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Drum

Theory
This section covers basic theory and
notation. Read through the contents
carefully if you are having difficulty
understanding how to play any of
the exercises in this book.
Guide to Basic Drum Notation
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Below is a list of all of the basic notation elements used in this book. Keep a copy of this legend nearby when
playing all of my lessons to be sure you are playing the correct drum voices. This is especially important
when first learning how to sight read drum notation.

Hi-Hat Snare Drum


y y y y
œ œ œ œ

Bass Drum Ride Cymbal


y y y y
œ œ œ œ

Hi-Tom Mid-Tom
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Low-Tom Hi-Hat with foot

œ œ œ œ y y y y

2nd Bass Drum Cross-stick on Snare

X X X X
œ œ œ œ

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Guide to Basic Drum Theory
www.DrummerEssentials.com

In this basic drum theory lesson we will cover simple time counting in 4/4. You will learn to count quarter notes,
eighth notes, and sixteenth notes and then how to count combinations of them. When first learning you should
count out loud as you play various drum beats (plus sign is read out load as "and"). Also, take notice of the lines
and double lines that connect eighth and sixteenth notes together. This helps you tell the two apart at first glance.

Quarter Notes - Four Per Measure


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
y y y y y y y y
œ 5 œ 5 œ œ 5 5

Eighth Notes - Eight Per Measure


1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ 5 œ 5 œ 5 œ 5 œ 5 œ 5

Sixteenth Notes - Sixteen Per Measure


1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ 5 œ 5 œ 5 œ 5 œ 5 œ 5
Quarter/Eighth Note Combinations
1 2 3 and 4 and 1 2 and 3 4 and
y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ 5 œ 5 œ 5 œ 5

Eighth/Sixteen Note Combinations


1 and 2 and 3 e + a 4 e + a 1 and 2 e + a 3 and 4 e + a
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ 5 œ œ œ 5 œ œ 5 œ œ œ 5 œ

Quarter/Eighth/Sixteen Note Combinations


1 2 and 3 e + a 4 + a 1 2 and 3 e + 4
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ 5 œ œ 5 œ 5 œ œ 5

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Rock
Drumming
This section covers a wide range of
rock drumming grooves. If you are
interested in learning more – visit my
Rock Drumming Secrets website
for detailed video instruction.
Rock Drumming - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson is designed to introduce you to rock drumming. As the first in the Rock Drumming series, it starts
you off with Rock beats in their simplest form. All beats are counted in 4/4 as quarter notes and should be
counted out loud while you are first learning them. Make sure that your count is in time. It shouldn't sound
staggered or erratic. Use a metronome if you are unsure whether you are playing it right or wrong. A good tempo
to start at would be around 60 bpm.
.
1) 2)
x x x x x x x x
œ œ

3) 4)
x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)
x x x x x x x x
œ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ

7) 8)
x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ

9) 10)
x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Rock Drumming - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson takes rock drumming to the next level. All the beats on this page are counted in 4/4 as eighth
notes which should be counted - "one, and, two, and, three, and, four, and". They are all based around kick
drum pattern changes to help you create basic kick independence. Master these grooves and you will be
well on your way to becoming a solid rock drummer.

1) 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 2)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ

3) 4)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ

7) 8)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) 10)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

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Rock Drumming - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson features some fairly creative Rock beats. All of the grooves are counted in 4/4 as eighth notes,
but include added complexity overall. The patterns start out relatively simple, but begin get harder as the
kick and snare patterns begin to shift. You are sure to come across some unique beats here that will give you
some new ideas when developing grooves of your own. Also, for more unique ideas, you can check out
www.RockDrummingSecrets.com for some video instruction.

1) 2)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 4)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) 10)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

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Rock Drumming - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here, we are going to add 16th notes. Watch how the count is written through the first beat. Then apply that
same count to the remaining beats. These beats are designed to work your snare hand independence. We
will focus on changing the snare hand pattern. If you count out loud and go through these slowly, you won't have
a problem. Make sure you don't rush to the next section too fast. Note that the accents above beats 2 and 4.
Make sure the snare drum is significantly louder on these particular beats.

