Hi-hat workout

Why the hi-hat of all sounds

The hi-hat decides whether a beat sounds clean or muddy. It is the sound that appears most often – and therefore the one where sloppiness shows fastest. So this lesson adds no new sound. It trains.

You learn four rhythms and combine them into a workout routine you can practise anywhere. And you learn a new breathing technique: the ZuZu.

Part 1: straight hi-hats

The starting point. Sounds simple, is not – every note should sound the same and equally sharp.

ll:  Ts - Ts - Ts - Ts | Ts - Ts - Ts - Hi  :ll     80 → 85 BPM
                                  (metronome 160 → 170)

Part 2: the ZuZu – breathing in a double hit

You know this rhythm from the beginner tutorial. What is new is the in-breath at the end: the ZuZu. You breathe in twice quickly in a row, shaping your mouth into a U. Breathe out in between.

ll:  ZuZu - He - ZuZu - He  :ll                    80 BPM
ll:  Ts - TsTs - Tsss | Ts - Tsss - ZuZu  :ll      80 → 85 BPM

Part 3: closed and open hi-hat

Now you combine the closed hi-hat (Ts) with the open one (Tsss). The difference is what creates the groove.

ll:  Ts Ts Ts - Tsss - Ts - Tsss Hi  :ll           75 → 85 BPM

Part 4: the hip-hop rhythm

ll:  Ts - Ts - Tss - TsTsTs - Tss Hi  :ll          80 → 85 BPM

The complete workout routine

The straight base rhythm returns between each part – that creates a loop you can run for as long as you like.

ll:  Ts - Ts - Ts - Ts | Ts - Ts - Ts - Hi  :ll    4x
ll:  Ts - TsTs - Tsss | Ts - Tsss - ZuZu  :ll      4x
ll:  Ts - Ts - Ts - Ts | Ts - Ts - Ts - Hi  :ll    4x
ll:  Ts Ts Ts - Tsss - Ts - Tsss Hi  :ll           4x
ll:  Ts - Ts - Ts - Ts | Ts - Ts - Ts - Hi  :ll    4x
ll:  Ts - Ts - Tss - Ts | TsTs - Tss Hi  :ll       4x
ll:  Ts - Ts - Ts - Ts | Ts - Ts - Ts - Hi  :ll    4x
                          75 → 80 → 85 → 87 BPM

Too fast? Then go back in the video and slow it down. Speed is not the goal here – cleanliness is. The speed comes by itself once the sounds sit.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get faster at the hi-hat?

Not through speed but through cleanliness. Practise the straight rhythm at 80 BPM until every note sounds identical, then increase in small steps. If you get sloppy at 85, go back to 80.

What is the difference between closed and open hi-hat?

The closed hi-hat is short and dry – Ts in the notation. The open one rings on – Tsss. Alternating between them creates the groove.

What does ZuZu mean in beatbox notation?

A double, fast in-breath with your mouth shaped into a U. It replaces the simple breathing pause and fits fast hi-hat rhythms where there is no time for a normal in-breath.

How often should I do the hi-hat workout?

Ten minutes daily beats two hours on a Sunday. The routine is deliberately built so you can run it anywhere.