Learn to playFred Astaireas made famous by San Ciscoon drums
A bouncy, upbeat indie pop beat with a steady hi-hat, punchy snare, and driving bass drum, creating an infectious groove that propels the song's danceable vibe.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Fred Astaire. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Fred Astaire
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Verse
Set up the two bars of verse groove to start. Play kick on the downbeats, with snare, low tom, and pedal hi-hat on the -& beats. In bar 1, use L - R - L to move from snare to hi tom, and in bar 2, use the same sticking again between hi tom and low tom. Use an A-A-A-B pattern between these two bars for the rest of the verse, and remember to swing your 1/16 notes.
Chorus
Move to a regular time groove on the hi-hat for the start of the chorus. Use the left hand to play the extra 1/16 note hi-hat in bar 1. Watch for the 1/16 note kick on beat 3-a of bar 2. Switch to two handed hi-hat in bar 5, breaking for bar 7, and returning in bar 8. Return to the double time verse feel for the final 2 bars, riding on the hi tom, and finish with a fill playing 1/16 note triplets moving around the kit.
Post-chorus
Return to the verse groove for the first 8 bars of the post-chorus. Move to the crash in bar 9, doubling the snare on beat 4-&, and finishing with a longer 1/16 note triplet fill, alternating hands and moving round the kit.
Outro
Rest for the first 3 bars of the outro, before bringing in a regular time kick and snare groove, and adding a two handed hi-hat pattern, moving to the hi tom on beat 4-&. Reprise the double time groove from the end of the first chorus with the 1/16 note triplet fill, and move to the crash, adding the snare to hi tom fill from the verse. End with a hard stop on low tom and kick.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement. Note how the verse and chorus switch between swung and straight 1/16 notes.
Learn to play
Fred Astaire
with Melodics
Behind the track
Fred Astaire
by San Cisco
"Fred Astaire" by San Cisco features a lively indie pop composition with jangly guitar riffs, a catchy bass line, and a vibrant rhythm section. The song's structure is dynamic, with engaging verses and memorable choruses. The vocal performance is bright and youthful, with Jordi Davieson's smooth, melodic voice delivering playful and whimsical lyrics. The harmonies and backing vocals add depth and enhance the song's cheerful and energetic atmosphere.
Tips for learning Fred Astaire on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Fred Astaire' 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 "Fred Astaire" by San Cisco on drums is relatively easy for intermediate drummers. The beat is straightforward and repetitive, focusing on maintaining a steady tempo and upbeat feel. The main challenge lies in keeping the groove consistent and lively throughout the song. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "Fred Astaire" on drums, you need a good understanding of basic indie pop beats, with the ability to maintain a steady tempo and upbeat energy. Control over the hi-hat, snare, and bass drum is essential to keep the groove tight and bouncy. You should be comfortable with dynamic changes and able to handle transitions between song sections smoothly. Good timing, a sense of rhythm, and the ability to play with a light, playful touch will help capture the song's infectious and danceable feel.
- 105 bpm
- 4/4
- C 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.