Have you ever wanted to know how to play eighth notes on drums? This is your chance to find out. Playing eighth notes on the drums is only slightly different from playing regular notes--you're just going to do more beats in one count. This page will instruct you on how to play eighth notes on the drums.

The history of the drum dates all the way back to 6000 B.C. which is a very long time ago. These drums were found using Mesopotamian excavations in various parts of the world. Drums are a membranophone, which is a type of instrument which when you hit the stretched membrane with an object, it makes a sound. Over the many years of history, drums have been used for different purposes: some for societal life, some for military, and some others for religion. The drum kit, however, was not developed until the 1930s in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States. A drum kit involves several drums such as a snare drum, bass drum, the foot petal, tom toms, and cymbals. Drumming has come a long way since the early dates of ancient drums with even using synthesizers to produce drum sounds instead of actually playing the drum.http://penz4.tripod.com/historyofdrums.html

It is important to stay on the beat when playing eighth notes so that you know you are playing in time. This page will guide you through three easy steps in order to teach you how to play eighth notes on the drums.

The most important thing about learning how to play eighth notes is the count that you must follow. This is necessary to know before you start playing eighth notes. You are going to learn to count and play in a four count major.

As you may or may not know, a regular count is: one, two, three, four, two, two, three, four, and so forth. This measures the standard beats you may play. However, for eighth notes, it's a little different. Instead of the typical one, two, three, four, you are going to be interjecting an 'and' in between the counts. So now, it will sound like this: one and two and three and four and. All you did was add a symmetrical beat in between the counts.

Now that you've learned the basics of the eighth note count, you can use a metronome to make sure you're counting correctly. A metronome is a device often used by musicians and singers to keep a steady beat or pulse while performing music or simply just counting. The metronome uses a measurement of BPM (beats per minute) to keep the tempo.The main purpose or goal of using a metronome is for the musician to make sure he or she is keeping in the right time and count.http://musicappreciation.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_a_metronome

You now know what the count of eighth notes is and how to use a metronome. You can now pick up your drumsticks and begin to play the eighth notes on whatever type of drum you're using whether it be a snare drum or a bass drum. While you play, it helps to keep the metronome on as well so you know you're playing in time. Before you start playing, remember to count yourself off: one and two and three and four and. Then, start playing and remember to stay with the beat!

Check out the how tos below to learn how to play other songs on drums:

1. How to Play 16th Notes on Drums
2. How to Hold Drumsticks
3. What are Drum Set Parts
4. How to Play a Basic Rock Beat on Drums
5. How to Play a Snare Drum
6. How to Play Eighth Notes on Drums
7. How to Play Drum Fills
8. How to Play Quarter Notes on Drums
9. How to Set up a Snare Drum
10. How to Use a Drum Pedal
11. How to Tune A Snare Drum