TOP 5 STEWART COPELAND HI-HAT LICKS And How To Play 'Em!

* THIS VIDEO IS TIMESTAMPED* Cool lesson on how to play (just) 5 of Sir Stewart Copeland's coolest hi hat licks! SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL for more great free lessons!
COPELAND LICK TIMESTAMPS
2:07 #1- The RLR
3:40 #2- The RRL-R
5:13 #3- The LRR Crossstick
7:20 #4- The LRR-LRR-LRR Crossstick
9:23 #5- The LRRLR 5-Note Grouping Crossstick
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[@RobBeatdownBrown]

*WHERE ALL MY POLICE FANS AT?! This was a fun lesson to shoot, man. So have fun with these! You'll also get a little taste of the brand new Evans UV Coated Red Hydraulic snare head. Full review of the head will be up very soon. Don't forget to share the video if you dig it!!* 🚓🚨🎩🎩🎩

[@laurenceclutson5000]

Rob Brown Copeland also had a huge influence on my drumming, great video!

[@tylerbailey9329]

I would buy a UV Heavyweight!

[@WhirlwindDrums]

Right here! Huge police fan

[@rishiacharya8846]

I still love the way Copeland's work sounds, but I gotta admit I lost a little bit of the admiration when I heard that he used 7 layers for message in a bottle. It always sounds gorgeous, but 7 is really a bit too much. That being said, this is an amazing lesson!

[@napalmparty]

Police are epic! I heard even Neil Pert changed his drumming style when he heard the police.

[@MobiusBandwidth]

Don't think he's gonna sue you, bro, he just shared this on his facebook.

[@friedpickles342]

That's so rad!! Stewart is a legend!! "I don't wanna play a backbeat"

[@DanielQuinn-rg5in]

Rob, you are far and away the best drum teacher I have ever watched. You consistently demonstrate how to play whatever it is you are teaching. Stewart Copeland is so underrated and was a huge influence for me as well. Thanks so much

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Hey, thanks a bunch, man 👊🏽🙂

[@earlbrackett6742]

the greatest hi-hat intro ever is to Red Rain...and hi-hat is all he played on the track. a stroke of Genius from Gabriel & Copeland.

[@djlusid]

As a drummer for many years, I've cringed at countless tutorial videos for being too mechanistic and black/white. You look like you're having a lot of fun, and it sounds completely natural. As a police fan, this is just over the top for me, because you're the first person I think I've shared that passion with (as a fellow drummer), even if it is over the internet. You're doing something amazing man, keep that shit up! You're inspiring me to get back on the throne. What do you think about doing some samba stuff in the future? As a jazz fan, sambas and the like we're always the most challenging for me. Take care man, can't wait for the next one.

[@JaydubyaX]

I have never been a percussionist, but studied music and always loved his unique higher pitched toms and seemingly random high hats..hes the most under-famous percussionist of our time. Glad to see someone give him his props.

[@petarpavasovic6333]

He is literally famous as fuck

[@BeTheDot]

Stewart Copeland, '...so that's how I do it.' LMAO 🤣

[@johnbryce1681]

'If you are not listening to the police, you should be listening to the Police' Sound advice - great stuff

[@terminalbliss]

"I love you man. Please dont sue me." Hilarious, and a great lesson.

[@BlackRail33]

"Driven to Tears" has to be discussed in a tutorial .

[@wretchedpoorblindnaked4478]

THAT is the one Stewart Copeland Lick that comes to mind before all others

[@Drumaier]

This belongs, imo, to the top five of your videos bro. For me Copeland shares with Carter Beauford the first place on Hi hat composition skils. The Hi hat opens so many possibilities, is an insane little instrument but highly under explored and underestimated .

[@drumyogi9281]

Drumaier J so true.

