Learn to playMaterial Girlas made famous by Madonnaon drums
The drum beat in Madonna's 'Material Girl' features a steady, upbeat rhythm with a punchy snare, accented hi-hats, and a consistent bass drum, driving the energetic pop groove.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind 'Material Girl'. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Material Girl
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
Pick up on beat 3-& of the intro with a kick into a snare flam. Launch into the main groove, playing a basic beat but making it linear by playing hi-hat only on the "-&" beats. In bar 5 play the open hi-hats on beats 3 and 4. In bar 9, play the hi tom on beats 1-& and 3-&.
Verse
Continue the groove into the verse, watching for the open hi-hat and hi tom fills that appear. At the end of this section, use two hands on the snare, using the sticking R-L-R R-R-L to play the fill leading into the chorus.
Chorus
Start the chorus with a crash, and continue the groove, watching for the open hi-hat and tom fills.
Combine and play
Now combine the three sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Material Girl
with Melodics
Behind the track
Material Girl
by Madonna
"Material Girl" by Madonna showcases an infectious blend of synth-pop and dance music with a catchy melody and prominent use of synthesizers and electronic instruments. The composition features a strong, danceable beat, characterized by steady drum patterns and rhythmic bass lines. The song’s arrangement includes bright, sparkling synth riffs and layered production, creating a vibrant, upbeat sound.
Madonna's vocal performance is confident and playful, perfectly capturing the song’s theme of materialism and independence. Her delivery is crisp and clear, with a slightly nasal tone that adds to the track's distinctive 80s pop feel. She employs a mix of spoken word and melodic singing, enhancing the song's catchy and memorable quality.
Tips for learning 'Material Girl' on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Material Girl' 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 "Material Girl" by Madonna on the drums is relatively straightforward, making it accessible for beginner to intermediate drummers. The drum beat primarily features a steady four-on-the-floor pattern with a consistent bass drum on every beat, accented snare hits on the second and fourth beats, and simple hi-hat rhythms. The groove is repetitive, focusing on maintaining a solid, danceable rhythm rather than complex fills or intricate patterns. However, achieving the precise timing and consistent energy that the song requires can be a good practice in maintaining a steady tempo and tight playing. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play 'Material Girl' by Madonna on the drums, you'll need to develop the following skills: Steady Tempo: The song requires a consistent tempo throughout, so practicing with a metronome to maintain a steady beat is essential. Basic Four-on-the-Floor Beat: This involves playing the bass drum on all four beats of the measure. It's a foundational beat in many pop and dance tracks. Snare and Hi-Hat Coordination: You'll need to coordinate your snare hits on the second and fourth beats while keeping a steady rhythm on the hi-hat, typically in eighth notes. Dynamic Control: The song has a lively, upbeat feel, so you need to control your dynamics to keep the energy consistent without overpowering the other instruments. Simple Fills: While the beat is straightforward, adding occasional simple fills can enhance the performance. Practice basic drum fills to add variety without complicating the rhythm. Listening Skills: Pay attention to the original track to understand the nuances and groove. Playing along with the recording can help you match the feel and energy of the song. Mastering these skills will enable you to play 'Material Girl' effectively and with confidence.
- 120 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.