> > > >


1) 1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah
2)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


3) 4)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ
œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7)
> > 8)
> >
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > >


9) 10)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Rock Drumming - Lesson Five
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Lesson five is similar to lesson four. However, we will be using the 16th notes on the bass drum pedal instead of
the snare drum. Your bass drum foot might start to feel sore after going through these for long periods of time.
You can check out www.BassDrumSecrets.com for an interesting take on Bass Drum Method. That training package
will show you a unique way to cut your effort in half...but double the response.

> > > >


1) 2)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


3) 4)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


7) 8)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> >
9) 10)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Rock
Fills
This section covers a wide range of
rock drumming fill patterns. If you are
interested in learning more – visit my
Rock Drumming Secrets website
for detailed video instruction.
Rock Drumming Fills - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

In this lesson, we will be studying some fill ideas in 1/8th notes. You should count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.
Always alternate you hands R L R L. I would recommend first learning the fill, then applying it by playing a
beat for 2 bars, then do the 1 bar fill that you are working on. Practice these at all speeds. Once you have
the first couple going at a good tempo, the rest will naturally fall into place.

1) 2)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 4)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) 10)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ

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Rock Drumming Fills - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

The fills in lesson two are counted the same as in lesson one. They are going to feel more awkward because of
the rests. It's important to still count the rests even though your not playing anything in that space. Count out
loud, that's the only way you know whether or not your playing it right or wrong. Lead all of these fills with your
dominant hand.

1) 2)

œ ‰ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ ‰ œ œ

3) 4)

œ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ

5) 6)

œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ

7) 8)

Œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ

9) 10)

œ ‰ ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ ‰

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Rock Drumming Fills - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Now things get a little more tricky. These are all 16th note fills. Although some of these might sound similar to
the fills in the earlier lessons, it's important to hear how they are completely different when you play them in context.
Start out by counting 1 e and ah 2 e and ah 3 e and ah 4 e and ah. Make sure you count in time with a metronome
if you have one. Learn them independently first, then you can play beat - fill - beat.

1) 2)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 4)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) 10)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Rock Drumming Fills - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here is where you are going to have to start really slow. Count every beat, even though you might not be playing it.
I hear so many students just play through the rests the first time they play these. Write the count above the music if
you have to. Don't worry about marking up the page. You can always print off another copy. Naturally, your sticking
might change, sometimes you might do 2 rights in a row. If you are having trouble with this then you can also write in
the sticking to make it easier.

1) 2)
1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah

œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 4)

œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ

7) 8)
j
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ

r
9) 10)
r r r r
œ œ œ ≈ œ ‰ œ œ
œ œ œ œ ≈ œ ‰ ≈ ‰
œ ≈ œ ‰ ≈ œ ‰

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Jazz
Drumming
This section covers a wide range of
Jazz drumming grooves. If you are
interested in learning more – visit my
Jazz Drumming Secrets website
for detailed video instruction.
Jazz Drumming - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Welcome to the first Jazz lesson. This lesson is designed to introduce you to some traditional jazz grooves.
You might find it awkward at first, especially if your used to playing rock music. Jazz is counted in triplets and
has more of a "swing" feel. Make sure you count out loud for the first couple of beats until you are able to play
them without counting or looking at the page.

1) 1 and ah 2 and ah 3 and ah 4 and ah 2)

j j j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰
x x
3) 4)
j j j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ ‰ x ‰ œ ‰ ‰ x ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰
5) 6)
j j j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ ‰ œœx ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œœx ‰ œœ ‰ ‰ œ ‰
x œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰
7) 8)
j j j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰
x
œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰
x
œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰
x
9) 10)
j j j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œœ ‰ ‰ œœ ‰ œœ ‰ ‰ œœ ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰
x x x

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Jazz Drumming - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This next lesson will get you working on snare hand, and bass foot independence. If you start all of these SUPER
SLOW you shouldn't have a problem. It's very important that you don't start going too fast right aways. Try rocking
your hi-hat foot back and forth on the hi-hat pedal to keep the time. So you would go from heel on the 1 and 3, to the
toe on 2 and 4.

