How To Play The Drum Beat From "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" By Tears For Fears

Shoutout to channel members Malcolm and Graham for suggesting this classic groove, originally played by Manny Elias.
Transcriptions and practice-alongs for each version of the groove here (channel members): www.buymeacoffee.com/mikebarn...
My note-for-note cover of this song is here: • Everybody Wants To Rul...
If you’ve enjoyed these videos or found them useful, please consider supporting my channel via my “Buy Me A Coffee” page here: www.buymeacoffee.com/mikebarn..., where you can support or sign up as a monthly member.
As a channel member, you get a complimentary Zoom session as well a personalized practice plan and lots of other benefits - including priority requests for videos on this channel, access to Zoom lessons, full lesson breakdown videos of drum covers and full notation to accompany tutorial videos on the channel.
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Mike :)

[@hwd7]

You are the first drummer I have heard actually explain this in an understandable way. You totally nailed it.

[@td-12kx53]

So this is how that song is played! I could never figure this song out. I always had 6/8 pattern I used for it, but never could figure out the main groove. Damn! It’s that simple too! Thanks, Mike!👍👍

[@garyHKJ]

Hey Mr. Mike Barnes! Thanks for the very clear drum tutorial. Finally! You've help me played this song 👍

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Gary!

[@gfinch856]

Dude - Your philosophy and talent make this a joy to watch, bless you for this awesome vid.

[@truthteller4442]

Thanks for this, man. This song is INCREDIBLY difficult to drum like the original. I’ve been playing it the second way you demonstrated, which I’m sure is how most of us play it, but I’ll give this proper original a shot.

[@garethrouse6161]

Finally nailed Mike!! Yep slowed it down got my head and hands to learn the pattern and practiced the heck out of it thank you! Anyone on the fence about signing up as a channel member, get off it now as you're missing out on a fantastic drum teacher/mentor.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Too kind and great work, cheers Gareth!

[@ScottFautley]

Struggled with this song for a very long time. I finally got it after following this. That’s worth me subscribing. I find the slightly more complicated version of the ‘simple’ variation the easiest funnily though, just feels the most natural to me. Thanks again

[@mrsusan5672]

I've been struggling to get my head round this rhythm for ages, your triplet explanation is the best I've seen!

[@joshbertrand9979]

You’re a life saver. That stupid shaker had me using the high hat like a mad man. It’s my first week playing the drums and thanks to you, I can play this all the way through and now my right foot is gonna fall off. I’ll be sending you the medical bill and a thank you note! (:

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers, this is a VERY challenging groove for someone in their first week of drumming. I'd recommend starting at the beginning and building your skills up. Thanks for watching!

[@joshbertrand9979]

@@MikeBarnesDrums I’ve got it down pat, now I’m on to your next tutorial! Thanks for everything you do!

[@davidc4565]

Excellent breakdown as always Mike, thanks so much!!👍🏻

[@bytorsnowdog5885]

Best breakdown of this groove on KZbin! Man, I wish I could count things out the way you do.

[@ivannio8519]

Yeah man! I love this song. Great playing Mike Barnes :)

[@edssan]

Your drumming is squeaky clean, brotha!! Love to watch you do it over and again!! 😊

[@thats_so_rydon2055]

I'm glad to see that the variations I came up with were the same! The only other one I've been trying was placing the kicks one the 1st and 3rd triplets every beat. Awesome breakdown! :)

[@LukeKroeker]

Phenomenal breakdown, cheers!

[@jarrahdrum]

this is great, thank you for explaining this and making it easier to understand

[@jchope777]

Fun learning from you! Awesome drummer & always a happy camper!

[@user-su3kx4hc8v]

You are very very professional and helpful.you deserve from us to say thank you too much for your help ❤❤❤

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Thank you.

[@steveanderson6180]

Once again a wonderful example of you demonstrating what I believe is more important than almost everything else. Joy, fun, enthusiasm.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Steve! Thanks for being here as always :)

[@PhilipDSouza]

Great video! Your explanation was simply awesome, clear and clean

[@tcchen3384]

I see the really great breaking down of playing steps, that is really good to me how to do, thanks

[@cyngus2112]

Thank you! Good explanation with a few other variations.

