How to Play a Train Beat | Drum Lesson | Stephen Taylor Drum Lessons

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Snag the full song drum transcription to "The World" here: bit.ly/322Cvvs Subscribe or I will make this a bro country drum cover channel: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb I have been getting a lot of questions about how to play a country train drum beat lately. So, here's a quick drum lesson on how to play a train drum beat. Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

[@ArtDrumz]

Question Stephen! Do people ever debate whether a train beat is made of 8th notes on the snare accenting 2 and 4 OR as 16th notes with accents on all the off beat 8th notes? I personally think of a train beat as 16th notes with accents on the offbeat 8ths. But I don't know if people from different places think of those things differently. When it comes to notating, you would have fewer bars writing it as 16th notes, but there doesn't seem to be a huge advantage between the two is there?

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Arthur Garwood Delahooke So both notations are a train beat. The thing that will tell you whether it’s notated as 16ths or 8ths is the movement of the chords and the melody. Sure, you can make an argument on most any song as to which way it’s notated, but really the song should tell you how to notate it. And that will come from the chord movement and melody.

[@ArtDrumz]

@@StephenTaylorDrums thanks for the clarification! Love the channel man ! 💪🤘👌

[@pietzsche]

search nine inch nails wish Josh Freese for a spectacular train beat. Not country but much wow.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

pietzsche love freese. Killer player

[@vigt548]

I'm 71 yrs old and this has been a life long mystery to me. I'm not a musician but I can flounder around good enough on a few different instruments for ne to enjoy - Thanks so much.

[@TJ-eq6dl]

My train runs on paraddidles single double triple,diddles,triplets,choo choo Stephen you’ve helped me a lot over time ,Thanks.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

T J makes my day to hear that

[@surfinjim]

The train is probably the only groove I play on my drums, I've been playing this for decades with same excitement as on day 1 😀 That's all I need to be happy... Thank you for this excellent video, I never have enough train 😂 Now because of this video, my neighbors will hear the train for hours today, once again...

[@ThalisUmobi]

Wow, that snare is sounding so good!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks so much...we're gettin' her dialed in. Loving it myself

[@MarcoTorrance]

I'm not a drummer but an audio engineer. And sometimes I got the chance to play various drums. And the train was the first thing I could play. Weird, right? Well I couldn't keep up the beat for long, but I was amazed how I felt the rhythm inside of me.

[@stephensciucco3074]

Great Stuff !s Always Stephen gonna use in my lessons Hnyr24 man

[@951258tike22]

this is so awesome, my band and I wrote a song recently that I always refer to as "the country song" just because this beat felt right, but I never knew the actual name of it! I also agree with how hard it is to play clean and to get sounding halfway decent; wasnt expecting that going into it!

[@bartbraverman5979]

I'm a new drummer, and this explanation of the train beat was simple and straightforward. Thanks.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

So glad it helped!

[@ljdunsmore1]

easy to process but hard as hell to make it sound perfect.. especially fast.. a very under estimated drum beat! good video as always!

[@stevepethel6843]

Thank you Jesus for Stephen. This is a great lesson gift to us thank you Stephen.

[@jedidrummerjake]

All aboard the Taylor train! Choo choo!!!

[@bigmess9192]

Very nice. I am getting ready to play for a local country band, and have always been rock. The way you explained the adding fills and flare didn’t happen then, made so much more sense to me. Beautiful simplicity. Thank you.

[@motoriffer7557]

Easiest Train beat lesson I've seen. Good teachers matter!

[@rixpix2957]

Wow I learned a lot here. Thank you.

[@davidhazlett5809]

Excellent tutorial, executed perfectly, and musical wisdom

[@kendricksparks4975]

I learn something new from you every video, I really appreciate everything that you are giving us. Thank you!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

So glad the vids help Kendrick

[@casesoutherland4175]

I'm a left-handed drummer and the one drum beat I wanted to make sure I had down before I started playing drums on stage was the train beat! I've played with a couple of drummers that always accent on the 2 and 4 with the bass drum when attempting a train beat and it completely throws me off! Now, the train beat is my favorite drumbeat and I practice it everyday on my kit!

