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How to Do Blast Beats

Blast beats are often heard in such genres as metal, hardcore and grindcore. Blast beats consist of eighth notes on the kick drum, eighth notes on the down beat of the hi hat or crash and 16th notes on the snare. This beat can be performed using either hand to hit the snare, hi hat or crash. In this case, the right hand will strike the hi hat, the left hand will strike the snare and the kick drum will be played alternating between both feet.

Things You'll Need

  • Metronome
  • Drum set
  • Double kick pedal
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a metronome to help keep you in time. Choose a slow timing such as 60 beats per minute to build your muscle memory.

    • 2

      Strike the kick drum starting with your right foot and alternate strikes between your feet in eighth notes performing a normal double kick pattern.

    • 3

      Incorporate the hi hat into your beat. Strike the hi hat with your dominant hand using quarter notes while continuing to play the double kick eighth note pattern. The hi hat should strike on every other kick drum hit following your dominant foot.

    • 4

      Use your non-dominant hand to strike the snare drum in the pattern of eighth notes. The snare hand should hit along with every kick drum hit.

    • 5

      Practice your blast beat at slow beats per minute until you can play the blast beat playing 32nd notes with your feet and snare hand while playing 16th notes on your hi hat or crash cymbal. The more you practice, the faster you will get.

Music Basics

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