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  • Simplified
  •   Original
DRUM

Play Another one bites the dust: BATTERY

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Simplified

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Another one bites the dust

Another one bites the dust drums

How to play Another one bites the dust drums easy?

Another one bites the dust drums easy: Simple pattern

In this version, you play almost the same pattern as the original version. It is simplified slightly by removing the bass drums of the second and third beats played at the same time as the snare drum. You therefore have your bass drums played only on the first and fourth beats. Focus on your rhythmic precision (timing) and your regularity.

DRUM

Play Another one bites the dust: BATTERY

Version : 

Original

Difficulty : 

Downloads

Log in or create an account to access downloads

Another one bites the dust

Another one bites the dust drums

How to play Another one bites the dust drums?

The piece “Another One Bites the Dust”, from the album The Game (1980) by the British band Queen, is undoubtedly one of the most iconic titles of their career. Mainly known for its funky bass line and its irresistible groove, the role of the drums, played by Roger Taylor, is often underestimated. Far from being content to serve as a simple accompaniment, the drums play a key role in the construction of this piece with a unique style, mixing rock, funk and disco. Here is an analysis of the drum arrangement of this legendary title.

Another one bites the dust drums: Rhythmic Simplicity in the service of Efficiency.

The beat of “Another One Bites the Dust” is simple but devilishly effective. Roger Taylor opts for a minimalist approach that reinforces the groove of the song. The tempo is medium, around 110 BPM, offering a calm rhythm that accentuates the heaviness and depth of the groove.

The rhythmic structure is based mainly on a regular alternation of bass drum hits on the strong beats (1st and 3rd beats), with a snare drum marking the offbeats (2nd and 4th beats). This arrangement is typical of funk or disco rhythms, where the drums are there to support the pulse while letting the bass occupy a central place.

However, the effectiveness of this arrangement lies in Taylor's choice not to overdo it. By maintaining a simple and stable rhythmic pattern, he allows the bass line, played by John Deacon, to shine while providing solid support. This sobriety in the drumming creates a hypnotic effect, where each element finds its place in a well-oiled mechanism.

Another one bites the dust drums: The Absence of Complex Fills and Breaks

Unlike many rock songs where the drum breaks (or fills) are often used to mark transitions between parts, “Another One Bites the Dust” remains resolutely restrained in this regard. Roger Taylor is careful not to introduce complex rolls or marked transitions. Instead, he relies on repetition and consistency, which are essential to reinforce the danceable and groovy nature of the song.

One of the few moments where the drums deviate from their regular pattern is during the transitions to the choruses, where Taylor introduces a fill simple but impactful. This brief moment of variation allows the energy to be revived without breaking the coherence of the piece.

Another one bites the dust drums: Influence of Funk and Disco Music

The influence of funk and disco is undeniable in the drum arrangement of “Another One Bites the Dust.” Indeed, the song draws on the tight, repetitive grooves typical of these genres, where the drums and bass are at the service of an uninterrupted pulse. The influences of bands like Chic, whose bassist Bernard Edwards was a great inspiration for John Deacon, can be felt in the way the drums remain discreet but essential to the rhythmic structure.

The rigid structure of the drums also evokes disco music, where rhythmic instruments often had to serve a continuous dance, without interruption or excessive variation. This is reflected in the way Roger Taylor remains focused on maintaining a simple but captivating rhythm, allowing the song to have this dance quality.

Another one bites the dust drums: A Choice of Modern Instrumentation

The drum arrangement on “Another One Bites the Dust” is also marked by a more produced and modern sound, particularly due to the use of recording techniques closer to those used in pop and disco music at the time. The snare drum sound is more compressed, and the kick drum is recorded to be more percussive, which gives a particularly “punchy” rhythmic base to the song.

The production and mixing choices allow each element of the drums to shine without any one element dominating. The kick drum is deep and clear, which reinforces the bassline, while the snare remains relatively neutral in the mix so as not to impose itself aggressively.

Another one bites the dust drums: Simple pattern

Another one bites the dust drums: Your first rhythm on the drums

To play this song, you will need to master your first binary rhythm on the drums. Another one bite the dust is an ideal song if you are starting on the drums. The pattern is played repetitively. Your job is to be able to play it with precision and regularity. Indeed, playing a rhythm is one thing but managing to play it with the right timing throughout the song is another. So take advantage of this simple rhythm to focus on your rhythmic precision.

Another one bites the dust drums: Simple breaks

The breaks between verses and choruses are always the same. You will need to master the curling technique to play this break.

Good practice !