Brandon Toews - The Drummers Toolbox

One of the first styles of rock music to emerge in the 1950s was pop rock. This was, and still is today, one of the most commercially successful styles of rock music.

Pop rock places emphasis on lyrical content, song arrangements, and music production. This style of music features typical rock instrumentation without the volume and aggression associated with other rock styles like grunge, hard rock, and punk rock. In fact, pop rock was originally combating the aggressive attitude associated with rock and roll (which was another of the very first styles of rock music to emerge during the late 1940s). Thats why pop rock is so commercially successful: it appeals to a wider audience. Some of the most successful pop rock artists and bands in history include The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Oasis, Coldplay, and Fleetwood Mac.

Pop rock drumming is all about money beats. These are simple drum beats, with backbeats played on beats two and four, that result in a paycheck. If you want to be a professional drummer, these are the beats that you need to know. Take the time to master the grooves used in pop rock, and youll thank yourself later. While money beats are the most popular beats played in pop rock music, there are still exceptions where drummers will play more complex beats (youll learn some of these in this section as well). When playing the examples in this section, focus on achieving a consistent overall sound with your hi-hats, bass drum, and snare drum. Specifically, pay attention to your volume and intensity. Keep all of these things in mind when youre practicing these pop rock grooves: imagine youre in the studio recording the perfect drum track for the next big radio hit. This is the ideal mindset when playing pop rock music on the drums.

This is the most famous pop rock money beat around, appearing on countless recordings. You can listen to Steve Jordan perform this example in the song Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer at 0:07.

Start by playing steady eighth notes on your hi-hats.

Now, add in the bass drum pattern.

Lastly, add in the snare drum backbeats on beats two and four.

This money beat features a four on the floor bass drum pattern.

If I Never See Your Face Again by Maroon 5 features this drum beat played by Matt Flynn. You can hear him perform this beat in the verse at 0:18.

Heres an example of a money beat with a more syncopated bass drum pattern.

This example is played by Ringo Starr in the song Let It Be by The Beatles. It features a one-handed sixteenth note hi-hat pattern. You can also try playing this groove at faster tempos by using both hands on the hi-hats. Check it out in the recording at 2:02.

This last example is quite complex. When Jonathan Sugarfoot MoffettMichael Jacksons final touring drummercame to Drumeo, he performed this groove at the beginning of his live lesson in the song Wanna Be Startin Somethin by Michael Jackson. Comparing it with the programmed drum groove in the studio recording, youll hear that this variation features the addition of extra bass drum strokes and hi-hat openings. If youre anything like me, youll probably be obsessed with this groove for a few weeks.