Learn to playTake On Meas made famous by A-haon drums
The drum beat for "Take On Me" by a-ha features a lively, upbeat tempo with punchy snare hits, steady bass drum, and rapid hi-hat patterns, creating an energetic and iconic rhythm.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Take On Me. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Take On Me
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
Start with a basic two bar repeating groove to kick off. When the synth hook enters, change the kick pattern to match the bass riff. Watch for the fills and variations towards the end of this section.
Verse
Now move into a 4 bar repeating groove, adding an extra kick on 4-& in the fourth bar. There is a short 1/8 note fill incorporating crash and hi tom leading into the chorus.
Chorus
Start the chorus with a basic 4 bar repeating groove. After 8 bars, move to a half-time groove, moving the snare to beat 3. Play a fill before using alternating hands on the snare before returning to regular time to finish the chorus.
Bridge
Return to the intro groove for the bridge. Finish this section with an open hi-hat on beat 4-&.
Outro
Come back in with the groove after 4 bars, and ride out on the synth hook.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Take On Me
with Melodics
Behind the track
Take On Me
by A-ha
"Take On Me" by a-ha showcases a captivating musical composition with its infectious synth riff, driving bassline, and dynamic drumbeat, creating a distinctive '80s pop sound. The vocal performance is striking, characterized by Morten Harket's emotive and soaring vocals, effortlessly blending power and vulnerability, which adds depth and resonance to the song's narrative. Together, the composition and vocal delivery create an iconic and timeless hit that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Tips for learning Take On Me on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Take On Me' 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 "Take On Me" by a-ha on drums can be moderately challenging due to its fast tempo and intricate rhythms, but with practice, it can become manageable for drummers of varying skill levels. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "Take On Me" by a-ha on drums, you need to master basic rock drumming skills, including steady timing, precise snare and bass drum coordination, and rapid hi-hat patterns. Familiarity with syncopation and the ability to maintain a consistent, energetic tempo are also essential. Proficiency in reading drum notation and executing quick fills will help capture the song's lively feel.
- 169 bpm
- 4/4
- A 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.