Best Gallop Rhythm Drummers — Who Plays It | MetalForge
Discover which pro metal drummers use gallop rhythm. Gear setups, videos, and tutorials for gallop rhythm players.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gallop Rhythm?
The gallop is a rhythmic bass drum figure built from a repeating long-short-short grouping - most often voiced as an eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes - that mimics the cadence of a galloping horse. Rather than sustaining even note values like a straight double bass pattern, the gallop's uneven subdivision creates forward-driving momentum that locks in with palm-muted guitar riffs built on the same rhythmic cell, which is why it became the signature rhythmic identity of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The pattern can be played entirely on a single bass drum pedal, alternated between two feet on a double pedal, or split between a foot and a hand for variety, but its defining trait is always the uneven long-short-short pulse rather than the pedal configuration used to produce it. In thrash metal, the same rhythmic cell sped up and made denser becomes the engine behind galloping palm-mute riffs and the bass drum patterns that drive them, making the gallop one of the most immediately recognizable rhythmic fingerprints in metal drumming - identifiable even without the guitars underneath it.
How fast are gallop rhythms played?
Gallop Rhythm is typically played around 120-220 BPM.
Who is the best gallop rhythm drummer?
Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) is among the most cited Gallop Rhythm drummers, alongside Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Charlie Benante (Anthrax).
What gear do you need for Gallop Rhythm?
The gear requirements for Gallop Rhythm vary by drummer. Browse MetalForge for complete kit specs from pros who use this technique.