Believe it or not, playing games like Rock Band can be enough to pull off beats and fills on a real drum kit.

That’s because one of the core tenets of drumming is muscle memory and coordination – so it doesn’t matter what surface you’re hitting, as long as you’re, well, hitting.

Learning to play the drums can be a fun and rewarding experience, but buying a drum set isn’t always in the cards. Luckily there are multiple ways to learn and practice drumming without literally sitting down on a kit.

Try these for yourself!

1. Practice on a pillow

Any surface is drummable! Grab a pair of drumsticks (or some long cooking utensils) and practice on a pillow.

It’s softer than a drum head, so it’ll tire you out more quickly because you’ll be using mostly wrists. Think of it like a workout but if and when you do sit down on a drum kit, the rebound will make playing it much easier!

if you want something with a little more bounce, you can drum on the side of a couch

If you want to experiment with different sounds, you try other household items – like a ‘snare drum’ made of a plastic container filled with rice or beans.

What should you practice? Start with a few drum rudiments – the building blocks of all drumming – and you’ll develop major skill with your hands.

2. Get a practice pad

If you want to find a surface that’s a bit closer to a real drum, get a practice pad (shop practice pads in Europe): a flat, portable surface that mimics the feel of a drum head. You can find them in various sizes and you can use them to practice basic drumming techniques like sticking and rudiments.

While these products are more commonly used to practice hand technique, you can also set up for foot practice with a kick pad (like the Drumeo QuietKick, also available in Europe).

3. Try air drumming

If you’ve never air drummed that famous Phil Collins fill…I don’t believe you. In fact, you’ve probably air drummed it so many times that if you had to play it on a drum kit, you could.

So if you want to learn or practice songs without gear, pretend you have an invisible drum set and go to town. But make sure you practice deliberately; try to tap your legs and move your arms in time along to music.

You can even pick up a fun piece of tech like DrumPants — a wearable drum machine that lets you get real drum sounds by tapping your legs — or Aerodrums (shop in Europe) — a special set of drumsticks and camera so you can drum in VR).

4. Think about beats

Stay with me here. Just thinking about practicing beats can improve your rhythm – even if you aren’t physically moving your arms and legs.

Studies have shown that mental training can be just as important as physical training. And even athletes like Kobe Bryant used to practice without a basketball in his rookie year.

The next time you’re lying down on the couch or have a few minutes to spare, close your eyes and run through rhythms in your head. Focus on imagining yourself playing them, making sure every beat is perfectly on time. Rinse and repeat.

5. Try a virtual drum kit

Practice your rhythms by tapping them out on a drum machine or virtual drum kit.

Whether you’re using a piece of hardware (like this AKAI MIDI controller, also available in Europe) or software (like the EasyBeats Drum Machine app), creating beats with buttons teaches you what sounds good and where you should drop that kick or snare.

You can also try a virtual drum kit, which you can play on a computer, tablet or phone. The software (check out the REAL DRUM app) simulates a real drum set that you can practice by tapping it with your fingers.

(Tech Deck fans, rejoice!)

6. Tap dance

Back in the day, tap dancers battled drummers – and many drummers were also tap dancers!

It might seem like a stretch, but tap dancing is one way to get better at rhythm and coordination. Think of it like drumming with your feet. Learning to tap helps your brain better understand timing, which is the foundation of drumming.

Tap dancing also teaches you how to move different parts of your body at the same time, and drumming involves using your hands and feet in tandem. The more you rehearse your dancing, the smoother and more precise your movements become – and the same goes for learning drums.

While it might mean tackling a whole new skill – one that honestly deserves a mainstream resurgence – just getting the basics of tap will help you become a better drummer before you even sit down at the kit.

7. Listen to music

Listening to music isn’t just enjoyable; it’s secretly helping you improve your drumming skills. Not only can it help you better internalize time, if you listen actively to the rhythms in your favorite songs, you’ll start picking up on new ideas and hear how the drummer puts beats and fills together.

