
Welcome to ‘An Introduction to Drumming’!
Here you will learn everything you need to know to build a solid foundation in drumming.
Correct technique, grooves, fills, theory, and so much more.
Explore the physical fundamentals of drumming by learning proper drumstick grip and kick pedal techniques. Master hi-hat control to produce closed and open sounds.
Explore the drumstick anatomy by identifying its tip, shoulder, body, butt, and balance point to understand how each part influences grip and playing.
Explore the anatomy of a drum by examining its shell, tuning rods, and drumhead as the core components.
Explore the anatomy of a kick pedal by examining core components: the beater, the foot board, and the heel plate, and how they contribute to pedal action.
Master the matched grip for drumming by holding sticks at balance point, resting the butt on the palm area below pinky, keeping palms facing down with elbows by your sides.
For basic stroke, place the stick in the center of the drum and lift your wrist to upright. Strike, let it bounce, return to upright, and keep a loose grip.
Master the heel-down kick technique by keeping your whole foot on the pedal, heel on the plate, and pressing the front to trigger each stroke while the beater rebounds.
Master the heel-up drumming technique by starting in the heel-down position, lifting the heel toward the footboard, winding up with a leg lift, then dropping onto the pedal for power.
Master hihat control by pressing the left foot pedal for a short, articulated closed sound; then adjust pressure for half-open (trashier, thicker) and open tones that swish together.
Master the crosstick technique for snare drums by placing the palm near the drum center, gripping with thumb and index finger, lifting the front, and striking the rim.
Explore essential drumming theory by learning what a beat is, how to read and count rhythms in music notation, and understanding note values, rests, repeat signs, dynamics, and time signatures.
Explore the beat as a strong, steady pulse that defines rhythm and keeps timing predictable, with tempo varying yet beats remaining evenly spaced, visualized by dashed lines and metronome clicks.
Count beats with note values in this lesson. Crotchets occupy one beat, quavers half a beat, and semiquavers a quarter beat, with groups of two or four for readability.
Learn how rests define silence in drumming, including crotchet rests of one beat, two-beat minim rests, and multi-bar rests indicated by a bar with a number.
Learn how the music staff uses five lines and four spaces to map kick drum, floor tom, snare, and toms, with cymbals as Xs and sixth line for crash cymbal.
Learn how bar lines group beats into four-beat bars, a pattern common in radio songs. A bar is a beat group, while a double bar ends a section.
Learn how time signatures define beats per bar, with the top number guiding the count. See two, three, and four-beat examples.
Discover how clefs indicate instrument range, with treble clef for the high register and bass clef for the low register. See why drum set music uses the percussion clef.
Count notes aloud to learn rhythms, mixing note values and rests to form patterns, and use spoken counting to gain instant feedback on your accuracy while playing.
Explore three counting systems: count on the beat with one to four, count two sub-beats for quaver notes as 'and', and count four sub-beats for semiquavers with 'ee' and 'ah'.
Learn how to read repeat signs in music, master two types, and repeat the previous bar or all music between the dots marked at bar ends.
Explore dynamic signs in drumming, written at the bottom of the bar and lasting until a new sign, using moderately loud as normal and loud as slightly louder.
Learn to count and play rhythms using only notes and rests from the theory section, focusing on timing on the snare, with the second part expanding to include the kick.
Develop a foundational pad exercise for drumming, focusing on rhythm counting and bar structure. Follow counting patterns like one and three, four, and repeated sequences to build timing and coordination.
Engage in a pad exercise for drumming, counting rhythms bar by bar with patterns like one and two and three and four to develop timing and groove.
Practice pad exercise bar c reinforces counting 'one, two, three and four' and related subdivisions to develop rhythm and timing in drumming.
Practice pad exercise bar d by following the one and three and four pattern, repeating to reinforce the sequence.
Practice a four-beat bar exercise on the pad, counting one through four across repeats, with variations in counts to strengthen rhythm and timing in pad exercise 01 bar e.
Master pad exercise 01 bar phrase to start your drumming journey, focusing on bar-based patterns and basic technique.
