Hey there, fellow drum enthusiasts! Let me guess: you’ve recently started playing the drums and want to put your initial progress behind the kit into practice. Does that sound about right? Fantastic, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to look at 11 of the easiest songs for beginner drummers to master, ranging from ultra-simple beats to slightly more challenging rhythms.
The beats below are all relatively simple. I’m sure you’ll recognize them all! You might be surprised that catchy tracks like these were recorded with pretty basic beats. There might be more to a song, but at least for today, we’re keeping it simple and won’t bother with any fills or note-for-note transcriptions.
You can download each beat and play along with the songs in the videos.
In This Article
Your First 2 Drum Songs: Get To Know The “Money Beat”
Let’s start with the Money Beat! What’s a money beat, you ask? It’s a simple beat that has become a go-to pattern for drummers and producers, often contributing to songs’ commercial success—hence the “money” part. Typically, it consists of a bass drum on beats 1 and 3, a snare drum on beats 2 and 4, and eighth notes on the hi-hat.
The Money Beat is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly drum patterns. Mastering this beat will allow you to play along with countless popular songs across various genres. You’d be surprized how many songs are built on a Money Beat. Let’s kick it off with a banger:
“Billie Jean” - Michael Jackson
- Tempo: 117 BPM
- Drummer: Ndugu Chancler
- Difficulty: 2/5
Billie Jean - Money Beat
One of the most iconic beats in Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean.’ Play it from the first beat to the very last!
Open Billie Jean - Money Beat in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
“Back in Black” - AC/DC - Basic Groove
- Tempo: 93 BPM
- Drummer: Phil Rudd
- Difficulty: 1/5
You see, a catchy tune doesn’t need complex grooves! And it’s not just for Pop Music. “Back in Black” by AC/DC uses the Money Beat quite extensively:
Back in Black - Basic Groove
A straightforward rock groove from AC/DC’s classic hit ‘Back in Black.’
Open Back in Black - Basic Groove in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
Money Beat Modifications
Now that we got that down, two songs you’ve certainly heard before that sport slight adaptations to the money beat. They’re both played slow enough that you should be able to incorporate these changes. Congrats, you’re a drummer now!
“Seven Nation Army” - The White Stripes
- Tempo: 124 BPM
- Drummer: Meg White
- Difficulty: Verse 1/5, Chorus: 3/5
Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes used the Money Beat, albeit in a slightly modified version. We play eighth notes on the Floor Tom instead of the Hi-Hat.
Seven Nation Army - Verse
The beginning of the Verse is played without Snare on 2 and 4. The song builds slowly, adding it later in the Verse. However, to simplify, you can play it from the beginning.
Open Seven Nation Army - Verse in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
Seven Nation Army wouldn’t be the same song without the iconic Chorus. The drums are played along with the guitar riff. If you’re a beginner, this can be a fun challenge that is not too hard to play:
Seven Nation Army - Chorus
The 3rd measure contains a quarter note triplet played along with the guitar. Take a listen!
Open Seven Nation Army - Chorus in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
“Island In The Sun” - Weezer
- Tempo: 114 BPM
- Drummer: Patrick Wilson
- Difficulty: Chorus: 3/5
“Island in the Sun” by Weezer is the perfect anthem for a beautiful summer day. It also uses the money beat, alternating with a slightly more complex beat:
Island In The Sun - Groove
In the second measure, we’re adding a few more bass drum hits played along with the bass line. Give it a try - or leave it out. It still works with a straight Money Beat.
Open Island In The Sun - Groove in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
Four-On-The-Floor (Disco Beat)
Ah, the disco beat! It’s like the heartbeat of a glittery dance floor. Imagine a drum kit wearing bell-bottoms and platform shoes, strutting under a disco ball. The four-on-the-floor rhythm is so infectious it could make a statue boogie. It’s the beat that says, “Hey, let’s dance until we can’t feel our feet anymore!”
The four-on-the-floor beat is a drummer’s best friend when it comes to keeping the dance floor busy. With the bass drum hitting every quarter note, no wonder your feet get a workout!
This beat is incredibly versatile and forms the foundation for many pop and dance tracks. Once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be able to play along with countless hit songs.
“Stayin’ Alive” - Bee Gees
- Tempo: 114 BPM
- Drummer: Drum machine
- Difficulty: 1/5
What song better exemplifies the four-on-the-floor than the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive”?
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
Play the kick drum with every quarter note, and keep the backbeat on the Snare on 2 and 4. Otherwise, straight 8th notes on the hi-hat.
