So you’re taking drum lessons, and you want to know how to take your drumming to the next level? Here, San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W. shares four lesser-known secrets to help you succeed…

Have you ever watched a band or artist and thought to yourself, “I’m just as talented and I work hard, how come I don’t get gigs?” Well the answer may surprise you. In fact, I hope it does.

I found out long ago that getting a good gig, playing big festivals, and making money as a drummer doesn’t come from being a great musician. Of course, this is a key ingredient, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate drummer, if you practice and dedicate yourself, you have the potential to be an amazing drummer. If you want to take your drumming to the next level, pay attention to these lesser-known secrets to drumming success.

1. Mindset

Adopting the right mindset is the first step to attracting better gigs and experiences.

When you watch other bands, pay attention to your energy and the way you feel. Do you feel jealous or envious, or do you appreciate other artists’ talent? What are you saying as you watch these bands or artists?

It’s important to recognize and appreciate another artist’s talent. This allows you to operate from a place of inspiration, as opposed to a negative, jealous head space.

2. Define Your Goals and Go After Them

Professional drummers are always looking for opportunities. They don’t just sit back and wait for things to happen.

Successful drummers know exactly what they want, and they make a commitment to make it happen. This don’t mean you should be rigid and stubborn. In fact, the opposite is true: you must be able to go with the flow and allow the magic to happen.

Be clear about your goals. It may be helpful to share your goals with your drum teacher so he or she can keep you on track and hold you accountable.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice!

OK, I know this isn’t exactly a secret, but for some reason, the pros try to hide how much time they really practice. When they play, they make it looks effortless and natural, but this is the result of hours of hard work. Remember, every successful drummer has put in the time to develop their skills.

Think of it this way: When you’re not practicing, someone else is! You can always find ways to improve; keep on practicing!

4. It’s Not Just What You Know…

Always remember: it’s a small world and people talk. It’s helpful to maintain a positive outlook and attitude. Also, successful drummers spend just as much time marketing themselves as they do working on their drum technique. Make connections with other drummers. You can always learn something, and you never know who will be able to help you get to the next level.

These lesser-known secrets should give you a new perspective, and help you achieve your drumming goals.

Want to improve your drumming skills? Find a drum instructor today!

Maegan W. teaches drums, songwriting, and more in San Diego, CA. She earned a degree in Percussion from the Musician’s Institute, and has been teaching private lessons since 2004.  Learn more about Maegan here!

Photo by bigdrumthump.com

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As you progress in your drum lessons, you will learn to play more advanced drum patterns. Here, Federal Way, WA drum instructor Kendra M. shares some exercises to help you play 16th-note drum fills… 

When you create a four-fill beat, the possibilities are endless. Many beginning drummers, however, tend to rely on the same pattern every time they play a one-measure solo. One of the first fills most drummers learn on a five-piece kit moves from snare drum down through all three toms as follows:

This pattern may be overdone, but with a few slight alterations, it can be brought back to life and can restore a drummer’s pride. Each of the drum fills below include constant 16^th notes, played on the four drums in a standard five-piece drum kit.

Your hands should alternate: start with the right hand (right stick, left stick, right stick, left stick, etc.)

The following notation guide shows you what to play and when:

Choose a basic rock beat to play for one or three measures between each one-measure fill. Here is one possibility:

 Try the following variations, and then create your own!

1-2. Start with the original pattern, and then reverse it

3-4. Reduce the number of strokes on each drum, and change the order

5-6. Reverse direction

(Move the opposite way around the kit during the fill.)

7-8. Strike each surface three times for the first three beats

9-10. Strike each surface five or six times, until you run out of notes

11-12. Accent each beat with a tom and play the rest of the 16ths on the snare

(Then, use buzz strokes on the snare drum.)

13-14. Accent syncopated rhythms on toms, while you play the rest of the 16th’s on snare

15-16. Use any pattern, and move around all of the drums with alternating 16th notes

(Just keep your hands moving, and keep counting!)

Create your own variations using cymbals, rims, double strokes, and anything else you can imagine!

Want to hear what these drum fills sound like? Listen to the audio file here:

Take your drumming to the next level. Sign up with a private drum instructor today!

Kendra M. teaches drum lessons in Federal Way, WA. She has performed with professional orchestras across the United States and earned her Doctorate of Music from the University of Arizona. She is interested in the percussion music of cultures across the globe, and she has spent time studying drums abroad in Trinidad and Ghana.  Learn more about Kendra here!

Photo by James Burrell

The post You Got the Beat: 16th-Note Drum Fills for Beginners appeared first on | TakeLessons.

Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate drummer, YouTube is a great resource to help you practice between drum lessons. Here are the 10 best YouTube drum lessons you can find online.

Bill Bachman Drum Lesson Series

This video series is from Bill Bachman, a world-renowned technique expert, drum clinician, and author.

The videos break down essential techniques to help you develop drumming skills, improve speed, groove, and timing. The videos feature great close-ups and visuals, and the exercises and repetition will really help you improve!

Mike Johnston’s Drum Lab

Mike Johnston’s Drum Lab is one of the largest educational web resources for drummers. Offering live and pre-recorded drum lessons, Johnston breaks down essential concepts and techniques to boost your drumming skills.

Johnston also has has a website which features iPod- and iPad-compatible lesson downloads for a nominal fee.

Drumeo

Drumeo’s YouTube drum lessons channel features one of the largest libraries of organized drum lessons and resources.

Jared Falk offers clear instruction in his fun-to-watch video lessons, which help you learn drum fills, vocabulary, and more.

Subscribe to Drumeo’s paid service to access full drum lessons from famous drummers like Benny Greb, Thomas Lang, Tony Royster Jr., and more!

BoomBoomTV With Jen Lowe

Talented songwriter and instrumentalist Jen Lowe shares her years of drum corps and teaching experience on her YouTube channel. Lowe offers various playing tips for timbales, congas, djembe, hand percussion, and drum kits.

Alan Tackmann’s GoAndPractice

This YouTube channel is a great resource for beginning drummers. In his videos, Tackmann demonstrates hand-and-foot combinations and various techniques to help you take your drumming to the next level.

Alex Ribchester’s Fun Free Drum Lessons

From drumming vocabulary to rudiments and grooves, Alex Ribchester’s fun and casual lessons will help you learn and practice essential drum skills.

There are over 190 lessons available, plus downloadable PDFs to help you practice between drum lessons.

Jeff Randall

Great for drummers of all ages, Jeff Randall’s lessons come with transcriptions, and will help you learn to breakdown and create your own drum grooves.

Stephen Taylor

Featured in the October 2013 issue of DRUM!, this YouTube channel covers beginning and intermediate lessons, and all things drum related.

The Drum Coaches

If you love gospel chops, this is the YouTube drum lessons channel for you!

Funny and entertaining, these lessons are transcribed and packed with various hand-foot combination licks.

The 80/20 Drummer

Already past the basics? The 80/20 Drummer is dedicated to teaching good drummers to be great.

Bookmark this site for tons of in-depth lessons which will teach you more about drumming and music theory.

YouTube drum lessons are fantastic learning tools, but there’s no substitute for one-on-one, in-person instruction from an experienced drum teacher.

Want to take your skills to the next level? Find a drum instructor near you!

The post Learn Drums Online: The 10 Best YouTube Drum Lessons appeared first on | TakeLessons.

Hey drummers, want to learn how to play rock beats that will make the crowd move and shout? Here, San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W. breaks down the strategy behind rock drumming, and gives you three rock drum beats to practice at home…

Rock ‘n’ roll: what is it, and what makes it rock? A solid, authoritative drum beat, that’s what. It’s up to you as the drummer to make sure the band and the audience have something to make them move, shout, and throw their hands in the air.

