Learn to playGhost Townas made famous by The Specialson drums
The drum beat in "Ghost Town" by The Specials is a driving ska rhythm, characterized by punchy offbeat accents on the snare and syncopated hi-hats.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Ghost Town. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Ghost Town
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
After 1 bar of intro, come in with the groove on beat 2-a. Play 1/16 notes on the hi-hat, the backbeat on the snare, and the kick on all the downbeats and -a beats. Watch for the double snare fill, and at the end of this section, learn the syncopated open hi-hat fill that occurs throughout the song, finishing with alternating hands on the snare.
Verse
Continue the 1/16 note hi-hat groove. Play the syncopated open hi-hat fill in bars 4 and 8, simplifying the snare fill the first time.
Chorus
Start with an open hi-hat in lieu of a crash to start the chorus. Watch for the fill between kick and snare in bar 4. Use alternating hands to play the short 1/16 note snare fill in bar 6, and finish this section with the syncopated open hi-hat fill.
Outro
Return to the suspenseful intro riff for the outro. Play the syncopated open hi-hat fill in bar 4. After 8 bars of groove, finish with an abrupt snare on beat 1-&.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections in the order: intro - verse - chorus - outro to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Ghost Town
with Melodics
Behind the track
Ghost Town
by The Specials
"Ghost Town" by The Specials is a haunting blend of ska and post-punk, featuring sparse instrumentation and eerie melodies. Terry Hall's vocals convey a sense of desolation and urban decay, perfectly matching the song's themes of social unrest and economic decline. The composition is minimalist yet powerful, with its atmospheric soundscapes and iconic horn section adding depth to the overall atmosphere. It's a timeless anthem that captures the spirit of its era while remaining relevant today.
Tips for learning Ghost Town on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Ghost Town' 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 "Ghost Town" by The Specials on drums can present some challenges due to its unique ska rhythm and sparse instrumentation. The main drum beat consists of offbeat accents on the snare drum, syncopated hi-hats, and occasional fills. While the individual components may not be overly complex, maintaining the groove and capturing the song's feel requires precision and a good sense of timing. Additionally, the song's dynamics and the interaction with other instruments, such as the horn section, require careful listening and coordination. Overall, it's not the easiest song for beginners but can be mastered with practice and attention to detail. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "Ghost Town" by The Specials on drums, you'll need several key skills: 1. Ska Rhythm: Familiarize yourself with ska rhythms, particularly the offbeat accents characteristic of the genre. 2. Offbeat Snare Accents: Practice playing snare accents on the offbeats while keeping a steady rhythm with the hi-hats. 3. Syncopation: Develop the ability to play syncopated rhythms, especially with the hi-hat pattern. 4. Fills: Work on incorporating fills tastefully, as the song has occasional opportunities for drum fills to add variation. 5. Dynamic Control: Pay attention to dynamics, as "Ghost Town" has sections that require changes in volume to match the song's mood. 6. Listening Skills: Listen closely to the original recording to capture the nuances of the drum part and how it interacts with the other instruments. With practice and attention to these skills, you'll be able to effectively play the drum part for "Ghost Town" and capture its distinctive ska vibe.
- 74 bpm
- 4 / 4
- A# 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.