Percussion How-Tos
How To: Play basic percussion instruments
Learn tips and techniques for playing percussion instruments in this free video clip about how to play shakers, wind chimes, and bongos.
How To: Play the conga
Play the conga, including tuning it, setting the stand, playing slaps and mutes, Latin grooves and jazz beats; learn how from our conga player and percussion instructor in this free conga tutorial video series.
How To: Play simple percussion instruments
The triangle, rain sticks, claves and maracas are all types of percussion instruments that come from all over the world. Learn more about several types of percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video series.
How To: Use a vibraslap
Learn how to play a vibraslap in this free video series that will show you how to play this mandible and provide you with other percussion instrument techniques with these video music lessons.
How To: Play the triangle
Learn how to play the triangle in this free video series that will show you how to play the triangle and provide you with other percussion instrument techniques with these video music lessons.
How To: Play the claves
Making sweet rhythmic music with claves - Learn how to play claves, and other percussion instrument techniques with these video music lessons.
How To: Play the tambourine
Keeping time and playing a flam, roll and accents are a few essential elements to playing the tambourine. Learn more about this instrument in this free video series.
How To: Perform a two-handed neck wrap with a drum major mace
Do you have aspirations of becoming a drum major or simply looking like one? Do you have a picture of George N. Parks on your wall? In this intermediate tutorial, which, for your benefit, presents its example in both real time and slow motion, you'll learn how to manipulate your drum major mace like a pro.
How To: Perform a prop spin with a mace
Learn how to do the prop spin using a mace with this tutorial. This is a very basic move for drum majors and baton twirlers. Watch this how to video and you will be able to a prop spin with a mace.
How To: Perform a side flourish with a mace
Learn how to do the side flourish using a mace with this tutorial. This is a basic move for drum majors and baton twirlers. Watch this how to video and you will be able to do a side flourish with a mace.
How To: Perform a rifle toss with a mace
Learn how to do the rifle toss using a mace with this tutorial. This is a basic move for a drum major or a baton twirler. Watch this how to video and you will be able to do the rifle toss with a mace.
How To: Do the basic toss with a mace
Learn how to perform the basic toss using a mace with this tutorial. This is a beginning move for drum majors and baton twirlers. Watch this how to video and you will be able to do the basic toss with a mace.
How To: Do the two handed neck wrap with a mace
Learn how the do the two handed neck wrap using a mace with this tutorial. This is an intermediate move for drum majors and baton twirlers. Watch this how to video and you will be able to do a two handed neck wrap with a mace.
How To: Perform the behind the back move with a mace
Learn how to do the behind the back move using a mace with this tutorial. This is an intermediate move for drum majors and baton twirlers. Watch this how to video and you will be able to perform the behind the back move with a mace.
How To: Do the elbow wrap with a mace
In this tutorial you will learn to do the elbow wrap drum major move using a mace. This is an advanced move for a drum major or baton twirler. Watch this how to video and you will be able to do the elbow wrap with a mace.
How To: Do the behind the back pass with a mace
Learn how to do the behind the back pass using a mace with this tutorial. This is an easy way to transfer the mace from one hand to the other. This is an advanced move for drum majors and baton twirlers. Watch this how to video and you will be able to do the behind the back pass with a mace.
How To: Do a one handed neck wrap with a mace
Learn how to do the one handed neck wrap using a mace with this tutorial. This is an advanced move for a drum major or baton twirler. Watch this how to video and you will be able to do the one handed neck wrap with a mace.
How To: Do a thumb roll with a mace
Learn to do the thumb roll using a mace with this how to video. This is an advanced technique for drum majors or baton twirlers. Watch this tutorial and you can do the thumb roll with a mace.
How To: Perform a palm spin with a mace
Learn how to do the palm spin using a mace with this how to video. This is an advanced move for a drum major or baton twirler. Watch this how to video and you will learn how to do palm spin with a mace.
How To: Perform a drum major finger roll with a mace
Learn to do the finger roll using a mace with this tutorial. This is a basic move for a drum major or baton twirler. Watch this how to video and you will be able to perform a mace finger roll.
How To: Use a Korg MA 30 metronome
Learn how to use the Korg MA-30 metronome with this tutorial. Metronomes are a great tool to help you keep time when playing an instrument. With this how to video you can improve your rhythm and practice with a metronome.