Here are some tips to help you improve your rock drumming, and some rock drum beats that will leave your fans begging for more.

Different Styles Have Different Sounds

This may seem obvious, but it’s important to note that different music styles have different sounds. Rock music has a completely different sound than jazz.

If you look at the snare, bass drum, and hi-hat as three sections of a triangle, you will be able to make a sound pyramid. The sound at the top has the least room, so you will play this quietly, by comparison.

When you play jazz, place these three elements in order from top to bottom (softest to loudest) as follows: Bass drum (quiet unless accenting), snare (medium to soft unless accenting), and cymbals (loudest, main focus).

When you play rock, do the opposite. The cymbals will be loud, but not louder than the snare and bass. The snare should be loud and cracking. When I play rock and I hit my snare, it makes peoples’ eyes twitch, and this is a good thing!

The bass drum is your driving force. Play the bass drum like you’re trying to break through the head. Make people feel it; make them move to your beat!

Less is More

Once you understand how to adjust your sound for different styles, you have to decide on a beat to play. In rock music, less is always more. Keep it simple.

Big, open fills are best. Remember, we’re talking about rock, not metal or punk. Simple, direct beats work best, and these beats make the audience move.

Attitude is Everything

The last, most important factor in rock drumming is attitude. You have to own it. As a rock drummer, you can’t be timid or shy. The stage is yours. You drive the bus and control the speed and feel. The band needs to know they can count on you; play with confidence.

Have Fun

Rock music is all about freedom. Freedom of expression, freedom of choice, and the freedom to be as loud as you want. Let it all out, and have fun. The drums are the driving force in rock music, never underestimate the power of what you create and share with the world. Your drum sound is unique and important.

Now that you understand the principles behind rock drumming, it’s time to practice!

Try these three beats:

With proper adjustments, you can use the first beat in practically any song in any style of music. The other two beats are just slight variations, but they also adapt well to almost any rock song.

Want to learn more rock drum beats? Find a private drum teacher to help you improve your drumming skills!  

Post Author: Maegan W.
Maegan W. teaches drums, songwriting, and more in San Diego, CA. She earned a degree in Percussion from the Musician’s Institute, and has been teaching private lessons since 2004. Learn more about Maegan here!

Photo by Florian Stangl

The post Rock On: 3 Rock Drum Beats for Beginners appeared first on | TakeLessons.

As you advance in your drum lessons, you will want to take on more complicated drum patterns and grooves. Here, Federal Way, WA drum instructor Kendra M. explains how you can learn to play complex drum patterns…

Complex drum patterns can be intimidating for new drum students. Take this “tricky” groove for example:

Even though this groove sounds complex, there are actually several ways to break patterns like this one down into manageable parts. Before you know it, you’ll be able to play complex drum patterns with ease!

Using the example above, here are three ways to conquer difficult drum patterns:

Method 1: Simplify Each Line

Take out all of the 16th notes to play a simplified version of the pattern.

Then, add the 16th notes in, one limb at a time.

Method 2: Create Short Loops

Loop a short section of the pattern while keeping time on the ride cymbal.

Keep adding a little more of the pattern into the loop.

Method 3: Reduce the Number of Parts

Play the parts for only two limbs. For example: the right hand on ride cymbal and the left hand on snare.

Then, use a different set of two limbs. For example: the right foot on bass drum and the left hand on snare drum.

If a groove is too difficult to play all at once, break it up. Keep building the groove from the most basic version you can create, to its complete form, step by step.

The more familiar you become with each element of the groove, the closer you will come to putting it all together. Don’t worry about speed at first; practice each variation at a tempo where you can play it successfully.

Be patient. Think of each challenging groove as a puzzle created for your enjoyment. Then, piece it together and have fun!

Want to improve your drumming skills? Sign up for lessons with a private drum instructor! 

Post Author: Kendra M.
Kendra M. teaches drum lessons in Federal Way, WA. She has performed with professional orchestras across the United States and earned her Doctorate of Music from the University of Arizona. She is interested in the percussion music of cultures across the globe, and she has spent time studying drums abroad in Trinidad and Ghana! Learn more about Kendra here!

Photo by Kyle Sorkness

The post 3 Ways to Play Complex Drum Patterns (With Audio) appeared first on | TakeLessons.

If you want to add some deep, booming sounds to your drum solos, then you need to develop your bass drum technique . Here, Saint Paul, MN drum instructor John S. shares his five keys to help you improve your bass drumming skills…

The bass drum is the heart and soul of the drum set. If you’ve ever been to a rock concert or blasted the radio in your car, you know that the bass drum is the drum that you actually feel. The bass drum is important, it’s often up to the bass drum to establish the foundation of the groove.

The bass drum also presents a unique challenge because you play it with your foot rather than your hands. There are countless techniques and exercises to help you develop your bass drum technique.

To help you get started, here are five things to remember when you practice the bass drum.

1. Use a Metronome

This is without a doubt the most important point on this list. Using a metronome may seem pretty straightforward, but there is a correct and incorrect way to use a metronome to practice drums.

As a general rule, you should start practicing at a slow tempo, and gradually increase your tempo in small increments.  For many drummers, it’s actually harder to play a slow pattern because there’s more room between each note.

To improve your bass drum technique at a slow tempo, use subdivisions on the metronome (8th- and 16th-note patterns) to improve your timing and accuracy.

Hint: If your metronome doesn’t have a setting for subdivisions, multiply the tempo times two to get an 8th-note pulse.

2. Technique

There are two basic ways to play the bass drum: heel up and heel down. Playing the bass drum with your heel up gives you more power, while playing with your heel down provides a quieter, more resonant tone.

Regardless of the type of music you’re playing, it’s important to develop both techniques since many advanced patterns require the ability to integrate techniques.

3. Coordination

Coordination refers to the fluid relationship between the bass drum foot and the rest of your limbs. To develop coordination, practice exercises that force your hands and feet to work together in alternating patterns.

For example, alternate two strokes on the snare drum with two on the bass drum. Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase your speed.

Here is a nice exercise that explores bass drum coordination with both hands.

4. Independence

Independence refers to the ability to play a wide range of bass drum patterns with a repetitive hand pattern. The best way to develop independence is to start with a simple pattern (1/4 notes on the hi-hat), and play a non-repetitive bass drum rhythm over the simple hi-hat loop.

Here is a great beginner/intermediate exercise in bass drum independence.

5. Repetition

Regardless of which music style you want to play, it’s imperative that you repeat each exercise for more than just a few measures.

Repetition reinforces the muscle memory in your brain, which allows you to naturally transfer your skills seamlessly into real-life playing situations.

There is an endless supply of bass drum exercises, both for free online and in many well-written instructional books. The best way to develop your bass drum technique, however, is to work with a drum instructor.

As with all areas of drumming, start with slow, easy exercises and focus on developing good practice habits before moving onto harder exercises.

Happy bass drumming!

Post Author: John S.
John S. is a drum and percussion instructor in Saint Paul, MN. A full-time musician and teacher, he performs with two different bands and teaches in-home and in-studio lessons. Learn more about John here!

Photo by alexmerwin13 

The post 5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Bass Drum Technique appeared first on | TakeLessons.

If you’re taking drum lessons, you probably want to know the fastest, most efficient way to improve. While learning drums takes practice and hard work, there are certain steps that can take you from a beginner to an intermediate drummer, and beyond.

In this guest post, Marcel Blanchet, a drummer, producer, composer, and recording artist, shares his 10 steps to help you advance beyond the beginner stage, and put you on the path to becoming a great drummer… 

Every beginner has to have a starting point, but a beginner also needs a reference point to come back to in order to move forward.

