Whether you’re playing live or recording your music, there’s a good chance you know some of the most famous drums beats in music history. These drum songs have become so famous that drum sets have become an essential part of popular music. Whether you’re playing a drum solo or a funk track, there are some great grooves that you can play to get a crowd going.
The Most Famous Drum Beats
One of the most famous drum beats of all time is the Amen Break. This beat has been used in many popular music songs, including “Keep It Going Now” by Rob Base and “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A. It’s a seven-second drum break that has been sampled thousands of times. It is also one of the most recorded drum breaks in music history.
Another drum beat that has made its mark on the music world is the Clyde Stubblefield drum break. This beat, which features a combination of syncopated bass drum strokes and basic drum beats for beginners, has been sampled more than 1400 times and was released as a single in 1970. It’s also one of the most sampled drum breaks in history.
Amen Break
While the most famous drum beat is the Amen Break, there are also a few other songs that are considered to be iconic. These songs are also used in various pop, rock, and Latin genres. These are the top 20 most recognizable drum beats, voted on by the Drumeo community. You can also learn more about these songs and play them back with complete transcriptions on Drumeo.
blazing-fast tempo
In the 1980s, Toto’s “Rosanna” became one of the most popular songs. This drum pattern features a left-foot lead double bass shuffle pattern and a triplet-based ride cymbal bell pattern. The central ride groove also features a blazing-fast tempo that is challenging for drummers.
12/8 drum beat
Another drum beat has become a staple in funk music is the 12/8 drum beat. This groove is used in blues music, ballads, and slow rock tunes. A twelve-note beat is typically measured in expected four-four times, but it can also be played with different subdivisions. For example, the drums may play a 12-note shuffle pattern and a 12-note march beat.
Dem Bow
The drum break “Dem Bow” is another very recognizable beat. This beat is a derivative of the Bossa Nova beat. It’s a percussion beat that uses accented bass drum strokes to create a syncopated sound. It’s also one of the first drum breaks to use a clave rhythm, which is used in Latin American music.
accented hi-hat cymbals
While many drum beats are simply a snare and kick pattern, others include accented hi-hat cymbals. These cymbals are open on offbeats, which gives the beat a more funky sound. In addition to cymbal accents, the drums can also be played in sixteenth-note rhythms.
Drummers have been creating recognizable drum grooves since the 1930s. During the 1930s, Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa played a floor tom groove together, a rhythm played by striking the floor with three drumsticks.