Learn to playEverybody Wants To Rule The Worldas made famous by Tears For Fearson drums
The drum beat in "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears features a laid-back, syncopated groove with a driving kick, crisp snare, and accented hi-hat patterns, creating a smooth yet dynamic rhythm.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Everybody Wants to Rule the World. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
The song begins with the guitar riff setting up the 12/8 time signature. In 12/8 time, we divide the beat into 4 groups of 3 beats, and can be counted 1-&-a-2-&-a-3-&-a-4-&-a-. The hi-hat plays a 6/4 rhythm by playing on every second 1/8 note starting on beat 1-& (the second 1/8 note in the bar. Finish this section with a snare and open hi-hat fill to lead into the main groove.
Intro (pt. 2)
Carrying on with the displaced 6/4 hi-hat pattern, add the snare backbeat and a shuffle kick rhythm. You may want to use Practice Mode to slow it down and feel how the components interlock. Finish this section with another snare to open hi-hat fill using alternating hands.
Verse 2
Continue the groove, feeling the circular nature of the rolling 3 note grouping. This section finishes with an anticipated crash fill, that is, playing the crash on the very last 1/8 note of the bar instead of the standard beat 1 of the next bar. Add the snare in tandem to give it impact.
Chorus
Continue the groove. The fill at the end of this section splits the 1/8 notes up between snare and kick - watch the sticking and make sure the movement between drums is smooth and continuous.
Bridge
Extend the anticipated crash fill idea here, adding a crash on the backbeat snare on beat 4 as well.
Last chorus and outro
In bar 6, repeat the snare to open hi-hat fill, and continue grooving through the outro, ending on the first anticipated crash fill.
Combine and perform
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
with Melodics
Behind the track
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
by Tears for Fears
The musical composition of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears is characterized by its lush, layered arrangement, driven by a syncopated drum beat, shimmering guitar riffs, and atmospheric synthesizers. The song blends new wave and pop-rock elements, creating a sound that is both polished and expansive.
Roland Orzabal's vocal performance is smooth and emotive, delivering the lyrics with a clear, expressive tone that captures the song's contemplative and introspective themes. The harmonies and backing vocals add depth and richness, enhancing the overall texture of the track. The combination of intricate instrumentation and poignant vocals makes the song a timeless classic.
Tips for learning Everybody Wants to Rule the World on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' 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 "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears on drums is moderately challenging, suitable for intermediate drummers. Here are the aspects that influence its difficulty: Syncopation: The drum beat features syncopated rhythms, particularly in the hi-hat and snare patterns, requiring good timing and coordination. Groove Consistency: Maintaining the relaxed yet driving groove throughout the song demands precision and a steady tempo. Dynamics: The drummer needs to control dynamics effectively, especially during transitions between verses, choruses, and instrumental sections. Hi-Hat Patterns: The accented hi-hat patterns and open hi-hat notes add complexity, requiring attention to detail and coordination. Fills: While not overly complex, the fills need to be executed cleanly and fit seamlessly into the groove. Overall, the song's moderate tempo and relatively straightforward structure make it approachable, but mastering the groove and syncopation presents a rewarding challenge. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears on drums, you will need the following skills: Syncopation: Understanding and executing syncopated rhythms, especially in the hi-hat and snare patterns. Timing and Consistency: Maintaining a steady tempo and consistent groove throughout the song. Dynamic Control: Managing dynamics to match the song's changes in intensity, ensuring smooth transitions between sections. Hi-Hat Technique: Playing accented and open hi-hat patterns accurately, incorporating both open and closed hi-hat notes. Coordination and Independence: Developing coordination between your hands and feet to play the intricate hi-hat, snare, and bass drum patterns simultaneously. Basic Rock Beats: Familiarity with standard rock beats and the ability to modify them with syncopated elements. Clean Fills: Executing simple yet effective drum fills cleanly and seamlessly integrating them into the main beat. Listening Skills: Actively listening to the song to understand its structure, nuances, and the placement of drum accents and fills. Stamina and Endurance: Sustaining the relaxed yet driving groove without losing precision over the course of the entire song. Practicing these skills will help you effectively play the drum part for "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" with confidence and musicality.
- 168 bpm
- 12 / 8
- F# minor
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