Hello, drum world! I hope all is well. This lesson is based around one of my favorite hybrid rudiments, “the cheese”. I just think it’s one of the coolest sounding rudiments around. I suggest starting this slowly as the sticking pattern is a bit nuts. If you’re struggling with the doubles on the cheeses take…
ULTIMATE DOUBLE BASS
Here is another page from my double bass book, Ultimate Double Bass. These exercises I have been shedding lately and are really improving my control, speed, and power. Here we use various foot patterns shifting from 1/8 notes to 1/16 notes. Start slow, making sure you have each pattern correct, then build up the speed. Always…
BONDING WITH BONHAM
Those who know me know three things for certain: one, I hate onions; two, I am impatient; and, three, I am a John Bonham freak. Not necessarily in the creepy I-want-to-wear-John’s-clothes way (although the Bolar hat was a very cool look), but I admire the man who was able to take a prolific act like…
DAWN OF THE DOUBLES: DOUBLE STROKES FROM HELL PART I
This exercise is something I love, accented double stroke. Now I don’t double with accents like a group of five-stroke rolls. I mean everything is doubles and you have to accent the doubles (if you look at the manuscript below it’ll make a bit more sense!) Now this exercise requires us to really stretch our…
DOUBLE BASS LICKS
Here are two common double bass licks. The first one is the classic two with the hands, two with the feet. The second is four with the hands, two with the feet, phrased as 1/16 notes. Each of these licks can be played and phrased numerous ways. Get comfortable playing each lick clean and smooth….
COORDINATION AND CHOP BUILDERS
Coordination is a key element in creativity. Being able to express yourself on command is a goal for many drummers. These exercises are some that I use to practice coordination, and to build some chops. Alternate hands in the first measure, then follow the various stickings in the second measure. The left foot on the…
THE SPACE BETWEEN
Obviously our goal when playing music should be to play with emotion, feel and passion, but we also can not lose sight of the consistent space between each of our notes. I have heard many players play and when the energy and excitement builds on stage, they forget about this concept and just let go…
TO READ OR NOT TO READ
I figured an article about reading might as well start with a Shakespeare quote, no? This is a question that I have answered and discussed for many years with students and other musicians. Reading the language of music is a lot like reading the English language—which you are dong right now. Do you remember being…
MAKING THE MOST OF PRACTICE TIME
Undoubtedly, many drummers (and other musicians) struggle to find time to practice in their busy schedule. Between rehearsals, meetings, performances, exercise, eating right, families and travel, it can be a daunting task. Furthermore, this isnʼt something that only beginners struggle with. Some of our greatest players indeed feel the same way. What are we to do?…
MADE OF MUSIC
Did you know that a black hole about 2.5 billion years old is humming the deepest musical note ever created: a B-flat that’s a million billion times deeper than your ear can hear? As I was perusing the web, I came across this integral statement about our musical universe, in particular the Perseus cluster—vibrating gasses…
HEARING DAMAGE: THE DRUMMERS APOCALYPSE
Something any drummer must address sooner than later is the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. What’s that, you say? Yes, you heard me right my fellow groove-meisters; it is no secret that our ears (much like our limbs) are an integral part of our ability to make music. Consider this juicy fact for a moment:…
SOCA
The Soca is an incredibly fun groove to play, but requires diligent practice and attention to the timing and pace of the groove, as it is primarily used for dance grooves. Pay close attention to your tempo and your feel. Make sure the groove feels good before you speed up. Watch video on soca/calypso dance….
NATE MORTON LIVE STREAM INTERVIEW ON THE DRUM GEEK VODCAST
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE FEB. 26 – LIVE STREAM 11PM EST / 8PM PST The Voice, Rockstar Series, American Idol Tour, Madonna, Paul Stanley, sessions, educator. Want to ask Nate a question? Join us on any of these socials to take part in the interview & ask questions via chat! And be sure to…
DOUBLES TO TRIPLES
Hello again! I trust all is well in the land of drums. This exercise is nothing new but I feel it’s a valuable one. Double and triple strokes are something of an obsession of mine. There’s nothing like a perfectly executed roll with the sound and precision of a machine gun! Start this exercise slowly. We’re…
BONHAM-ISMS
Here are a couple of fills and grooves from the John Bonham library. There’s no way to include all the classic Bonham material in this lesson, but here’s a couple I enjoy. For some really killer transcriptions of Led Zeppelin tunes, check out Drum Techniques of Led Zeppelin by Joe Bergamini. This is a must-have book for…
IT AIN’T EASY BEING GREEN
Do you remember your first steps? Probably not. If you were to look back on learning to walk, it was the most pivotal point in your life. Before you could take steps, your ability to be mobile was strictly limited to crawling or being carted from one room to the next by your parents. Imagine…
The GOAT LIVE STREAM INTERVIEW ON THE DRUM GEEK VODCAST
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE FEB. 28 – LIVE STREAM 11PM EST / 8PM PST DJ and producer. Want to ask The GOAT a question? Join us on any of these socials to take part in the interview & ask questions via chat! And be sure to follow us to be notified when we go…
RICH REDMOND LIVE STREAM INTERVIEW ON THE DRUM GEEK VODCAST
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE FEB. 18 – LIVE STREAM 9PM CST / 7PM PST Drummer (Jason Aldean), songwriter, producer, actor, author, speaker, podcast personality. Want to ask Rich a question? Join us on any of these socials to take part in the interview & ask questions via chat! And be sure to follow us…
AARON EDGAR LIVE STREAM INTERVIEW ON THE DRUM GEEK VODCAST
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE FEB. 15 – LIVE STREAM 8pm CST / 6pm PST Artists, educator, Drumeo instructor, author, clinician. Want to ask Aaron a question? Join us on any of these socials to take part in the interview & ask questions via chat! And be sure to follow us to be notified when…
BECOMING A DRUM JEDI: THE COLLECTIVE
Every musician has the dream of one day attending and graduating from a highly acclaimed music school or institution. While it is always easy to dream big and aspire to be a drumming Jedi, implementation is a whole other ball game. Since 1977, The Collective has been the Yoda to many a drummers’ desire, boasting…
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