Pad exercise 02 bar a features one, two and three and one and three phrases to guide drumming.
Perform pad exercise 02 bar b to practice counted beat patterns and develop rhythm, timing, and coordination through repeated one two and four style sequences.
This pad exercise for bar c guides students to count four-beat patterns aloud, one, two, three, four, and to practice rhythm progression across multiple bars using the drumming pad.
Practice pad exercise 02 bar d to master counting patterns and subdivisions, following rhythms like one and two and three or one and two and four.
Practice pad exercise 02 bar e, counting one, two, three, four, and repeating phrases to reinforce rhythm in this introduction to drumming.
Develop pad exercise 02 skills and bar phrase technique to build foundational drumming rhythm for beginners.
Practice pad exercise bar a by counting one and three and four across patterns to develop timing, rhythm, and coordination.
Practice pad exercise 03 bar B to develop rhythm through vocal-like four-beat patterns, repeating varied sequences of one, two, three, four across bars.
Guide pad exercise 03 bar c through counts 'one two and three and four' and repeated sequences to build accuracy on the drum pads.
Pad exercise bar d uses count sequences like one, two, three and four to guide drumming practice.
Develop basic rhythm counting and pad technique through bar e, counting one, two and three and four, to build coordination and timing in drumming.
Practice pad exercise 03 bar phrase within the introduction to drumming. Repeat this pad exercise 03 bar phrase within the introduction to drumming.
Develop basic drumming rhythm through pad exercise 04 bar A, practicing a repeating count of one and three and four and to lock in timing.
Drumming fundamentals are practiced in pad exercise 04 bar B, focusing on a four-count rhythm and the sequence one, two, three and four, with a big break.
Practice pad exercise bar c reinforces counting and rhythm pattern repetition, guiding players through subdivided beats from one to four. Build timing, coordination, and consistency in drumming.
Practice pad exercise 04 bar d to develop rhythm and timing with the one, two, three, four. Build coordination through this four-beat rhythm.
Practice rhythm on pad exercise 04 bar E by counting one and two and three and four and. Build fluency across bars by repeating the subdivided beat pattern.
Engage in pad exercise 04 to develop bar phrase technique in this introduction to drumming.
Develop rhythm proficiency through pad exercise 05 bar a by practicing counting patterns and coordinating drumming sequences, including counts such as one and two and one and three.
Practice pad exercise bar B by counting 'one and two and three and four' to develop timing, rhythm, and coordination on the drum pad.
Develop drumming fluency by counting and playing four-beat patterns in pad exercise 05 bar c, reinforcing rhythm accuracy and timing.
Practice pad exercise 05 bar d by counting one two three and four and applying rhythmic patterns to develop timing and coordination.
Practice pad exercise bar e with repeating rhythm counts: one and two and one and three and four, refining timing and coordination.
Master pad exercise 05 and learn bar phrases as part of an introduction to drumming, building fundamental rhythm skills and coordination through focused pad work.
Practice pad exercise 06 bar a by counting one, two, three, four across each measure.
Perform pad exercise 06 bar b by counting one, two, three, four across each bar. Focus on maintaining counts across bars to reinforce the exercise.
Master rhythm counting through pad exercise 06 bar c, practicing varied counts from one to four and optional or patterns to develop timing.
Practice pad exercise bar d using repeated counts of one two three four to develop rhythm and timing in drumming.
Practice pad exercise 06 bar e to build drumming rhythm by counting one, two, three and four.
Develop drumming rhythm by practicing pad exercise 06 focused on bar phrases, as part of an introduction to drumming.
Build on counting and basic rhythms by getting creative and adding the kick drum, then modify each exercise according to the given rules.
Learn method 1 ex 01 bar a, a beginner drumming exercise that reinforces counting patterns such as one, three, four, one, two, three, four, one and three.
Learn rhythm counting through repeating patterns of 'and', 'one', 'three', and 'four' across bars, focusing on bar b in method 1 ex 01.
Count and subdivide the beat with method 1 exercise 01 bar c to develop steady drumming timing.
Practice method 1 exercise 01 bar d, repeating the 'one and three' rhythm pattern for drumming.
