Learn to playGreen Lightas made famous by Lordeon drums
The Green Light drum beat features a driving, syncopated rhythm with punchy kick drums and crisp snare hits. Hi-hats emphasize the groove, creating an energetic vibe throughout.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Green Light. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Green Light
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Pre-chorus
The drums begin in the pre-chorus. Start with 4 to the floor kick for 14 bars. Use alternating hands on the hi tom, then quickly use both hands to play the double stop toms in the last bar.
Chorus
The chorus moves to a two-handed 1/16 note hi-hat groove, starting with crash. Move the right hand down to play the snare backbeat.
Last Chorus
For the final chorus, start with the 4 to the floor kick for 2 bars, before moving to the fill, and finally the two-handed hi-hat groove.
Combine and perform
Now perform the whole abridged arrangement, Pre-chorus, Chorus, and Last Chorus. Begin just before the Pre-chorus with 10 bars of rest.
Learn to play
Green Light
with Melodics
Behind the track
Green Light
by Lorde
Green Light by Lorde blends pop and indie elements with a pulsating piano riff, dynamic synthesizers, and driving percussion. Lorde's vocal performance is raw and expressive, capturing both vulnerability and empowerment as it transitions from heartfelt verses to a soaring, anthemic chorus.
Tips for learning Green Light on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of Green Light 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.
- Get access to 100s of interactive lessons and popular songs
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FAQs
- Playing drums, including the patterns in "Green Light," can be quite challenging due to its syncopated rhythms and dynamic shifts. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out, making it easier to learn the basics and gradually build your skills.
- Give your best To play drums effectively, especially for a song like "Green Light," you need the following skills: Basic Rhythm Understanding: Ability to count and play basic rhythms. Hand Coordination: Independently control each hand to play different patterns simultaneously. Foot Coordination: Use of bass drum pedal in sync with hand movements. Timing: Maintain consistent tempo and groove. Dynamics Control: Vary the intensity and volume to match song dynamics. Endurance: Sustain energy throughout the song. Listening Skills: Identify and replicate specific drum patterns and fills. Patience & Practice: Willingness to practice and refine your technique over time. Beginner versions on platforms like Melodics can help develop these essential skills gradually.
- 129 bpm
- 4/4
- 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.