1) 2)
j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ x ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰ œ ‰ œ x ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰ œ
3) 4)
j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ x ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œx ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ
5) 6)
j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ x ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰
x x x
7) 8)
j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ x ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰
x x
9) 10)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ x ‰ œ ‰ œ
x
‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ
x
‰ œ œ ‰ œ
x

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Jazz Drumming - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here we are going to play in groups of 3. Make sure that the beats flow nicely. They shouldn't sound too choppy.
Try playing these grooves in front of a mirror. When you play them, it should look easy. Your body should be relaxed
and you should have loose grip. A lot of beginner students have a tendancy to tense up and speed up with these
beats. Just take your time with them, and you will be better off.

j
1) 3 3 3 3 2) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ x ‰ œ ‰ ‰ x ‰ œ œ œ x ‰ œ œ œ x ‰
3) 4)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œx œ œ œ œ œ œx œ œ œ ‰ œ x œ œ ‰ œ
x
‰ œ

5) 6)
j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ x ‰ œ
x x x
7) 8)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ x ‰ œ œ œ x ‰ œ œ œ œx œ œ œ œ œx œ œ
9) 3 3 3 3
10) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ
x œ œ x x x

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Jazz Drumming - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here is where is gets really interesting. We are going to be playing some triplet partials. When I first went through
these, I had to count out loud and start dreadfully slow. Remember, you don't have to get them on the first try.
It's going to take some time to work through these to their full potential. Once you have gotten all of them
separately, try playing all 10 beats consecutively without stopping.

1) 3 3 3 3 2) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ ‰ œ œ x ‰ œ œ œ œ
x x œ œ x œ œ
3) 3 3 3 3 4) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ
œ œ x œ ‰ œ ‰ œ
x x x
5) 6)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ œx ‰ œ œ œ x œ œ œ ‰
x œ œ
œ ‰
x œ œ
7) 3 3 3 3
8) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ x œ œ œ œ œ œ
x œ x œ x
9) 10)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œx œ
x x x œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Jazz Drumming - Lesson Five
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Lesson five takes us to a whole other level. Count on icing your bass drum foot after going through these :)
The combinations here are similar to lesson four except we are adding a few extra bass drum and snare drum
strokes for added difficulty. Even though these beats are harder then lesson four, they might seem easier.
Congratulations! You are getting a lot better.

j j j
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
1) 2)
x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ ‰ x ‰ œ œ œ
x
‰ œ ‰ ‰ œœx œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œœx œ œ

3)
j 4)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ ‰ œx ‰ œ œ œ œx ‰ œ œ œ œx ‰ œ œ œ œx ‰

5) 3 3 3 3 6) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ x ‰ œ œ œ
x
‰ œ œ œ œx œ œ œ œ œ œx œ œ

7) 3 3 3 3 8) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œx œ œ ‰ œ ‰
x œ x x
9) 3 3 3 3 10) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ x œ œ œ œ x ‰ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
x x

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Jazz
Fills
This section covers a wide range of
jazz drumming fill patterns. If you are
interested in learning more – visit my
Jazz Drumming Secrets website
for detailed video instruction.
Jazz Drumming Fills - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This is an interesting section for me to be writing. I don't think there was an area I used to struggle with more
in drumming than jazz fills. Because I grew up playing mainly rock music, it was extremely uncomfortable for
me to fill in groups of three around the drums as the lead hand changes from beat to beat. If you are already
playing lots of jazz then these will probably be pretty easy for you. However, if your like me, they will be a lot
tougher to make groove. They might be easy to bash out, but to make them groove in a jazz setting will be
more difficult. These fills are all written with no rests, so you can get the feel of 4 beats in a triplet feel.