Practice method 1 ex 01 bar e, repeating one, two, three, four, and one, three, four.
Master method 1 exercise 01 bar phrase to introduce drumming and bar phrase in this introduction.
Practice a basic drum pattern by counting one, two, three, four across the bar in method 1 exercise 02 bar A.
Master a rhythm drill from method 1 exercise 02 bar b by counting and playing on the ands and ones, building drumming coordination and groove.
Develop a rhythm from method 1 exercise 02 bar c by practicing a sequence of one and three for one, culminating in one three four one three.
practice the three for one and one and three rhythm patterns in method 1 exercise 02, bar d, focusing on counting one, two, three, four and coordinating subdivisions.
Master rhythm counting in method 1 exercise 02 bar e by repeating intricate one, three, and four beat patterns to build drumming timing and coordination.
Master a bar phrase with method 1 exercise 02 in an introduction to drumming course, building fundamental rhythm and sticking patterns.
Master basic drumming rhythm patterns by counting and repeating the 'three and one and' sequences in method 1 exercise 03 bar A.
Practice a count-based drumming pattern from method 1 exercise 03, bar b, using recurring counts one to four to build timing and rhythm subdivision.
Practice the bar c rhythm from method 1 ex 03, counting one, and three, and one for drumming.
Practice counting and 'and one' patterns in method 1 exercise 03, focusing on bar d. Highlight the repetition of 'one reason' and 'one treatment' from the caption.
Practice counting-based drum rhythms using 'one' and 'and' patterns from method 1 ex 03 bar e. Apply these patterns to practice bar e on the drum.
Master a bar phrase through method 1 exercise 03, building precise rhythm, timing, and phrasing for solid foundational drumming technique.
Practice method 1 exercise 04 bar a to reinforce the one and three rhythm pattern in drumming. Count the subdivisions one and three to build timing and coordination across bars.
Demonstrates method 1 exercise 04 bar b in drumming, using counts like three and one and three and four to coordinate rhythm.
Practice method 1 exercise 04 bar c to develop rhythm accuracy and timing in drumming, reinforcing beat patterns and bar structure.
Develop rhythmic accuracy by counting patterns from method 1 exercise 04 bar d, using counts of one, two, three, four.
Practice rhythmic counting and pattern repetition in method 1 exercise 04 bar e, using 'one and', 'and three', and 'free and open' cues to reinforce subdivision and coordination.
Practice drumming with method 1 exercise 04 bar phrase to develop familiarity with bar phrases.
learn a rhythmic pattern through method 1 exercise 05 bar a, counting one and three four across the bar to develop drumming timing.
Practice the rhythm pattern from method 1 exercise 05 bar B, counting one and three and repeatedly to develop timing, subdivision, and groove in drumming.
Master a drum rhythm from method 1 exercise 05 bar c by counting and playing a sequence of one, three, and four strokes to build timing and stick control.
Learn rhythm patterns in method 1 exercise 05 bar d for an introduction to drumming, using counting cues like one and three to build timing and pattern recognition.
practice method 1 exercise bar e by counting and repeating the one and three and four rhythm patterns to build timing and consistency in drumming.
Practice method 1 ex 05 bar phrase in this introduction to drumming. Advance drumming proficiency by applying the method 1 ex 05 bar phrase.
Explore a drumming pattern focusing on count cues: one and three, repeated across bar a, as part of method 2 exercise 01.
Practice counting aloud with 'one and two and three and four' to build drumming timing, while repeating 'brick and mortar' phrases through method 2 exercise bar b.
Count the 1-2-3-4 rhythm across bars, featuring phrases like 'one day bright and early' and 'one brick and mortar' to reinforce timing and accuracy in drumming practice.
Apply method 2 ex 01 bar d to drumming practice by counting three and four and one and, reinforcing rhythm patterns.
Explore the method 2 exercise 01 bar e through sequences like one, three, four and one, two, three, four, building drumming familiarity.
Master bar phrase concepts through method 2, exercise 01, in this introduction to drumming. Apply basic timing and rhythmic patterns to build foundational drumming technique.