You could listen to a metronome and tap your legs on the beat…or you could have more fun tapping your legs while you listen to your favorite tunes.

Sound like a familiar tip? Here’s a reminder that muscle memory is everything, and merely thinking about playing drums – or air drumming, or tapping along – will help you improve if you do it enough.

As a bonus, listening to music can reduce anxiety and lower stress. The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll perform. Keep that in mind!

Bonus tip: Practice regularly

It’s all about muscle memory; no one is born good at drums. It takes repetition to get there. It doesn’t matter what you’re hitting; it’s that you know when to hit.

The most important aspect of learning to play the drums is to practice regularly. Even without a physical drum set, there are many ways to practice and improve your skills.

With enough motivation, anyone can learn to play the drums. Yep…even you!

*This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission from the product seller if you make a purchase. For more info, check out our privacy page.

Thinking about buying your child a drum set? This is the guide for you.

“Dad! He’s hitting me again!” shouted my oldest kid from upstairs. A rapid, rhythmic thumping pounded across the ceiling as my youngest ran away from the scene of the crime. I caught him about halfway down the stairs. He giggled and clung to the banister with one little toddler hand. The other held his weapon: a spatula. I sighed.

“If we get you drums, will you stop hitting your brother?”

He broke into a grin and nodded.

“Okay. Go say sorry.”

He dropped the spatula and clambered up the stairs as I pulled out my phone and started looking into drum sets.

To be honest, I’d been planning to get him drums since the day he pulled out the pots and pans in the kitchen and started whacking at them. Also, I really wanted drums for me.

There’s just one problem: buying drums for kids is confusing. Hell, buying them for adults isn’t exactly straightforward. So many brands. So many options. What does “14-inch hi-hat” mean? What’s a “drum key”?

Let’s save you from some common mistakes and get your kid (and maybe even you) a drum set.

Electronic vs. acoustic drums

If you’ve got the space, the ear protection, and some patient neighbors, nothing beats the look and feel of an acoustic drum set. Learning to play with acoustic drums means gaining an appreciation for how they feel. The vibrations, the way the sticks bounce, all of that becomes part of playing.

Acoustic drum sets also tend to hold their value for resale pretty well.

But electronic drums aren’t exactly a distant second.

Electronic drums are:

• Smaller
• Lighter
• Come with loads of cool and fun effects (my kid loves to mess with these)
• Quiet (plug in headphones or speakers and you get to pick your volume)
• Foldable and therefore storable

That ticks off a lot of boxes. So if you’re eyeing a set of e-drums, just know you’re not settling. Plus, you’ll be able to play drums in an apartment.

What matters most in picking your kid’s drums is knowing your child’s personality, your environmental and financial circumstances, and what you need right now to get started. It isn’t settling if it works, and it works if you practice often.

Before you buy a drum set

If your kid has never held drumsticks, read this first.

A few months ago there was a viral video of a guy making beats with his hands, a couple ballpoint pens, a desk, and some mugs. He’s incredible and there’s not a drum set in sight. Your kid doesn’t need a drum set to fall in love with drumming. 

But there’s something about holding drumsticks that seems more “official” somehow. From a mindset perspective, feeling like a drummer can encourage you to become a drummer. You can get “real drummer” vibes by starting with a simple practice pad and some drumsticks.

Practice pads are:

1. Inexpensive
2. Portable
3. Quiet

And if you’re worried about how well those skills will transfer to a real drum set, then make sure you check out the Drumeo QuietPad Practice Pad. It’s the world’s first four-zone practice pad, and a big part of the design process was about maximizing transferability of skills, so you can be confident that your kid’s time is being well spent.

You can also check out some fun drum and rhythm games like:

• Taiko no Tatsujin
• Rock Band
• Drum Box

Of course, you can do all of that and still get a drum set.