[@Chucktales]

This is an incredible explanation of how the groove has to fit the music/song. Example, the song wagon wheel, one of the easiest drum patterns on paper, but for me, I struggled to play it and groove like how the song is suppose to be felt. Awesome explanation! Thank you!

[@mason3307]

Seems so simple, sounds like utter garbage when I play it. Hahaha. Time and effort...time and effort.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Maze M simple is not always easy for sure

[@markclarke6908]

I feel your pain...😆

[@natespencer40]

Practice makes perfect. If you can't get it 3 times in one sitting, come back later before it becomes muscle memory

[@michaellibretta3144]

Dude you are the Man... your so right with over killing no matter what style your playing

[@user-tv5dt3nm9y]

Bro country, hilarious. Really enjoy what I hear on WMOT.

[@byron3453]

I’ve been thinking about learning how to do this for a while now... it would be pretty awesome to try it with multi pedal technique on the bottom.

[@romanandriyash4176]

Huge thank you! You open my eyes how to play correctly right that beat! Thank You!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Roman Andriyash you bet Roman

[@ajparr5585]

I’m so glad u said this was hard because I’ve really struggled with it.

[@arbarb7204]

Charlie crochket is an exceptional country musician. He maintained the flavor and style of the past.

[@terrytk9398]

Thanks for posting & as always expertly demonstrated. The term ‘stylistically correct’ is great as it is a good universal concept to apply to fills in every musical genre. The train beat is an excellent test of practical snare drum technique. I’ve found that the first 4 pages of Charley Wilcoxon “wrist & finger stroke control” 1951 (published as CW4 in his series) will offer anyone a lifetime study of short fills for the train - and other- beats. 😀👍

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Terry Tk I love that!

[@sammywest]

Thank you so much and best wishes from Ansbach Germany 💖🎸 Sammy

[@ELIDOTORG]

When ever I think of a train beat think of ballroom blitz

[@Daniel_Rodrigues_89]

There is a lot of it in "Two Step" from Dave Matthews Band too. Any live version of this song on KZbin is a good example of Carter Beauford going CRAZY around this concept - drum solo included.

[@ljdunsmore1]

Think "Devil went down to Georgia"

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

Yep, a sick example indeed!

[@homespunhomefragrance5659]

“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson instantly comes to mind when I think of “train beat.”

[@walrusplayer]

Orange blossom special by Johhny cash

[@REMY_L3beau]

Great as always Stephen!!!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Andrew Mendoza Thanks andrew

[@keeperofthecheese]

For the most unusual application of a train beat, listen to Nine Inch Nails "Wish".

[@raymendoza8157]

NIN fan here! Wow! Who'da thought!

[@hwd7]

I'm not a fan of Country Music, but I love that train beat.

[@ryanpotts5791]

Great lesson! Deep dive into the style!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Ryan Potts thanks Ryan! Only way to learn any style is that deep dive

[@ryanpotts5791]

@@StephenTaylorDrums anytime! I love your lessons I always learn so much!

[@themikelewis94]

Great video dude! Super helpful. Thank you!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad to hear it!

[@ryansnyderstudio]

Awesome tutorial Stephen

[@pubglitenoobee4484]

Thank you Sir for the Lesson..👍

[@bp6837]

I didnt realize HHH is so good at drums :)

[@theego2897]

0:24 The Price Is Right wrong answer sound

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

The Ego I lived that show when I was a kid lol

[@theego2897]

@@StephenTaylorDrums Haha, me too!

[@aaxelawaseb4507]

Thank you for your work it helps... Don't STOP**

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Axel Awaseb never!

[@AbbyMarmionMusic]

This is great! Thanks...