Develop the one and three rhythm patterns in bar a through method 2 exercise 02 to build drumming timing and coordination.
Explore rhythmic bar b in method 2 exercise 02 using phrases like 'three and four and one' and 'one brick and mortar'.
Build a drum rhythm by repeating 'and one' and 'brick by brick' sequences to establish bar c timing and practice 'one and one' with 'three four' counts.
Develop foundational drumming rhythm through method 2 exercise 02 bar d, counting patterns like one and two and three, four across bars and subdivisions.
Practice counting and executing rhythm patterns in method 2 exercise 02 bar e, using and one and one three four to build precise drumming timing.
Practice method 2 exercise 02 bar phrase to build rhythm and phrasing in this introduction to drumming.
Practice method 2 ex 03 bar a, looping the one and three and one and three and one and three and.
Practice bar b from method 2 ex 03 by repeating the count sequence one, three, four.
Explore a drum counting exercise in bar c, using 'one and three and four and' rhythms with 'brick and mortar' and 'fun and pretend' phrases, including 'Britain and France' references.
Explore rhythm work in method 2 exercise 03 bar d from the introduction to drumming course. Focus on count patterns such as one and one three to build drumming rhythm.
Perform bar e rhythm by counting one and three and one and three and, using pretend beats to guide your drumming.
Explore bar phrase technique through method 2 exercise 03 as part of an introduction to drumming, building rhythm, groove, and foundational drumming patterns.
Practice rhythm counting in method 2 exercise 04 bar A, using counts such as three and four and one and, with open and free phrases like one and three.
Develop drumming timing by practicing rhythm patterns counted as three and four and one, bricks and mortar, one brick and mortar, and one man and one woman to build coordination.
Practice counting one, three, and four in bar c from method 2 exercise 04, with ongoing 'and one' sequences.
Practice counting and playing rhythmic patterns across bars, following one to four counts and occasional breaks in bar d. The exercise from method 2 enhances timing and coordination for drumming.
Develop drumming rhythm and rhythmic accuracy by counting patterns like one and two and three and four in bar e through method 2 exercise 04.
Master bar phrases through method 2, exercise 04, refining rhythm, timing, and phrasing in introductory drumming.
Practice the method 2 exercise 05 bar a rhythm by counting one and three and one and three and variations, reinforcing subdivision and timing in drumming.
Practice counting and playing rhythmic subdivisions in method 2 exercise 05 bar B, using continuous 'one and two and three and' patterns to develop drumming coordination.
Practice a method 2 exercise 05 bar c rhythm by counting and playing one, three, and four.
Practice the bar d rhythm from method 2 exercise 05 by counting one, two, three and four and repeating brick and mortar patterns.
Explore rhythm practice in method 2 exercise 05, bar e, by counting one and three and four patterns to build timing and coordination for drumming.
Practice method 2 ex 05 bar phrase to develop rhythm in drumming. Reinforce method 2 progress through bar phrase practice in drumming.
Master drumming fundamentals through method 3, exercise 01, bar A, focusing on technique, rhythm, and practical performance basics.
Practice method 3 ex 01 bar B in drumming to engage with the labeled exercise on the course.
Explore method 3, exercise 01, bar c in an introduction to drumming, examining what was learned and how it informs practical rhythm practice.
Practice method 3 exercise 01 bar d to build drumming technique in the introduction to drumming course.
Master a drumming rhythm exercise from method 3, exercise 01 bar E, using 'three for one' patterns and counts like three, four, one, to develop timing and groove.
Explore method 3, exercise 01, focusing on bar phrases to build solid drumming technique. This module in an introduction to drumming emphasizes rhythm, timing, and phrasing through targeted bar phrases.
Explore method 3, exercise 02 in bar a to develop drumming technique, timing, and coordination through structured practice in an introductory drums course.
Practice bar b in method 3 exercise 02 to build drumming technique, rhythm accuracy, and hand coordination.
Practice rhythmic counting and bar structure in method 3 exercise 02 bar c, using counts like one two three four to internalize drumming patterns.