[@inthedream9127]

Absolutely agreed. Copeland and Beauford are the kings of syncopated Hi hat rhythms

[@connorjoseph6565]

Yes!! I was saying to myself this whole video that carter (who is my personal biggest drumming idol) does a lot of these isms on the hi hat too. Both are legends

[@bobbito9791]

This is the single best drum tutorial video I have ever seen (I watch them in my spare time to learn more). The slowing and stripping down just makes it easy to pick up. Then the build in speed and complexity help bring a challenge for when the basic sticking is solid. Great Vid.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Thanks a lot, man. Glad you’re diggin the videos 🙂

[@chrisvanburen7612]

sweet lesson!!met stewart some years back and he hooked me up with a bunch of tickets for a show in miami and to this day walking on the moon hat riff is my favorite!!!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Oh reeeeally 😏 Stay tuned

[@breables1293]

I love the licks he did on the octabons/ hi-hat.

[@skriabinfly]

As a non-drummer my fav Stewart track is Wrapped Around Your Finger. Tasteful, nothing superfluous and zero clutter. Every stroke has meaning. Loved this video!!!!!

[@DonutsBeerChannel]

He is a master of the hi-hat, and such an incredible style and groove, that you can identify him instantaneously. 36 years later, The Rhythmatist is still one of the most unique recordings I've ever owned. 🥁

[@michellezito5542]

Love love love...THANK YOU! Zenyata Mondatta was my favorite Police CD Thanks for shedding light on some of that groovy mystery! I appreciate doing things CORRECTLY!

[@siriusblak5903]

Stewart Copeland's drumming on the song "Voices Inside My Head" is phenomenal. He is incredible on all the Police songs but he just dominated on that jam.

[@imacashew.]

Driven to tears. Favorite song from police/sting ✌🏻❤️

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

YAAAAS!

[@chasemichon1907]

Dallas Farmer Good tune but Andy Summers' solo on that is the worst thing I've ever heard

[@scifisyko]

I’m a basically brand-new drummer at 37 after drumming on my desks or steering wheels my whole life, and I didn’t ever really realize that the LRRLRRLRR thing I loved so much was a Copelandism, ha. Even when he’s my favorite drummer, shameful! ;)

[@colewoodard8920]

Haha I recognized all of these just by reading the description, and Copeland was pretty much why I started playing too, since I was listening to the police more than anything else when I was 11.

[@uzzahmusic7475]

... the first minute and a half of 'Regatta De Blanc' - his cross-sticking and that 'slow burn-ish' groove are epic. Great video, sir.

[@andreasbreitwieser1449]

Apart of being a drummer - and a BIG fan of Copeland after hearing him in 1978 in Heidelberg with Eberhard Schoener - I'm also a big fan of hand drums - african and oriental - and I think the main influence of HIM where the oriental drummers/rhythms he grew up with in Beirut..........the ruffs were always played with two-, the 4-strokes with 3 fingers. An absolut trademark of this music and he applied it to the hihat, like the offbeat-attitude. One of the most iconic Copeland-beats is the song "Man in a suitcase" on "Zenyatta Mondatta", where he plays the offbeat "and" on the bass drum through the whole song. It makes me smile every time I hear that song.......

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Ahhh. Man In A Suitcase 😌 Brilliant opening fill, too. Signature Stu👌🏽

[@TacoKicker]

From the start of this video, it's like you're speaking for me. Stewart has been a god to me since I started playing in the early '80's. While I've certainly been influenced by other drummers over the years (most notably Mark Brzezicki), it's Stewart's influence that has helped to shape me as a drummer for well over 30 years.

[@MarkSoltas]

This video is amazing! Your playing is so smooth and beautiful. One of my favorite tracks is Every little thing she does is magic. Stewart is an amazing drummer and he brought a lot to the table.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

He was doing so much innovative stuff back then that nobody else was doing. And was an absolutely FEROCIOUS live drummer. I've never seen a stronger traditional grip, except for Vinnie's

[@Me-gt7oy]

No one does it better than Copeland, but you’re a close second. Awesome!