[@peterknispel4020]

Excellent Stephan. I just played a gig and had to learn some country. The one song I enjoyed playing as "Wagon Wheel" by "Darius Tucker" where I used my hot rods on the snare and played the train beat in a real swung format the whole way. It came out great and the band loved my performance

[@meekoloco]

Love it Stephen

[@galleryofrogues]

Such a fun beat to play!

[@marceloalexandre546]

Another very nice lesson! Thanks.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

marcelo alexandre Thanks Marcelo and you’re more than welcome

[@marceloalexandre546]

@@StephenTaylorDrums :)

[@rbollman1]

Great Lesson for me... Tks !!!

[@cwTheDrummist]

Love the train groove!

[@MrJacobThrall]

I was on a train, on a bright, hazy day, heading along the coast, away from where I was starting to make a new home back to my hometown where I grew up - going home and leaving home at the same time: feeling wistful in both directions! - and Mrs. Potter's Lullaby by Counting Crows came on. Living the essence of what a train beat always sounded like, while listening to a train beat. So since then, that's been THE train beat for me.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Jacob Thrall there was a time that I was completely addicted to that song. I thought it was an incredible story and so well composed. And you’re right, great train beat. If you’re ever on a road trip, throw on their greatest hits. That and tom Pettys greatest hits. Two great driving compilations.

[@SabiaCDO]

Can’t thank you enough for all your videos.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Claudio Gomes Sanchez my pleasure Claudio

[@SabiaCDO]

Stephen Taylor I started 3 months ago. On an Alesis nitro mesh kit. So... I really can use any professional guidance I can find. And yours help a lot.

[@christina.irrgang]

Simple version sounds good. That's enough. Thanks for the video

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet

[@icebreaker447]

You have the best snare I’ve ever heard!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

DinoBrosYT thank you!

[@Drummer9]

As always, very informative.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Donald Mcnulty glad to hear it Donald

[@wapperteen6087]

Looking big, man! Thanks for the lesson!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thank you my friend

[@miksinful]

Amazing lesson man! I'm gonna try those stylistically correct fills for sure! 🤙

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad you dug it!

[@kula1986a]

yes, that is the real groove of coutry music :)

[@colinmicheller.f.c.5655]

First class. 👏👏

[@KB-sm6pj]

Great lesson!

[@garycraig9636]

Nice 👍. Love it. Johnny Cash.

[@mattytee4514]

Love myself a good train beat. But your so right, you have to be stylistically correct with it, and it varies depending on the song.. another great vid Steve. Thanks.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Matty Tee thanks matty

[@rorymells3405]

Thank you for explaining. I have a gig coming up on the 28th with a new band I’m playing with. There’s a song with a train beat. I’m trying to learn but should I ask to do an alternate song until I really get this down? Not sure if I can get it “down” by the 28th. I come mostly from a rock/folk background and would really like to learn this bluegrass/country more…

[@joshwilson6473]

You what is crazy. I just spent about 2 weeks getting ready for a gig. There were a couple songs with a train beat in it. I was ignorant and thought I didn’t need to practice a train beat because I thought it was easy. But I’ve also never used it like ever in my playing and when I was on stage I realize that even if it’s simple you need to feel it and get comfortable with it. Not sure if they’ll ever ask me to fill in again, but I am going to work on this just in case.

[@1979GenXdude]

That snare....😍😍😍

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Hilbert Kuipers thank you

[@markielinhart]

Brilliant. Thanks 👏🇦🇺👋

[@Soavejo3]

Thanks for this

[@peterknispel4020]

Hey Stephen. What I meant to say about that gig I played playing "Wagon Wheel" as the train beat with a bit of a different sticking where I played that back beat on 2&4 with the left hand and all the other notes with the right hand instead of alternate sticking. Felt good.

