Learn to playStart Me Upas made famous by The Rolling Stoneson drums
The drum beat in "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones is energetic and driving, featuring a signature snare riff, punchy kick drum, and infectious groove.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Start Me Up. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Start Me Up
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
Come in with the open hi-hat on beat 3 of bar 3. Play 1/4 notes on the kick for the main groove. Skip the closed hi-hat on the backbeat - a technique Charlie Watts was well known for. Start to add 1/16 note snares on beat 4-a towards the end of the section, and finish by alternating hands on the snare to fill into the verse.
Verse
Continue the groove into the verse. There are several fills here between snare and open hi-hat - you may want to use Practice Mode to slow down and loop these to get into the details.
Chorus
Play the crash every 2 bars in the beginning of the chorus, preceded by fills each time. After 10 bars, move to a post chorus section over the verse riff.
Verse 2
Begin with a crash and return to the verse groove here, continuing the 1/16 note snares, and fills involving open hi-hat and snare. Use the sticking L - R - L on the last snare fill to lead into the chorus.
Chorus 2
Again, play the crash every 2 bars in the beginning of the chorus, with variations on the fills. Use alternating hands, and count "3 & 4 e & a" for the final fill leading into the outro.
Outro
Return to the verse groove for 8 bars here, before finishing with a crash and kick.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Start Me Up
with Melodics
Behind the track
Start Me Up
by The Rolling Stones
"Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones is a high-octane rock anthem with a captivating musical composition. It features Keith Richards' iconic guitar riff driving the song's energy alongside Charlie Watts' steady drumbeat and Bill Wyman's pulsating bassline. Mick Jagger's vocal performance is electrifying, exuding charisma and attitude as he delivers the song's catchy and flirtatious lyrics. The composition builds momentum with each verse and chorus, culminating in an explosive and infectious groove that's quintessentially Stones.
Tips for learning Start Me Up on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Start Me Up' 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 "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones on drums can be considered relatively manageable for drummers with some experience. Charlie Watts' drumming style in this song is characterized by simplicity, groove, and consistency rather than complexity. The beat is straightforward, featuring a driving kick drum, steady snare hits, and simple fills. However, despite its simplicity, capturing the feel and groove of Charlie Watts' drumming style requires attention to detail, particularly in terms of dynamics, timing, and feel. Additionally, maintaining consistent energy and groove throughout the song is essential to replicate the iconic sound of "Start Me Up." Overall, while the drum part for "Start Me Up" may not be overly challenging technically, mastering its nuances and capturing the essence of Charlie Watts' playing style can be a rewarding endeavor for drummers of varying skill levels. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To effectively play "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones on drums, you'll need to develop several key skills: 1. Steady tempo and groove: Maintain a consistent tempo and groove throughout the song, as the rhythm section drives the energy of the track. 2. Kick drum technique: Develop control and precision with your kick drum to deliver a solid and driving pulse, especially during the iconic guitar riff sections. 3. Snare drum accents: Focus on crisp and precise snare hits, particularly emphasizing the backbeat to drive the song's momentum. 4. Hi-hat control: Utilize the hi-hat to add texture and dynamics to the groove, incorporating openings and closures as needed to match the song's feel. 5. Fills and transitions: Execute fills and transitions between song sections smoothly and confidently, maintaining the song's energy and flow. 6. Dynamic control: Pay attention to dynamics, varying the volume and intensity of your drumming to match the song's dynamic shifts and accents. 7. Listening skills: Study and familiarize yourself with Charlie Watts' drumming style on the original recording, paying close attention to nuances in his playing and incorporating them into your own performance. By honing these skills and practicing regularly, you'll be well-equipped to play "Start Me Up" on drums with authenticity and confidence, capturing the iconic sound of The Rolling Stones' rhythm section.
- 121 bpm
- 4 / 4
- F major
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