So i’m trying to find the beat to the verse to Dave Matthew’s Say Goodbye… So I asked Gemini…
The response looks better in courier font also… FYI.
This is TLDR for sure, but I find it very interesting and a perhaps starting point…
what is the drum beat called during the verses of dave matthews band say goodbye
Gemini said
While the drum part in the verses of “Say Goodbye” doesn’t have a single, formal name like a “Purdie Shuffle,” it is most commonly described by drummers and fans as a syncopated hi-hat and snare groove with heavy linear drumming influences.
In this song, Carter Beauford uses several of his signature techniques to create that specific “Say Goodbye” feel:
Key Characteristics of the Verse Beat
Linear Phrasing: Carter often plays “linearly,” meaning he avoids hitting two parts of the kit (like the hi-hat and snare) at the exact same time. This creates a flowing, rhythmic “conversation” between the drums.
Syncopated Hi-Hats: The “chattering” sound you hear is achieved through intricate hi-hat work, using a mix of open/closed accents and ghost notes.
Ghost Notes: He fills the space between the main backbeats with very soft snare hits, which gives the verse its “rolling” and “bubbling” energy without being too loud or aggressive.
Open-Handed Playing: Because Carter plays open-handed (left hand on hi-hat, right hand on snare), he has more freedom to move around the kit and create the complex ride-hi hat interplay seen in this track.
The Intro (The “Tribal” Beat)
While the verse is a syncopated groove, the intro is often referred to as a tribal tom beat. It features a heavy use of floor toms and a double bass kick pattern that builds tension before the song settles into the smoother verse rhythm.
Would you like me to find a drum transcription or a video lesson that breaks down the specific notation for this beat?
beat buddy tribal tom beat
Gemini said
If you are looking for a BeatBuddy setting or a similar drum machine pattern to match the “tribal tom” feel of “Say Goodbye,” you won’t find a single preset with that exact name. However, you can recreate it or find a matching loop by focusing on specific styles.
- Recommended BeatBuddy Genres
To get that rolling, tom-heavy sound in a BeatBuddy or similar MIDI drum library, look for:
World / Percussion: Specifically patterns labeled as “Tribal,” “African,” or “Afro-Beat.” These usually prioritize toms over the snare.
Mallets: Some libraries have “Mallet” or “Timpani” sections that capture the softer, resonant attack of the toms used in the intro.
6/8 or 12/8 Blues/Rock: While the song is technically in 4/4, Carter’s intro often feels like it has a triplet or “swing” pulse. Try 12/8 grooves if the standard 4/4 beats feel too “square.”
- The “Say Goodbye” Beat Elements
If you are programming the beat yourself or searching through a MIDI library, look for these specific components:
The Intro (The Tribal Part): This is a 16th-note tom roll played primarily on the floor tom and rack toms, accented with a double-kick drum pattern. It’s meant to sound like a continuous “thrumming.”
The Verse Groove: As mentioned before, this is a linear, syncopated groove. In BeatBuddy terms, look for “Funk” or “Fusion” beats that have a lot of Hi-Hat “chatter” and ghost notes on the snare.
- User-Created Content
Since the Dave Matthews Band has a dedicated following among musicians, there are often custom files available:
Singular Sound Forum: Check the BeatBuddy user forums for “Dave Matthews” or “Say Goodbye.” Users often upload specific MIDI files that map Carter Beauford’s exact parts to the BeatBuddy’s drum kits.
Would you like me to look for a specific MIDI file or a “DMB” drum kit preset that you can download for your BeatBuddy?
can you write that beat in sheet music
Gemini said
Since I can’t “draw” a traditional musical staff, I can provide a Percussion Tablature and a Grid Representation. This is the most accurate way to visualize Carter Beauford’s verse groove, which is a 16th-note linear pattern (meaning the hands and feet rarely hit at the same time).
- Verse Groove (The “Chirping” Linear Beat)
This is the core rhythm for the verses. It relies on heavy ghost notes (lowercase s) and accented snare hits (uppercase S).
Key:
HH: Hi-Hat (x = closed, o = open)
SD: Snare Drum (S = Accented, s = Ghost note)
BD: Bass Drum (B = Kick)
Plaintext
Count | 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a |
|---------------------------------|
HH | x x o x x x o x x x o x x |
SD | s S s s s S |
BD | B B B |
2. Intro (The Tribal Tom Roll)
The intro is essentially a continuous stream of 16th notes moving between the Floor Tom and Rack Tom, punctuated by a double-bass pattern.
Key:
HT: High Tom
FT: Floor Tom
BD: Bass Drum
Plaintext
Count | 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a |
|---------------------------------|
HT | x x x x x x |
FT | x x x x x x x x |
BD | B B B B B B B B |
3. Musical Notations to Remember
If you were to write this on a formal staff:
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: Approximately 104 BPM.
Articulation: Use staccato marks on the hi-hats to get that “chirp” sound, and parentheses around the snare ghost notes to indicate they should be felt more than heard.
Would you like me to translate this into a “Drum Machine” style step-sequencer format (like 1-16) so you can plug it into a DAW or BeatBuddy?
yes
Gemini said
To get this into your BeatBuddy or a DAW, here is the “Say Goodbye” verse groove in a 16th-note step sequencer format.
Most drum machines use a 16-step grid (one measure of 4/4). To program this, set your velocity for “ghost notes” to about 20-30% and “accents” to 90-100%.
Verse Step-Sequencer Grid (The “Linear” Groove)
This pattern repeats every 16 steps.
Step 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Hi-Hat X X O X X X O X X X O X X
Snare S s S
Kick B B B
X = Closed Hi-Hat
O = Open Hi-Hat (Chirp)
S = Accented Snare (The “Backbeat”)
s = Ghost Note (Very quiet)
B = Bass Drum
The “Tribal” Intro Grid
For the intro, you want a “rolling” feel. Carter plays this with a constant 16th-note flow between the toms.
Step 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Hi Tom T T T T T T
Floor Tom F F F F F F F F F F
Kick B B B B B B B B
Programming Tips for BeatBuddy:
Swing: Set your swing/shuffle to 0%. Carter’s timing is incredibly precise; the “groove” comes from the volume differences (dynamics), not from pushing the notes off the grid.
Quantization: Keep it strictly to 1/16 notes.
Kit Choice: Use a “Jazz” or “Brushes” kit if you want the soft verse feel, or a “Rock” kit with high resonance on the toms for the intro.
Would you like me to find the specific MIDI CC numbers for these drums if you’re mapping them to a specific software?
Not bad aye???