Overview
This lesson examines the beat structure of Beyoncé's "Single Ladies", focusing on unconventional sound usage, pattern repetition, and the placement of snare hits.
Beat Structure in "Single Ladies"
- The song uses a steady repeating pattern every half beat, but it is played by a clap instead of a hihat.
- There are no hihat sounds at all in the main beat for this example.
- The snare drum is only used once in the pattern, making it distinct from typical pop beats.
- The entire beat pattern repeats every bar, maintaining consistent rhythm throughout the track.
- The tempo of the song is 97 beats per minute (bpm).
Unconventional Sound Placement
- The single snare hit occurs on an offbeat, specifically halfway between two main beats.
- This offbeat snare placement provides a unique rhythmic feel to the song.
- Filling in the single snare hit requires listening carefully for its precise offbeat timing.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Offbeat — the position between the main beats, often used for syncopation or rhythmic variation.
- Beat — the basic unit of time in music, marking the regular pulse.
- Tempo — the speed of the beat, measured in beats per minute (bpm).
- Hihat — a type of cymbal often used to keep steady time in drum patterns.
- Clap — a percussive sound, often synthetic, that can replace or augment snare or hihat.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying and filling in the offbeat snare hit in the pattern.
- Experiment with making your own beat using claps for the half-beat pattern and single snare offbeat.
- Continue to the next lesson: "Play with beats".