[@Jordan-fn9fz]

What is confusing to me is in the description of the pattern at 1:50 ish, the kick on 1 and 3 are simultaneous with the strike of the 8th and accented 8th of the right hand, with the left hand up. But in the faster demonstration at 2:30, it appears to switch, with the kick coming in as the left hand hits the snare, and the right hand up. I can play a train beat ok with the first method, but my right hand and right foot are so connected in my brain and muscle memory, I find it nearly impossible to do it as shown at 2:30. Is one or the other more correct? Id like to learn the right way, but also if it doesn't matter, one of them I can already play.

[@0Somerandomguy01]

It's interesting to me that you teach it as 1/8th notes accenting 2&4 when every other lesson I've had teaches it as a 1/16th notes accenting the &. I know you're a Nashville guy, so I take your word and I'll throw this in to my learning repertoire. I am curious as to what your reasoning is for teaching it this way. Thanks for all you do for us drummers out here!!

[@evacody1249]

Because he is not teaching someone how to play prog rock/metal where it will be some odd time signature that no one in there right mind would ever want to play.

[@0Somerandomguy01]

@@evacody1249 I was asking about subdivisions, not time signatures. If you're unaware of the difference, you need to learn.

[@mrbtapir]

Not classic country but one of my favourite examples of this kind of beat is 'drug deal' by the Del Lords.

[@donkkong5551]

Spot on bro! I am a guitar player who has dabbled in drumming my whole life never really fully getting the best stick control and always struggling with a train beat. Your lesson has helped me and I plan on spending a 1/2 hour a day on this beat till I get it.. You are 100% right about the "Feel" as that goes with a lot of things in music in general. The drummer in my band is an excellent drummer but his train beat is not good and it is tough because as a guitar player I am influenced by a lot of chicken picking players and I want a couple of those grooves in our arsenal, how do I break it down to him without offending him.

[@leogolive]

Ok, I just started learning drums. I didn’t know I liked country music lol!

[@raykanter3985]

You have the hands of a Concert Violinist.

[@NA-ii3tb]

Loved the video : )

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

thanks so much!

[@habit681]

Excellent lesson as always Stephen, thanks.....would you be able to tell me the notation for a couple of those great little fills on the snare, cheers!

[@shamicentertainment1262]

the metal song adios by rammstein uses this drum beat in the verses I think.

[@fipsstoppel967]

... thanks for help... i'm playing better now... pleasure

[@nickw5424]

Great video, thanks! Is this also commonly played as a double stroke roll for faster tempos?

[@miyahollands6136]

Hi. What I wanted to ask was: do you have any tips on independence! Thou, your feet are walking (bass, hats, bass....), while your hands are doing something different, so this would help with independence.

[@elvinlackeyii5157]

Ray Hollands marching band helps with that a lot, especially if u play marching snare

[@RorRiiZzLE]

The train groove kinda reminds me of how the groove of a shuffle feels. Are these two related at all in like drumming history, or is it just coincidence that the train groove gives a similar feel to a shuffle groove? I understand if you don’t have a complete answer to that, but I more so wanna know if you feel the same similarity in the two grooves that I am. It sounds like it has to do with the main backbeat and then the ghost notes.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Rory Smith if you straighten a shuffle out and put it on the snare, it’s a train beat. As well, you can play a swing train beat, which is a shuffle on the snare. Radar Love is an example of that. Cajun music has some similar beats as well. They’re all intertwined

[@miyahollands6136]

Hi. Should be great for some tips on independence!

[@TingTingalingy]

2:38 I was waiting for Chattahoochee to queue up

[@reallyjoereally4781]

Thanks dude, is this the same beat used in Radar Love by Golden Earring?

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Really Joe Really yea but it’s got a swing to it in that one. So more of a shuffled train.