1) 2) 3
3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 3 4) 3 3 3 3
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3

5) 3 3 6)
3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 3 3
3
8) 3 3
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3

9) 3 3 10) 3 3
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Jazz Drumming Fills - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Now that you have played through all the fills on the previous page, you probably have a good feel for 4 beats in
a triplet feel. These will come more naturally then. I recommend counting out loud until your comfortable feeling
the time without counting. You want to make the space in these fills sound and feel natural. One big problem I
always had was making my jazz fills sound like I pulled them from my rock fills library. Start slowly, then progress
faster.

1) 3 3 2) 3
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ
3

j j 3
3) 4)
j
3 3
3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œj ‰ ‰
3 3
3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)

j j j j
‰ œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œj ‰
3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ œ

9) 10)
j j j
‰ ‰ œj œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

‰ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ ‰

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Funk
Drumming
This section covers a wide range
of funk drumming grooves. If you are
interested in learning more – visit my
Funk Drumming Secrets website
for detailed video instruction.
Funk Drumming - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson is a basic introduction to Funk drumming. The beats are pretty straight forward and are based
around hitting the first snare shot on the "a" of the one count (instead of being right on the two count). You
will also be playing a 1/4 notes hi-hat feel which might feel werid at first. If you have a cowbell you can move
the hi-hat part to your cowbell or the bell of the ride cymbal. Both of those drum voices work well in funk music
You might consider getting some funk records to play along with. It can sometimes help to understand where
the groove and emphasis sits.

1)
> >
2)
> >
y. y y y y. y y y
œ. œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ

> > > >


3) 4)

y. y y y y. y y y
œ. œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ

5)
> >
6)
> >
y. y y. y y. y y y
œ. œ œ. œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ

7)
> >
8)
> >
y. y y y y y. y y
œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9)
> >
10)
> >
y y. y. y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Funk Drumming - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson picks up where the last one left off. It is still based around the basic Funk concept of hitting the
first snare shot on the "a" of one, but now with the hi-hats being played as eighth notes. Once you've mastered
the beats on this page you should be fairly comfortable with the style of music, and may consider creating some
of your own grooves based around the same beat structure. Try starting the beat on the 3, this will give it a
completely different feel when you play it with a band.

1) > > 2) > >


y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) > > 4) > >


y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) > > 6) > >


y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) > > 8) > >


y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) > > 10) > >


y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Funk Drumming - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson takes Funk drumming to the next level. Here you will be playing sixteen note patterns on the
hi-hats, and filling in the basic Funk feel on the kick and snare. The hi-hat strokes aren't straight sixteen
notes, but instead played in groups of three with a rest on the "a". You will be playing the hi-hat part with one
hand so make sure you don't start these too fast. Using the Moeller Method is extremely important when
playing these grooves. You will be able to go almost double the speed with half of the effort. Check out
www.MoellerMethod.com for video instruction on this method.

Be sure to go through the first two lessons before playing these beats. It's important that you are comfortable
with the style before adding more compexity.

1)
> > 2)
> >
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


3) 4)

y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)
> > 6)
> >
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7)
> > 8)
> >
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9)
> > 10)
> >
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Funk Drumming - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson is designed to build hi-hat independence within Funk drumming. It is similar to the last one,
but is based around a shifted hi-hat pattern. The groups of three sixteenth notes are all bumped down an
eighth note step. The rest now sits on the "e" of each count. Once you've mastered these beats you may
consider playing two bar phrases combining beats from lesson three and four to add hi-hat independence.

> > > >


1) 2)

y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


3) 4)

y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


5) 6)

y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


7) 8)

y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


9) 10)

y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Heavy Metal
Drumming
Heavy Metal Drumming - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here are some heavy metal drumming grooves. They are very similar to the beats covered in the first couple
of Rock Drumming lessons. These grooves are usually played with a completely different feel though. You
really will want to dig into the kick and the snare. Sometimes, I find it helps to bury the beater into the kick drum
head. Also, you can do a rimshot on the snare drum and really crack it nice and loud. Although heavy metal
music isn't always loud and heavy, the majority of it is. And usually you can just get away with playing these grooves
for the quiter parts in the songs. Try and open up the hi-hats a little, you'll get a lot more "slushy" sound which works
great for heavy metal.