I have been playing drums professionally for many years, and during this time I have learned  important lessons from trial and error, drum teachers, friends, and other professionals.

Here are 10 steps that will help you become a great drummer.

Repetition is the key to learning anything, but when it comes to drumming, you will have to repeat the same exercises over and over in order to improve.

Repeat the same hand and foot movements, read, or play the same rhythm over and over.

For drummers, consistency is related to accuracy. When you’re accurate, you play in time. The groove is a consistent groove.

You will always be looked upon as a time keeper first.

You need drum sticks, you don’t necessarily need drums, at least when you’re a beginner.

Don’t just get a pair of drum sticks and think it’s the only pair of sticks you will ever need. Really spend some time at a music store or drum shop, and hold and feel the drum sticks.

Make sure they’re not too heavy or too long. Go with a teacher or another drummer and pick sticks together.

*For a look at different drum stick brands, check out our drummer’s gear guide.

Between YouTube, DVDs, and live performances, there are so many ways to watch and listen.

Watch as many other drummers as you can. Listen to the way they sound. Watch how they tune their drums, how they play, and how they hold their sticks.

Pay attention to their technique and practice this on your own.

As a beginner, you don’t need to know all the rudiments to start playing, but it’s important to learn the basics.

Learn the single-stroke roll and the double-stroke roll, and learn to play them with your feet, too!

Experiment when you play; try something new every day.

If you’ve mastered the single-stroke roll, try playing it in between your hands and feet.

Try to play new sounds. You don’t even need a drum set for this, look for new sound sources like boxes, tin cans, plastic paint buckets, plastic pipes, and metal lids.

We mean this in a good way, of course, but be obsessive about learning and playing drums.

Eat, sleep, read, watch, and consume all things drum related.

Don’t just copy others, set yourself apart from other drummers.

This doesn’t mean you can’t learn from watching other drummers.  In fact, study their every move, but figure out what you have to offer that is unique, different, and special.

Find and develop your own signature sound.

Find a style that you like and stick with it. You can always try new styles, but as a beginner, pick one style and stick with it.

If you like rock music, then play rock music. If you’re a hip hop fan, then play hip hop.

Find a teacher, and let him or her know what you really want to learn.

A private drum instructor can help you reach your goals and master your technique.

Marcel Blanchet is a drummer, composer, producer, and Sony recording artist. Marcel is a touring drummer for traveling shows, and has provided motivational keynote speeches and business entertainment through his drumming skills. Learn more about Marcel here!

The post 10 Steps Guaranteed to Make You a Better Drummer appeared first on | TakeLessons.

When you’re learning to play drums, it’s important to remember that it takes hard work, determination, and patience in order to improve.

It may be a slow process, but don’t get discouraged; even experienced drummers had to start somewhere.

Need some inspiration? Here, 11 experienced drummers share their best advice for beginners.

“Never stop learning from everyone around you. Confidence, skill, dedication, and determination will ensure you go far!”

#NeverStop – @lindsaybird44 – Ontario, Canada drummer for @DirtyJeans

“Never give up and don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t play because your’e different. And no matter what you do, love what you’re doing. Smile and have fun! It’s what music is all about.”

@Jynyates – professional drum set and percussion teacher

“Take lessons. They give you a solid basis to build on until you’re ready to step out and explore on your own. You can never be too good at rudiments!”

@harryomatic – drummer for JuneBug

“When it comes to getting good at anything, you have to put in the time; practice, practice, practice. Take lessons and learn from anyone and everyone. Play, play, play, and always have fun!”

@Richredmond – drummer, producer, and author

“Practice from the head, play from the heart.”

@Jonesylessons – Ireland session player and teacher

“Get a metronome, and always practice with it. It will help you keep time. And practice hard and don’t give up on your dreams.”

@drummerboi911 – Hole Dug Deep drummer

“Make it your passion! Even the simplest of lessons can be an intense learning experience! Also, watch ALL drummers and absorb what you see!

@jeffpagedrums – Burbank, CA drum teacher, drummer for @alicecooperland @theremotesband and @its_memargaret

“I tell my students who struggle learning a new beat: If you can sing it, you can (almost) play it.” #rhythmisamelody

#rhythmisamelody – @beckbeat – touring drummer and songwriter

“Practicing without goals is like playing basketball without a hoop.”

@keithperc – Salt Lake City musician and educator

“Live in the pocket. This is so crucial. Play for the band and not for yourself; your career will go a long way!”

@MattPana – Mitchell Grey drummer

“Learn the 40 rudiments early in your drumming career and NEVER stop practicing them! Mastering these will enhance your creativity behind the kit when playing beats and fills. Practice the rudiments on a practice pad and then apply them to the drum kit using multiple drums, cymbals, and even your feet.”

@MikeD_rums – New Jersey-based drummer

Follow these words of wisdom, keep practicing, and stick with. Before you know it, you’ll be an experienced drummer just like these guys, and beginner drummers will look to you for your advice!

Ready to get started? Search for a drum teacher near you! 

Photo by Anais

The post Words of Wisdom: 11 Drummers Share Their Best Advice for Beginners appeared first on | TakeLessons.

If you’re serious about learning drums, you want to stay up to date with all the latest drum news. These 10 sites are great sources for gear reviews, industry news, artist interviews, and anything else experienced and aspiring drummers need to know.

1. Drummer Cafe

A leading resource for percussion and drum news, Drummer Cafe  connects a community of players from novice to professional.

Read the latest industry stories, check out product reviews, and find out about upcoming events like drumming clinics and specialty classes.

2. Not So Modern Drummer

Not So Modern Drummer is your go-to source for columns, product reviews (including a Drums of the Month feature), and other industry updates.

Stay up to date with the latest drum news by subscribing to the free monthly newsletter.

3. DrumChattr

On DrumChattr, you can find opinion pieces from top drummers on everything from recent performances and gear, to professional development advice and technique tips.

If you’d rather listen instead of reading, there is also a podcast with drummer interviews.

4. The Official Kind Beats

Along with advice, tutorials, and free drum loops, The Official Kind Beats website specializes in artist interviews.

Drummer Andrew McAuley runs the site, and posts on upcoming events, book releases, and the latest gear.

5. Sick Drummer Magazine

Sick Drummer Magazine features tips, tricks, and drum news from professionals in grind, metal, hardcore, progressive, and experimental styles.

Watch drum videos and catch up with the latest industry news.

“Sick Drummer Magazine is the first interactive drum magazine to focus on extreme drumming, while still providing content from other styles,” says I. Macdonald from Sick Drummer Magazine. “Our content is regularly promoting education through interviews, lessons, videos, and blogs from a wide variety of drummers, both up and coming, as well as established professionals.”

6. Music Radar

Music Radar is a top site for musicians, and there is an entire section dedicated to drums.

The site provides links to iPhone and iPad apps that you can use to practice, and you can also find press releases, news stories, reviews, and more.

7. Modern Drummer

Modern Drummer publishes many of their magazine features online, so you can read about industry news, events, products, and more.

Every few days, the site spotlights a different drummer, which gives you a chance to hear secrets and advice from your drumming idols.

Take a break from reading and check out some of the awesome performance videos.

8. Drummer Magazine

Drummer Magazine specializes in tuition pieces and interviews with drummers.

Catch up on the latest drum news and read gear reviews before making your next purchase.

9. Drum Gear Review

As the name implies, Drum Gear Review is all about products for drummers.

Read the unbiased opinions and recommendations on drums, cymbals, sticks, brushes, mallets, pedals, hardware, and more.

