The Rhythm Section

Drums, Bass, Keyboard and Guitar

What is the Rhythm Section?

refers to the group of instruments that provide the

underlying pulse and rhythm of the accompaniment in
contemporary popular music.

The Rhythm section is the foundation of any

contemporary ensemble in any style or genre.

The Rhythm Section is also sometimes referred to as the

backline.
Drums and Bass Relationship

If we say that the Rhythm Section is the Foundation of

any ensemble in ANY contemporary genre, then in the
same vein the DRUMS and BASS ARE the FOUNDATION of
the contemporary Rhythm Section,

Both of the drums and bass provide rhythmic pulse and

in addition the bass also provide the harmonic
foundation.

Suffice it to say, the drums and bass have a very close

relationship.
Important Signs to remember before
beginning to write for the Rhythm
Section. They are as follows:

The Slash

the 1 bar repeat

the 2 bar repeat

the 4 bar repeat

 The Drums

(Notation Basics)


• The drum set or drums is typically written in 3-part notation.

• Notice that the parts played by the hands are written stems up while the
parts played by the feet are written stems down. (*there are a variety of
ways of notating but this by far is the most commonly used and is
considered an industry standard)
Now if you really want to be really
specific, the PAS’ (Percussive Arts
Society) standard is as follows:
Ghost Notes

Open and Closed High Hat

Ride Cymbals
 Basic Time

a type of drum notation used in all styles to give the

drummer more freedom in the interpretation of the style
suggested.

Basic time is indicated by diagonal slashes in the measure

wherein the number of slashes per measure relates to the
number of beats per measure.
 Simile

Sometimes basic time is used after a specific 3 part notation

has already been suggested.

You may see the basic time with ‘simile’ written above or
below it. This means to continue the pattern in a similar way.

You may also add cymbal accents indicated by putting the

desired accent above the basic time notation.
 Fills

fills are used at the end of sections to help lead into the
next section.
 Kicks Over Time or Kicks

kicks over time is a way to have the drummer accent

certain rhythms being played by someone else in the
band. These are shown with notes above the staff in the
rhythm you want.
 Stop Time
Stop time means stopping the continuous feeling of basic time and playing only the rhythms indicated.

Stop time creates the strongest accents of rhythms.

When stop time is indicated, the ENTIRE rhythm section plays these same rhythms together.

Just as in kicks over time, the drummer chooses which part of the drum he’ll use to play these accents.

Specific rhythms can also be indicated for specific instruments, rather than the entire rhythms section
A typical drum chart and
how the signs are used.
Some Typical Grooves for the
Drums

1. Rock and Pop

2. Bossa Nova
 Exercise
(Identify whether the examples are
KOT or Stop Time)

1.

2.

3.
Drum Transcription Exercise

Listen to the example and write the drum groove in a

basic three part notation.
 The Bass

(Characteristics, Range and Notation
Basics)

Range

Open Strings
Play Changes
Specific Notes
 Specific Rhythm

• The bass part of the audio file is typically notated like this
using specific notes.

• However you could also notate it like the example above if you
do not care much for note choices or if you trust the bass
player
Simile
Typical Bass Chart would look like
this
Some Points to keep in mind when
writing for the bass and drums

Bass Rhythms change at the same time that the Drum Rhythms change.

Always put a double bar line at the end of each section.

There are many ways/variations to writing the bass line.
The simplest way is to play the root of the chords
utilizing the exact same rhythm that is being played by
the bass drum.

When writing for the bass it is important to consider it’s

relation to the kick or the bass drum as more often than
not it plays an identical or closely similar pattern. If this
is not the case chances are the pattern being played is
done in order to complement the one being executed by
the kick.
 Assignment:

• Listen to “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears

for Fears and transcribe the bass line and drum groove
of the WHOLE song using the techniques discussed in the
lecture. You are to use a MINIMUM of 4 techniques for
each instrument.

• Do the same for your assigned tune.