[@DanielSilva-bt5yh]

Thanks for the lesson Guy!

[@KennethHard]

I learned this beat about a year ago and the band I was going to play it with never ended up doing it. I came here to for a refresher course, and man, what a great teacher you are, Mike Barnes! Thanks for getting me back in it! Got all three hat patterns down. Funny how the 1/4 hat sounds the best to me. I'm sure I'll like the 8th note triplet feel much more once I learn to groove it with the right fills. At any rate - THANKS!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Kenneth! So glad you dig and thanks for watching.

[@doczaino]

"You've got to build" - brilliantly said, Mike. I've been in and out of music all my life, but this knowledge that goes towards everything. The destination should always be on the horizon, because the work is what should be fulfilling. It's the patience and day-to-day practice that leads to long term joy. With love from America, Doc.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Well said!

[@GaryBook]

You always lay down the perfect grooves!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

🙏🏻👊🏻

[@lindy-loumaddock5979]

I love this 'showing your brain what to do'. I have to work this slowly with every new groove I learn. I also love what you said about sleeping on it. I have come back to the new pattern the following day, and it seems to 'settle' in then! It all makes so much sense, now. Thanks!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Great! Yes I use these ideas daily, 30 years into playing the drums. Thanks for watching and glad if helpful.

[@JWTHAMES1]

Thank you very much for the tutorial!!

[@khodrisalim3575]

Excellent work!

[@udayadityapatil]

thanks for the tutorial. learnt this in no time

[@user-fk2nd8zc6i]

Thank You very much! Great comments for great groove.

[@thiagomarques8961]

Hi Mike, the best of explication... very very thanks for your dedication.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Thiago!

[@bethanneguerrera8237]

Your a bad ass ! Great teacher . Thank you

[@jesusmtz29]

Amazing! Thanks to you explanation I got the groove! You're the man Mike cheers mate

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Nice one, cheers Jesus!

[@gianlucadelucia4081]

I like this magic lasson😍😍 really thanks

[@Laudaweb63]

Beautiful 👏👏👏👏

[@tosinmcboy]

Hey Mr Mike. Thank you for starting the drum video start of the hi hat

[@andyrobbo2722]

Love this song

[@colinreynolds9600]

Brilliant Mike ..be great to learn that as well ...Iove it .. Col

[@daztastic147]

Kids… slow the fudge down!!! 😂👏👏 Excellent instructional video, so useful, the way you play all the triplets on the hi-hat sounds great, can’t see myself doing that though 🤣

[@jasonholmes5067]

Wowzer, have been building up to the acceptability of failure on this song for eons, however due to your brilliance Mike Barnes, I’ve nearly got it. Thank you and now just gotta convince the band to cover it 😂. Great work and have to say, you have quite the way with communication. Top job.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Jason, so glad if useful! 🙏🏻👊🏻

[@darccestdesaireh]

Man you are the best tutor . You showed it so well man thank you

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers!

[@alexandremaciel7574]

The best teacher !!!! Congratulations !!!! The First beat is more difficulty !!!I m prefer Third Beat !!!

[@jaggy-snake]

Dude Ioved this lesson. Saw it on Facebook and I've just spent the last 2 hours programming my brain with those triplets :) New learner here so will definitely keep an eye on your channel

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers man, much appreciated and so glad you dig :)

[@BlueBoboDoo100]

THANK YOU. This one's been stretching my brain. The variation you play at around 10:00 I've got down. It's when i add the fourth shuffle beat my brain says "nope" and i lose the groove. Also, doing the fills and then getting back to the groove is tricky, but definitely doable with practice.

[@Bobbroberg]

I think your The only person to demonstrate this right . I learned this song 8 years ago and it took many wrong videos and many live videos of TFF to go through to confirm I was right when figuring it out lol. There’s a few versions of the song which didn’t help either lol. The middle of the triplet is highly ignored .