[@vires-et-honore]

1981 road trip from Michigan to Florida listening to Zenyatta Mondatta and being amazed by Stewart Copeland's hi-hat licks! Thanks for the great video!

[@sophiaspapi2003]

Really appreciate this video. I am a long time bass player who just started doing some non-traditional hand drumming. I am using a Cajon along with some shakers and some chimes and what not. My little daughter is the bass player on the worship team and I get to back her up every Sunday. It’s wonderful.

[@58016428]

I met Stewart about 3 weeks ago in LOS Angeles and he was really cool to talk with.

[@RhythmTrimJim]

I saw the police four times since the outlandos album I got to meet Stewart Copeland he is the reason I am a drummer today. Thanks Robert

[@lyrebirdinusa]

Lovely! Thanks for dissecting Copeland's hi-hat licks. Always wondered how he did it. "Tasty" is the right word to describe them!

[@davidbspamboy]

That was a pleasure to watch. Been a hardcore Police fan 1981 and never looked back.

[@Me-gt7oy]

Thanks for slowing these down, and playing them. Unbelievable.

[@Aviyaytor]

Police fan here! Great video showing how to add flavor to your percussion soup! You got skills friend! Thank you for demonstrating it!

[@zumb42]

Great moments listened on my "new" walkman cassette recorder, Zeniatta Mondatta, Sincronicity, and other great albums of The Police, early in the 80's.And of course, Stewart Copeland was the idol of all drummers.

[@michaeleagle2]

was playing woodwinds in Elm school, then Heard The Police. I've been a percussionist ever since.. And now with Hybrid setups.. LAWD A MERCY!!

[@retiredusmc9090]

It all make sense now. When I was younger and a police fan in the 80's, his sound and timing was so unique, it caught my ear right away and it identifies a Police song as soon as it starts to this day. As an almost ok drummer that just plays to entertain himself, I try and create that sound all the time on the hats but can never get it right and didn't realize the influence he had on me until you put into perspective. You have the best lesson drummer page I have found, thank you!

[@ATthemusician]

Miss Gradenko is probably my favorite Stu arrangement. The way he transposes the kick from 2+4 to 1+3, using the octobans to transition is just magical

[@sewolawen73]

Thank you for breaking down the Stewart Copeland licks! Like you, Stewart was the reason I got into drumming. It was seeing the video for "Wrapped Around Your Finger" at 3 years old, being blown away by the sight of his kit! Then REALLY listening when I first heard "Message In A Bottle", "Walking On The Moon", "Driven To Tears", and so many others! Your vid also cleared up the mystery of the reggae feel, which is something I've struggled with for YEARS: trying to play the bass drum on 2 & 4. The way you slowed down each lick revealing the reggae foundation was such a great help! Rock on, Beatdown!

[@OaktownGirl]

I've always been completely blown away by Stewart Copeland's drumming. What a treat to see how he created some of that magic. Thank you so much for doing this!

[@papapoodo6685]

Talked Stewart into signing a Paiste splash for me many, many years ago and it is now proudly hanging on my music room wall! HUGE influence on me and undeniably one of the most exiting and inspirational drummers to ever play! But I also want to say thanks to YOU as well sir! Your videos (especially the 50 million double strokes one!!!) have helped to improve my playing immensely....You're a natural teacher and seem like an all around like-able person. You make practice and learning fun, exciting, rewarding...Thank you!

[@richpivo772]

Number five is the best. Regatta de blank. I absolutely love it.

[@davenotte9363]

Love this. Going to my kit right now. Copeland = GOAT.

[@ajmbcr8965]

Just to say that it's not only the way Stewart plays the HH, but Stewart is the reason I play drums!!!!! No drummer had ever such an influence on me as Stewart and the Police music ever since I was about 15 years old. Drumset is my passion, now I am 53, because of life issues I play drums for about 6 years only, and this video really reminds me how great Stewart is in this kind of grooves!!!!! I have the task in my band to play Walking on the moon and when we play it, it really makes me out of my mind!!!!! Thanks for the great lesson on this vídeo. (JR-PORTUGAL)

[@weh3weh3]

I've seen Copeland play live twice, both times he had a small (5"?) cymbal mounted on the same shaft about 4" above the hi-hat. The small cymbal sounded like a quick splash.

