UD#28 Strum Like a Drummer: Backbeat

Posted on October 14, 2013 by guido

UD#28 STRUM LIKE A DRUMMER: BACKBEAT (and Right Hand Muting)
from Ukulele in the Dark
w/ Guido Heistek

Hear is a definition of backbeat:

back·beat  n. “A sharp rhythmic accent on the second and fourth beats of a measure in 4/4 time, characteristic of rock music.”

Hmmm…but how do we do that that?

I don’t like getting too technical and getting people to count and try to put stresses on certain beats. Instead I’d like us to play backbeat by FEEL.

Let’s start by listening:

Here’s a recording of a rhythm with a strong backbeat being played on the drums.

(go here if it won’t play http://snd.sc/1hM3Vq7)

There are several drums involved:

It is the snare drum that is usually emphasizing the backbeat in rock music.

Let’s listen to a few more recordings.

1. See you if you can identify the kick drum, high-hat and snare drum.

2. Once you’ve identified the snare drum try clapping along. I want you to get a feel for where those snare drum hits land!

Proud Mary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljvFK-S2RZc

Heroes:

 

 

This is a recording of me playing backbeat on a guitar. The chords are D and G, like the beginning of Heroes by David Bowie. I play along with the drum track from earlier. Please come back to this recording to jam along once you’ve got a feel for the strum.

(go here if it doesn’t play http://snd.sc/1gapCF0)

 

OKAY LET’S DO IT ON OUR UKES!

In the video below I show you how to play a backbeat rhythm on your uke. I follow the HEAR IT, SING IT, FEEL IT, STRUM IT approach that I introduce in my DVD, HEAR the STRUM. Enjoy!

NOTE: There are many ways to play back beat on the uke. You can add stresses with the right hand, you can mute with the left hand, or you can mute with the right hand. In today’s lesson I show you how to do it by muting with the right hand. Enjoy!
Here’s the video! HOW TO PLAY BACK BEAT ON THE UKE:

Okay, that’s all for this week,

See you next time!

Guido

PICK UP A GIFT FOR YOURSELF OR THE UKULELE FAN IN YOUR LIFE. VISIT THE UKULELE IN THE DARK SHOP.

 

 

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