Hot Percussion Posts
How To: Land on your feet after drum fills
This tutorial will teach you to get in and out of drum fills without derailing your drum pattern. Playing along with a drumless track with spaces for drum fills can test your ability to maintain a steady tempo through fills and transition back into the groove. The song from this tutorial, Canyon Jump, can be downloaded at unirunner.com/drumlesstracks. It has one, two and four-bar spaces for fills.
How To: Set up your drum kit
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 guide you through the process of setting up your drum kit.
How To: Tune 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 teach you how to tune your snare drum.
How To: Play the upstroke 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 demonstrates how to play the upstroke drum rudiment. Take a look!
How To: Play the "Mr. Freeze" exercise 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 demonstrates how to play the "Mr. Freeze" and tap stroke exercises on the snare.
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: Take paradiddle permutations to the next level
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 his advice for taking paradiddle variations just a little bit further than you might have thought possible.
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 basic time on the drums while playing jazz
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 how to keep basic time while playing jazz.
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: Develop basic psycho-motor independence
In this installment from his video lesson series in which he explores a series of exercises for the drumset and applys them to a wide range of skill levels, Jeremy Hummel demonstrates exercises to help develop basic psycho-motor independence while playing the drums.
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: Create a smooth legato sound on the drums with brushes
Peter Erskine is best known for his versatility and ardent love of working in various musical settings. In this installment from his video lesson series in which he covers basic brush skills on the drumset, Peter will guide you through creating a smooth legato sound while playing with brushes.
How To: Play the timekeeping pattern on the drums with brushes
Peter Erskine is best known for his versatility and ardent love of working in various musical settings. In this indispensable installment from his video lesson series in which he covers basic brush skills on the drumset, Peter will guide you through playing time with the brushes.
How To: Play bossa nova and pop grooves with brushes
Peter Erskine is best known for his versatility and ardent love of working in various musical settings. In this installment from his video lesson series in which he covers basic brush skills on the drumset, Peter demonstrates how to play bossa nova and pop grooves with the brushes.
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.