[@jasonrobley2109]

So cool the way you can slow down like that, even a guitar player can learn with teaching like that. Thanks again

[@fatbugz2919]

This is why Rob Brown is my favorite online source to help with my chops!! I love finding older posts like this

[@MrDidaxi]

#5 is by far the most complete and effective lick. Cheers!

[@clemmoreno3643]

Damn! Very impressive. Thanks for slowing it down to show how it’s done. Stewart Copeland is such an innovative drummer.

[@andreasbreitwieser1449]

not only the best analysis of the main elements of Stuart's playing, but absolut nicely presented by playing from fast to slow and back...... on the RIGHT tempo to understand it deeply. Nice done!

[@whoa1968]

I’m late to the game but I too picked up sticks because of Stewart Copeland. Excellent channel from tuning advice to specs on traditional stick holding. Thanks for simplifying things.

[@snareaddict]

With all the drumming gymnastic videos (as I like to call them), you are a breath of fresh air. Infectious groove, always musical, always useful and you always sound like you could be on everyone’s favorite or next favorite track.

[@philipminnis3614]

5:14 that is just the slickest shit ever. I love how you say "a simple LRR", and I totally get it and see it, but doing it will be a lot of fun. I'm gonna start practicing.

[@philipminnis3614]

I do wish there a little bit of coaching just so I could be confident of where beat 1 is. I can seriously hear it two very different ways. The fact that you open with a very slick, yet rhythmically elusive fill (it's probably not and it sounds that way because my ear is turning the beat around) obscures the start of the pattern as well.

[@crimsonjimi5174]

Stewart Copeland is amazing. Love the Police, but his work with Oysterhead is really awesome

[@sethcashman1011]

Revisiting this video after reading the Steward Copeland news. Congrats!!!

[@richm68]

Learned more in that short lesson then in a dozen others. Just as I was getting back into playing the police. Excellent.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Awesome 👊🏽

[@Dodoskee]

Absolutely agree with you! Both about Copeland and the Police. Great lesson thanks

[@zacharyaaroncox1805]

I didn't realize a bunch of the licks can be done with one hand. Thank you rob! Ill be using this! QUOTE OF THE VIDEO: "I love you man, please don't sue me." Hahahahahaha

[@jjkhawaiian]

Great Job, Rob! Stuart Copeland is also one of my biggest influences and all around drummers. Lots of drummers may find him weak or too simple people he seems to focus a lot on the hit hat-snare combination, compared to most rock drummers. His syncopation is crazy sometimes, but so simple. Add some other drum pieces at the right timing and you have...well, The Police. Or, better yet, Stuart Copeland.

[@dieterkahsnitz5921]

Thank you. Absolutely brilliant. Like you I played drums because of SC. This is fabulous

[@robertbelanger6733]

He is an amazing high hat king🤘🏻🥁 And a master of drumming.

[@mikepostdrums]

Great feel, great breakdowns, great backbeat sound! I feel Vinnie's outro solo on Seven Days is in a way paying respect to Copeland. It has these licks all over it.

[@jasona1806]

Love your stuff man, I see this is an older clip. I too think of Stewart when ever I sit at the drums and I’ve gotten cover band gigs over other drummers because I could cop his feel and approach and the band would love it. I think Stewart Copeland may be the most influential drummer of all time.. Drumming changed after we heard his sound. Even the very best drummers that have come after him playing with Sting ,almost HAVE to play with Copelandisms… GOAT

[@patdavey7187]

Thank you for this. A great subject for a video, and very well presented in my humble opinion. I particularly find helpful the gradual slowing down of each element so that one doesn't lose the sense of context.

