In drumming, a groove is a repeated phrase that sets and maintains the

rhythm Rhythm (from Greek , ''rhythmos'', "any regular recurring motion, symmetry") generally means a " movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". This general meaning of regular re ...

and

tempo In musical terminology, tempo ( Italian, 'time'; plural ''tempos'', or ''tempi'' from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (ofte ...

of the piece. Grooves and fills are the main components of the music played on a

drum kit A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks ...

, and together with basic techniques or

rudiment In ''rudimental drumming'', a form of percussion music, a drum rudiment is one of a number of relatively small patterns which form the foundation for more extended and complex drumming patterns. The term "drum rudiment" is most closely associa ...

s such as flams make up the curriculum for learning to play the drum kit. To a drummer, a groove is the drumming equivalent of a

riff A riff is a repeated chord progression or refrain in music (also known as an ostinato figure in classical music); it is a pattern, or melody, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or acc ...

to a guitarist.

Examples

Rock music

* Cut time * Standard rock beat on snare, bass and closed hi-hats

Jazz music

Swing

*''Cooking'' on the hi-hat *Shuffle on the ride cymbal *Jazz waltz in 3 *''Stirring'' with brushes on the snare drum

Latin

*Bossa Nova *Samba

Heavy metal music