Beat Patterns

How to read the grid

One bar of 4/4 is split into 16 steps. Count it out loud:

1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a

• The numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) are the beats — where you tap your foot.
• The "&"s are halfway between beats.
• The "e" and "a" are the in-between-in-between (sixteenth notes).

X = hit. . = rest.

The pop drum kit

• Kick — low "boom." Gives the song weight.
• Snare / Clap — sharp "crack" on beats 2 and 4. The part you clap along to.
• Hi-hat — "tss." Keeps time and adds energy.

Golden rule: keep the snare on 2 and 4. Change anything else.

1. Basic Rock / Pop

Works for almost everything.

         1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Hi-hat   X . X . X . X . X . X . X . X .
Snare    . . . . X . . . . . . . X . . .
Kick     X . . . . . . . X . X . . . . .

2. Four on the Floor

Dance, disco, EDM. Kick on every beat.

         1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Hi-hat   . . X . . . X . . . X . . . X .
Clap     . . . . X . . . . . . . X . . .
Kick     X . . . X . . . X . . . X . . .

3. Half-Time

Feels slower and heavier, even at the same tempo. Snare only on beat 3.

         1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Hi-hat   X . X . X . X . X . X . X . X .
Snare    . . . . . . . . X . . . . . . .
Kick     X . . . . . . X . . . . . . . .

4. Ballad

Slow and spacious. Hi-hat on beats only.

         1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Hi-hat   X . . . X . . . X . . . X . . .
Snare    . . . . X . . . . . . . X . . .
Kick     X . . . . . . . X . . . . . . .

5. Trap

Hip-hop and modern pop. Fast hi-hats, half-time snare.

         1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Hi-hat   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Snare    . . . . . . . . X . . . . . . .
Kick     X . . . . . . X . . X . . . . .

6. Dembow (Reggaeton)

Latin pop. The snare pattern is the signature.

         1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Snare    . . . X . . X . . . . X . . X .
Kick     X . . . X . . . X . . . X . . .

Make the chords move too

Play your progression three ways. Which fits your song?

• Whole notes: one hit per bar, let it ring. → ballad
• Quarter notes: hit on 1, 2, 3, 4. → driving
• The push: hit on 1, then on the "&" of 2, then hold. Say it: ONE two AND three four. → modern pop

On ukulele, these become strum patterns, plus two more (island strum and the chuck). See Ukulele Songwriter's Guide.

My beat: ______________________ My strum: ______________________