How To: Play tabla drum basic techniques
The tabla is a popular Indian drum used in the classical, popular and religious music of the Indian subcontinent and in Hindustani classical music. In this how to video you will learn basic techniques of playing the tabla. Watch this tutorial and you will be playing the tabla in no time.
How To: Tune an Indian tabla drum
The tabla is a popular Indian drum used in the classical, popular and religious music of the Indian subcontinent and in Hindustani classical music. This how to video teaches you to tune a tabla. Watch this tutorial and you will be playing and tuning an Indian tabla drum in no time.
How To: Play the Indian tabla drum
The tabla is a popular Indian drum used in the classical, popular and religious music of the Indian subcontinent and in Hindustani classical music. This 11 part how to video teaches you the basics of playing the tabla. Watch these tutorials and you will be playing this Indian drum in no time.
How To: Play the dhol drum
The dhol is a drum or percussive instrument, widely used in Bangladesh , India and Pakistan, usually the Punjab region, the Indian/Pakistani province of Punjab, Maharastra and Gujarat. This 4 part video is an introduction to the dhol and how to begin to play this ancient double sided drum. Watch these tutorial and you will be able to play the dhol in no time.
How To: Play the tabla
Check out this how-to video to learn the basics of playing the tabla. A tabla is a drum that is commonly used in Indian Carnatic music. Learn how to strike a tabla and where to hit to produce specific notes.
How To: Make a cymbal stack
This two part how to video shows how you can make a good sounding stack out of a 12 inch Wuhan Chinese cymbal. This tutorial is very useful for all drummers that have a small equipment budget out.
How To: Tune a tom tom drum
Like every other instrument, drums need to be properly tuned in order to get a great tone. In this 3 part how to video,"Sarge" shows you how to do the initial tuning on a tom tom drum. Follow the steps in this tutorial and soon your drum will sound like a pro's.
How To: Count eighth notes and swinging eighth notes
Learn basic rhythm counting techniques with this how to video. This music theory tutorial teaches you how you can count straight eighth notes and swinging eighth notes. Follow these steps and you improve your rhythm when playing any instrument.
How To: Count in 4/4 time in music
Learn what common time or 4/4 time is and how you can use it with this how to video. This music theory tutorial will help you understand the concept of time signatures and counting rhythm.
How To: Make a tambourine
Check out this how-to video to make a tambourine. Mary Christoph teaches a model class how to make a tambourine! Learn from Mary how to not make a submarine but a tambourine. Use two paper plates and dried pinto beans.
How To: Play a single pedal slide technique on the drums
In this how to video, learn to play the slide pedal technique on the bass drum. This tutorial is for intermediate drummers.
How To: Play accents and ghost notes on the drums
Learn how to play accents (hard hits) and ghost notes (un-accented notes) on the drums. This drum lesson is designed for the beginner or novice drummer.
How To: Play drum roll accents
This tutorial teaches how to play drum roll accents and how to incorporate them into basic beats. This lesson is designed for the beginner drummers.
How To: Do Backsticking with your drumsticks
This video will teach you how to backstick with your drumsticks whether you're playing on a drum kit or in the drum line at your high school. Backsticking is mainly triplets, and a valuable trick to learn for any drummer.
How To: Clap Flamenco rhythms
Learn the basic Flamenco claps. Transform your body into a percussion instrument. Clap Flamenco rhythms.
How To: Tune a snare drum easily
Learn how to tune a snare drum with Free Drum Lessons easy step-by-step guide. Free Drum Lessons is your #1 source of all your drum tuning needs. If you are struggling to tune your drums then this drum tuning video is perfect for you!
How To: Play double bass warm up exercises
This free drum lesson includes four simple warm-up exercises you can use to develop your double bass drumming. All of the patterns are designed to sync up your feet with your hands, and to improve your overall footwork.
How To: Master Latin songo beats
This video lesson will teach you how to play the Songo beat, which is one of the more difficult forms of Latin music. The Songo beats may be a little tricky to play at first, but these grooves are an extremely fun and energetic way to play the drums. The Songo is usually driven by a cowbell, but a ride cymbal bell is just as effective.
How To: Play Latin Bossa Nova beats
The Bossa Nova is one of Brazil's most popular forms of Latin music. It is one of the more simple grooves to play, however it is extremely effective. The Bossa Nova is usually played at slower tempos, and is eighth-note based. You will notice there is a standard "Bossa Nova" clave pattern played within this groove.