Learn to playCherry Bombas made famous by The Runawayson drums
The drum beat for 'Cherry Bomb' by The Runaways is fast, energetic, and driving, featuring a steady kick-snare pattern with aggressive fills, capturing a raw punk rock vibe.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind 'Cherry Bomb'. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Cherry Bomb
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
Play a short intro to begin the tune. Lay down a basic groove, and in bar 3, open the hi-hat on beat 4 to lead into the snare 1/16 notes in the last bar.
Verse
Launch into a 2 bar repeating pattern for the verse, playing the crash on beat 4 in every second bar. In the last bar of this section, play 1/16 notes with alternating hands moving around the drum kit.
Chorus
For the chorus, move to the ride, and add a 1/16 note kick on beat 1-a in the first 2 bars. For the next 2 bars, switch to 1/4 notes on the snare, and use the kick rhythm from the verse. Repeat this 4 bar pattern again in the second half of the chorus.
Verse 2 into Chorus 2
The next verse and chorus are the same as the first, now string them together and play them smoothly. Pay special attention from the transition from verse to chorus, getting the grooves to flow smoothly. You may wish to use Practice Mode to get it locked in.
Solo
For the guitar solo, play the verse pattern, this time on the ride, and finish on the 1/16 note fill around the kit leading into the last chorus.
Outro
Play the last chorus, same as the others, and play 4 more bars of the straight 4 groove, this time on the hi-hat. Finish on the crash on beat 4.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Cherry Bomb
with Melodics
Behind the track
Cherry Bomb
by The Runaways
'Cherry Bomb' by The Runaways features a raw, high-energy punk rock composition characterized by powerful, distorted guitar riffs and a fast-paced drum beat. The song's structure is straightforward, driving the rebellious and edgy tone. Vocal performance by Cherie Currie is bold and defiant, with a gritty, commanding delivery that perfectly matches the song's rebellious spirit and youthful angst. The chorus is catchy and anthemic, emphasizing the song's rebellious message.
Tips for learning 'Cherry Bomb' on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Cherry Bomb' 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
- Yes, 'Cherry Bomb' by The Runaways is generally considered relatively easy to play on the drums, especially for those with some basic drumming experience. The beat is straightforward, with a consistent kick-snare pattern and simple, energetic fills. The tempo is brisk, but the rhythms are not overly complex, making it accessible for beginner to intermediate drummers looking to practice their timing and coordination. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play 'Cherry Bomb' on the drums, you need the following skills: - Basic Rhythm and Timing: Ability to keep a steady beat and stay in time with the song's tempo. - Kick-Snare Coordination: Comfort with alternating between kick drum and snare hits in a consistent pattern. - Hi-Hat or Cymbal Control: Ability to keep a steady pattern on the hi-hat or crash cymbals, often playing eighth notes. - Simple Fills: Basic knowledge of drum fills to add energy and transitions between sections. - Energy and Stamina: The song is fast-paced, so maintaining energy throughout is key. - Consistent Tempo: Ability to maintain a steady tempo without speeding up or slowing down. Practicing these skills will help you effectively play 'Cherry Bomb' on the drums.
- 137 bpm
- 4 / 4
- B 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.