[@DJFalkoHannover]

That splash cymbal sounds fantastic! Just as your lesson does. Cheers.

[@lylesmith9547]

Sweet playing.. walking on the moon is great subtle groove

[@paultoomer2756]

Been playing 7 months and your videos are a massive help in my progress,this one is up with ur best,thank you

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Thanks a lot, man. A newbie, eh? That's exciting 🙂

[@andrewmiller7815]

Thanks for thr video my friend. Its nice that u decided to shine the light on Mr. Copeland as he is definitely one of the greats.

[@maxotsky]

Super clean from fast to slow and back! Thanks for video !!!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

You're welcome 🙂

[@patriciausa3588]

In case you didn’t know, Stewart Copeland just posted this video on twitter today (10-7-20). Awesome!!!!

[@stevedirocco1]

I love the 5 stroke roll he uses on the hi hat also. I also like the way he accents certian notes in the pattern as well

[@krashboomboing]

It's so cool to realise I've been playing ALL, or most, if these licks all this while, even without consciously channelling Stu. You're right, he's the top dude, for me, too, bro! Beautiful explanations! Keep that one dropping ;)

[@desmoface]

I played bass back in the day and am a huge police fan. And while sting grabbed all of the attention; Stewart was my favorite part of the band.

[@canturgan]

I saw the Police play in a pub in West London in the 70s before they made it and I was well impressed with the drummer. There was another band I used to go out if my way to watch around the same time that also had a good drummer who's name has escaped me, but the band were were called XTC.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Don't even get me STARTED on XTC. Terry Chambers was the drummer. Freakin' brilliant band. Andy Partridge is one of the best songwriters on the planet. You should watch their doc called 'This Is Pop' if you haven't already. Amazing.

[@canturgan]

Rob Brown Thanks for remembering his name. They were great live, very tight and entertaining. They had a great keyboard player too. Love your vids.

[@canturgan]

Rob Brown I just watched it, very funny and entertaining, great songs and ideas. I hadn't realised that they were even known in the US, they are so English. I also have synesthesia, maybe it's common with musicians. I hope they reform and do some gigs, he's over the stage fright now .

[@pyroseed13]

I've been trying to figure out how to do #5 forever, so this was really helpful haha

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Nice! 🙂

[@peterevans7761]

Big fan of Copeland work with the Police,thanks for sharing his licks,as always a brilliant tutorial Rob😎

[@minicoopguy2723]

Thanks for posting this video. Stewart Copeland’s Twitter feed linked me to your page. Great breakdown and I will try some of these on my own.

[@jmc7195]

stewart copeland is a great musician who just happens to be a drummer. he has so many classics,....but two that come to mind right away,....the beds too big without you, and message in a bottle.

[@eduardorichi2554]

I love the Police and Stewart is one of the greatest without a doubt.

[@elambi]

Awesome that Stewart gave you a shout out.

[@kevfrets]

I’m not a drummer but, I’m a huge Police fan. Thanks for breaking his technique down. 👍👍

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Copeland was and has been a true influence to many. Sticks up to you #RobBrown ..

[@chicnwafflesband]

Thanks Rob and I totally agree ..... A HUGE INFLUENCE ON ME TO!. Favourite CHUNE ..... "WALKING ON THE MOON".

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

That's the first Police tune I ever heard when I was a kid and I've been hooked ever since 👨🏼‍🚀🌔

[@ellisweiner6405]

Well done. One lick I also like is, he'll hit the last 2 16ths of a bar on a tom and punctuate it back on 1 the snare. It's "actually" a conga/bongo lick but on tom/snare. Thanks! (For pre-historic Copeland, check out the band Curved Air, from literally before most of you were born.)

