Rhythm Backing Tracks 
in 
Quadruple Meter

 

Quadruple meter is the most common type, by a lot. Fast or slow, basic or complex, this is the type of meter you hear the most - no matter what kind of music you listen to. 

In quadruple meter the musical time is arranged in groups of four beats, ‘four beats per measure’ as we say. So the math is: you count to four.

I think you got this. 

If you want a very simple version of quadruple meter, see my Rhythm Backing Tracks for steady beat. It's as basic as it gets. 

 

Below are some quadruple RBTs that are more idiomatic, more like songs.

Enjoy!

BASIC ROCK GROOVE  

“THE Basic Rock Groove”

This is it. Know this and you will be able to listen to almost any recorded song, find and count the beat, and begin to figure out how to play it.

 

There is no agreed-upon, universal term for the groove, but this one is used pretty often so it's the one I chose here. There are thousands of variations of the Basic Rock Groove but a few fundamental parts make up the basic version of it and that will help you to understand many of the more complex versions.


You need to have good rhythm, good time, to play music well. You need to feel it to play it, you need to count it to feel it, you need to know it to count it. 

The quick and dirty of it is this, 

How you count it: 

KICK drum:          1               3    

SNARE drum:              2              4  

HI-HAT cymbal:  1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

 

A nice grid:

 

Each groove below 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 here two types of variation:

  1. Variations within any measure
  2. Fills at the end of a group of four, eight, or sixteen measures

Below are play-along videos for several different versions of the Basic Rock Groove. Each is played at several different speeds. 

 

Basic Rock Groove 1: Gone Shootin'

Main Pattern: Hi-hat is played tight, but with much variation. Very little variation in the kick and snare. Overall playing is very strong and solid. This groove is inspired by the song “Gone Shootin'” by AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd.

Variations & Fills: Subtle. Mostly quarters and 8ths on various cymbals.

Meter: Quadruple Simple

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: see below 

1. Rhythm Backing Track in Quadruple Meter - Basic Rock Groove 1 - 95BPM

 

2. Rhythm Backing Track in Quadruple Meter - Basic Rock Groove 1 - 110BPM

 

3. Rhythm Backing Track in Quadruple Meter - Basic Rock Groove 1 - 122BPM

this is the tempo of “Gone Shootin'” by AC/DC

 

4. Rhythm Backing Track in Quadruple Meter - Basic Rock Groove 1 - 130BPM

 

Basic Rock Groove 2: smooth & light

Main Pattern: It's the basic rock pattern, with a lot of variation throughout. Overall playing is smooth and with a light touch.

Variations & Fills: Simple, yet played a little bit busy. You'll hear some 'ghost notes' in the snare and cymbal.

Meter: Quadruple Simple

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: see below 

 

1. Rhythm Backing Track in Quadruple Meter - Basic Rock Groove 2 - 80BPM

2. Rhythm Backing Track in Quadruple Meter - Basic Rock Groove 2 - 111BPM

3. Rhythm Backing Track in Quadruple Meter - Basic Rock Groove 2 - 124BPM

Basic Rock Groove 3: Werewolves of London

This RBT is actually the entire song in its original arrangement. The drums were played by Mick Fleetwood (as in Fleetwood Mac). Click here for a full lesson on Werewolves of London.

Main Pattern: Basic rock pattern. The kick drum varies a lot, making little low melodies. Listen for the crash cymbal every two measures. 

Variations & Fills: Simple. 

Meter: Quadruple Simple

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: see below 

Slower

Original Tempo

Faster