Groove LVL 1 - Downbeats and Backbeats

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Groove is a related study to rhythm, and so therefore it comes next. When studying groove it is important not to consciously count, you must prioritize feeling/hearing/automating the groove. For our introduction to groove we will be using a simple drumbeat. It is very important to work along with a drum set in order to naturalize the modern musician's sense of groove, so go ahead and download the .MP3 here: www.tyrannystudios.com/brga/ecourse/5mindrumbeat.mp3

While listening to the drum beat, pay very close attention to the two primary elements of the drums/pulse. The kick drum (the low booming thud felt more than it's heard), and the snare drum (the higher clapping sound that is heard more than it's felt). These are your two main elements to study for now. The kick drum embodies the downbeat[citation needed] and the snare drum embodies the backbeat, think of these as synonyms of each other. The downbeat is considered the start and the stronger pulse of the two primary beats, and the backbeat consequently is the weaker of the two beats. If we began counting a measure along with the drums we would find that the downbeat/kick lands on counts 1 and 3, and the backbeat/snare lands on counts 2 and 4.

What we want to do to practice groove is play something (any given note, chord, string, etc.) simultaneously as either the kick drum (downbeat) OR the snare drum (backbeat). When playing to the downbeat, do your very best to play at the exact time as the kick drum. Really listen to yourself and the drum kit, and meditate on this. This isn't meant to be difficult, it is rather zen. After getting confident with playing to the downbeat, try doing the same thing but with the opposite element, the backbeat.

Once you are able to identify the downbeat and the backbeat and play along to it, the real practice comes from being able to pivot from one to the other "without skipping a beat" as the saying goes. So for example let's grab an A5 power chord, and play along to the downbeat (kick). Once you are playing confidently to the downbeat (kick), start thinking about transitioning to the backbeat (snare). First you need to listen for the backbeat, find it, imagine playing with it, all while maintaining your groove with the downbeat. Once you're ready, SWITCH and transition to playing only the backbeat (snare). Forget about playing along to the downbeat (kick) and concentrate on only playing to the backbeat (snare). Get your bearing, and when you're ready, see if you can reverse the steps and return to the downbeat (kick). Repeat. Always repeat.

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