Learn to playDualityas made famous by Slipknoton drums
The drum beat in "Duality" by Slipknot is a relentless, high-energy rhythm featuring rapid double bass drumming, powerful snare hits, and intricate fills, driving the song's intense momentum.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind SONG NAME. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Duality
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Step 1 - Nail Duality's explosive Intro (Pt. 1)
The drums enter at the end of bar 8 of the intro. Move to the toms, using the left hand to play the mid tom rhythm. Build up in the final 4 bars, and play a drag on the snare followed by alternating hands to play the 1/16 notes.
Step 2 - Finish the Intro (Pt. 2)
Start from the drag snare fill from before, and move into the groove. This section comprises a 3 bar repeating groove, following the guitar riff, played four times. On the fourth repeat, add the double kick variation, playing a single stroke 4 leading with your right foot. Finish this section with a 1/16 note triplet fill on the snare, using alternating hands.
Step 3 - Build the Energy in the Verse
Start from the last 2 bars of the previous section. Play a flam on the snare to lead into the groove. The verse comprises a 4 bar repeating groove, played four times. Watch for the double crashes on beat 4-& of bar 2, and the double kick in bar 3. For the final fill leading into the chorus, play hertas (R-L-R-L) on the snare, starting on beat 1-&, and finish with alternating hands playing the last four 1/16 notes.
Step 4 - Bring the Chorus power
Follow the guitar riff with the kick for the first 2 bars of the chorus. Play a fill moving from the toms to a snare flam to transition into the next section. Play 1/4 notes on the open hi-hat, and watch for the anticipated crashes. Finish this section with a simple snare fill.
Step 5 - Master the Breakdown (Pt. 1)
Work on the breakdown in three parts. The 3 bar repeating riff from the second part of the intro is reprised here. Play the rhythm on the kick and toms. On the second repeat, add double kick. For the fill here, play 1/16 note triplets; four with alternating hands on the snare, then two with alternating feet on the kick, then repeat on hi tom.
Step 5 - Maintain that Breakdown (Pt. 2)
Still following the riff, move to a half time groove, playing snare on beat 3 in the first 2 bars, and doubling up in the third. Play an 1/8 note triplet fill using double kick and snare, and return to the groove from the second part of the intro.
Step 7 - Polish off the Breakdown (Pt. 3)
Add double kick variations to the groove now, starting with 1/16 notes in the first 3 bars, and adding 1/16 note triplets in the next three. Play the riff from the beginning of the chorus for 2 bars here, and for the next riff, follow the guitar with the crash and snare while using alternating feet to play 1/16 notes on the double kick.
Step 8 - Amplify the Intensity in the Last Chorus
Double up on the chorus now, starting on the open hi-hat as before, and moving to the crash after one repeat. Use 1/16 note triplets to play the fill at the end of this section; again using 4 alternating hand strokes with 2 alternating feet, moving from snare to mid then low toms.
Step 9 - Finish Strong in the Outro
Return to the 3 bar repeating riff, this time adding a 1/16 note double kick variation between bars 1 and 2. Repeat twice, finishing with a fill using ride and a snare flam.
Combine and Play Duality in Full
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement. With the Melodics app you can use Practice Mode to slow down the playalong track and isolate the tricky parts
Learn to play
Duality
with Melodics
Behind the track
Duality
by Slipknot
The powerful song "Duality" by Slipknot combines elements of alternative rock, nu-metal, and heavy metal. The song is known for its powerful intensity, pounding percussion, and violent guitar riffs. The song has a dynamic structure that alternates between powerful, driving verses and catchy, upbeat choruses.
Corey Taylor gives an absolutely amazing vocal performance. He exhibits his vocal range and ability by switching between lyrical singing and raw, guttural screams with ease. Taylor explores themes of duality, inner turmoil, and the difficulties of preserving one's identity in the face of chaos and misfortune in her songs.
All things considered, "Duality" is a remarkable song that perfectly captures Slipknot's distinctive sound and demonstrates their ability to produce powerful, emotionally driven music with accuracy and force.
Tips for learning Duality
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Duality' individually for precision mastery. Set the pace of the track to your level.
Tip 2: Learn in chunks
Identify growth areas: Melodics will pinpoint where you can enhance your skills for a tighter 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 "Duality" on drums is challenging due to its high energy and technical demands. The song features rapid double bass drumming, powerful and precise snare hits, and intricate fills that require significant skill, coordination, and stamina. It's a rewarding but demanding track for drummers.
- To play "Duality" on drums, you need strong double bass drumming technique, precise timing, and the ability to execute powerful snare hits. Proficiency in playing fast-paced rhythms and intricate fills is essential, along with maintaining high energy and stamina throughout the song. Developing these skills through practice and drills will help you master the complexities of this track.
- 144 bpm
- 4/4
- E 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.