[@aiden2606ify]

I feel the same way you feel about Copeland. Such a Great Video. Thanks Rob. 👍💯🔥

[@xxdtz]

Nice, great Teacher Stuart Copeland, good Single

[@alstrange6055]

My first and favourite drummer/band of all time! Nice work Rob!👌🏻😀🇬🇧

[@bobbythreet-btdrummer418]

Just shared this video to Twitter... Man, I know I told you before but I really dig and appreciate your channel... I learn something new every time I stop by. I'm a huge Stewart Copeland fan myself and I love his drumming He has so many different styles and influences that combine to form who he is as a drummer and, not to be a kiss ass, but that's how I see you as well. I appreciate what you do here on KZbin.. It's the best drum tutorial Channel, by far, on KZbin. And that's coming from an intermediate level, self-taught drummer. I grew up and taught myself in the days before KZbin, so it was always a struggle trying to find resources and people to watch. I remember watching MTV for hours just to get a split-second glimpse of what a drummer was doing on a certain song. I mean, that's what you had to do back in the day, other than listen very intently to a record and try to figure out what was happening. KZbin has been wonderful. And you are a huge part of that. I recommend your channel to everyone,... Thus, the Tweet just now. There's something about your demeanor and manner in which you teach and instruct that's just so welcome and inviting and makes things simple to understand. I wish you the the best and the most success on your KZbin channel and hope that you have a hundred million subscribers. Good luck in all that you do and in all your endeavors. Take care and God bless!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Thanks for that great message, man. Super encouraging. Im definitely from the same camp. We had to WORK to find our information back in the day. But YT is definitely a cool platform today. Thanks for watchin and Tweetin', man 🙂🤘🏽

[@sethcashman1011]

So many favorite Copeland tracks. He was a huge influence on me, as well. Was just listening to Ghost In The Machine in the car. "Secret Journey" has one of the nicest snare sounds I've ever heard. And "Spirits" remains ahead of its time rhythmically. Thirty seven years later, I still can't make it through the tune without getting turned around - even when I'm tapping my foot through the whole thing!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

The intro to Spirits threw me off for a loooong time, man 😖 Once you figure it out you’re like Aaaahhhh

[@neekondrums]

I am another one of the many, many drummers here who started playing drums because of Mr. Copeland. I get inspired by sounds, and Stewart's snare drum (someone else here has mentioned "Driven to Tears" already) and splashes on Zenyatta Mondatta as heard on vinyl hooked me so hard I never got over it. My favorite Stewart Copeland hi-hat bit, though, is not from a Police record... it's the beginning of Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain". Those 3 or 4 bars always come out when I'm testing my hi-hat. Great video, Rob!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Nice call on the Red Rain intro 👌🏾

[@emlix1]

I had no idea that was Copeland!

[@totogroove]

I like it when you "explayn" (like Bernard Purdie calls it) things!

[@pedronogueira1747]

Beautyful lesson Rob......please , teach the Copeland ride tecniques....i love it......thanks from Brasil !!!

[@thehammer5200]

You’re a fantastic drummer! You play with such nuance, it’s very humbling to watch you play.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Hey thanks, man 🙂👊🏽

[@YouWentToJared]

Been looking for a Stewart breakdown for years. Awesome.

[@Mudge07]

I really this enjoyed the tutorial mostly because, stating the source, you applied tempo changes to relay the usability of each sequence. It highlights how you, and we, can exploit each one in a new context of our own choosing. Stewart’s application of rhythm, speed and flair also meant that in a trio he was integral to the character of the whole sound and a worthy drumming exemplar to emulate. Additionally, who’d have guessed putting a drum head on a drainage pipe would’ve become mainstream?

[@58016428]

I dig Stewart on “So Lonely” by the police. He really hits the drums while working the hats too in that song.

[@josephasghar]

Thanks for the tips. My son is going to love these.

[@drumpoet3]

Rob, you always do a great job playing and breaking these grooves down with great feel and subtlety. Very inspiring and useful. Thank you.

[@KaptainKrypton]

"If you're not listening to The Police...then you need to start listening to The Police." "I love you, man. Please don't sue me." These are gold, Rob!