Difficulty Level Learn how to play this classic drum beat from the song Scentless Apprentice by Nirvana, performed by the great drummer Dave Grohl. This drum groove occurs at the beginning of the song and during the verses.

“Scentless Apprentice” Free Video Drum Lesson

View the video on YouTube HERE – Learn How To Play Drums Song Scentless Apprentice Video Drum Lesson (Nirvana & Dave Grohl)

“Scentless Apprentice” Drum Notation

Why It’s Great

Another masterful performance from Mr Grohl, in a song built around his drumming. His massive authority is achieved without overplaying, the mark of a true great. And just listen to that single bass drum foot!

How To Play It

Occurs at the beginning and during the verses. Dave’s right hand is bashing out eighth notes on the hi-hat while the bass drum and snare drum perform all the action. Dave plays a crash on beat 1 of the bar but this is left out the first time round.

A strong backbeat is supplied on beats 2 and 4 of the bar with an extra snare drum flam note on the ‘a’ of beat 2. This is rather clever because Dave throws in this flam (played with which ever hands you feel comfortable with) in between the hi-hat notes on the ‘+’ of beat 2 and beat 3, without missing a beat. The right hand moves back to the hi-hat on beat 3, directly after the flam, without the flow of hi-hat notes ever being interrupted.

The bass drum foot plays the ‘e’ of beat 2 and 4 directly after the snare drum backbeats, in between the hi-hat notes.

There is also a bass drum on the ‘a’ of beat 4 leading straight back into beat 1. Notice how these two bass drum notes are technically played together when the bar is looped. The bass drum notes filling the whole of beat 3 require a strong bass drum foot. The ankle needs to be used in order to play theses four notes in a row, especially at this tempo. A real bass drum workout but one that will certainly improve your bass drum technique once achieved!

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