Description
Notes From John
BPM = 92. Slight shuffle on the 16ths. Cross-stick in the Pre-Chorus. Bark the opens.
For the player
The Years & Years cut (2014 Blu Cantrell cover) — programmed kit adapted to a live kit, no warm-up lap. Sit in the pocket under that synth; don’t invent a second backbeat. Slight shuffle on the 16ths is marked from the top — leave it swung, don’t iron it straight. Intro opens at mf with open hats and nearest-rim work — bark the opens where John wrote the circle. Verse 1 hits at 0:10; Interlude at 0:31. Pre-Chorus at 0:41 flips to cross-stick — relocate the snare hand; don’t play it as a full backbeat. Chorus at 1:02 jumps to f with busy shuffled 16ths and four-on-the-floor kick — lock that motor. Verse 2 at 1:28 thins to the kick pulse; Pre-Chorus at 1:39; Chorus back at 1:59. Bridge at 2:25 drops to mp with written R/L stickings — honor the sticking, then ride the f gear change. Verse 3 at 2:46; Interlude at 3:18; Outro at 3:28 thins to mp cross-stick — don’t smash the ending. Listen first; the pocket at BPM = 92 is the job, not the count-in.
Drum Sheet Music for “Breathe” by Years & Years
