Learn to play1901as made famous by Phoenixon drums
A tight, upbeat indie rock beat with a steady hi-hat, crisp snare hits, and a driving bass drum, creating a fast-paced and infectious groove throughout the song.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind 1901. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
1901
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
Start the tune with 8 bars of hi-hat. Add kick and snare to form a basic groove, opening the hi-hat on beat 2 and closing it again on beat 3 of every second bar.
Verse
Move into the verse, dropping the hi-hat but keeping the open hi-hat on beat 2. In bar 9, move into a new groove, playing an offbeat snare on beat 3-& and a kick on beat 4-&.
Pre-chorus
Move to the low tom for the beginning of the pre-chorus. Use the sticking R - R - L to fill in the 1/16 notes on beat 1-a, and play the snare on beats 3-& and 4-& in every second bar. Move to the open hi-hat and watch for the offbeat snares popping up at the end of this section again.
Chorus
Continue the groove on the open hi-hat, playing the offbeat snares every 4 bars. Return to the intro groove after 8 bars, this time adding another open hi-hat on beat 1-& in the first of every 2 bars.
Outro
Return to the low tom pattern from the pre-chorus, this time omitting the snares and second bar. Hit the snare after 4 bars and head to the open hi-hat. Finish the tune on the offbeat snare pattern.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement. Remember to use Practice Mode to slow down and loop any parts you are having trouble with.
Learn to play
1901
with Melodics
Behind the track
1901
by Phoenix
"1901" by Phoenix features an energetic and polished indie rock composition with bright guitar riffs, a driving rhythm section, and electronic elements. The song has a dynamic structure with a blend of catchy verses and anthemic choruses. Thomas Mars' vocal performance is smooth and confident, with a slight edge that complements the song's upbeat and vibrant feel. His delivery is both melodic and rhythmic, enhancing the song's infectious energy and catchy hooks.
Tips for learning 1901 on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of '1901' individually for precision mastery. With Melodics, you can slow the pace of the song and work up to full speed.
Tip 2: Review your performance
Identify growth areas: Listen to playback of your performance to learn where you need to develop your timing, technique & rhythm. Melodics provides instant feedback on your performance.
Tip 3: Practice makes perfect
Stay consistent: With regular, focused practice you'll see rapid progress when learning the song. Even a short session each day will make a huge difference.
- Get access to 100s of interactive lessons and popular songs
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FAQs
- Playing "1901" by Phoenix on drums can be moderately challenging due to its fast tempo and need for precision. The beat itself is relatively straightforward, but maintaining the high energy and tight timing throughout the song requires good control and stamina. The transitions between sections and the incorporation of fills add to the complexity. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "1901" on drums, you need a solid understanding of fast-paced indie rock beats, with the ability to maintain a consistent tempo and energy. Good control over the hi-hat, snare, and bass drum is essential to keep the groove tight and energetic. You should be comfortable with dynamic changes and able to handle transitions smoothly. Mastery of precise timing and the ability to play with confidence and endurance are crucial to capture the song's upbeat and infectious feel.
- 144 bpm
- 4/4
- E major
- New songs are released every week on Melodics! And we love to take requests - the best place for this is within our Discord community where you can also connect with other music learners around the world. Check out https://melodics.com/info/community.