10. Vance West

This website and blog were created by professional live performer, studio musician, and gear blogger Vance West.

Find out about upcoming events, read interest pieces, and get a professional opinion on drum gear.

Whatever your style and interests, you can find all the inspiration you need on these websites.

What are your favorite sites for drum news?

Want to get started playing drums? Find a drum teacher near you today! 

The post Don’t Miss a Beat: The 10 Best Websites for Drum News appeared first on | TakeLessons.

Everyone learns drums at a different pace, and it’s important to determine the right pace for you. Sometimes, however, you want to challenge yourself and see what you can do. Take a break from your normal practice routine and try your hand at these challenging drum songs, chosen by San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W…

Calling all drummers! If you’re ready for a challenge, here are some of the hardest drum songs (in my humble opinion) for you to tackle on your drum kit.

These songs are the most challenging because they include several, if not all, of the following criteria:

• Precise dynamic control and execution: Every level of every note is intended and complimentary to the music.
• Technicality: Most if not all of these songs contain very unique and challenging grooves and fills. They may seem simple at first, but they are much more difficult than they appear.
• Speed: Many of these songs have grooves and fills played at high speeds for the amount of notes being played. They include complex beats played at top speeds.
• Polyrhythms: Hard drum songs usually contain poly rhythms, or the simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythms.
• Odd meter: Many of these songs are in odd time or odd meter. Common time is 4/4 and anything else is considered odd. Challenging drum songs will often incorporate several different time signatures in one song.

If you’re still up to the challenge, let’s get to the list!

Drum roll please…..

1. “La Villa Strangiato” – Rush

This song contains almost all of the criteria on our list, along with other aspects that make it extremely challenging.

Not only are there a ton of different parts to learn, but the technicality, speed, and precision put it on another level.

2. “Moby Dick” – Led Zeppelin

This song features some crazy footwork by John Bonham and great bass dynamics. There is a world of difference between playing these hand-foot combinations, and playing them with dynamics.

If you want to nail this song, you need to play with complete control and finesse.

3. “Ticks and Leeches” – Tool

This song can be described in one word: insane! But seriously, the polyrhythms are hard enough to figure out, let alone play all at once.

Watch the video, and pay close attention to Danny Carey’s precision.

This song is also physically demanding and requires a good deal of endurance.

4. “Goliath” – The Mars Volta

(or anything from The Mars Volta, really)

Start with a nasty groove in multiple time signatures, then add a blazing fast double bass beat, crazy fills, and blast beats (and that’s all before the breakdown).

Try this song, if you dare!

5. “Sedation Deprivation” – Nerve (Jojo Mayer)

Let’s compare this one to our list of criteria for the hardest drum songs:

Odd meter? Check!
Blazing speed? Check!
Insane Poly rhythms? Double check!
Complete dynamic control? Check!
Funky breakbeats? Check!

The list goes on…

This one may take a while, but will be well worth it once you’ve got it down; it has a hypnotizing groove and a smooth feel.

Of course, there are millions of songs that could be included in a list of the hardest drum songs, but these are my top five. My list may vary from other peoples’, but I wanted to include different types of music.

I hope you have fun with these songs, go ahead and have try to play some, or all of them.

Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments below!

Want to improve your drum skills? Search here for a drum instructor near you! 

Post Author: Maegan W.
Maegan W. teaches drums, songwriting, and more in San Diego, CA. She earned a degree in Percussion from the Musician’s Institute, and has been teaching private lessons since 2004.  Learn more about Maegan here!

Photo by Sean Molin

The post The 5 Hardest Drum Songs: Are You Up to the Challenge? appeared first on | TakeLessons.

In the age of reality television, talent isn’t always a prerequisite to stardom, but some of today’s celebrities are legitimately multi-talented — and some of them are even drummers.

Here are 10 celebrities who play drums.

1. Miles Teller

If you saw Miles Teller play drums in “Whiplash“, you probably thought he had a double, or that the filmmakers used camera tricks or CGI, but that was actually the actor playing the drums.

Not only was Teller a rock drummer as a teenager, he also practiced jazz drumming for two months prior to filming.

2. Will Ferrell

While he may be well known for his cowbell on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), Will Ferrell can also play drums.

His drum skills and striking resemblance to Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith inspired a drum-off on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

3. Craig Ferguson

Before becoming the host of the “Late Late Show,” Craig Ferguson was a drummer for the Dreamboys, which featured “Doctor Who’s” Peter Capaldi on guitar and vocals.

You can also catch Ferguson playing drums in the “Late Late Show’s” opening theme montage.

4. Billy Bob Thornton

At age nine, Billy Bob Thornton wanted to be Ringo Starr. Thornton played drums in high school and later toured with a ZZ Top tribute band.

After filming “Sling Blade,” Thornton headed to Nashville and has since released multiple albums.

Thornton’s band, The Box Masters, recently did some shows with the real ZZ Top.

5. Jeremy Piven

“Entourage” star Jeremy Piven plays drums every chance he gets.

In 2012, he moved into a London apartment while working on the Masterpiece series “Mr. Selfridge.” Piven told InStyle, “I got a drum kit for my place. I was so excited to play it, I ran in…and just jumped on the kit and started playing. Maybe a minute and a half into it, I looked up and all my neighbors were surrounding me. It was a nightmare!”

6. Gary Busey

Gary Busey received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in 1978, but did you know he was originally cast to play the drummer in an earlier version of the biopic?

Busey broke into showbiz as a drummer, playing for the likes of Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson—two men with whom he would later share the big screen.

7. Fred Armisen

Fans of “SNL” recognize Fred Armisen for his comedic genius, but fans of Chicago punk rock know him as the drummer for Trenchmouth.

Armisen’s passion for drums actually led him to comedy. While interviewing bands, Armisen acted like funny characters. “It kind of took off. Within the space of about a year, I completely went from being a musician to being a comedian,” Armisen told Drum Magazine.

8. Jason Schwartzman

When Jason Schwartzman was in the third grade, he and some friends decided to form a band. After his first two friends called guitar and bass, Schwartzman was left with the drums. The rest is history.

Schwartzman played drums for Phantom Planet. Their single “California” was used as the theme for “The O.C.”

9. Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza was one of Major League Baseball’s heavy hitters, but he also loves heavy metal.

Piazza began playing drums as a high school senior. He actually took lessons from session pro Gregg Bissonette, who played with David Lee Roth.

Piazza told MLB.com, “It’s fun for me. I’ll always have a drum set in my house.”

10. Patrick Stewart

When this “Star Trek” alum has down time, he practices his newest passion: drumming.

Sir Patrick Stewart just started learning drums, and the 74-year-old actor proves it’s never too late to try something new.

Want to learn to play drums like these Hollywood stars? Sign up for drum lessons today! 

The post Drum Sticking Stars: 10 Celebrities Who Play Drums appeared first on | TakeLessons.

As you’re learning drums you will acquire new gear like drum sticks, drum sets, and cymbals. It’s important to understand how drum equipment can influence your sound, and it’s helpful to have the appropriate information to make smart buying decisions. Here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. gives you a crash course on cymbals…

Your cymbals make up a complex, beautiful mix of voices. As you develop, your ears will crave more nuance and depth from your instrument(s).

When it comes to cymbals, there are important things for you to consider like tonal color, size, finish, and application.

I will explain these factors and introduce you to brands  to help you find the right cymbals to suit your needs.

Anatomy

• The raised center of the cymbal is the bell, and the bow is the area between the bell and the edge; you will use all of these surfaces when you play.
• Higher quality cymbals are made of bell bronze (an alloy of copper, tin, and silver) usually called B20.
• Entry-level cymbals are typically made of a B8 (92 percent copper, eight percent tin) alloy.