1) 2)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 4)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) 10)
3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œœœ œ œ œ œœœ œ œ œœœ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Bass
Drumming
Interested in learning to play
single and double bass with more
speed, power, and control? Visit my
Bass Drum Secrets site to learn
the tricks that the pros use.
Double Bass Drumming - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

I remember when I got my first double bass drum pedal. I was so excited when I brought it home. I set it up,
and then realized that I didn't have a clue what to do with it. This section is designed to assist you in learning
the essentials of double bass, so you can begin to make use of your second pedal right away.

The biggest problem you are going to have is your weaker foot. If you are just starting drumming, and you
already have a double pedal then you probably aren't going to have the same problems as drummers who
never started with double pedals. Work on these slowly, making sure all the notes are lining up perfectly.
Play them super slow at first! It's important to realize that it's not all about going as fast. It's more about
control. Once you have control then the speed will come naturally.

I wrote these using a hi-hat. If your hi-hat doesn't stay closed you can also use your ride cymbal.

1) 2)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3) 4)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
7) 8)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ
œ œ œœ œ
œ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ
9) 10)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Bass Drumming - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Now we are going to be playing 16th notes with our feet. The last lesson was completely different as we were playing
1/8th notes with our feet and all of the notes lined up with our hands. These will feel different as we're doing 2 strokes
for every one hi-hat stroke. If you are having trouble with these you should check out my Bass Drum Secrets training
package and learn an amazing technique that will cut your effort in half, but double the response. Go to:
www.BassDrumSecrets.com for more information.

1) 2)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

3) 4)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ

9) 10)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Bass Drumming - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here we are going to play some broken up 16th note patterns. We will be playing groups of 2, 3, and 4. You can
lead with your right or left foot. I would reccommend starting with whatever your lead limb is. Although, I have
heard some teachers teach it the opposite way. Remember to always start really slow. You will then have way
better control and be an unstoppable force!

1) 2)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 4)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) 10)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ œ
œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Bass Drumming - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Lesson four is one of my favorites (I know I say that all the time). We are going to be playing triplet patterns with
the feet. This is interesting because the lead foot will change from beat to beat. Go really slow at first when
learning these. You might even want to count out loud. It's important that these grooves sound solid. You don't
want to be playing these grooves with your band when they sound sloppy and unpracticed.

> 3 > 3
1) 1 and ah 2 and ah 3 and ah 4 and ah 2)
3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> 3 > 3 > 3 > 3 > 3 > 3


3) 4)
3 3

x x x x x x x x
œœ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Beats 6 - 10 are all played with
alternating hands. R L R L

> > > > >l >l


5) 6) r l r r3 l r l r r3 l
3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ

> > > >


7) 8)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ
œ œ

> >
9) 3 3
10)
3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ
œ œ
œœ
œ œ œ œ
œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Latin
Drumming
This section covers a wide range of
Latin drumming grooves. If you are
interested in learning more – visit my
Latin Drumming Secrets website
for detailed video instruction.
Latin Drumming - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson guides you through five progressive steps to build a classic bosa nova groove. As the first lesson
in the latin drumming series - this page is designed to help you get a feel for the style. Work your way through
this page and you will be ready to tackle some of the more complex patterns to come.

1)
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
Y Y Y Y Y

3)
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
Yœ Yœ œ Y œ œ Y œ œ Y œ

4)
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
œ Y œ œ Y œ Yœ Yœ œ Y œ

5)
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y
Yœ Yœ œ Y œ œ Y œ Yœ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Latin Drumming - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson builds on the bosa nova groove covered in the last lesson. You will be adding in parts with the left
foot, and eventually playing more complex patterns with the ride-cymbal. Be sure you take your time through
these beats as they can become quite difficult to play as you progress through the page.