Best acoustic drums for kids

Shopping for kids is tough because on adult drum sets, the cymbals are up high and the pedals are down low. You can adjust the throne (where the drummer sits) so the kid can reach either the cymbals or the pedals but not both at the same time.

Fortunately, there are some great junior kits that take that into account.

Here are the best in class (all prices in USD):

Ludwig Questlove Pocket Kit ($349)

Hop onto any drummer forum online and you’ll see this kit mentioned eventually. It’s one of only a handful of acoustic drum sets made for kids, and it’s got a lot of fans.

Ludwig is a respected brand in drumming, and anyone who’s watched The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon has seen Questlove grooving on the drums with an afro pick in his hair. Questlove clearly brought his passion for music and musical education into designing this drum set specifically for kids 4 and up, and with budget-conscious parents in mind.

For less than $400 you’re getting everything you need to get started except for ear protection. If you’re going to use acoustic drums, it’s critical to make sure your kid’s ears are safe. Tinnitus is no joke!

The sound of the cymbals isn’t top quality, but it’s hardly a deal-breaker. If your kid falls in love with drumming, this won’t be their last set. After all, they’ll grow and want drums and cymbals that suit their style of play.

Until then, the Ludwig Questlove Pocket Kit will suit their needs just fine.

Buy it now

Pearl Roadshow Junior 5-Piece Drum Set ($409.99)

Pearl’s another reputable brand, and they’ve put together a winning set here.

The higher price gets you sounds that drum parents can’t stop crowing about. You’ll find some complaints about cymbals but, as one reviewer points out: “Everyone knows good cymbals cost good money.” The cymbals you’re used to hearing in your favorite songs likely cost more than this whole set.

The set is badass in Jet Black and gorgeous in Grindstone Sparkle. They beg to be played with and, with the right placement and just the right lighting, you can make them irresistible.

You will need to pick up drumsticks and ear protection, but I’d make a day of it. I got my kid to hold different drumsticks in his hands at our local store and it let him feel like he was really involved in the process. Reminded me of Harry Potter getting his wand.

You can’t go wrong with this great set.

Buy it now

Or buy in Europe

PDP Player 5-Piece Jr. Drum Set ($499.99)

The first thing you’ll notice about this set is that your three-year-old can probably reach the pedals. There aren’t many acoustic drum sets where that’s possible, which puts this one in limited company.

The second thing you’ll pick up on is the 18” bass drum, which offers a surprisingly strong thump. This gives the whole set a rounder, fuller sound that’s better suited to a wider range of music.

PDP is a sister company to DW Drums, another reputable brand, so you can rest easy knowing that the people behind this set are in the business of instruments, not toys.

Still, compared to other acoustic drums, you’re looking at a heftier price tag, and you’re in the range of our electronic drum set picks. Electronic drums can be adjusted for height, so if you’re looking for something that can grow with your kid, you might want to check those out first.

Buy it now

What are shell packs?

A shell pack is a collection of drums sold without cymbals or hardware to mount them. It’s barebones, which is great if you’ve got some spare hardware lying around, know somebody who does, or are willing to go online to pick up some used pieces.

Our top picks for shell packs are:

1. Ludwig Breakbeats Shell Pack ($479)
2. Sonor AQX Jungle 4-piece Shell Pack ($579) – also available in Europe
3. Tama Club-JAM Shell Pack ($529.99) – also available in Europe

These packs are all made for travel, which makes them perfect for gigs and home practice. With the right hardware and cymbals, they’ll grow up well with your kid. And even if they decide drums aren’t for them, you ought to be able to sell the pack pretty easily online.

But if you’re new to drums, it’s worth getting help from someone before jumping into buying a shell pack. Finding the right hardware, throne, and cymbals to go with your drums can be overwhelming and it’s never a bad idea to ask for a little guidance.

