Many beginner drummers (and not-so-beginer too) find it challenging to play to a click. It’s not a natural skill that you either got or you don’t got. It’s a skill you can learn. In this video I explain a methodical approach to developing the ability to play single strokes, double strokes and paradiddles to a metronome that will help you to understand how to synchronise yourself to the click in a confident and relaxed way.
My latest YouTube video is released. It’s a brief and, hopefully, concise introduction to the Texas Shuffle or two-handed shuffle or whatever it’s supposed to be called. Go listen to Chris Layton playing on Pride & Joy to see what I’m talking about. Then watch my video and learn this kickarse groove!
I recently made this chart for Mad World by Tears For Fears for one of my students. It’s not a note for note transcription but my interpretation of the drum parts of the song to make it accessible and musical. Mad World Sheet Music PDF
In my latest video I demonstrate a simple exercise counting quarter notes, 8ths, triplets and 16ths around the drums. I highly recommend spending some time learning to count time and the subdivisions while improvising around the kit. This video is aimed at beginners but more advanced players might benefit from learning to play and count. It can really help your timing in terms of accuracy and feel. Learn to count out loud and also sing while you’re playing your drums.… Read More »Subdivisions Exercise Around The Kit
Here’s the drum chart I made for Prisoner by Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa. It’s a big hit and my students have really enjoyed working on it. A really fun chart to learn, it’s got a few solid fills and some cool hihat splashes. The video is about vampires or, er, something. Download the chart here
In my latest video I explain the groove for Dua Lipa’s massive hit, Levitating. It’s a cool disco number with a four-to-the floor beat that should get any foot tapping. Here’s the PDF. Check it out here:
I bought a cheap snare on eBay. It cost me £23, brand new! I made a video about it and stuck it up on YouTube. This was a more complicated video than I’ve made before (not that you’d know to look at it) and it was fun to work on. I’m working out how to make videos and there’s a long way to go, I think, before it starts looking good. I say too many ummmmms and uhhhhhhs, I feel… Read More »I Bought a Cheap Snare on eBay
My latest video is up on the YouTubes. I explain how to count the basic table of time. Download the PDF here.
Here’s the latest offering to the YouTubeniverse. It’s accented paradiddles. You should watch the accented triplets video first and learn those first.
My teacher, Asaf, has released the instrumental tracks from his recent series’ of YouTube videos as drum playalongs. This is a really cool collection of original music that gives drummers something interesting to play along to. Time For Space Vol. 1 is not for “comfort playing”. You won’t be able to just stick a track on and play your favourite funk grooves and fills. Each tune needs a dfferent approach to filling the space and playing along to these will… Read More »Time For Space Drums Play-Along by Asaf Sirkis