Learn to playPick Up The Piecesas made famous by Average White Bandon drums
Robbie McIntosh's drum part for Pick Up The Pieces is a masterclass in funk drumming featuring a hypnotic core rhythm with hi-hat articulations and syncopated kick and snare.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Pick Up The Pieces. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Pick Up The Pieces
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
A section
After the 4 bar intro, move into the groove, matching the horn riff with syncopation in the kick, snare, and hi-hat.
B section
Mark the hits in tandem with the bass, and pay attention to the variations each time. In bar 4, hit on beat 4, and then continue the groove, with fills on the snare and hi-hat.
Solo
Keep the syncopated groove going through the sax solo. Use alternating hands between snare and hi-hat for the fill in bar 8.
A section 2
Return to the main melody, again matching your syncopation with the horn riff. In bar 6, use alternating hands to play the 1/16 note triplets on the snare.
Outro
Return to the B section once more, and groove out, finishing on the hits of the horn melody.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Pick Up The Pieces
with Melodics
Behind the track
Pick Up The Pieces
by Average White Band
Pick Up The Pieces is built around a syncopated, funk horn riff played by saxophones. The rhythm section, comprising two electric guitars, bass, drums and percussion, play a slightly swung and laid back feel, with one guitar strumming chords a la Nile Rodgers, while the other plays a counter riff to the horn line. The harmony is simple and blues-like, moving from the two chord A section progression to two new chords in the more tense B section.
Tips for learning Pick Up The Pieces on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of Pick Up The Pieces 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
- Pick Up The Pieces is an advanced difficulty song. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- You will need command of advanced funk syncopation skills.
- 105 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.