[@jeffmwoods]

brilliant thanks

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Jeff

[@ShakingTwoTrees2012]

Thanks for breaking down the Tears for Fears shuffle in so many useful ways. Sounds simple, but it's not. I'm off to the wood shed!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers! So glad you dig. Is your username a reference to Peter Gabriel introducing Manu Katché? V cool if so!

[@ShakingTwoTrees2012]

@@MikeBarnesDrums You are correct, sir!

[@johayton4627]

Working on this Mike, taking a bit of time but definitely getting there, I love the journey of learning a song from scratch. Can you do some more Peter Gabriel, In your eyes, Steam, Come Talk to me. For me drumming is like my happy place, some people love walking ( I do too) but there's nothing like learning a new song on the drums, your drums are your landscape and you can colour it how you want x 😊😊

[@hugobalder7447]

Great teaching 👍👍👍

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Hugo!

[@studioscv]

thanks!

[@martinodriscoll5158]

Great tuition Mike

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Martin!

[@julianosilva2636]

Obrigado pelo video me ajudou muito obrigado amigo

[@user-jc7ti4er5z]

Thanks

[@xelamasquerade8334]

Dude! I thought you were Bill Burr for a second! Seriously tho, digging them beats!

[@Noahbsng]

Thanks. I'm considering making a one-man cover of this song. Really helps out!

[@tricx_games]

Dude, incredible! This song is my next challenge to myself. God that timing is weird 😂

[@gfuterfas]

This will be a fun challenge. Seems the song runs about 113 BPM, and I got this up to 60 BPM on the first day of learning it. Thanks for the lesson!

[@jpemm2418]

Great job! Please include Dreams by The Cranberries on your list. I'd love to learn how to play it. Thanks

[@colinreynolds9600]

Reminds me so much if what you said about Red Baron plus the others .. slow it right down . Col

[@StCMS]

Could you please break down the intro to All Summer Long, Kid Rock?

[@Briansongman]

Beautiful Mike. I have a question about the intro figure as it is played on guitar. It seems to be a 6 note pattern. But the downbeat is elusive. I think I'm on it, but then the drum pickup into the verse occurs and 1 is not where I expected it. It's very deceptive. Any thoughts on where the first note of the first cycle is falling. It's a 6/8 figure nested inside a 4/4. Confused.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Shoutout to channel members Malcolm and Graham for suggesting this classic groove, originally played by Manny Elias. My note-for-note cover of this song is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6aXcmeHfpakgsU Transcriptions and practice-alongs for each version of the groove here (channel members): www.buymeacoffee.com/mikebarnesdrums/notation-practice-along-for-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world-tears-for-fears-drum-groove If you’ve enjoyed these videos or found them useful, please consider supporting my channel via my “Buy Me A Coffee” page here: www.buymeacoffee.com/mikebarnesdrums, where you can support or sign up as a monthly member. As a channel member, you get a complimentary Zoom session as well a personalized practice plan and lots of other benefits - including priority requests for videos on this channel, access to Zoom lessons, full lesson breakdown videos of drum covers and full notation to accompany tutorial videos on the channel. Recent interview I did with Taryn Arnold from Buy Me A Coffee about the amazing way this channel is supported by its viewers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joitoYx9gNVrqZI

[@Justaguitaristguy]

Hey, Mike. Just wanted to suggest playing Silly Putty by Stanley Clarke. Do a how to sort of video. It's in the Trinity Grade 8 Drum book (2018 Syllabus) it's something that I'm struggling on and I would seriously appreciate it if you helped with it

[@stereofidelic67]

The high hat bark mini fill is also relatively tricky on this song lol

[@Angusyoung4952]

thanks for that....with my poor english, I have understood!....I have to practice now!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers Alain! 👊🏻

[@Angusyoung4952]

merci Mike

[@magicalmelon5673]

I use this song to practise my shuffle technique in my lessons and had no idea it was offbeat hi hat.