Sound

• Lathing produces the concentric circles on its body, and the width – or lack of, affects the sound.
• Hammering also affects sound by adding depth, dryness, and complexity.
• The finish (brilliant, natural, or raw/unlathed) will also affect the sound (brighter to darker) and tend to accentuate the following qualities: glassy or shimmering (brilliant), steamy or simmering (natural), or complex and dark (raw).
• The size and weight of the cymbals will affect the sound in terms of decay (the duration of time before the sound terminates) and volume.
• Smaller, thinner, and usually with a flatter bow = quick or fast-decaying. Larger, heavier, and usually with a pronounced bow = “washy” or long-decaying, and will produce higher volume. A cymbal that is very dry and quick may be described as “trashy”.

All of these variables influence the overall effect, and several different options make it possible to create a customized palette.

Cymbal Types and Applications

There are several different types of cymbals that make up an expressive set, and each has a different, sometimes overlapping use:

• Hi hats: Usually 13- 14 inches, have bark and bite. Hi hats keep the clock ticking; they have attitude and are tremendously expressive.
• Crashes: Anywhere from 14- 22 inches, they add drama, mark transitions, and act as the loud speakers. You will most likely want several of these.
  • Splashes: Usually six – 12 inches, these are great for quieter passages or quick punches.
  • Rides: Generally 20 to 22 inches, rides range from articulate to washy. They carry bridges and choruses. They are prominent voices in jazz, and the bell is used quite often.
  • Effects: These come in all sizes and they can be Chinas, stacks, perforated, cup chimes, etc. They are your color instruments.

Now, let’s look at a few well-known brands. Remember, a cymbal series is like a family that plays well together.

Sabian

Sabian B8 Pro – photo from Sabian

Sabian offers the B8 and B8 Pro series, among others. These are bright, entry-level cymbals.

Higher-quality cymbals in the brighter range include the AAX, AA, and Paragon series.

The darker series are the HH and HHX.

Zildjian

Zildjian ZBT – photo from Zildjian

Zildjian’s entry-level lines include the ZBT and ZHT (bright).

Higher-quality brights include the A Custom, or the K Custom in the dark range.

Meinl

Meinl Byzance Brillaint – photo from Meinl

Meinl offers the MCS at the entry level (bright) and on the upper tier, the  bright Byzance Brilliant.

The Byzance Dark speaks for itself.

Paiste

photo from Paiste

Paiste offers the PST (bright) and others, at the entry level, and the more refined Signature Precision on the brighter side.

The complex Signature Dark Energy rounds out the range.
While you can get a picture of a cymbal’s sound from online sources, nothing beats first-hand trials when making your selection. Consider how the cymbals will interact with your drum set, and know that the room will affect the sound, as well.

You may choose to stay within a specific series or mix it up a bit for a more customized sound. Either way, enjoy the process and have fun!

What type of cymbals have you tried? What did you like about them? Let us know in the comments below!

Get started with your drum lessons today, find a drum teacher near you! 

Photo by j_arlecchino

Post Author: Tracy D.
Tracy D. teaches percussion and drum lessons in Edmond, OK, as well as online. She has been playing the drums with various bands for more than 13 years. Tracy earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Oklahoma Christian University and has played with the OKC Community Orchestra since 2009.  Learn more about Tracy here!

The post Drummer’s Gear Guide: A Crash Course on Cymbals appeared first on | TakeLessons.

The drumming community took to Twitter after news broke that Vic Firth, timpanist and drum stick maker passed away in his Boston home Sunday at the age of 85.

Everett “Vic” Firth was a timpanist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 46 years prior to starting the Vic Firth percussion equipment company.

Known for his talent and his well-designed drum sticks and percussion equipment, Firth was a beloved, respected member of the drumming world.

“For me, it has been an artist in music and in their own inventions as Vic Firth accompanied them on their lost family.”

– drummer, percussionist, and music teacher @samuelmauricioa

“Vic Firth drumsticks and accessories are my best drumming tools. To this and from this… R.I.P.”

– drummer @ll_bluewind_ll

“I was sad to hear the news. I have been testing new carbon fiber drum sticks for him. True man with class.”

– Drummer, producer, and composer @URIT2

“It came to me as a shock, but what can we do. His boundless passion for music and musicians. RIP #vicfirth

– drummer @nanacwasis 

“When I first started drumming, I used Vic Firth. I learned how to play using Vic Firth. The man is a legend and his company will live on. People will remember him, and be grateful when they look in their hands and see his name on their sticks.”

– drummer @lindsaybird44

From what I hear, he was an amazing person. Also, he gave us THE drum stick. His influence on the drumming community is unmatched.”

– drummer @beckbeat

“I’m a huge fan of Vic Firth because he was a timpanist. Very sad day for drummers, but his sticks will live on!”

– drummer @jynyates

“Vic Firth lived a long, prolific, and impactful life. Let’s celebrate him.”

– record producer/recording engineer @stsn

These are just a few of many thoughts, comments, and memories shared by drummers and music enthusiasts.

Share your thoughts and condolences in the comments below.

The drum community lost an important, beloved member.

R.I.P. Mr. Firth.

The post The Drumming Community Honors Vic Firth appeared first on | TakeLessons.

Want to take your drumming to the next level? Learn how to write drum fills. Here, Chicago, IL drum instructor Michael P. shares his three simple steps to create powerful drum fills…

As a drum teacher, I hear a lot of questions about drum fills.

Drum fills are great to spice up a song and show off your chops, but when you sit down to write a fill, it’s easy to end up scratching your head and asking yourself, “what do I do now?”

So next time you find yourself in this situation, try these three steps to turn a simple idea into a killer drum fill.

Step 1: Research

The first step in putting together a great fill is to dig for ideas. These days, it’s easier than ever. Just Google “cool drum pattern,” “drum rudiments,” or “accent patterns,” or check out one of the many drum lessons on YouTube.

Another great strategy is to listen to drummers who play your favorite styles. See what elements they use in their fills, and try to use similar elements in your own songs.

Don’t just consider rhythm; think about the wide range of dynamics and timbres available on your drum set.

Here are some elements I like to use in my fills:

• Rhythm: eighth notes, sixteenth notes, triplets, flams, five-stroke rolls
• Dynamics: accent patterns, ghost notes
• Timbre: double-kick, tom-tom, ride bell, open hi-hat

If you want to get creative, listen to different music styles and see if you can incorporate these ideas in your own style. Remember, the goal of a drum fill is to complement the rest of the music, so try to choose elements that will fit with your song.

Here’s an example:

My fill is a one-measure chorus-to-verse transition in a driving metal song, but I’ve decided to start simple with this classic accent pattern:

I’ll also add in triplets, double kick, and tom-toms for extra flavor.

Step 2: Deliberate Experimentation

Now that you have elements to put in your fill, it’s time for the fun part: experimenting!

At an easy tempo, play through the beat just before the fill. Once you have a good feel for that part of the song, try out a fill. Piece together some elements you like, play through them, and see how they sound together.

Then, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is there a different rhythm I could use to spice this up (flam, triplet, etc.)?
• Can I switch this note or group of notes to different instruments?
• Could I alter the volume or accent the notes in a different way?

I call this step deliberate experimentation because I use these questions systematically to transform the fill into something I really like, as in the following example:

I’ve already got some good accents here, but I want to make the unaccented rhythms more interesting, so I’ll add triplets (rhythm).

Much better, but now the fill is a bit monotonous because it’s only played on the snare drum.

I’m going to throw in some double kick (timbre).

