<P> A drum beat or drum pattern is a rhythmic pattern, or repeated rhythm establishing the meter and groove through the pulse and subdivision, played on drum kits and other percussion instruments . As such a "beat" consists of multiple drum strokes occurring over multiple musical beats while the term "drum beat" may also refer to a single drum stroke which may occupy more or less time than the current pulse . Many drum beats define or are characteristic of specific music genres . </P> <P> Many basic drum beats establish the pulse through alternating bass (on the on - beats) and snare drums (on the off - beats) strokes while establishing the subdivision on the ride cymbal (thus its name) or hi - hat: </P>

Pattern of drumbeats produced by using alternative sticks