Phantom of the Opera – Iron Maiden
This excerpt represents the core rhythm in Iron Maiden's 'Phantom of the Opera' – from their debut, self-titled album (1980). In the first measure, drummer, Clive Burr, played alternating eighth notes between the ride cymbal and snare drum over a four-on-the-floor pulse. In the second half of measure 2, the bass drum and crash cymbal sound together for 3 quarter notes. The musical term for grouping eighth notes into 2s and 3s to create a simple polymeter is 'hemiola'.
What’s next?
Coupled with technique-building coordination exercises and hundreds of motivational examples, our method books guide you from beginner level to advanced drumming. Enjoy hundreds of examples taken from chart-topping songs from the 60s through today:
Chart-Topping Drum Beats: The 60s Through Today
Chart-Topping Drum Fills: The 60s Through Today
Author
Steve Ley is a professional drummer, teacher, writer and Sheet Music Team Director for Online Drummer. He studied at the Australian National University, graduating with a Diploma of Music specializing in jazz performance.
