Groove (drumming)

In drumming, a groove is a repeated phrase that sets and maintains the rhythm and tempo of the piece.

Grooves and fills are the main components of the music played on a drum kit, and together with basic techniques or rudiments such as flams make up the curriculum for learning to play the drum kit.

To a drummer, a groove is the drumming equivalent of a riff to a guitarist.

Examples

Rock music

• Cut time
• Standard rock beat on snare, bass and closed hi-hats

Jazz music

Swing

• Cooking on the hi-hat
• Shuffle on the ride cymbal
• Jazz waltz in 3
• Stirring with brushes on the snare drum

Latin

• Bossa Nova
• Samba

Heavy metal music

• Blast beat
• Breakdowns
• Odd time grooves
• Used in modern music for momentum

See also

• Groove (music)