Bossa nova drum pattern
Written in 4/4 eighths at 120-145 (2/4 at 60-72); straight, never swung like jazz; quiet and swaying. Here are its drums on a step grid, at the tempo it starts at, to hear and to change.
130 BPM · Jazz brushes · 2 bars
The pattern, step by step
Each step is a sixteenth note, four to a beat: step 1 is beat 1, 5 is beat 2, 9 is beat 3 and 13 is beat 4. A lit square is a hit; a fainter one is played softer.
- Hit
- Softer hit
| Drum | Bar 1 | Bar 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ride | 1 (soft), 3 (soft), 5 (soft), 7 (soft), 9 (soft), 11 (soft), 13 (soft), 15 (soft) | 1 (soft), 3 (soft), 5 (soft), 7 (soft), 9 (soft), 11 (soft), 13 (soft), 15 (soft) |
| Cross-stick | 1, 7, 13 | 5, 11 |
| Kick | 1, 7 (soft), 9, 15 (soft) | 1, 7 (soft), 9, 15 (soft) |
They open as one drum lane on a step grid, at 130 BPM. No account needed to start.
How bossa nova drums go
Brushes and cross-stick, no backbeat: a soft kick on the surdo figure (1, the and of 2, 3, the and of 4), the bossa clave on the cross-stick over two bars (1, the and of 2, 4 | 2, the and of 3), a steady eighth shaker or ride.
Questions about bossa nova drums
What BPM is bossa nova?
Usually 120 to 145 BPM. This pattern plays at 130 BPM.
How do you make a bossa nova drum pattern?
Start with the kick on steps 1, 7, 9 and 15, the cross-stick on steps 1, 7 and 13 and the ride on steps 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15, then follow the grid for bar 2. Each step is a sixteenth note, four to a beat: step 1 is beat 1, 5 is beat 2, 9 is beat 3 and 13 is beat 4. Open it in the free editor to change any step.
Do bossa nova drums swing?
No: every hit lands straight on the grid. The editor’s Steps view can add swing if you want the groove to bounce.
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Make a bossa nova beat
The free editor opens with a whole bossa nova beat: drums, bass and chords, each part yours to change, add to or take away.
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