Study method 3 exercise 02 bar d as part of the introduction to drumming, highlighting the exercise sequence.
Develop foundational drumming skills by practicing method 3 exercise 02 bar e, embedded in the introduction to drumming course.
Explore method 3 ex 02 bar phrase. Join this introduction to drumming and discover how the bar phrase shapes rhythm.
Explore method 3 ex 03 bar a within an introduction to drumming, highlighting the structure and practice focus of this exercise.
Master method 3 exercise 03 bar B to build rhythm, technique, and coordination in this introduction to drumming.
Develop foundational drumming skills through method 3 exercise 3 bar c, reinforcing timing, dynamics, and coordination.
Develop rhythmic timing in method 3 exercise 03, bar d, through repeated 'one' counts and deliberate 'but' transitions to build groove in drumming.
An introduction to drumming presents method 3 ex 03 bar e as part of the course. Focus on method 3 ex 03 bar e within drumming practice.
Explore method 3 exercise 03 bar phrases to develop drumming technique, timing, and musical phrasing. Build groove with focused practice in the introduction to drumming course.
Method 3 ex 04 bar a guides beginners through a defined drumming exercise as part of the introduction to drumming.
Practice counting the beat in drumming with method 3 exercise 04 bar B, focusing on sequential one counts.
Master method 3 exercise 04 bar c in drumming to guide targeted practice and reinforce bar-based rhythm patterns.
Explore drumming basics through method 3 exercise 04 bar d, guided by the distinct 'but' and 'one' patterns in the lecture caption.
Master method 3 ex 04 bar e within the introduction to drumming course, establishing a clear focus on this specific exercise in early drumming practice.
Explore a bar phrase from method 3 exercise 04 to build rhythm, timing, and groove in this introductory drumming course.
Practice method 3 exercise 05 bar a as part of an introduction to drumming course.
Explore method 3 exercise 5 bar b in an introduction to drumming, highlighting technique-focused practice and progression within rhythmic patterns.
Practice a bar C drum pattern from method 3 exercise 05, counting beats with one, two, three, four and emphasizing combinations like one, three, four to develop rhythm and timing.
Advance your drumming with method 3, exercise 05, bar d, applying focused patterns from this introduction to drumming course to master rhythm and technique.
Practice method 3 ex 05 bar e in an introduction to drumming, emphasizing repetition and incremental practice across phrases.
Learn method 3, exercise 05, and practice bar phrase to build foundational drumming technique and rhythmic accuracy.
Explore rudiments as the foundational hand patterns in drumming, focusing on the first two while note heads tell what to play and note values tell when to play.
Master crotchet singles in drumming to establish precise quarter-note rhythms. Build a solid foundation in timing and basic drumming technique.
Learn the basics of quaver singles to build foundational drumming rhythm and control by practicing single-note patterns, timing, and basic stroke techniques.
Introduce drumming fundamentals through semiquaver singles, teaching students to play sixteenth-note rhythms with precise technique and timing.
Develop technique by practicing crotchet doubles, a core rhythmic pattern in drumming, to build accuracy, timing, and groove.
Explore quaver doubles techniques in this introduction to drumming, building foundational stick control and rhythm fluency for beginner percussionists.
An introduction to drumming centers on semiquaver doubles, offering a clear entry to semiquaver doubles within this drumming course.
Learn crotchet singles in group 1 as part of an introduction to drumming. Develop rhythm awareness and performance readiness through focused practice on crotchet singles within group 1.
Explore crotchet singles group 2 in the introduction to drumming, to understand the course's focus on these terms.
Learn quaver singles in the introduction to drumming. Group 1 emphasizes quaver singles for drumming beginners.
Explore quaver singles group 2 in an introduction to drumming. Apply this content to advance your drumming skills.
Explore an introduction to drumming, featuring quaver singles group 4, to preview this course's focus on drumming concepts.
Learn to play semiquaver singles in group 1, building fundamentals of timing, rhythm, and beginners' drumming technique.
An introduction to drumming covers semiquaver singles through group 2 drills to build fundamental drumming technique and timing.
Explore drumming with semiquaver singles group 4. Learn how semiquaver singles patterns shape your early drumming practice.
