Learn to playWalk This Wayas made famous by Aerosmithon drums
"Walk This Way" by Aerosmith features a funky, syncopated drum beat with a steady hi-hat groove, accented snare hits, and a driving bass drum pattern that propels the song forward.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Walk This Way. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Walk This Way
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Intro
Learn the iconic opening drum part. Start with open hi-hat on beat 1, closing on beat 1-&. Play the 1/16 note kick on beat 2-a. In bar 6, play the crash and snare with the guitar hit on beat 3-&.
Verse
Ride the open hi-hats for the verse, switching up the kick pattern to play on beat 4-e.
Verse 2
Return to the intro riff, this time keeping the hi-hat closed. Watch for the crash on beat 4 of bar 2. Return to the open hi-hat verse groove, and at the end of this section, use both hands alternating on the snare to play the fill leading into the chorus.
Chorus
Move to the ride for the chorus, using the same kick pattern from the verse. Play the crash on beat 1 of every bar. in the last 2 bars, mimick the guitar rhythm with the crash.
Outro
For the first part of the outro, return to a simplified version of the verse groove. Watch for the open hi-hat in bar 2. After 4 bars, crash, and return to the closed hi-hat version of the intro groove as the song rides out. Finish on one last crash.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Walk This Way
with Melodics
Behind the track
Walk This Way
by Aerosmith
"Walk This Way" by Aerosmith features a distinctive blend of hard rock and funk elements. The musical composition is characterized by Joe Perry's iconic riff, which combines bluesy slide guitar with a catchy, syncopated rhythm. The verses are built around a tight, funky groove, supported by Tom Hamilton's driving bass line and Joey Kramer's dynamic drumming. The song's structure includes memorable breaks and bridges that enhance its infectious energy.
Steven Tyler's vocal performance is energetic and charismatic, showcasing his powerful voice and dynamic range. He delivers the lyrics with a raw, gritty intensity, alternating between rapid-fire verses and soaring, melodic choruses. Tyler's playful and expressive delivery, along with his signature screams and ad-libs, add a distinctive flair to the song, making it a quintessential example of Aerosmith's rock 'n' roll style.
Tips for learning Walk This Way on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Walk This Way' 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
- Walk This Way utilizes some intermediate techniques that can detract beginners from wanting to play the song. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- Walk This Way features use of the open hi-hat, 1/16 note kick patterns, and a fast snare fill.
- Walk This Way is 108 bpm.
- Walk This Way is in 4/4 time.
- 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.