THE KIT · TIME FEEL 7 · 4/4

Open Hi-Hat

Opening the hi-hat gives a groove a sizzling, splashy accent. Rock, funk and disco drummers use it on off-beats to make a beat breathe.

This lesson works through off-beat open hi-hat sounds step by step.

Open this feel on the kit →

Reading it

A small o above a hi-hat note means open: lift your foot so the two cymbals ring.

The next plain x means closed again: press your foot back down. The close usually lines up with the next count.

Counting

Count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. Open on the & that has the o, and close exactly on the next number.

The four steps

Each step changes one thing. Get each one comfortable before moving on.

1. Open on the & of 4, close on 1. The classic rock open hat.Play variation 1 →
2. Open on the & of 2 and the & of 4.Play variation 2 →
3. Disco: bass drum on every beat, open hi-hat on every &, closed on the numbers.Play variation 3 →
4. Bass drum on 1, the & of 2 and 3, with an open hi-hat on the & of 3.Play variation 4 →

Common mistakes

• Leaving the hi-hat open too long. The open sound should stop exactly on the next count.
• Opening too wide. A small lift gives a controlled sizzle; a big lift gives a messy wash.
• Losing the bass drum while the hi-hat foot is busy. Practise hands and hi-hat foot first.

Practice plan

5 min	Hi-hat hand and foot only: open on the &, close on the number.
5 min	Step 1, adding bass drum then snare.
10 min	Steps 2 to 4, twenty bars each.
5 min	Step 3 (disco) with the metronome at 110.

Always start slower than you think you need to. Speed comes from playing it right many times, not from playing it fast once.