Have A Cigar by Pink Floyd

"Have a Cigar" was released in 1975 on Pink Floyd's critically acclaimed album Wish You Were Here, a record widely regarded as one of the greatest progressive rock albums ever made. The song, sung by Roy Harper rather than any band member, delivers a biting satire of the music industry and has remained a staple of classic rock radio for decades.

Nick Mason's drumming on "Have a Cigar" is understated and groove-focused, prioritizing a steady, mid-tempo feel that locks tightly with Roger Waters' driving bass line. At 61 BPM in a 4/4 time signature, Mason demonstrates how restraint and pocket playing can serve a song more powerfully than technical showmanship.

Unique Drumming Characteristics

• Consistent, laid-back snare backbeat on beats 2 and 4 that anchors the mid-tempo groove
• Sparse use of fills, emphasizing dynamics and space over complexity
• Steady hi-hat patterns that reinforce the locked, rhythmic feel with the bass
• Subtle use of open hi-hat accents to add texture without disrupting the groove
• Controlled ride cymbal work during song transitions to maintain momentum

Skills You'll Develop

• Developing a strong, consistent backbeat at slow-to-mid tempos
• Practicing restraint and learning when not to fill
• Building groove-oriented playing that locks with a bass line
• Controlling dynamics across a full song arrangement
• Improving hi-hat consistency and accent control