[@_InTheBin]

Absolutely great explanation! This song's also very handy for practicing the triple stroke roll. Check it out folks! ✌️

[@conradleffman8393]

I'm trying to learn Hotel California right now, but I'm struggling with the fills, any help will be much appreciated. I also learnt the amen break off of one of your videos, Thanks! I bought you a coffee by the way☕

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers! Much appreciated. I’ll add it to the list 🙏🏻👊🏻

[@conradleffman8393]

@@MikeBarnesDrums Thanks man

[@greenflagracing7067]

slow down to learn is the best advice any drummer will ever hear. Does that cup of coffee thing work in the US? how about Sing Sing Sing?

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cheers man, as the great Dave Elitch says, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast" And yes, Buy Me A Coffee works worldwide and I'm delighted to say this channel has supporters and members all over the world, in every continent except Antarctica! :)

[@dairyairman]

To me the hardest part of this song is coming back into the main groove after the fills. Every fiber in my being wants to come down on the "1" with my right hand after a fill. Eventually, I managed to play the fills and come back in on the "+" of 1 with my right hand, but let me tell you, that took some practice!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Nice one David! Yeah it's an unusual one, thanks for watching!

[@dairyairman]

I played this song in a gig last night and pulled off the whole thing without messing up, fills and everything! I'm excited!

[@Angusyoung4952]

mikeeeee please a question....I have to prepare for my band this song. I have taken the field at the end of the video but I am now at the beat 100 but how many is the beat of the song for the right hand please? thanks

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Hi Alain, thanks for watching - don't understand the question though - How many is the best of the song for the right hand??!

[@Angusyoung4952]

Mikes, I have found everything, the tempo of the triplet is around 89 and jami wollam in concert made around 101 thanks my friend!

[@arthurbriones8672]

Hi sir Mike. Arthur from Philippines. Great sound of your E drums. It's sounds just like accoustic drums. Can you share what brand and how you make it sound great. God bless cheers

[@arthurbriones8672]

How much it cost?

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Drumtec Diabolo kick and toms, Roland snare and cymbals, Roland TD-11 Module Vids below… Kit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3m0k5uLbLp5q68 Sounds: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2elZ4VmfNR2qLc How it’s recorded: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKWWmY1pqb5slaM

[@whamajamma75]

Nice, I have seen folks shuffle the hi hat

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Yeah but not the same for me, and not the original part! Thanks for watching.

[@dwightpeter9540]

great lesson! I always get confused about this song because the actual track has double stroke 16th notes yet its played off beat on the hi hat even by them. Does the original track have a sythned hi hat to fill it out more?? thank you.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Thanks! The original goes exactly like this to my ears, no double strokes. Although since doing this vid I did find out that the original is programmed drums all the way with no element of the drums being played on the recording. Cheers.

[@dwightpeter9540]

@@MikeBarnesDrums yeah same, that's it man, I think there is almost like a maraca sound in the back ground mix with this hi hat pattern. really throws me off haha. thanks for response, keep up the great work!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

@@dwightpeter9540 Yes, there also a shaker part going on!

[@watchingfahey]

I really like this lesson and this groove just struggling a bit with the snare roll into the hi hat bark, its a weird footing like the hi hat opens on the last beat and closes on the first if that makes sense would really like to see you elaborate this/slow that part down thank you for lesson though :) side note its not a roll its just like the intro/fill I guess you can call it :'D

[@Y-I-C-A]

You can also say (1-2-3 , 1-2-3, 1-2-3) instead of (1-trip-let, 2-trip-let, 3-trip-let).. it is much easier

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Thanks for watching! The reason I tend not to do that is I've found over the years that can lead to more confusion with students on balance - I tend to keep the numbers as the beats of the bar (the dotted quarters in this case), and call the subdivisions something else. But if you like doing that, cool - have fun and thank you for watching :)

[@cormierkitchens]

Do you have any foot control exercises for fast doubles?

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Yes! Playlist of bass drum videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5m0fmalfa2fg5Y My favourites are the quick bass drum doubles drill: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWTUe5qee72Ke5I And Gary Chaffee's "Fatback" exercises: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4qTm52YobaNb7M and kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnnLpWx-jN6eftU Check this playlist for lots more material surrounding this. Cheers!

