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Howlin' Wolf Drum Chart

You can download the jam track (with no drums) here: Howlin' Wolf

You can also download the below drum chart here: Howlin' Wolf Drum Chart

The drums to Howlin' Wolf consist of straight 8th notes on the Hi-Hats with the bass drum and snare drum closely following the rhythm the bass guitar is playing. There is some good syncopation between the snare and bass drum in bars 4, 8 and 10. The drummer's job on this track is to play a very tight beat. In the pocket is the key to this one.

You want to ensure that you don't get sloppy on the syncopated parts. Don't drag the notes or play them too fast or you'll throw out the pulse of the song.

A great way to practice syncopation is to slow the metronome right down to about 60 beats per minute and focus on one bar that consists of some syncopated notes. Take the 8th bar and slow that right down to 60 bpm. If your metronome has a light on it and you can turn off any sounds focus on the light and play in tight time with that. When you get comfortable stay focused and look away or close your eyes for a bar or two, then open them to make sure you are still right on the money with the light.

The more you practice syncopation with a slow metronome the better your time will become. It's never a good idea to practice playing in time with a metronome on a fast speed. Fast speeds allow you to get away with sloppier playing. Slow speeds will let you hear your mistakes and they have a tendency to trip you up when you start playing on the off beats.

Always remember that your first and foremost job as the drummer is to keep good time and feel.