Learn to playDon't Stop Believin'as made famous by Journeyon drums
The drum beat for "Don't Stop Believin'" is steady and driving, featuring a four-on-the-floor bass pattern, crisp snare hits on the 2 and 4, and accented hi-hats, propelling the song forward.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Don't Stop Believin'. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Don't Stop Believin'
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Learn the first groove
Start with a buildup before moving into the first groove. Maintain 1/8 notes on the hi-hat with the left hand and 1/4 notes on the kick throughout. The right hand will play the two bar repeating snare and tom groove. Finish this section with hits on the crash - these will occur again later in the piece.
Learn the second groove
Develop upon the first groove by adding hits on the ride with the right hand, and finish this section with another buildup.
Learn the third groove
Add more hits on the ride to the two bar repeating pattern, and end this section with the hits on the crash from the end of the first groove section.
Learn the fourth groove
Now extend to a four bar repeating groove, with more complex rhythms. Use the left hand to play the snare in beat 4 of the fourth bar. You may want to use Practice Mode to slow the groove down and loop it.
Combine and perform
Now combine the four sections to play the full arrangement. The song begins with a piano intro and crash hits before moving into the first groove.
Learn to play
Don't Stop Believin'
with Melodics
Behind the track
Don't Stop Believin'
by Journey
The musical composition of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey is iconic and timeless. It's characterized by its melodic structure, memorable chord progressions, and dynamic shifts. The song features a driving rhythm section, with a steady bassline and energetic drumming, providing a solid foundation for the soaring guitar melodies and keyboard flourishes. The use of layered instrumentation creates a rich and full sound that builds in intensity throughout the song, culminating in the anthemic chorus.
Tips for learning Dont Stop Believin' on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Don't Stop Believin'' 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 "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey on drums requires a moderate level of skill due to its dynamic structure and steady tempo. While the beat itself isn't overly complex, maintaining consistent timing and providing appropriate dynamics throughout the song can be challenging. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey on drums effectively, you'll need a combination of technical skills, musical understanding, and attention to detail. Practice varying your volume levels to match the dynamics of the song. "Don't Stop Believin'" has sections that build and decrease in intensity, so being able to play softly and loudly is essential.
- 118
- 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.