We’ve put together a few resources to get you started:

• The Ultimate Guide To Drum Hardware
• The Best Beginner Drum Sets
• The Best Cymbals For Drummers

Best electronic drum sets for kids

Electronic drum sets are simpler in some ways and more complicated in others. To keep things easy, we’ve kept your choices down to just two brands: Roland and Alesis. We’ve also picked our favorite set from each brand, and you can’t really go wrong with either one.

What to know about electronic drums (or “e-drums”)

All electronic drums come with a computer called a module, a collection of pads, mounting hardware, and pedals.

The modules have differing capabilities from brand to brand and from model to model within those brands. You’ll be plugging all the cables into the module and controlling most of the set from it, which makes it the heart of every electronic drum set.

To bring e-drums closer in feeling to their acoustic counterparts, you’ll find many companies have introduced mesh drumheads. You’ll also find some of their cymbals not only respond with the correct sound when struck, but can actually be grabbed to cut the sound short. This is called “choking” the cymbal.

E-drums aren’t really designed “for” kids. But because they get their sound from a computer and not from the physical shape of the drums, they can easily be adjusted for different heights. That makes them perfect for kids, who are known to outgrow everything you buy within two weeks. I’m looking at you, fancy dress shoes.

But you’ll need to add a throne

The adjustability of electronic drums can bring the pads to your kids, but not the pedals. To reach those, your kid will need the right throne. Bring your child to a local music store and see if you can find a height adjustable throne that your kid likes. It’s worth making sure your child finds it comfortable. Otherwise, they’re unlikely to use it.

Alright, let’s take a look at your electronic drum options.

Alesis Nitro Mesh Electronic Drum Set ($432.85)

Alesis packs a lot of value into a low price. The Nitro Mesh’s module is loaded up with 40 preset drum kit sounds, 385 unique drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds, and 60 songs to play along with.

Some claim that Alesis is not as durable as competitors, and that the sounds aren’t as true to life as Roland’s offerings. But Alesis makes up for this with a variety of sounds, a 20% cheaper price tag than the Roland TD-1DMK, and an included kick pedal.

The lower price tag does mean some sacrifices. For example, the cymbals are single-zone, meaning that they make the same sound whether you strike them at the edge or the bow (closer to the top).

But where learning is concerned, the Alesis Nitro Mesh Electronic Drum Set is affordable, fun to play, and a great first set for kids. They’ll love messing around with all the different sounds, which they can do with their headphones on, thank goodness.

Buy it now

Roland TD-1DMK ($549.99)

Discontinued but alternatives are available. See above to view.

Simplicity, excellent sample sounds, and durability. Roland’s electronic drum sets feel substantial, and the TD-1DMK is no exception.

Roland pays attention to the details. The cymbals are double-zoned and you can choke them. The hi-hat pedal detects when you’ve left them half-open. The snare and toms are 2-ply mesh, which should keep them pretty resilient.

The one downside? You only get 15 preset drum kits. But for some, it may actually be preferable to have fewer distractions. It all depends on your child’s temperament: do they need the novelty? Or do they need the focus?

One thing worth noting is that, in addition to a throne, you’ll need to pick up a kick pedal. Again, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing: your child might want a double kick pedal, or prefer the feel of one over another.

See alternatives

Check out our guide to bass drum pedals if you aren’t sure where to start.

For even more electronic drum kit options, check out The 13 Best Electronic Drum Sets For Any Budget.

“So, what should I pick?”

Let’s keep it simple.

If you’re looking for an acoustic drum set that has everything you require, a strong reputation, and a ton of support from parents like you, pick up the Ludwig Questlove Pocket Kit and get familiar with how to play drums.

Be sure to grab ear protection, too. And follow this guide if you aren’t sure how to set up the drums.

If you’re looking for an electronic drum set that won’t break the bank, feels reasonably close to an acoustic drum set, and can grow with your child, get the Alesis Nitro Mesh Electronic Drum Set and check out these tips for playing electronic drums. Oh, and pick up an adjustable throne.

If you’re stuck, bring your child to a music store and see what draws them in. The perfect set is the one they’ll use, and use often.

