Learn to playImmigrant Songas made famous by Led Zeppelinon drums
The "Immigrant Song" drum beat is a powerful, driving rhythm featuring rapid kick-snare patterns, accented by tight hi-hats and dramatic fills, creating an intense, pulsating groove befitting the hammer of the gods.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Immigrant Song. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations. Onward, to Valhalla!
Immigrant Song
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Basic groove
Begin with the outline of the basic groove, playing a repeating 1/8 note kick pattern.
Add 1/16 notes
Now add in the extra 1/16 notes on the kick on beats 1-a, 2-e, 3-a, and 4-e. Add ghosted 1/16 notes on the snare on beats 2-a, and 4-a. Play the whole groove for 8 bars to lock it in.
Chorus
Hit the crash on beat 1 and repeat as the chords rise in the chorus. In bar 4, play a flam on beat 3 and stop, picking up with a snare on beat 4-a to lead back into the groove.
Verse 2
Continue the groove into verse 2. In bar 4, catch the crash on beat 4 with the kick, and repeat again after 2 bars.
Outro
Start off with the groove, before moving to play the crash on beat 4 in every bar with the guitar hits. Notice the variations in kick and snare here; you may want to use Practice Mode to slow it down and nail it. In bar 10, finish on beat 3.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections in the form: intro - verse - chorus - verse 2 - outro to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Immigrant Song
with Melodics
Behind the track
Immigrant Song
by Led Zeppelin
"Immigrant Song" combines hard rock and heavy metal elements, characterized by its iconic, galloping riff, thunderous bass, and relentless drumming. Robert Plant's vocal performance is fierce and piercing, with dynamic wails and potent lyrics that evoke Norse mythology and adventure. Onward Viking Metal!
Tips for learning Immigrant Song on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Immigrant Song' 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 the drums for "Immigrant Song" can be quite challenging due to its fast tempo, precise timing, and powerful energy. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out, making it easier to start learning and gradually mastering the beat.
- Basic Rhythm Understanding: Ability to count and play foundational rock rhythms. Hand Coordination: Independent control of each hand for fast, dynamic patterns. Foot Coordination: Effective use of the bass drum pedal to align with rapid hand movements. Timing: Maintain a consistent, quick tempo without losing precision. Dynamics Control: Play with the intensity required to match the song’s powerful feel. Endurance: Sustain high energy levels throughout the song’s duration. Listening Skills: Ability to replicate the song's iconic drum patterns and fills accurately. Patience & Practice: Consistent practice to refine technique and build confidence for handling complex rhythms.
- 113 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.