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Rockers reggae drum pattern

Reggae counted with the skank on the ands, a kick marching on every beat under the one-drop rim; heavy and steady, often slower than a one drop. Here are its drums on a step grid, at the tempo it starts at, to hear and to change.

72 BPM · Live kit · 1 bar

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
The rockers reggae drum pattern: the steps each drum plays
DrumSteps
Closed hat1, 3 (soft), 5, 7 (soft), 9, 11 (soft), 13, 15 (soft)
Cross-stick9
Kick1, 5, 9, 13
Open these drums in the editor

They open as one drum lane on a step grid, at 72 BPM. No account needed to start.

How rockers reggae drums go

A kick on every beat (beat 3 hardest), the cross-stick on beat 3 with it, eighth hats; no snare backbeat.

Questions about rockers reggae drums

What BPM is rockers reggae?

Usually 60 to 85 BPM. This pattern plays at 72 BPM.

How do you make a rockers reggae drum pattern?

Start with the kick on steps 1, 5, 9 and 13, the cross-stick on step 9 and the closed hi-hat on steps 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. 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 rockers reggae 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.

More Caribbean drum patterns

DancehallReggaeSocaSteppers

Make a rockers reggae beat

The free editor opens with a whole rockers reggae beat: drums, bass and chords, each part yours to change, add to or take away.

Make a rockers reggae beatAll drum patterns

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