Open Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
“Another One Bites The Dust” - Queen
- Tempo: 110 BPM
- Drummer: Roger Taylor
- Difficulty: 1/5
Now that we’ve grooved through the disco era with the Bee Gees let’s transition into the rock-driven beats of the 80s. One band that genuinely defined this era with their unforgettable drum patterns and anthems is Queen. As complex as Freddie’s songwriting was, Roger Taylor could play a dead simple rhythm and still rock the house:
Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
Straight four-on-the-floor throughout the song. There’s a fill here and there, but we will skip them for this song.
Open Another One Bites The Dust - Queen in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
“No One” - Alicia Keys
- Tempo: 89 BPM
- Drummer: Drum Machine
- Difficulty: 2/5
We’re jumping into the 2000s and observing the disco beat remains as popular as ever. Alicia Keys incorporated this timeless rhythm into her signature R&B style with her song “No One.”
No One - Alicia Keys
Start each measure with a crash. In addition, play the Crash on 1, 3, and 4 in the 4th measure. Otherwise, stick to straight four-on-the-floor. These four measures get looped throughout the song.
Open No One - Alicia Keys in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
Next Level: Notes on Subdivisions
So far, we’ve just played the bass drum on whole notes, but this is going to change! Let’s try something more involved on the kick:
“Thinking Out Loud” - Ed Sheeran
- Tempo: 80 BPM
- Drummer: Jake Gosling
- Difficulty: 3/5
With this next level, we’re starting nice and slow:
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
A more intricate beat from Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud.’ The bass drum plays the 1, and-of-2, and the and-of-3, keeping the backbeat on the Snare.
Open Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
“Free Fallin’” - Tom Petty
- Tempo: 84 BPM
- Drummer: Randall Marsh
- Difficulty: 3/5
Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” was written in just two days with Jeff Lynne. Its simple drum pattern and profound lyrics make it a timeless classic, with a slightly more complex groove, but still manageable tempo. The groove is similar to Ed Sheeran’s. If you’ve managed that one, you’ll be able to play Free Fallin’!
Free Falling - Tom Petty
Play the bass drum on 1 and the and-of-2. Otherwise, steady backbeat and eighth notes on the hi-hat.
Open Free Falling - Tom Petty in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
“Yellow” - Coldplay
- Tempo: 87 BPM
- Drummer: Will Champion
- Difficulty: Verse 2/5, Chorus: 3/5
One of Coldplay’s hits, “Yellow,” made them a worldwide phenomenon. At 87 bpm, it’s slow enough for beginners to play it.
Yellow - Coldplay - Verse
For the Verse, play the bass drum on 1, 3, and the and-of-3.
Open Yellow - Coldplay - Verse in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
The Chorus rhythm in Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ is the same as in Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
Yellow - Coldplay - Chorus
The bass drum plays the 1, and-of-2, and the and-of-3, keeping the backbeat on the Snare.
Open Yellow - Coldplay - Chorus in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
Step It Up a Notch
Now that you’ve mastered some basic drum patterns, let’s challenge ourselves with slightly more complex patterns. Remember, take it slow and break down each part if needed.
The Clash’s “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” was my first venture into (Punk) Rock Music. This all-time-favorite of mine will be our last challenge for today. We’ll look at the Verse, which should feel manageable, and the two Chorus grooves.
“Should I Stay or Should I Go” - The Clash
- Tempo: 114 BPM
- Drummer: Topper Headon
- Difficulty: Verse 3/5, Chorus: 4/5
Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash - Verse
Play the kick drum on 1, and-of-2, and on the and-of-3
Open Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash - Verse in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
The Chorus for this song is played in double-time, or the equivalent of 228 bpm. Phew, are you ready?
Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash - Chorus
The hi-hat is only played on each quarter note, keeping the tempo from the Verse. The bass drum on the 1 and the and-of-3 is probably the most challenging part at this tempo.
Open Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash - Chorus in the Beat Note app to change the tempo
The Chorus also sports this exciting groove. It adds toms to the mix. While the original kick drum does much more heavy lifting, we use the toms to spice up the groove. You can play it in a reverse paradiddle and play the right hand on the high tom R R L R. For more on paradiddles, check out our Cooking with Paradiddles post.
Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash - Chorus Tom Groove
Kick drum on the 1, and a reverse paradiddle playing the Snare and High Tom, ending with the same kick on the and-of-3 as in the first part of the Chorus.
That should give you enough material to jam for hours. Put on a playliust and play along these hits!
And if all of these were too easy for you, you might want to try yourself at our Foo Fighter’s Everlong for Beginners tutorial.