions of the basic pattern, I begin to incorporate some of Bonham’s original variations, mainly led by the kick drum. You will also hear much variation in how the hi-hat cymbal is played. Later on handclaps come in, and a shaker or two.
Meter: Duple Simple
Time Signature: 2/4
How You Count It:
THE COUNT: “1 & 2 &”
KICK drum: 1 2
Hi HAT cymbal: & &
A nice grid:
1. Rhythm Backing Track in Duple Meter - Groove 2 - 82BPM
NOTICE:
I included this specific tempo for a reason. It happens to fit perfectly with “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry!!!
This is relevant to nothing. And there are no drums at all in that song. But it’s really fun and you should play it! ;-)
2.Rhythm Backing Track in Duple Meter - Groove 2 - 96BPM
3. Rhythm Backing Track in Duple Meter - Groove 2 - 109BPM
NOTICE: This is the original tempo for Bron-Y-Aur Stomp