Percussion How-Tos
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: Play Latin son clave beats
Learning how to play the son clave is essential for any serious Latin drummer. In this lesson, you will learn how to incorporate the son clave (a five note pattern) into common Latin grooves.
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 quarter note beats
This video lesson teaches six basic quarter note beats that you can use within rock music. They are ideal for beginner drummers that have just learned to play drums, and are now looking for additional beat ideas.
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 sixteenth note accent fills
In this lesson, you will learn four unique sixteenth note accent fills. These are slightly more advanced than the sixteenth note fills from a previous lesson, and are perfect for use within rock and related styles.
How To: Play broken sixteenth note fills
This free drum lesson features broken sixteenth note fills that work well within rock music. They are perfect for intermediate drummers that are looking for patterns that are a little more challenging than the standard sixteenth note fills.
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: Play drum warm-ups
In this lesson, Jared demonstrates four simple warm-up exercises that you can use to improve your drumming. They focus on hand to feet synchronization, and both single and double stroke rolls.
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: Play beginning drums
Learn the parts of the drum kit and play a basic beat. Part 1 of 2 - How to Play beginning drums.
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 open hi-hat shuffles on your drums kit
In this section, Chris Traylor teaches you how to play open hi-hat shuffles on your drums. Shuffle your way along to success. Or just keep it a hobby that you never share with anybody. It's your call.
How To: Learn enhanced hi hat techniques on your drums kit
In this section, Chris Traylor continues to share pointers on different hi hat techniques for playing the drums. Pull out a fresh pair of drum sticks and get ready to rock, or just suck (hopefully not the latter).
How To: Learn hi hat techniques for your drums kit
Are you ready to rock? In this section, Chris Traylor guides you through different hi hat techniques for your drum kit. Make sure your foot doesn't ache, cause you're going to need it for this.
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: Tune your drums kit like you never thought you could
Chris Traylor explains how to properly tune your drum kit in order to achieve the perfect result. Tuning is so important, you'll have to watch.
How To: Learn cowbell with hi-hat excercises on your drums kit
Learn how to close the hi-hat while playing the cowbell pedal with your heel. Alan Schechner will show you how to do it. Or you can just find a cow with a bell on it, and hit it. But this will probably be better.
How To: Learn alternative stick ideas on your drums kit
Learn about some alternative stick ideas to use when playing the drums. Rather than using a traditional drumstick, you can try one of these examples! Alan Schechner shows you the tricks. He does not lie. Take his advice. You won't regret it.
How To: Play odd time signatures on your drums kit
Learn how to play transformations in odd time signatures on the drums. Alan Schechner will teach you how to master your dreams of drumming mastery, just don't wet your pants watching him play.
How To: Avoid injury while playing the drums
Dan Britt discusses techniques that help prevent strain and injury while playing the drums.
How To: Start playing drums
Are you ready to learn how to play drums? You can get started by watching Jared Falk's video lesson. It includes step-by-step training that will show you exactly how to play the beginner exercises on this page.
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.
How To: Play beginning Bodhran drum
October Browne gives an introductory lesson on playing the Irish Bodhran.
How To: Increase coordination in both hands for playing drums
Watch to learn how to do some exercises that will help you increase the coordination on both sides of your body in order to help you play the drums.