Great. Now, let’s bring out the accents even more by doubling them up on the floor tom as well (dynamics).

I still think there’s a bit too much snare, so let’s put the unaccented snare hits on the medium tom-tom instead (timbre).

There. That’s a pretty awesome fill. See how I changed one or two elements each time to transform the ordinary accent pattern into something cool?

Step 3: Testing

Now that you have a cool fill, it’s time to test it out.

Play the fill in the context of the song. Does it match the energy and the timing? Does it complement the other instruments? Is it carrying through an important transition?

If you’re in a musical group, this is a good time to ask for feedback. Your fellow musicians will be able to tell you if you’re suffering from ODS (Overactive Drummer Syndrome).

If the fill doesn’t fit with the music, that’s OK. You aren’t always going to get it right the first time. Write down your idea and go have some more fun experimenting!

Here’s a sample of my drum fill:

I’m pretty pleased with how it sounds, so I’m going to keep it and start working on the next one.

Well, that’s it! Now you know the secret to making awesome drum fills: research, experimentation, and testing.

Go ahead and give this process a try; before long, you’ll be rocking the house like your favorite drummers!

Post Author: Michael P.
Michael P. teaches percussion and drum lessons in Chicago, IL. He has been playing drums for over 15 years, and recently played with the heavy metal band Erlang Kovata.  Learn more about Micahel here!

Photo by Flavio Serpa

The post 3 Simple Steps to Create Powerful Drum Fills appeared first on | TakeLessons.

As you progress in your drum lessons, you will want to learn some more challenging drum songs. Here, San Diego drum instructor Maegan W. shares her list of songs that will take you beyond the beginner stage and help you advance to an intermediate drummer…

Are you tired of playing drum songs for beginners? Are you looking for some good drum songs to play that aren’t too easy, but aren’t super challenging, either? Well look no further. If you’re a drummer trying to boost your skills, here are my top 10 picks for fun, drum songs to play for intermediate drummers.

These songs all have only two or three different grooves, and they contain basic, easy-to-learn drum fills. The form for each song is pretty standard. Most of the songs follow a pattern similar to this:

• Intro
• Verse 1
• Pre-chorus 1
• Chorus 1
• Verse 2
• Pre-chorus 2
• Chorus 2
• Bridge
• Pre-chorus 3
• Chorus 3
• End

If this seems confusing, take some time to learn and identify different sections in a song. Let me take you through a brief explanation of a song’s structure.

Intro

The intro will typically be a short instrumental section or vocal intro that only happens once.

Verse

The first verse begins after the intro.

The verse tells the story of the song.

Generally, a verse does not repeat itself.

Pre-Chorus

After a verse, the pre-chorus sets up the chorus.

The pre-chorus usually stays the same throughout the song.

Chorus

The chorus is the catchy part that of the song that everyone sings along with.

The chorus is the part of the song that repeats the most.

Bridge

After another verse, pre-chorus, and chorus, we get to the song’s bridge. The bridge generally only happens once and it stands out as the climax of the song.

Usually after that, the pre-chorus and chorus come back in before the song ends. The ending may fade out, it may be instrumental, or it may just be the chorus repeating itself.

It’s very common and effective (in most popular music) for the drums to be consistent and complementary to the music. In the songs listed below, the drums play a dedicated “verse groove,” “pre-chorus groove,” and “chorus groove.” They will also often have a different groove or drop out completely in the bridge.

Before you try to play the songs, listen to them several times through. Map out the form and the grooves, this will save you time in the long run.

Once I’ve mapped out the rest of the song, I try to figure out the fills. Drum fills can be simplified without compromising the integrity of the song. Never sacrifice the groove for a drum fill! It’s way more important to keep good time than it is to play an awesome fill that throws off the time for the band.

Now that we’ve gone over form, let’s get to the songs! I’ve added songs from different music styles so take what you like, and leave the rest..or challenge yourself to learn the songs that are a different style from what you normally play.

Check them out:

1. Muse – “Mercy”

2. Twenty One Pilots – “Guns For Hands”

3. Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake – “Love Never Felt so Good”

4. Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

5) Paramore – “Misery Business”

6) Fall Out Boy – “Centuries”

7) Pharrell Williams – “Marilyn Monroe”

8) Led Zeppelin – “Fool in the Rain”

9) Dave Matthews Band – “Grey Street”

10) Blink 182 – “Up All Night”

Let us know what you think of these songs in the comments below.

Remember, everyone has a different idea of what intermediate means. To me, these songs are challenging, but an experienced drummer can typically learn them within two to four weeks.

Some people will nail these in a day, and some in a couple of months. Go at your own pace and have fun!

Once you’ve mastered these songs, try your hand at the five hardest drum songs!

Post Author: Maegan W.
Maegan W. teaches drums, songwriting, and more in San Diego, CA. She earned a degree in Percussion from the Musician’s Institute, and has been teaching private lessons since 2004.  Learn more about Maegan here!

Photo by Markus Thorsen

The post 10 Drum Songs for Intermediate Drummers appeared first on | TakeLessons.

Whether you’ve just started learning drums or you’ve been playing for years, there’s a lot you can learn from watching famous drummers.

We know you’re listening to their music, but are you listening to their expertise? Take a page out of the books of these famous drummers, you will definitely learn a thing or two…

Topper Headon (The Clash)

Adaptability: The flexibility to change or be changed in order to fit or work better in a given situation.

Known as “The Human Drum Machine,” due to his impeccable timing and drumming skills, Topper Headon’s ability to adapt to the constant stylistic changes of The Clash made their explorations of multiple genres natural and authentic.

Headon provided the backbone to pull the songs together.

Roger Taylor (Queen)

Versatility: Having a wide variety of skills; able to do many different things.

Queen’s Roger Taylor is among famous drummers who possess the skill of versatility. A multi-instrumentalist (drums, keyboard, guitar, bass), singer, and songwriter, Taylor plays an array of styles with ease, from heavy metal to chamber music.

Taylor’s extensive musical history includes: beginnings with a ukulele, a membership in the Truro Cathedral choir, lead singer in the Reaction, singing, songwriting, and drumming in rock band Queen, a solo album (Fun In Space), and finally the formation of his own band, The Cross.

Buddy Rich

Persistence: The firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition.

Billed as the world’s greatest drummer for his power, technique, groove, and speed, jazz drummer Buddy Rich personified his quote, “you only get better by playing,” skillfully playing the drums up until his death in 1987.

The self-taught drummer played through childhood, after his WWII enlistment, and even continued drumming following bypass surgery in 1983.

Stewart Copeland (The Police)

Musicality: Accomplishment in music; awareness or sensitivity to music and rhythm; knowledge of, or talent for music.

“Consider yourself not to be a drummer, but a musician.” These words by Stewart Copeland challenge drummers to immerse themselves in music, not simply the drumming experience.

If you don’t want to learn another instrument – sing. There is so much more to music than just drumming; explore composing, arranging, producing, and more.

Travis Barker (Blink 182)

Energy: The strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity; natural enthusiasm and effort; usable power.

Travis Barker’s trademark hyper speed plays homage to this famous drummer’s inspiration: Animal from “The Muppets.” His high-energy vibe comes from putting his entire being into his music.

Layne Redmond

Individuality: The quality that makes one person or thing different from all others.

Already in the minority as a woman in a sea of male drummers, Layne Redmond followed the beat of her own drum. She did not perform with more well-known pop, rock, or jazz bands, but instead gained notoriety with her specialty: small, hand-held frame drums – the world’s oldest known drums – from the ancient Mediterranean world.

