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How To: Play Latin rumba clave beats

In this video lesson, you will learn how to play the rumba clave, which is common within Latin drum beats. The clave is an essential pattern for Latin music that must be practiced regularly. The rumba clave is similar to the son clave, however it is different enough to give it a unique feel within Latin music.

How To: Master snare and bass drum comping

This lesson includes six challenging beats that include both snare and bass drum comping. These grooves are sure to challenge your limb-independence, and take your jazz drumming to a new level. Work through them slowly at first, and then increase the speed as you become more confident.

How To: Play jazz bass drum comping

These bass drum comping exercises are designed to build independence within your bass drum foot. They work the same way the snare drum comping patterns do, but are focused around the bass drum. They are great for jazz drumming, but are sure to improve many other areas of your drumming at the same time.

How To: Do two handed 16th note drum beats

The two-handed sixteenth note drum beats featured in this lesson are a little different than anything covered in previous lessons. Unlike the regular sixteenth note beats, these patterns have the hands alternating between the hi-hats and snare for the entire measure.

How To: Listen to music with your whole body

In this soaring demonstration, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie leads the audience through an exploration of music not as notes on a page, but as an expression of the human experience. Playing with sensitivity and nuance informed by a soul-deep understanding of and connection to music, she talks about a music that is more than sound waves perceived by the human ear. She illustrates a richer picture that begins with listening to yourself, and includes emotion and intent as well as the complex...

How To: Play jazz snare drum comping

The snare drum comping exercises in this lesson are designed to improve your left-hand control within jazz drumming. All of the patterns are based around the basic jazz pattern, but include unique snare drum patterns designed to challenge your limb-independence.

How To: Master jazz drum fills

This lesson teaches four basic jazz drum fills that you can use with the jazz drum beats we teach here at FreeDrumLessons.com. These patterns are fairly basic, but will enable you to eventually start creating your own unique patterns. Start by mastering these fills, and then modify them with your own ideas.

How To: Play a basic jazz pattern on the drums

In this drum lesson, you will learn the basic jazz drumming pattern that is the foundation for most jazz drum beats. It requires a fair amount of independence, so you will learn it through progressive steps. This will simplify the entire learning process, and get you playing jazz with greater ease.

How To: Play 5/4 odd time beats

This lesson covers six odd-time beats that are played in the 5/4 time signature. Unlike most rock drum beats, that are played in 4/4 with four quarter notes per measure, these beats are played with five quarter notes per measure. Watch the included video for step-by-step training on how to count and play these unique beats.

How To: Play 7/4 odd time beats

This lesson includes six drum beats that are played in the 7/4 time signature. They are all considered odd-time, due to the fact that they aren't counted like popular 4/4 drum beats. The beats are still counted with quarter notes, but include seven in each measure instead of four. Watch the included video for adddition information.

How To: Play broken eighth note fills

This lesson features six broken eighth note fills that fit well within many styles of rock music. The biggest change between these patterns, and the regular eighth note fills, is that these patterns have rests. In other words, the notes aren't continous for the entire measure.

How To: Play eighth note fills

This lesson includes six eighth note drum fills that are played between the snare drum and tom-toms. They are great for beginners that have mastered eighth note drum beats, and are now looking for corresponding drum fill patterns.

How To: Build a bass drum independence

This video lesson includes six drum beats that are designed to build bass drum independence. They are musical patterns that can be used in a rock playing situation, but are here for the purpose of developing your bass drum foot. Work through them slowly at first, and eventually increase the speed as you gain more control.

How To: Play sixteenth note accent beats

This lesson covers six unique sixteenth note accent beats. These are ideal for intermediate to advanced drummers that are looking for new ways to spice up their grooves. The patterns are somewhat similar to the two-handed sixteenth note beats, but they incorporate accents on certain hi-hat strokes.

How To: Play tom-tom beats

This video lesson covers five fun drum beats that are played on the toms. Unlike most drum beats that are centered around the hi-hats or ride-cymbal, these grooves are built around tom-tom patterns. They aren't too difficult to play, and work well in a wide range of playing styles.

How To: Play double bass drum fills

You can use your double bass drum pedals for more than just unique drum beats. This free video lesson covers five simple double bass drum fills that incorporate the hands and the feet. They build upon what you've learned in the double bass drum warm-ups section. Watch the lesson for demonstrations of all five patterns.

How To: Count note values on the drums

This video lesson teaches Jared Falk's note value exercise. Basically, this exercise is designed to help you practice quarter notes, eighth notes, eighth note triplets, sixteenth notes, sixteenth note triplets, and 32nd notes around the drum kit - all at the same time.

How To: Learn basic drum theory

Are you a beginner or intermediate drummer that would like to learn how to count various time signatures, note values, and sub-divisions? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you've come to the right place. The video lessons in this section will teach you all the essentials in step-by-step detail!

How To: Count quarter notes

In this video lesson, you will learn how to count quarter notes within the 4/4 time signature. This will lay out a solid foundation for learning other sub-divisions of time, including: eighth notes, eighth note triplets, sixteenth notes, sixteenth note triplets, and thirty second notes.

How To: Build a propane tank Hank drum

You want to get your hands on the notorious Hang drum, but you can't because it's too expensive. Well, try your hands at the Hank drum, a Hang drum alternative that's cheap and easy to make. It was first invented by Dennis Havlena to imitate the Hang drum, and was made from old propane tanks. This video will show you the process of constructing your own Hank drum instrument from an empty propane tank, drill, electric saw, hacksaw blade, wrench, file and tuner. This project could cost you unde...

How To: Play a drum fill on your snare drum

What is a drum fill? Simply put, it is a short rhythmic idea played by the drummer to fill a space at the end of a vocal or instrumental phrase. All you need is a drum kit with a snare drum, and you're set. Just don't steal it, please.

How To: Play paradiddles on your drums kit

In percussion, the paradiddle is a four-note pattern of the form RLRR or LRLL. When multiple paradiddles are played in succession, the first note always alternates between right and left. Paradiddles. Isn't that a funny word? It's reason enough to watch this.

How To: Play drums

Do you want to learn to play drums for the very first time? Watch Mike Michalkow's step-by-step training video to get started. It will guide you through four simple patterns that form a basic rock drum beat.