1)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ X œ œ X œ Xœ Xœ œ X œ
x x x x

2)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Xœ Xœ œ X œ œ X œ Xœ œ
x x x x

3)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ X œ œ X œ Xœ Xœ œ X œ
x x x x

4)
x x x x x x x x x x
œ X œ œ X œ Xœ Xœ œ X œ
x x x x

5)
x x x x x x x x x x
œ X œ œ X œ Xœ Xœ œ X œ
x x x x

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Latin Drumming - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here, we will be studying a Songo beat. We will be starting the groove with just the feet. Get comfortable with
the foot pattern before you add the hands. At first, it's going to feel weird not having a kick drum on the downbeat.
Once you get the pattern in your head, you shouldn't have a problem.
1)

Œ œ Œ œx Œ œ Œ œx
x x

2)
x x x x
x œ œx x œ œx

3)
x x x x
œ œ œœ œ œ œœ
x x x x

4)
x x x x
œ œ œ œx œ œ œ œ œ œx œ
x x

5) > >
x x x x
œ œ œ œx œ œ œ œ œ œx œ
x x

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Latin Drumming - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here we will be building on lesson three with some more advanced songo beat concepts. You can play these
beats with your right hand on the hi-hat, but you would then take out the open hi-hat on 2 and 4. Remember to
start these really slow. Once you learn them properly and are able to get them up to speed, you will hear how
much fun songo can be. Practice playing fills in between each beat.

1)
x x x œ œ x
œ œ œ œx œ œ œ œx œ
x x

2)
x x œ x x
œ œ œ œx œ œ
x œ œx œ œx

3)
x x œ x x œ
œ œ œx œ œ œx œ œ œx
x

4)
x x x œ x
œ œ œ œx œ œ œ œ œx œ
x x

5)
x x œ x œ œ x
œ œ œx œ œ œ œ œ
x x

L R L

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Latin Drumming - Lesson Five
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson builds on the bosa nova groove covered in the first 2 lessons. You will be adding in parts with the left
foot, and eventually playing more complex patterns with the ride-cymbal. Be sure you take your time through
these beats as they can become quite difficult to play as you progress through the page.

1)

x x x x x x x x x x x x
Xœ ‰ X œ Xœ X œ Xœ ‰ X œ Xœ ‰ X œ

2)

x x x x x x x x x x x x
Xœ ‰ X œ Xœ ‰ X œ Xœ ‰ X œ Xœ X œ

3)

x x x x x x x x x x x x
Xœ ‰ Xœ œ ‰ X œ œ ‰ X œ œ X œ

4)
x x x x x x x x x x x x
Xœ ‰ Xœ œ ‰ X œ œ ‰ X œ œ X œ

5)
x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ X œ œ X œ Xœ ‰ Xœ œ ‰ X œ
x x x x

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Shuffle
Grooves
Shuffle Grooves - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

A shuffle feel is similar to that of a Jazz feel as it's played in triplets. You can count these the same as you would
a jazz feel. 1 and ah 2 and ah 3 and ah 4 and ah. The hi-hat is played with one hand. Although, on some of the
faster shuffles you can play the hi-hat with 2 hands, you will just be eliminating the hi-hat stroke on beats 2 and 4.
Number 1 gives you the basic hi-hat feel. Don't skip over this one. Make sure you really lock it in with a metronome
before you move onto the next one. If you are comfortable with the hi-hat feel, the rest of the beats will be that much
easier to conquer. Also, once you have mastered all of these beats, you can try and add some of the Jazz Fills with
them as they are also written in a triplet feel.

