AMEN BREAK

[Yakob]

Well, in my spare time, I make electronic music. Mainly stuff along the lines of Trance and Drum and Bass. One of the beats I've used before and continue to use is that simple "Duh-duh DUH duhduhduhduhduh duh" (spelling it out doesn't really work) drum beat. Well, this drumbeat, or "breakbeat" if you will, was first heard in the song Amen, Brother by the Winstons, and I recently found out it has a long and interesting history.

I figured I'd post the history here, because I think the break is both a valid musical construct and applicable as a metaphor for the state of copyright laws.

You know, just something worthy of discussion. I use Garageband to make my music, and that comes with at least two direct rip-offs of the Amen Break. I have each renamed and saved, along with a sample for each individual beat.

[Yakob]

Nobody?

[Vorago]

Cool story

[hover]

I've used that break so many times, time stretched, reversed, layered, chopped, distorted, etc. A true classic in its own right.

I've seen the video, and I have had it favorited for some time now. Good stuff. You seen the documentary "Scratch"? A great companion piece.

[knarleybass]

it's an amazing story, how you can almost distill an entire musical genre to a few seconds of a guy playing drums on a B-Side.

[Yakob]

Originally Posted by hover

I've used that break so many times, time stretched, reversed, layered, chopped, distorted, etc. A true classic in its own right.

I've seen the video, and I have had it favorited for some time now. Good stuff. You seen the documentary "Scratch"? A great companion piece.

I made a page for some of my technodribble, as I call it. Check out "All Your Bass" off of Macscepades II. I made it just a couple minutes ago, and used the Amen Break to construct the backbeat. Feel free to hit me up with some feedback, and yes, I am aware I am a crappy techno musician .

[Jimbob Jones]

Cool vid too. I love stuff like this; delving into the past/history of music we take for granted.

[chrisisnotevil]

The amen break is a true classic, I've heard it in so many different genres it's untrue. Squarepusher, (who gets nowhere near enough love on this board imho, given his bass chops) for me has done over the years the most imaginative things with it. Anybody else got any recommendations for interesting amen break usage?

[MakiSupaStar]

Yeah. I posted a thread about this awhile ago. Let me see if I can find it.

[hover]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Yeah. I posted a thread about this awhile ago. Let me see if I can find it.

that'd be here.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/newrep...eply&p=8358850

[Meyatch]

Originally Posted by chrisisnotevil

Anybody else got any recommendations for interesting amen break usage?

The Powerpuff Girls theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmCMUPCNgE

[tk421]

while i love the AMEN break, deep in my heart, i'm a sucker for a funky 2 step. tell me your head just doesn't start bobbing all on it's own when Warhead drops ...

[bigblondeafro87]

I just wrote a new drum and bass tune, and while I didn't use the amen break you get 10 points for guessing what drum break I used in my tune 'Vorago' at myspace.com/dubmoxoa !

Thanks for enduring my shameless selfpromotion!

[Yakob]

Originally Posted by bigblondeafro87

I just wrote a new drum and bass tune, and while I didn't use the amen break you get 10 points for guessing what drum break I used in my tune 'Vorago' at myspace.com/dubmoxoa !

Thanks for enduring my shameless selfpromotion!

Neat stuff! I just got into drum and bass (thank Enter Shikari) so I've been practicing with beats and stuff. That has yet to be uploaded though .

[bigblondeafro87]

Thanks man, I gotta say experience writing and mixing is the biggest help. And knowing your program in and out. There just millions of tips and tricks to learn about synthesis, phrasing, acheiving a good mix, and making crazy sounds, etc. I feel like I'm just scratching the surface.

[Yakob]

Originally Posted by bigblondeafro87

Thanks man, I gotta say experience writing and mixing is the biggest help. And knowing your program in and out. There just millions of tips and tricks to learn about synthesis, phrasing, acheiving a good mix, and making crazy sounds, etc. I feel like I'm just scratching the surface.

I can relate.


Hey, we're in the same area. I suggest we get a rave going or something .

[chrisisnotevil]

Originally Posted by hover

that'd be here.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/newrep...eply&p=8358850

Um, no?

Shikari rule, I saw them before they were big in a grotty pub in Middlesbrough playing to about twenty people, and they still tore it up. The year after they packed out a much bigger venue across the road, but I'd stopped being into them by then because I am a hipster. Seriously though, Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour is a complete and utter tune.

[Floridabwoy]

Have any of you seen the "Golden Ratio"

http://www.constructingtheuniverse.c...0and%20GR.html

[hover]

Originally Posted by chrisisnotevil

Um, no?

Shikari rule, I saw them before they were big in a grotty pub in Middlesbrough playing to about twenty people, and they still tore it up. The year after they packed out a much bigger venue across the road, but I'd stopped being into them by then because I am a hipster. Seriously though, Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour is a complete and utter tune.

Mine was solely in response to Maki's posting the same link earlier...not a commentary on Shikari or anything....

[lunarpollen]

I don't really recognize the break, I mean the first part of it sounds pretty generic and familiar, and then it does the weird thing at the end... But then again I never really listened to the types of music where it would be common... Hehe I kinda wanna sing the start to the Turtles version of "You Baby" over the first part...