Video Course
These videos start you at the very beginning and follow a lesson path – they are packed full of great information! I encourage you to use them as often as you’d like to continue your progress at home.
Note: My current lesson plan has been modified a bit from this earlier material, but these videos are still extremely useful.
Lesson 1 – Drum Kit ID & Accessories
Learn the name of each part of the drum kit and the role that each plays. I’ll also give you a lot of practical info about your drum kit and the accessories you’ll need.
Lesson 2 – Recipe For A Beat
Learn the three primary things we need to start playing a beat on the drums.
Lesson 3 – Title Count Timeline
Learn how to use the count of the music as your “map” showing you exactly when each drum should be played to create a beat.
Lesson 4 – Quarter Note Beat
Your First Beat! This time 4-count beat will get you started.
Lesson 5 – Eighth Note Beat
This is the most popular beat there is and it will be the foundations for most other beats you will play.
Lesson 6 – Subdividing The Beat
Hiding within the count of the beat are multiple options that we can use to create grooves and rhythms.
Lesson 7 – Verbally Counting Subdivisions
Practicing counting subdivisions out loud will help you hear them in your head when you are playing. This will open up creative and rhythmic options to whatever you are playing.
Lesson 8 – Fills Introduction & Guidelines
Learning how to use fills properly will help you stand out among other beginning drummers who are just banging around and showing off. It will also make other musicians want to play with you!
Lesson 9 – Our First Two Fills
Begin growing your collection of fills with these two simple, yet powerful fills to get you started!
Lesson 10 – Rhythmic Blocks
Learn a small handful of rhythmic patterns that will unlock endless amounts of music on the drums.
Lesson 11 – Counting Measures
Learn this handy trick to help you when counting groups of measures.
Lesson 12 – “3 + 1 Pattern”
This 4-measure pattern is a proven guide to use as you learn to use fills correctly.
Lesson 13 – Resuming The Beat After A Fill
Learn the basics of smoothly getting back into the beat after a fill without stopping.
Lesson 14 – “Fill Families” Introduction
Become a pro at learning the best place to start and end different types of fills.
Lesson 15 – “1 Family” Fills
Learn useful fills that start on the “1” count. These fills are the longest in our group.
Lesson 16 – “3 Family” Fills
Our collection of fills is growing! These fills are shorter and start on the “3” count.
Lesson 17 – “4 Family” Fills
The shortest of the bunch, these fills are quick and start of the “4” count.
Lesson 18 – “7 + 1” Pattern
Here’s a more realistic way to practice placing fills in your drumming, focusing on groupings of 8 measures.
Lesson 19 – Hi-Hat Techniques
Here we start to learn just how important the hi-hat is to your playing. This lesson focuses on two key techniques to improve your sound!