1 and ah 2 and ah 3 and ah 4 and ah


1) 3 3 3 3
2) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰

3) 3 3 3 3 4) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ ‰
œ œ ‰ œ ‰
œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰

5) 3 3 3 3 6) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ ‰

7) 3 3 3 3 8) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰

9) 3 3 3 3 10) 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Shuffle Grooves - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Lesson two adds the "ghost notes." I don't know if you believe in ghosts or not... :) I have never seen or felt a
ghost around me, but I have heard that ghosts are more felt then heard or seen. That's why these are called
ghost notes. Because they're more felt then heard. The notes in brackets are played extremely soft, probably
at a double or triple pianisamo. Then the accents are played super loud at like a double or triple forte. It's going
to be hard to play the ghost notes properly at first because naturally you will want to hit all of the snare hits hard.
But it's really important especially with this feel that you play them quietly. Start out really slow, then progress faster
when you muscles memorize the motions. You can check out Mike Michalkow's Moeller Technique video online
at www.MoellerMethod.com for more information.

> 3 > 3
1) 2)
3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ }
œ }
œ œ }
œ }
œ œ }
œ œ }
œ œ }
œ œ }
œ

> 3 > 3 > 3 > 3


3) 4)
3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ }
œ œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ }
œ œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ }
œ œ œ }
œ

> > > 3 > 3


5) 6)
3 3 3 3 3 3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ
œ œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ œœ }œ
Here are some half time shuffle grooves

> 3 > 3
7) 3 33
8) 3 3
3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ }
œ }
œ œ }
œ }
œ œ }
œ }
œ œ œ }
œ œ }
œ œ

> 3 > 3
9) 10)
3 33 3 3
3

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ }
œ œ }
œ œ }
œ
œ }
œ œ }
œ }
œ
œ œ }
œ
œ œ }
œ
œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Single
Stroke Roll
Interested in learning how to
play more drum rudiments? Visit
my Drum Set Rudiments website
for detailed video instruction.
Single Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

The Single Stroke Roll...what can I say? This is the most used rudiment in drumming today. Almost all of the
"signature" beats and fills written use the single stroke roll. Almost all of the "fills to remember" also use it. My
advice to you. Practice this section thoroughly. I have never heard of a top end drummer having a terrible single
stroke roll. Remember to always stay relaxed when going through these. If you tense up it will actually hinder your
playing and you will go backwards. Keep a loose grip....a good way to check this is to look at your thumb when your
playing. If you see white underneath the fingernail then you know your holding the stick too tight. Always use a
metronome. You can practice these anywhere such as practice pad, dash of your car, shoe, little brother or sister
(just kidding) etc...

We are going to start off by playing straight 1/8 th notes. Again, keep a relaxed grip and slowly progress faster.

All exercises are R L R L etc.

1)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Single Stroke Roll Exercise - Lesson Two
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In lesson 2 we are going to transition through different note values. Sometimes is helps if you go SUPER SLOW,
and I mean really slow and count out loud while overexaggerating the strokes.

1)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)
3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Single Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

The same principles are applied in this lesson as the last 2 lessons. Once you start feeling comfortable playing
these exercises on the practice pad with a metronome. You can start using them as fills on the snare drum. Play
a beat then go to the exercise for one bar, then back to the beat. Only do this when you can play the exercise
effortlessly.

1)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)
3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4)
3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)
3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Single Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Here, we start with 16th notes transitioning to different note values.

1) 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4) 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Single Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson Five
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Wow! If your on lesson 5 you've gotten to be quite the expert on the single stroke roll. Make sure you play all
of these exercises the following 4 ways:

1) Fast and Loud


2) Fast and Quiet
3) Slow and Quiet
4) Slow and Loud

You can apply that tip to ALL of the lessons.

1) 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2) 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4) 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double
Stroke Roll
Interested in learning how to
play more drum rudiments? Visit
my Drum Set Rudiments website
for detailed video instruction.
Double Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

All the exercises played here will use the sticking R R L L. Make sure you start really slow. Practice theses
exercises on a practice pad. If you don't have a practice pad then there are many other places that you can
practice such as your carpet, bottom of your shoe, pillow, or leg. Once you become familiar with the sticking
you can then start playing them to a metronome. If you learn these to a metronome now, it will be that much
easier when playing them on your kit. We start out in eighth notes and go all through the different groups of
notes. 16th note triplets are my personal favourite.

