Learn to playGhostbustersas made famous by Ray Parker Jr.on drums
"Ghostbusters" drum beat: A funky groove with snappy snare hits, pulsating bass drum, and crisp hi-hat, driving the song's infectious rhythm and catchy melody.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Ghostbusters. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Ghostbusters
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
After the 4 bar intro, start with a 1/16 note buildup on the snare, and crash into the main groove. Use alternating hands, leading with the right, to play the snare 1/16 notes in bar 4 of the groove. Finish this section with another bar of snare 1/16 notes, this time accompanied by 1/4 notes on the kick.
Verse 1
Continue the main groove, opening the hi-hat on beat 4-& every second bar. Finish this section with the short snare 1/16 note fill, using alternating hands.
Chorus
The chorus comprises a two bar repeating phrase repeated three times. Play crashes on beats 1 and 4 in the first bar. Use alternating hands in the second bar to move from hi tom to the snare to the mid tom. After three rounds, finish this section with a snare 1/16 note fill using alternating hands, and move back to the verse groove.
Bridge
Starting from the verse groove before, play a fill across the toms to move into the bridge. Watch for the fill in bar 4 of the bridge, moving from hi to mid tom and finishing on the snare. Finish this section with double stops on the low tom and snare, with two snare 1/16 notes played with alternating hands leading into the outro.
Outro
Return to the verse groove, and finish the song with an alternating hand 1/16 note fill on the snare.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Ghostbusters
with Melodics
Behind the track
Ghostbusters
by Ray Parker Jr.
"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. boasts an infectious musical composition blending funky guitar riffs, groovy bassline, and lively brass sections, creating an upbeat, danceable vibe. Parker's vocal performance is charismatic, delivering the catchy chorus with a blend of confidence and playfulness, perfectly capturing the song's fun and spirited atmosphere.
Tips for learning Ghostbusters on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Ghostbusters' 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 "Ghostbusters" on drums is generally considered to be quite manageable for drummers of varying skill levels. The drum part features a straightforward and repetitive groove, consisting of basic patterns on the bass drum, snare drum, and hi-hat. There are no overly complex fills or techniques required, making it accessible for beginners. However, capturing the groove and energy of the song's iconic beat while maintaining steady timing is essential for an authentic performance. Overall, while it may not pose significant challenges, it still requires precision and attention to detail to nail the feel of the original recording. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. on drums, you'll need the following skills: 1. Basic drumming techniques: Familiarity with fundamental drumming techniques such as playing the bass drum, snare drum, and hi-hat with both hands and feet. 2. Rhythm and timing: Ability to maintain a steady tempo and rhythm throughout the song, as the beat is repetitive and groove-oriented. 3. Coordination: Being able to coordinate your limbs to play different rhythms simultaneously, particularly coordinating the bass drum with the hi-hat and snare drum. 4. Dynamic control: While the dynamics in "Ghostbusters" are relatively straightforward, being able to control the volume of your playing to match the song's intensity is important. 5. Listening skills: Paying attention to the original recording to accurately replicate the drum parts and capture the feel of the song. 6. Groove and feel: Capturing the funky, upbeat groove of the song by playing with a sense of groove and rhythm that complements the music. 7. Stamina: Maintaining energy and endurance throughout the song, as the beat is repetitive and requires consistent playing. Overall, while "Ghostbusters" may not require advanced drumming techniques, mastering these foundational skills will help you effectively play along with the song and capture its iconic beat.
- 115 bpm
- 4 / 4
- F# 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.