Learn to playAshes To Ashesas made famous by David Bowieon drums
The drum beat for "Ashes to Ashes" by David Bowie is a tight, rhythmic pattern featuring a steady kick, crisp snare, and subtle hi-hat, creating a precise and slightly syncopated groove.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Ashes to Ashes. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Ashes To Ashes
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Learn the intro
Start with the intro groove, featuring a syncopated snare on beat 3-&. Play the open hi-hat on beat 4-& here to practice, bringing your left hand up to play the extra 1/16 note every 8 bars.
Practice the single stroke four
Throughout the song, there is a fill involving a single stroke four on the hi-hat, that is, 4 consecutive 1/16 note triplet strokes beginning on beat 4-& and ending on beat 1. Play the single stroke four every 4 bars.
Play the verse (pt. 1)
Continue the groove, adding occasional open hi-hats. After 8 bars, the pattern straightens out, moving the snare to beat 4, and altering the kick pattern. Finish this first part with a single stroke four fill.
Play the verse (pt. 2)
Return to the syncopated snare groove for another 8 bars, and shift back to the straightened out groove for the second half.
Play the chorus and outro
Continue the straight groove into the chorus for the first 4 bars, before switching to a straight four pattern, playing 1/4 notes simultaneously on kick and snare. Return to the syncopated groove over the intro melody, and play the song out with open hi-hats and single stroke fours.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections in the order: intro - verse - chorus - outro to play the whole arrangement.
Learn to play
Ashes To Ashes
with Melodics
Behind the track
ASHES TO ASHES
by DAVID BOWIE
"Ashes to Ashes" by David Bowie features a complex musical composition blending art rock and new wave elements. The arrangement includes a syncopated drum beat, melodic bassline, shimmering synths, and atmospheric guitar textures. The song's layered production creates a haunting and ethereal soundscape.
David Bowie's vocal performance is expressive and introspective, characterized by his distinctive timbre and dramatic delivery. His lyrics are cryptic and reflective, adding depth to the track. The interplay between the melancholic melody and the intricate instrumentation makes "Ashes to Ashes" a compelling and enduring piece in Bowie's discography.
Tips for learning Ashes To Ashes on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Ashes To Ashes' 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 "Ashes to Ashes" by David Bowie on drums is moderately challenging. The song features a relatively intricate drum pattern that requires precision and good timing. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- Overall, while the drum part may not be overly complex, it requires a solid foundation in rhythm and coordination, making it suitable for intermediate-level drummers looking to challenge themselves.
- 119 bpm
- 4/4
- D 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.