How do you come up with a beat?

[NativeDrummer]

I'm curious as to how some people come up with their beats. I just kind of take what I know from other songs and alter it a little bit while mixing in my own material that I come up with just hitting drums trying to find something that sounds good.

[Chase David]

I pretty much do what you said.  However, if I'm learning a cover, I follow the bass line.  To add my own "take" on it, I'll throw in a ghost note or two.  If the song is "known" for it's drum beat or fills, I try to stick with the original.

If I want to come up with something on my own, I listen to as much different styles of music and drumming as I can.  I then take bits and pieces and put them togeather.  In essence, I let my imagination be my guide.

[drums77]

paradiddles!!!!!! substitute some of the hands for the foot and open hi hat...there you go..millions of drums beats....

[ItsTheBasiX]

i just play whatever fits with the song and makes it groove.

[patch]

I just try to do what I "hear" in the song and what I think works well.

[fire_monkey]

when playing a "well known" song i will keep along with the beat but once it come to the fills i woull just mess about and see what works, sometimes it works out far better that what the artist has one... some times i doesn't work and sounds aweful.

another thing i do is when learning a sheet of music. for excample for the past few months me and my teachers have been couver double bass stuff. what i do is when he gives me the music i learn it the way it is wrote but then i will move the beat around the kit untill i find things that work. infact i have just got off my kit after turning something that was origanly wrote snare and bass into a awesome (well my tutor will be the judge tomorrow) kit fill

[ghostman]

go through the book 1001 drum grooves.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1575604191/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=4080862675&ref=pd_sl_5592hau2kt_e

[redrum]

just do it init. start with the most basic and add something every now and then till youve got some nice beats. maybe add extra ride cymbal hits, use your left foot, maybe miss out some notes too.

[drummer222]

If you want to make a beat here are the steps
1. Think about you time signature - You may know what a time signature is, but most people don't think about when playing. Most songs are in 4/4.

2. Think about the genre -  There are rules to every type of music except most hip hop/rap because it uses a drum machine.

3. Know how to read sheet music. Surprisingly, most drummers don't know how to read the music. If you know how to read the notes it will help you come up with it.

4. Try it out - Make your beat and play it. If you don't like it, change it.

             Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!