She is not only a drum expert, but a historian, writer, teacher, and mythologist whose work focused on the healing and spiritual aspects of drumming and rhythm.

Make sure to look out for these specific qualities when you listen to these famous drummers. What skills have you learned from watching more experienced drummers?

Want to take your drumming skills to the next level? Sign up for drum lessons, here! 

Photo by ThunderKiss Photography

The post Play Like the Pros: 6 Drum Skills You Can Learn From Famous Drummers appeared first on | TakeLessons.

Beginning drummers often have questions about how to hold drum sticks. Traditional grip or matched grip, which one is better? Here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. explains the mechanics of each drum grip so you can decide which one is right for you…

There are essentially two different ways to hold drum sticks: traditional grip and matched grip. Both techniques are expressive and fun to use. If you’re wondering how to hold drum sticks, first you should get a better understanding of the difference between the two. Lets look at the mechanics behind traditional grip and matched grip.

Matched

With matched grip, both of your hands hold the sticks the same way. This type of grip has three variations: German, American, and French.

For these grips, your thumb should rest opposite of your index finger on the stick, with approximately two inches of the butt-end extending from the back. This pinching between your thumb and index finger is called a “fulcrum.”

French Grip

The fulcrum rests between your thumb and index finger with the French grip. The fulcrum can (if desired) shift a bit more toward your thumb and middle finger with the German and American grips.

Hold the sticks with your thumbnails facing the ceiling and your palms facing each other. This position allows for maximum finger control, and it’s favored by timpanists for this reason.

German Grip

Hold the sticks with your palms facing down and use the wrists to drive. This position lends power and volume.

American Grip

Turn your hands to a 45-degree angle. This allows you to use both wrists for power and your fingers for control and nuance.

Traditional Grip

This grip was popularized by members of the military battery, who carried their drums slung to the side (hence the name, “side drum”). The angle of the drum made it necessary to turn the left forearm under, so that the stick would comfortably clear the rim. Traditional grip is often used for jazz and drum lines.

Position your left hand as if you’re extending it to shake someone’s hand. The stick should sit in the webbing between your thumb and index finger, and rest on the cuticle of the ring finger. Approximately 2/3 of the stick should face the front.

Rest the tip of your thumb lightly on the first knuckle of your index finger and put your middle finger on top of the stick, slightly in front of the index finger.

The fulcrum (pivot point) will be between your thumb and index finger. Relax your fingers and use them for support, nuance, and control.

Move your forearm in a rotary motion, which is similar to turning a doorknob. Position your right hand the same way you do for the American matched grip.

It’s important to relax and allow the sticks to float in your hands. Gripping the sticks too hard can lead to fatigue and possible injury, and it will limit the sticks’ mobility. A relaxed grip will also coax a better tone from the drums.

Some like to debate the virtues of their preferred grips, but I don’t think you necessarily have to choose. They each have a different feel, expression, and attitude. For example, matched grip lends itself well to rock, but if the groove is funky, a bit of traditional conveys that feel and attitude quite nicely.

Now you know how to hold drum sticks. Learning both grips will make your playing more versatile and interesting, so I say — give both a try!

Learn more about drum stick grip and drum technique, search here for a private drum instructor near you.

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Post Author: Tracy D.
Tracy D. teaches percussion and drum lessons in Edmond, OK, as well as online. She has been playing the drums with various bands for more than 13 years. Tracy earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Oklahoma Christian University and has played with the OKC Community Orchestra since 2009.  Learn more about Tracy here!

Photos by Alec Connors, QWEbie

The post How to Hold Drum Sticks: Traditional Grip vs. Matched Grip appeared first on | TakeLessons.

Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate drummer, you may have aspirations to perform or play with a band. Here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. shares five important steps to help you take your drumming skills to the next level…

Taking your drumming from the practice room to the stage requires a whole new set of skills. You have to learn to play in tandem with others to develop a certain sound and feel.

While playing drums on stage requires a lot of practice and experience, you can nail your next drum performance with these five tips…

Learning the music for a big band or ensemble is a bit different than learning music for a smaller pop or rock setup. In an ensemble, the sheet music is typically a chart. Look for ensemble figures (unison hits with the band), solos, and the main groove (which may or may not be notated).

Here’s an example of a chart used by an ensemble.

You typically have some creative license with time. Sit with your music and listen to the recording. Make notes about form and instrumentation (auxiliary percussion), if needed.

If you play with a smaller band, there should be a lead sheet (lyrics and chords; usually not notated). Below is a picture of what that looks like. 

It’s pretty simple to chart your moves because you already have the form and vocal cues. Listen to your tune and make notes about the intro, fills, section lengths, breaks (count), and changes in groove or meter.

Take the time to simply listen to the music. Absorb the rhythmic feel and emotion. This step will also help fuel your creativity.

After you’ve listened to the music a few times through, play along with the track and make more notes. You can further this practice by drumming along with your favorite songs.

The stage isn’t the place to try that new crazy fill you’ve been working on. Perfect your new ideas in practice — your band will thank you.

If you do want to work on some cool new fills (in practice of course), try these three simple steps.

The beat is the backbone of the band, and with a bit of focus, you can own it.

Confidence comes from practice and preparation, so do your homework before your drum performance.

Watch your band or band director for cues, especially for solos, breaks (count), and rubato passages. Make sure your intros and outros are tight.

Enjoy making music! You’ve done the technical prep work, so concentrate on creating an awesome feel with your fellow musicians.

One more important tip: make sure you always warm-up for practice or a gig. Even after you learn these basic tips, it’s important to implement them at every performance. Not only will you and your band feel good about your performance, but your audience will enjoy it even more!

Not quite ready to take the stage? We can help you get there. Sign up for lessons with a private drum teacher today! 

Post Author: Tracy D.
Tracy D. teaches percussion and drum lessons in Edmond, OK, as well as online. She has been playing the drums with various bands for more than 13 years. Tracy earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Oklahoma Christian University and has played with the OKC Community Orchestra since 2009.  Learn more about Tracy here!

Photo by Thomas Hawk

The post 5 Steps to Nail Your Next Drum Performance appeared first on | TakeLessons.

When you’re learning drums, it’s important to find fun and easy ways to practice on the go. Grab your smartphone because here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. shares her picks for the best mobile apps for drummers…

App developers have certainly made great tools available for musicians, and a few fantastic apps for drummers. So whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate drummer, here are 11 smartphone apps you should download, now!

Drum Set apps

These smartphone apps are entertaining, easy to use, and they can help you execute ideas when you’re away from your kit (or don’t have one yet). Many of these apps can also help beginners learn to read music.

Drums!

Drums! has a built-in music player and single and double kick features.

The app gives you the ability to jam along to pre-recorded tracks and play different sounds. Download additional in-app features like the percussion pack for an additional cost.

You can download this app from the iTunes store.

Drum set

This app has multi-touch functionality, low latency, and allows you to choose from a variety of setups.

The play-along feature let’s you practice to your favorite songs, or use the “Song Player” feature to play your own songs.

Drum set is available to download on Android devices.

DrumKit

This Windows-compatible app is like a virtual drum set.

DrumKit includes sounds from a variety of drums in addition to cymbals, toms, and kick drums.

The movable components make this app ideal for left-handed drummers.

Metronome apps

Let’s face it: if you want to play with solid time, you need a metronome. Apps make some feature-rich timekeepers that are powerful and inexpensive.

Tempo

This feature-rich app has 35 different time signatures (simple, compound, and complex). The app will continue to run even when your device locks, which makes it great to use during practice. It also has setlist functionality, which will take you from the shed to the stage.

Want to demo this app for free? Download the lite version and give it a try.

