Matt Helders is a drummer known for his FAST playing but he can also groove, as demonstrated in this classic from the Arctic Monkeys, Fluorescent Adolescent.
The main drum groove that Matt plays is something quite special and so I thought I would write a little mini drum lesson on the subject.
Since originally writing this blog my hand has been repaired and so I can now record a video of this drum beat for you all. So lets take a look at it now….
How To Play Fluorescent Adolescent Drum Beat
View the video on YouTube HERE – Learn How To Play Drums Fluorescent Adolescent Video Drum Lesson (Arctic Monkeys & Matt Helders)
The right hand is playing eighth notes on the hi-hat throughout the whole groove. The right hand pattern stays steady all the way through.
The left hand plays the snare drum backbeat on beats 2 and 4 of the bar at the same time as the hi-hat. The left hand also comes up to the hi-hat to play the sixteenth notes in between the right hand, starting on the “a” of beat 2 and then again on the “e” of beat 3. Again, these left hand sixteenth notes fall in between the steady right hand.
The bass drum is played at the same time as the hi-hat on beat 1, in between the hi-hats on the “a” of beat 1 (just before the snare drum), with the hi-hat on the “+” of beat 3 and just after the snare drum, in between the hi-hats, on the “e” of beat 4.
The hi-hat is opened on the “+” of beat 3, with the bass drum, and closed with the snare drum on beat 4. It is then opened again on the “+” of beat 4 and closed with the bass drum on beat 1 of the bar when the bar is repeated.
“Fluorescent Adolescent” – Drum Notation/Music
Check out more drum lessons for The Arctic Monkeys below…
- “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” – Drum Beat Video Drum Lesson
- “Brianstorm” – Drum Beat Video Drum Lesson
- “Hellcat Spangled Shalalala” – Drum Beat Video Drum Lesson
- “R U Mine” – Drum Solo Video Drum Lesson
- “Teddy Picker” – Drum Fill Video Drum Lesson
- “When The Sun Goes Down” – Drum Beat Video Drum Lesson
- “Fluorescent Adolescent” – Full Song Video Drum Lesson
- “Snap Out Of It” – Full Song Video Drum Lesson
- “Brianstorm” – Full Song Video Drum Lesson
- “I Bet You Good On The Dancefloor” – Full Song Video Drum Lesson
- “Pretty Visitors” – Full Song Video Drum Lesson
- “R U Mine” – Full Song Video Drum Lesson
- “The View From The Afternoon” – Full Song Video Drum Lesson
Browse all FREE drum content by clicking HERE.
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Please email rob@drumstheword.com or contact me through the Contact Form if you have any questions at all.