Learn to playAmen, Brotheras made famous by The Winstonson drums
The drum beat for "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons, known as the Amen break, is a fast-paced, syncopated rhythm featuring a punchy kick, crisp snare hits, and dynamic hi-hat work.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Amen, Brother. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Amen, Brother
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Learn the A section
Start by establishing the grooves that occur throughout the song. In the first four bars, watch for the tricky 1/16 note kicks on beats 1-& and 1-a. Use alternating hands to play the 1/16 notes moving from snare to hi tom. In the next section, move the double 1/16 note kick to beat 3-&. Use double strokes with the left hand on the snare to play the fill in bar 12.
Learn the B section
Start this section with displaced snares and crashes on beat 4-&, and watch for the syncopated snare fill before returning to the A section groove, and finishing on the double stroke fill again.
Learn the drum break
Now dive into the classic drum break section - hold the groove for four bars unaccompanied, watching for the subtle variations in snare displacement in bars 3 and 4, and the crash in bar 4. Continue the groove with the band for another 3 bars before another syncopated snare fill with the bass to lead into the final A section.
Learn the last A section
Now return to the A section, reprising the double stroke snare fill before abruptly ending on the crash.
Play the track
Now combine the sections to perform the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Amen, Brother
with Melodics
Behind the track
AMEN, BROTHER
by THE WINSTONS
"Amen, Brother" by The Winstons is a classic soul and funk track known for its energetic and tight composition. The song features a prominent bassline, dynamic horn sections, and a steady, driving rhythm. The iconic "Amen break" drum solo is a standout element, characterized by its fast-paced, syncopated pattern and crisp, punchy hits.
The vocal performance is soulful and expressive, with rich harmonies and a commanding lead vocal that exudes passion and intensity. The interplay between the instruments and vocals creates a vibrant, infectious groove, making "Amen, Brother" a timeless piece that has significantly influenced various music genres, particularly hip-hop and electronic music.
Tips for learning Amen, Brother on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Amen, Brother' 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.
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FAQs
- Playing "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons on drums, particularly the famous "Amen break," is moderately challenging. The break features a fast-paced, syncopated rhythm that requires precision and control. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- While not overly complex, it demands good coordination and rhythm, making it suitable for intermediate drummers who are comfortable with funk and disco grooves.
- 131 bpm
- 4/4
- F# minor
- 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.