Metronome Beats Pro

Create a setlist of songs and play through them continuously.

With a range of different sounds, and beat and bar counters, Metronome Beats Pro is great to use during practice, and even effective for live shows.

Metronomy

Metronomy includes sound recording and fine tempo tuning (from 40 to 238 BPM).

The visual beat counter will help you learn to keep time on drums. Download this app and use it next time you practice!

Drum Machine and Loop apps

If you’re a drummer or a multi-instrumentalist, you will find these apps useful and fun. Use these to fuel your creativity and provide a backdrop for your technical work.

Drum Beats+

Drum Beats+ has over 100 built-in drum loops, but don’t worry, if that’s not enough, you can always download more!

The easy tempo changer (from 60 to 190 BPM) makes this app ideal for both beginner and advanced drummers.

RaveIT

Use the drum machine/loop station to create your own beats. Or play-along to one of 91 samples.

You can also change the tempo from 40-250 beats per minute.

Download RaveIT for your Windows device here.

Drum Lesson apps

Learn some chops and licks from some legends of the industry.

Drum Guru

Download Drum Guru to access short lessons from world-renowned drummers.

This beginner-friendly app also features videos with notations.

Notation and Composition Apps

As you progress you will likely have ideas that you will want to jot down, and these apps for drummers have quite a few handy features. Plus, if you get into larger-scale compositions, you will still find them useful.

Reflow Score Writer

Reflow Score Writer is iCloud and Dropbox ready, so you can make changes on the fly that will be   saved across your devices.

With several options to import and play files, and lots of fun features, you will definitely get more   bang for your buck with this app.

Ensemble Composer Pro

Import and export files in MusicXML formats so you can exchange sheets with other software   programs.

Want to show off the cool new beat you just recorded? Ensemble Composer Pro allows you to export songs as ringtones.

These 11 apps are personal favorites of mine. If you use these apps regularly and with great focus, you will become a well-rounded drummer and musician. Your practice with these apps should be consistent.

These are just a few of many apps for drummers available online. Try these out and let us know what you think! 

Post Author: Tracy D.
Tracy D. teaches percussion and drum lessons in Edmond, OK, as well as online. She has been playing the drums with various bands for more than 13 years. Tracy earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Oklahoma Christian University and has played with the OKC Community Orchestra since 2009.  Learn more about Tracy here!

The post 11 More Awesome Music Apps for Drummers appeared first on | TakeLessons.

When you’re learning to play drums, you may want to explore other options to practice your craft besides spending money on an expensive drum set. Here, San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W. shares some creative ideas to help you build your own drum set….

Have you ever thought about building your own drum set? Maybe you’d like to save a few bucks and build your own drums instead of shelling out money on an expensive drum kit. Or, maybe you’re super crafty and you would just like to create something unique and awesome!

Whether you want to build your own drums from household items or restore an old kit and make it your own, here are three simple ways to build your own drum set.

Build Your Own Drum Set Using Household Items

If air drumming isn’t cutting it, and you’re ready for the next level but not ready to invest in a new drum set, then take a look around your house.

Many of the most famous and successful drummers started out playing on pillows. Sounds crazy, right? Well actually, it sounds like nothing at all…  which is an added bonus because you can play any time — without disturbing anyone.

Pillows are great, not only because they’re quiet, but they also offer little bounce (pretty much none), which means you will need to work twice as hard.

Why is this a good thing? Let’s look at an analogy: A baseball player uses a doughnut to add weight to his bat when he warms up. Then, when he goes up to bat, he removes the doughnut and the bat seems light and swift. The same thing happens when you move from pillows to drums; your hands feel lighter and faster.

Check out some of the drummers who were raised playing gospel music, like Tony Royster Jr. and Arron Spears. They have what’s called “gospel chops,” and they’re blazing fast. This is because most of them couldn’t have drum sets, so they practiced on pillows.

You can also build your own drum set with plastic bottles. Use smaller bottles (12 or 16 ounce bottles),  and arrange them in the shape of a drum set. Fill each bottle with a different amount of water, for different pitches of sound.

Now, take some heavy tape (like masking tape) and tape the bottles to a wood or cardboard surface. The surface can be cut out in a way that makes it easy to reach the bottles and mimics a real drum set.

Lastly, you can use pots and pans to build your won drums. Make sure to get your parents’ permission first. Remember, if you hit a pot our pan with a drum stick, it will be REALLY loud, so make sure to tape the ends of your sticks, or tape a paper towel onto the pot.

Lay the pots and pans out like a drum set and have at it! If you think this sounds lame, just watch some STOMP videos. I was in a similar group that played on pots and pans. Not only did we sound great, we had a lot of fun!

Build Your Own Drum Set With Old Parts

I have personal experience building a drum set this way. I was raised playing on my grandfather’s kit, which he passed down to my dad. It was an old Slingerland kit. Once that one started to fall apart, I invested in my first drum set — a deep blue five-piece Pearl Export Series kit, and I was in love.

I kept the kit in the garage. After 10 years, the hardware rusted and the final wrap warped and began to fall off, so I decided to clean them up myself. This was a very tedious process. Although there was something zen about scrubbing each and every washer, screw, and lugnut with WD-40 and an SOS Steel wool pad, I got the worst headaches and lost about two months of time I could have been practicing. I stripped the shells, sanded and painted them, and scrubbed, sanded, and painted the hoops, too.

In the end, the parts looked great, but this is a project for someone who loves crafts (long, time-consuming crafts). If you’re super crafty, here’s an in-depth look at building your own drums. If you try this, let us know how it goes!

If you’re like me, however, and you’d rather not devote this much time to restoring old parts, you can find decent drums for a fair price — if you look. Some people will even give their drums away if they don’t use them or are unable to store them.

Want to buy a quality used drum kit? Check out this guide!

Build an On-the-Go Drum Set

These days, it’s rare that I get to practice on my full drum set, which of course is what I prefer. If you’re constantly on the go or if you don’t have a drum set, an on-the-go drum set will be your best friend.

Using practice pads is a great way to get the feel and response of a real drum set. Plus, practice pads are portable, inexpensive, and quiet.

There are several different practice pad options. I personally like firm, rubber pads, as opposed to jelly or soft rubber. I bring my drum pads with me wherever I go. If someone else is driving, you can bet I’m drumming in the car!

DW drums makes a pad set that comes with a stand, and is great to learn proper spacing and movement. This set even has a pad for a drum pedal.

When it comes to mobile, DIY drums, you can also do what the “buskers” (street drummers) do; use buckets. This is a great way to get a full set feel and play different sounds (you may even be able to make some money). Keep in mind that buckets can add up in cost and are really loud, but they can help you work on chops and patterns.

Play on Whatever You Can Find

Last but not least, play on whatever you can find. Maybe it’s the ground, your shoe, your annoying little brother (just kidding), but I have played on the grass, dirt, carpet, table (at a park, not in the house), and even the rubber sole of my shoe.

The main thing is just to practice as much as possible. Keep running rudiments, and keep your arms and wrists, hands and fingers warmed up and ready to go.

As a drummer, you need to accept and adapt to imperfect practice conditions. This just comes with territory when you play a large, loud, expensive instrument.

Be creative, and have fun finding new, fun ways to practice!

Do you have some other ideas to build your own drum set? Let us know in the comments below!

Post Author: Maegan W.
Maegan W. teaches drums, songwriting, and more in San Diego, CA. She earned a degree in Percussion from the Musician’s Institute, and has been teaching private lessons since 2004.  Learn more about Maegan here!

The post The DIY Drummer: 3 Ways to Build Your Own Drum Set appeared first on | TakeLessons.