[@garydonnelly100]

People, you need to explore this. There are infinite things that can be done with it. Also, there are different "attitudes" of train feels...it's not all about bluegrass but others like cajun and other N'awlins types of train feels as well as rockabilly, blues and numerous others. Don't think of it as a "beat" but as a feel. They each have a different swing quality that adds to the authenticity of those styles. What Stephen is demonstrating and what he probably said a gazillions times is that this is merely the starting point. Once you are nailing this in context you can start exploring. Stickings, accents, inner dynamics, all manner of creative stuff. Different vibes, different flavors. Your bandmates will freakin' love you.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Couldn’t agree more

[@michaelpolutta3131]

Maybe the best train beat ever kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGrZgpKvbq99Z6c

[@mejsjalv]

Train beat... sure, you're talking about country music, but when you start playing the groove... "my heart...MY HEART KICKSTART MY HEART".

[@fualar]

Thanks, Sir! 👌

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet!

[@mrdan5943]

Oh man that sounded really cool. I've got teached that long time ago but my friend called it the mama papa beat 😂 looks like I have to go back to it again one day because it is a good way to practice for staying constantly in the beat no matter what. Thanks man!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

xXMad DoGXx you bet!

[@mattpurcell3369]

The hardest thing for me as I transition from the 4 on the floor groove, is accenting with right hand....I suppose it can be done with left?

[@canturgan]

Nice tuning.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks!

[@andrewgarlock4728]

Hey Steven, any chance you could do a pseudo military march beat, such as "I wanna be in the cavalry" by Corb Lund?

[@SFA985]

Baby likes to rock it - the Tractors

[@jasonryan2243]

Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (Electric Drill Song) by Mr. Big uses that exact beat if im not wrong? So definitely has its place in rock music as well.

[@HFgoregrind]

Huge lesson, as usual. Thank you

[@pyroseed13]

Also used in NIN's "Wish"

[@lukeskywalkman8428]

What kind of sticks do you recommend??

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Sticks are a completely personal thing. I use Vic Firth 5a

[@lukeskywalkman8428]

Stephen Taylor Thank you!! I'll try!

[@VanessaSimon26]

What about “ I’ve Been Everywhere “ playing and sung by Johnny Cash. I believe originally it was written by someone else. But I would like to know the drum style on that. Please. Is it train? Just faster?

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

It is a train. Cash had his own variety of a train beat for sure

[@VanessaSimon26]

@@StephenTaylorDrums thanks. Is there anything at all called “March “ for drum styles? I am not a drummer and a singer but I love tidbits of information that are clever and I just like to know. I like my mind being filled with useful information.

[@XeRo333]

Was shown the train beat as 16th notes accenting the & of each pulse

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You can think of it like that as well. Really just depends on the style

[@XeRo333]

@@StephenTaylorDrums right! Either way, it's a fun beat to play

[@jghillstudio1857]

Amen on the correct way to play this grove. Easy on the gym there Stephen looks like you will be learning new techniques to get out of the way of those pythons. LOL!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

JG Hill Drums sorry, I couldn’t hear you. My biceps were in the way 😂 Been cutting some for the summer. Apparently eating ice cream late at night ISN’T Good for you?!?!

[@jghillstudio1857]

Stephen Taylor Dude!

[@BludgeonRiffola87]

You’re such an amazing teacher. Thank you so much for all of your videos and inspiration.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

BludgeonRiffola87 thanks so much my friend

[@williamtorres3670]

This was a good video I learned a few things 👍🏽

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

William Torres glad to hear it William!

[@kenaldri4923]

I've never known anyone else to call these train beats. I thought I invented the term. I don't listen to that much country, but I invented it to refer to songs with titles that referenced trains, then were put to a train beat. Like "Railways" by Brother Ape. There is also a Pat Metheny song about trains.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

Musically, I've only ever had one dream: I'm at the mic, band behind me, I turn to the drummer and say, "Hey Jimmy, Gimme a train" and within the beat, Drummer takes off

[@fredelin2580]

Fills= Another way to say it (...), if I may, is that the Train beat is in '2' (well that is essential !) and students tries to do a fill that would be played in 4/4.