Quick, Slick Drum Lick
Learn a linear, single-measure drum fill made up of sixteenth notes and a fun sticking pattern.
Great Independence & Coordination Exercise
Learn a fun and challenging exercise for improving independence and coordination. The hands and kick repeat a sixteenth-note pattern that is subdivided into groups of three and four, while the stepped hi-hat plays the quarter-note pulse.
Creating Drum Fills from Linear Beats
This lesson explores the sticking pattern from a few weeks ago. This time, we are orchestrating the idea around the toms in a drum fill context. This fill starts on the "&" of beat 4 and keeps you in the pocket, locked in with the rest of the band.
Two Great Drum Beats for Beginners
Learn two cracking drum beats for beginner drummers looking to bridge the gap to intermediate level. The groove is played with a single-stroke 16th notes, with both hands taking it in turns to hit the snare and provide a backbeat. Then, the pattern moves to the toms for a new orchestration.
Monster Drum Fill
Learn an advanced two-measure sextuplet drum fill played between the kick, snare, hi-hat, and floor tom. The sticking pattern consists of a number of sixteenth-note triplet ideas that can be orchestrated or rearranged in a number of ways around the kit.
Funky Drum Beat Inspired by James Brown’s, Super Bad
Learn a lovely four-measure loop that draws inspiration from the bridge section of James Brown's funky track, "Super Bad."
Quick Travis Barker Drum Lick
This week's lesson explores a quick drum fill in the style of Blink 182's stickman, Travis Barker. The fill can be played as either 16th notes (2 bars) or a single measure of 32nd notes.
Intermediate Linear Groove
Learn a sweet linear groove ideal for intermediate level players. The pattern is a single measure of solid 16th notes between the kick, snare, and hi-hat, but experimentation with other orchestrations can get you a lot of mileage out of this single idea.
Quick, Advanced Drum Fill
This lesson explores a slick single-measure drum lick consisting of sextuplets and sixteenth-note triplets orchestrated around the kit. Every beat uses a different sticking pattern between the hands and kick drum, with dynamics being the key to making this chop sound great.
Fun Jazz Independence Exercises
Learn four patterns from Ted Reed's Progressive Steps to Syncopation.
Cool Intermediate Drum Beats on the Toms
Learn a cracking four-measure drum beat on the toms. The groove is aimed at intermediate level drummers who are looking to spice up their tom grooves with this musical orchestration that sits on a basic four on the floor pulse.
Cool, Fun Drum Fill or Solo Idea
This lesson borrows the sticking pattern from the previous lesson, combining a number of paradiddle variations to create a drum n bass style groove. In this lesson, we use the sticking pattern to create a more conventional drum fill between the kick, ride and snare. You could also loop this pattern and combine it with other ideas in a drum solo context.
Advanced Drum n Bass Style Groove
Learn a killer two-measure groove in the style of Drum N Bass that utilizes a number of paradiddle sticking patterns. Learning this drum beat will help improve dynamics and double strokes, especially when played at 160bpm and up.
A Short But Sweet 32nd Note Drum Fill
Learn a short 32nd note drum fill over beats 1 & 2 and ending on beat 3 with a big fat snare hit. Beat 4 is rested. The idea is to create tension via a fast drum fill followed by a dramatic pause before returning to our groove.
Awesome Independence Exercise – Grooves
This lesson explores one of my favorite exercises/warm-ups. This groove is a great way to work on your ghost strokes and double kicks. With all four limbs playing different patterns, it's an awesome independence workout, as well.
