House Drum Pattern

What makes this pattern tick

House runs on four-on-the-floor: a kick on every single beat, so the pulse never has to be inferred. The open hi-hat sitting on every "&" is the other half of the formula — that offbeat sizzle is what makes the groove feel like it is pulling forwards rather than sitting still. Closing the hats with the left foot on each beat keeps them from washing into each other.

What each drum plays

Read the notation from the top down: cymbals above the staff, drums inside it, feet underneath. Full details in the drum notation guide.

How to count it

Count 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a out loud, one syllable per grid step. The numbers are the 4 beats, “&” is halfway through a beat, and “e” and “a” are the sixteenths either side of it. Every note in this pattern lands on one of those syllables — if you can say the count while you play, you are not guessing.

The count row under the sequencer highlights the syllable you are on as the loop plays, so you can check your counting against the playhead rather than against your ears.

Suggested tempo progression

This pattern is written for 124 BPM and rated beginner. Work up in stages rather than jumping straight to the target — the sequencer remembers whatever tempo you leave it at.

1. 75 BPM — slow enough to watch every limb. Play it until nothing surprises you.
2. 100 BPM — where the groove starts to feel like music rather than an exercise.
3. 124 BPM — the working tempo. Hold it for two minutes without drifting.
4. 145 BPM — faster than you need, so the target tempo feels easy when you come back to it.

Make it your own

The sequencer above is a copy, not the original, so change anything you like — toggle cells on and off, mute a voice to hear what it was holding together, or solo the kick to check your foot. Reset puts the pattern back. If you want the same idea in a different style, the closest neighbours are Basic Rock Drum Pattern and Techno Drum Pattern, or browse all 20 patterns.