Bossa Nova Drum Lesson

Bossa nova drum exercises are an excellent way to begin learning to play Latin drums, since the bossa nova is one of the simplest styles of Latin drumming and is quite easy to learn.

Bossa nova is a Brazilian style of music that was developed from samba music during the late 1950s. Portuguese for "new trend", bossa nova emerged out of the upscale beach side neighbourhoods in Rio De Janeiro. João Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim are credited with pioneering the genre, which enjoyed a large following during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Bossa nova uses simplified samba rhythms and is a relaxed, romantic style of music that is less percussive than other styles of Latin music. It tends to have more complex chord progressions than other Brazilian music styles due to the influence of jazz music.

The basic bossa nova drum beat is shown below.

2:3 Bossa Nova Drum Beat

3:2 Bossa Nova Drum Beat

The bass drum plays the typical Brazilian bass drum pattern which aligns with the bass. The left hand plays the bossa nova clave pattern. This can be either a 2-3 or 3-2 clave. The right hand plays light, even eighth notes on the hi-hat. This can also be played on the ride cymbal, on the snare drum with a brush tapping or swishing side to side, or with a shaker. The hi-hat foot is often played on beats two and four.

These drum exercises include several bossa nova variations. Remember to keep the bossa nova gentle and light.

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