Hot Percussion Posts

How To: Play a two-drum etude on the snare

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you to play a two-drum etude.

How To: Play the flamadiddle drum rudiment

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will show you how to play the flamadiddle drum rudiment on the snare. Play the flamadiddle drum rudiment.

How To: Play the "1-&-a-2" or "1-te-ta" rhythm on the snare

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels demonstrates how to play the "1-&-a-2" or "1-te-ta" rhythm on the snare drum.

How To: Play a two-drum etude

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels demonstrates a simple two-drum etude.

How To: Play dotted quarter notes

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you a new note value, the dotted quarter note.

How To: Play the double paradiddle drum rudiment

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will show you how to play the double paradidle drum rudiment.

How To: Play half-note rolls on the snare drum

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will demonstrate how to play half-note rolls on the snare drum.

How To: Play a duet with dynamic markings

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will walk you through the process of playing a duet while heeding dynamic markings (e.g., the forte and mezzo forte) symbols.

How To: Play 8th note rolls in quarter time

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you to play 8th note rolls in quarter time.

How To: Play the single stroke roll drum rudiment

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you to play the single stroke roll drum rudiment.

How To: Play the double stroke roll drum rudiment

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you how to play the double stroke roll drum rudiment.

How To: Develop stick control on the drums

Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will demonstrate a series of exercises that will aid you in increasing your stick control on the drums.

How To: Master the rebound stroke

To play music, your hands should be able to do anything your mind asks of them – and rudimental technique is one great way of making sure that can happen. In this installment from his video tutorial series dedicated to rudimental techniques, Mark Wessels demonstrates the rebound stroke style and gives tips for working on using your fingers to increase your speed.

How To: Develop stick control

To play music, your hands should be able to do anything your mind asks of them – and rudimental technique is one great way of making sure that can happen. In this installment from his video tutorial series dedicated to rudimental techniques, Mark Wessels discusses the fundamentals of achieving a consistent sound from hand to hand.

How To: Play accented 16ths on the snare drum

To play music, your hands should be able to do anything your mind asks of them – and rudimental technique is one great way of making sure that can happen. In this installment from his video tutorial series dedicated to rudimental techniques, Mark Wessels will teach you how to play accented 16ths, which are great for the beginner wanting to gain consistency over the sound of the inner beats.

How To: Master the hi-hats

In this two-pat installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson discusses the hi-hats and takes a comparative look at the most common techniques for playing them.

How To: Orchestrate patterns on your drums

In this three-part installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson discusses patterns and orchestration while offering tips for applying custom arrangements to your own drum patterns.

How To: Play a shuffle on the drums

In this two-part installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson demonstrates how to play a shuffle on the drum, an oft-overlooked triplet-based rhythm pattern. Take a look and remember to stay tuned for part two!

How To: Setup your drums for the best sound

New to jazz drumming or simply looking for a few pointers? In this installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson offers tips and techniques for setting up your drums so as to acheive the best possible sound.

How To: Play basic drum fills

New to jazz drumming or simply looking for a few pointers? In this installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson demonstrates a number of simple, easy-to-play fills to any budding percussionist make his or her playing more dynamic.

How To: Keep balance on a drum kit

A band leader, classical percussionist, clinician and author, Steve Houghton is also the associate professor of percussion and jazz at Indiana University-Bloomington, and is on faculty at the Henry Mancini Institute. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of drum playing, Steve provides helpful tips and techniques for maintaining balance between limbs while on the drumset.

How To: Play the train beat on the drums

In this installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson demonstrates how to play the train beat, a favorite of country music.

How To: Play a Bo Diddley beat on the drums

Hey, Bo Diddley! In this installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson demonstrates how to play the famous Bo Diddley beat on your drumset.

How To: Play a "2-beat" drum pattern

A band leader, classical percussionist, clinician and author, Steve Houghton is also the associate professor of percussion and jazz at Indiana University-Bloomington, and is on faculty at the Henry Mancini Institute. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of using a drumset, Steve demonstrates how to play the endlessly fun two-beat drum pattern.

How To: Establish an effective drum practice routine

A band leader, classical percussionist, clinician and author, Steve Houghton is also the associate professor of percussion and jazz at Indiana University-Bloomington, and is on faculty at the Henry Mancini Institute. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of using a drumset, Steve demonstrates tips and techniques for establishing an effective drum practice routine on the drums.

How To: Use the heel-up and heel-down bass drum techniques

A band leader, classical percussionist, clinician and author, Steve Houghton is also the associate professor of percussion and jazz at Indiana University-Bloomington, and is on faculty at the Henry Mancini Institute. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of using a drumset, Steve demonstrates how to use the heel-up and heel-down bass drum techniques.

How To: Play bossa nova (and "cheater" bossa) on the drums

A band leader, classical percussionist, clinician and author, Steve Houghton is also the associate professor of percussion and jazz at Indiana University-Bloomington, and is on faculty at the Henry Mancini Institute. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of using a drumset, Steve demonstrates how to play in the Brazilian bossa nova style (as well as an easy-to-play "cheater" approximation thereof).

How To: Compliment drum loops with live playing

Donny Gruendler, a faculty member at Musicians Institute, has become and expert at performing with backing tracks, manually triggering samples, and playing with loops (both live and in the studio). In this installment from his video tutorial series in which he discusses the fundamentals of playing with loops, Donny provides tips for complimenting a drum loop (and thus avoiding "target practice").

How To: Use the free stroke on the drums

Dom Famularo's infectious smile and drumming talents make him one of the most sought-after drummers and clincians in the world. In this three-part installment from his video series dedicated to a wide variety of topics–from drum strokes to styles–, Dom demonstrates the free stroke, or rebound, technique on the drums.

How To: Improve your drum practice space

Dom Famularo's infectious smile and drumming talents make him one of the most sought-after drummers and clincians in the world. In this three-part installment from his video series dedicated to a wide variety of topics–from drum strokes to styles–, Dom discusses woodshedding and provides tips and techniques for constructing and soundproofing a practice space.

How To: Understand the French matched grip

Dom Famularo's infectious smile and drumming talents make him one of the most sought-after drummers and clincians in the world. In this installment from his video series dedicated to a wide variety of topics–from drum strokes to styles–, Dom discusses the finger-heavy French matched grip position.

How To: Understand the an American grip

Dom Famularo's infectious smile and drumming talents make him one of the most sought-after drummers and clincians in the world. In this installment from his video series dedicated to a wide variety of topics–from drum strokes to styles–, Dom explains the American matched grip, which, technically, resides somewhere between the French and German grips. Take a look!

How To: Use open-handed playing on the drums

Dom Famularo's infectious smile and drumming talents make him one of the most sought-after drummers and clincians in the world. In this three-part installment from his video series dedicated to a wide variety of topics–from drum strokes to styles–, Dom demonstrates how to play a drumset with an open-handed style.

How To: Use a French grip on a drumset

Dom Famularo's infectious smile and drumming talents make him one of the most sought-after drummers and clincians in the world. In this installment from his video series dedicated to a wide variety of topics–from drum strokes to styles–, Dom demonstrates the French grip, a finger-dominant style of playing. Thumbs up!