This is a super useful video I made recently outlining the four most useful methods for learning to play patterns on drums: I use a bog standard Bossa Nova beat as an example in this video but anything you want to learn can benefit from understanding and using these methods. You can also combine methods depending on the circumstances. Try each one out and see what works best for you. Enjoy!
Here’s my instructional video on how to play Chris Layton’s energetic groove on Stevie Ray’s Testify. It’s a brilliant groove to learn and to play and gives us a chance to focus on doing the dynamic strokes (Full, Down, Tap and Up strokes) on the snare. Here’s a PDF with a breakdown of the individual beats as explained in the video.
Once you’ve got the hang of a reasonable amount of standard 8th note rock vocabulary, it can be fun and useful to learn a whole load of variations for the hahat/ride pattern to allow you to spice up your grooves. One very common and popular option is to play offbeat (or upbeat) 8ths on the hihat or ride which means we’re playing just the &’s. It takes a bit of thought to get the hang of the coordination but if… Read More »Offbeat 8th Note Grooves
I am now an official Trinity Rock & Pop digital exam centre which means I can facilitate the recording and submission of digital exams for candidates for all instruments including drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals. If you would like help with setting up, recording and submitting your digital exams, please get in touch and let me know what I can do for you. Trinity digital grades allow students to record their performances at a time and place of their… Read More »Trinity Rock & Pop Digital Exam Centre
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
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:
Here’s my recent offering on YouTube. The accented triplets exercise is a really great way to develop stick technique on the pad and then on the kit. In this video I explain the accented triplets, inverted accented triplets and the accented triplet combo. These exercises are fun to play so get stuck in and learn them. You can get the PDF with these exercises here.
Here’s my latest video about the train beat. I made on years ago intending to follow up with a series of snare and bass drum variations. I wasn’t very productive YouTubewise though and it’s been waiting for me to get into the process seriously. The Covid thing has been a strong motivator for me to produce regular video content and so the world is about to get more Train Beat related video education content stuff. Here are a couple of… Read More »Train Beat Lesson – Basic Snare Drum Variations
The latest video is up on YouTube in which I explain the basic Right Hand and Left Hand flams.
Here’s a very cool video from drummer Chris Smith of The Drum Hang YouTube channel. A bunch of ideas for things you can practice when you are away from the kit. No sticks required. Shoop boom bee boop! It’s all about the voice.