Master quaver doubles in group 2 as part of an introduction to drumming, building rhythmic accuracy and timing.
Explore quaver doubles in group four drumming, building rhythm fluency, timing, and coordination through practical exercises in an introductory drumming course.
Explore semiquaver doubles group 2 in drumming through this introduction to the course module for learners.
Explore an introduction to drumming through semiquaver doubles, group 4 patterns, building solid timing, rhythm, and technique for basic sixteenth-note drumming.
Practice and improve coordination by pairing a steady high hat pattern with reading rhythmic phrases on the kick drum or snare, guided by counting exercises.
Explore coordination in drumming through coordination 1 exercise 1, an introduction to foundational drumming concepts for beginners.
Practice coordination through exercise 2 in the introduction to drumming course, focusing on building foundational coordination skills for beginners.
Develop foundational drumming coordination through exercise 3, building precise timing, stick control, and rhythm integration.
Develop coordination skills by working through coordination 1 exercise 4 in this introduction to drumming course.
Develop basic coordination for drumming through coordination 1 exercise 5, helping beginners build rhythm, timing, and stick control.
Master coordination through exercise 1 in coordination 2 within this introduction to drumming course for learners.
Develop drumming coordination through exercise 2 in the coordination sequence of the introduction to drumming course.
Improve coordination by completing coordination 2 exercise 3 in the introduction to drumming course for foundational skills.
An introduction to drumming course guides students through coordination 2 exercise 4 to improve drumming coordination in a practical practice routine.
Develop coordination in drumming through exercise 5 in coordination 2, as part of an introduction to drumming.
Develop core coordination for drumming through coordination 3 exercise 1, focusing on timing, rhythm, and limb independence.
Develop coordination skills for drumming through practical exercises in coordination 3 exercise 2, building rhythm control and stick technique.
Enhance drumming coordination with coordination 3 exercise 3, advancing your foundational skills in the introduction to drumming course.
Develop drumming coordination through coordination 3 exercise 4, a focused drill from an introduction to drumming course.
Develop coordination in drumming by working through coordination 3 exercise 5. This module reinforces practical drumming skills through targeted coordination practice.
Develop coordination in this introduction to drumming by practicing coordination 4 ex 1 as part of the course.
Develop coordination through coordination 4 ex 2 in drumming, reinforcing foundational rhythms and stick control.
Explore coordination drills in drumming through coordination 4 ex 3 as part of the introduction to drumming course.
Improve drumming coordination through coordination 4 exercise 4, building foundational timing, stick control, and rhythmic precision in an introductory course.
Explore coordination in drumming through coordination 4 and ex 5, as part of an introduction to drumming.
Learn to play several basic drum grooves that drummers use most of the time and apply two practice methods to master the exercises.
Learn how the backbeat serves as the foundation by playing a snare on counts two and four, and explore adding quaver or crotchet kyats.
Break down grooves into layers by practicing backbeat and kick drum patterns separately, then combine them to master the full groove.
Learn to practice grooves by splitting them into individual beats, then play the first two together from left to right, then add the third beat and finally the fourth beat.
Welcome to 'An Introduction to Drumming'!
This is the most complete and in-depth course you will find on learning to play drums at a beginner level.
The lectures provide step by step instructions and there are practical play-along example videos for every exercise.
What you'll get in this course:
13+ Hours of video lessons, covering everything a beginner drummer needs to know
A 97-page companion book (in PDF format) to aid your practicing
Downloadable music backing tracks for you to play along with
Content equivalent to one year's worth of private lessons.
After this course, you will be able to:
Read and write basic drum notation
Play drum grooves and fills comfortably at a variety of tempos
Play rock & pop songs along with backing music
Count rhythms correctly and practice effectively
Confidently enter for a Rockschool/Rock & Pop Initial exam
My name is Stefan Nel and I am a professional musician and teacher with more than 10 years of experience. This beginner course contains everything that a typical student will learn in their first year of drum lessons. The aim of this course is not to make you a pro drummer, but to give you a solid foundation on which to build your drumming career!