[@cormierkitchens]

@@MikeBarnesDrums thanks Mike. I will drill all of these. I may not have a leg left when I am done. Lol

[@lphatetea8749]

How can't be download this video

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

You can download videos with KZbin Premium. Cheers for watching!

[@Mauenbateria]

Casi, el bombo es un ostinato de dos notas, va unísono con la tarola.

[@juanpabloaraujoarraga9398]

I saw a player doing steady shuffle not single notes. In the rexord at least the intro is confusing in the sense that it seems like his opening and closing the hi hat while he hits it in between .

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Yes lots of drummers do just play it as a shuffle, and indeed a shuffle does work just fine with it. But the original is definitely "single notes" as you call it. It's up to us as musicians to decide what we want to do with it when we come to perform it! I'd personally play the "single notes" as per the original. The original into isn't open/close hi-hat but again it could work! Thanks for watching.

[@ouime7337]

What grade is this please?

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

It's not on the grade syllabus, and as a definite "outlier" of a groove, it's very hard to say tbh! But Grades 5-8 rather than 1-4 I'd say :) Thanks for watching.

[@ikmalomar2874]

Finally!!! My piglets are finally in order...

[@STEVENWHELAN1]

I find it easier to just to hit the hi hat continuously through out the bar without taking it off

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Cool, and that’s one way of doing it - but not how the original part goes. Thanks for watching!

[@orenico96]

Great tutorial but one thing has me hung up. You say ONE-TRIP-LET. I learned to count TRI-PL-ET, so your TRIP comes on the second partial of the triplet, not the first, y'know? That's all. Otherwise, you get the feel just right! Maybe it's just me and anyway, in the end, it's about THE FEEL, not how you count it:)

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

I like "One-trip-let, two-trip-let" etc, because it helps clearly keep track of where each beat is. But count it however you like! And thanks for watching, glad you dig.

[@jobrothberg4679]

This is great thankyou. I was taught a different way(maybe wrong). Start playing right lead triplets between the hands (6 strokes)on the hi hat with the kick on the the first beat. Then, playing exactly the same, take your right hand to your leg( or something silent) then you start to hear it. The last is putting the snare hit together with the hi hat on the L of the first left lead triplet(4th stroke). Yes it does mean you are playing with left hand on hi hat. But once I got this it was so easy to then play the beat in the standard fashion.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

That’s another way of getting to the same place - but yes as you say you’re then playing left hand on hi-hat. Cool if you happy with that though. Thanks for watching.

[@bassiclogic]

I did a stem extraction on this song to see what was going on with the drum pattern. I have seen some drummers play this with a double bass drum beat and some play it with the single bass drum beat. Guess what? The original drum programming was performed with a single bass drum beat. Though you playing the double sounds good. This guy plays it like the original recording. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqmxk5ytl92bd7M

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

I've had a listen to the isolated drums (check it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqCsnZmagrN3r80) - it's definitely a shuffled bass drum and the hi-hat as I'm playing here - version 3/the full version/what I'm playing at the start - and what I'm playing in this note-for-note cover: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6aXcmeHfpakgsU Thanks for your interest and for watching 🙏🏻

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

I also realised after making this video that it was in fact programmed drums on the original studio recording, not played - although Manny Elias was the drummer who played with the band at the time. Cheers!

[@hugobalder7447]

That is not an easy one 👍

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

It's not! Thanks for watching :)

[@markpfeifer1402]

Wasn't the original album track done with an early Linn LM1 drum machine? That would explain why its such an unnatural beat for a human drummer.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Yeah, I subsequently read it was drum machine on the TFF original. Makes sense! Really interesting and creative part, really groovy to play once you've got a feel for it! Cheers.

[@mattwinkett6238]

Wasn’t this a drum machine take?

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

It was! Learned that shortly after recording this vid. Tons of fun to recreate live. Thanks for watching.

[@timothyslaughter476]

Play traditional and slap the fuc* out that backbeat.

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

I’m completely distracted by your sheet music stand, Mike! I’ve never noticed it before! Is it magnetic? Completely random, apologies. 🫣😂😂