Free Drum Lessons

Simple Triplet Embellishments

This lesson introduces a simple way to embellish your hi-hat today. The technique doesn't dramatically change the feel of the groove, which is good. It adds interest to the groove without changing it too much.

Getting Started with Alternating Sixteenth Notes on Hi-hat

This drum lesson presents 8 beats designed to help you build your sixteenth-note, alternating hi-hat skills.

The Pad - Exercise 5

Our 5th The Pad Exercise concentrates on syncopation. Appreciate those Es and Ahs!

The Pad - Exercise 6: Flam Chops

This week, we're tackling the flam. Here are some fun flam exercises to build your flam chops.

Cool Tom and Snare Groove

Tom grooves are cool. They can sound powerful, tribal, happy, you name it. This is a syncopated tom groove that was built by orchestrating a regular drum beat to the tom and snare.

The Pad - Exercise 7: Two Surfaces

This week's The Pad exercise takes the sticks to two surfaces. You can use a second practice pad to replace the rim strokes. If you don't have a second pad, setting up an old book or pillow works, too.

Breaking Up #33

Many drummers have experience with the famous pattern #33 in the Stick Control book. When you apply it to the drum set, splitting it between the hi-hat and snare, it creates a great groove. However, breaking the pattern up into smaller chunks or beginning the pattern in unusual places opens up many opportunities for creative, great-sounding beats.