1)
r r l l r r l l

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Stroke Roll Exercise - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

In this lesson we are going to be starting each exercise with 1/8th note doubles. Then, we will move to different
note value. Like I said earlier, practice them with a metronome. At first it will be tough, but in the end you will see
why I stress the importance of that.

1) 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Lesson three starts with 1/8th note triplet doubles. I am sure you will find these very interesting. Sometimes,
the exercise will turn around and your weaker hand will be leading the exercise for one bar. This is great for
evening out your hand strengths. I don't think I've ever talked to a drummer who didn't tell me that one of their
problems in drumming has been evening out their hands.

r r l l r r l l r r l l r r
1) 2nd time through you will lead with the left hand
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)
3 3 3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4) 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson Four
www.DrummerEssentials.com

This lesson starts with 16th note doubles. I would choose one exercise a day to focus on. You don't want to
overload yourself. We're developing muscle memory here. Take you time, start slow, then progress faster.
Once you have finished one exercise fast, slow, loud, quiet etc....then you can move on to the next.

1)
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)
3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Double Stroke Roll Exercises - Lesson Five
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Lesson 5 is the last of the double stroke exercises for now. If you've gotten this far, congratulations!

1)
3 3 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

2) 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3)
3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

4) 3 3

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Odd Time
Signatures
Odd Time Signatures - Lesson One
www.DrummerEssentials.com

The first odd time signature we are going to go over is in 5/4. You will simply want to count to five, instead of
the usual 4. The first couple of beats written are extremely easy. Once you can play them to the point where
you don't have to count anymore you can move onto the next. Also, try doing really simple fills with the beat of
your choice. There is a few different ways you can count these beats. You can count a group of 3 and a group
of 2. You can count right to five. Also, you can count a group of 4 and a group of 1. Whatever adds up to 5 will
work.

1) 1 2 3 4 5 2)

x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ

3) 4)
x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) 6)

x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) 8)
x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) 10)
x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Odd Time Signatures - Lesson Two
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Now we are still going to be experimenting in 5/4. Except we will add some of the "ands" in there. You might
have to count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and at frist. Now that you've gone through the first lesson thoroughly
though, you shouldn't have any problems counting these out. Make sure you really lay into the snare drum where
the accents are written. That will give that groove the pulse and make it easier for other band members to keep
track of where they are. Guitarists seem to have the most trouble counting odd time. I don't mean to bash anyone,
it's just my experience. Give them a downbeat or a reference point or you can be sure they will be blaming you after
the gig. :)

1) > > 2) >


x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3) > > 4) >


x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

5) > 6) > >


x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7) > 8) > > > >


x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

9) > 10) >


x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Odd Time Signatures - Lesson Three
www.DrummerEssentials.com

Lesson three teaches my personal favorite odd time signature, 7/4. I like this one because there always seems
to be a lot of space to fill in, for the whole band. Everyone can have their part in the groove. The same principles
apply to these beats as in lesson 1 and 2. Count out loud, especially now because your probably used to playing
in 5/4. Which is a good thing, but you want to be well versed in all time signatures. Again, really lay into those
accents to help keep the time.

1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ

> >
3) 4)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > >


5) 6)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

7)
> > 8)
> > >
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

> > > > > > >


9) 10)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Copyright © 2006 Railroad Media Inc. - All Rights Reserved - Licenced for Personal Use Only - Do Not Modify
Resources
RockDrummingSecrets.com – Rock Drumming Video Lessons

JazzDrummingSecrets.com – Jazz Drumming Video Lessons

FunkDrummingSecrets.com – Funk Drumming Video Lessons

LatinDrummingSecrets.com – Latin Drumming Video Lessons

BassDrumSecrets.com – Advanced Bass Drum Video Lessons

DrumRudimentSecrets.com – Drum Set Rudiment Video Lessons

MoellerMethod.com – Moeller Method Video Lessons

DrummerSecrets.com – Drum Lesson Instructional DVDs

DrummerLessons.com – Drum News, Reviews, and Lessons

DrummerEssentials.com – Drummer Essentials eBook Site

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