Happy drumming!

This article was written by Omar Khafagy – a copywriter and parent of tiny musicians – and edited by Sam Landa, Content Marketing Manager at Drumeo.

*This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission from the product seller if you make a purchase. For more info, check out our privacy page.

TL;DR: Learn drums if you love rhythm and want to rock out with energy. Learn guitar if you want to write songs.

So you want to play an instrument and you’ve narrowed it down to either the drums or the guitar. But how do you make that final choice?

Both instruments have the cool factor. And both will give you the freedom to play the music you love.

This is a big decision, so in this article we’re highlighting the challenges and advantages of learning to play either instrument.

Let’s kick things off by answering the most important question:

Is it harder to learn guitar or drums?

Drums are harder to learn because you need to master three-way coordination just to get started. But any drummer will tell you it’s worth it.

When you’re first starting out, you should be able to play a simple beat on the drums – even if it’s just the bass drum and snare drum. However, you may not be able to keep reliable time, which is key for a drummer. It can also take a while to master the coordination of your first three-limb drum beat.

On guitar, you can get a nice sound without knowing what you’re doing, and you can start playing a few basic chords and scales relatively quickly. It’s less important that your rhythm is perfect, but it’s more important that you hit the right notes.

In both cases, there will be times when progress comes quickly and times when progress feels uncomfortably slow.

Both instruments pose a different set of challenges, which results in two distinct learning curves. In the end, one isn’t harder to learn than the other; they’re just two separate paths to musical freedom and fun!

Advantages of learning the drums

Developing a good sense of rhythm is helpful for learning other instruments

The drums are a perfect secondary or supportive instrument because they ignore melody and harmony and hyper-focus on rhythm. As you become a better drummer, your sense of timing and feel will also improve when you pick up any other instrument. 

Mastering one beat opens up a ton of other options

Like any other instrument, the drums are hard to master. And it can be tough to get your hands and feet to listen to you at first. However, once you nail the initial coordination of your first drum beat, learning other beats will get easier.

Drummers are in demand

It’s hard to find a good drummer. Not only is it less popular than the guitar, but drummers have less room for error in a band setting. When the guitarist makes a mistake, barely anyone will notice. But when the drummer makes a rhythmic mistake, it’ll be more obvious. Because of this, the standard for drummers is set a little higher. 

Many drummers play in multiple bands because they’re in such high demand (and because it’s fun).

Advantages of learning the guitar

Guitar is an adaptable instrument

Guitar gives you access to almost every aspect of Western music. It’s primarily a rhythm instrument, but you can also play single-note melodies and create harmony with chords. On top of all that, you can bend notes, allowing you to access all the in-between notes as well. Guitar ultimately gives you the flexibility and freedom to do just about anything.

It’s a great songwriting tool

Rivaled only by the piano, the guitar is the most popular instrument among songwriters. This is because it’s so easy to play guitar while singing and it’s not cumbersome to move around or travel with one. By using a capo, you can also access every chord in any key while only knowing how to play the most basic open chords.

If you want to write songs on guitar, you don’t need to be a virtuoso to get started.

It’s easy to learn to sing while playing

As previously mentioned, when compared to other instruments, the guitar is fairly easy to play while singing. Since many of the movements you’ll make while playing the guitar are small, you won’t likely find yourself out of breath or struggling to keep your voice steady.

Keep in mind that while it poses less of a challenge than other instruments, learning to sing while playing the guitar still requires dedication and practice to master.

Music theory can be transferred to other instruments

Music theory is a language that can be shared between multi-instrumentalists. This makes it especially useful as a communication tool. But it’s also the foundational “code” or “operating system” around which instruments are built. This shared code makes it possible to transfer your knowledge from one instrument to another – giving you an advantage over those learning from scratch.

Challenges of learning the drums

The drums are physically demanding

Playing the drums is a full body experience. You’ll need to engage your arms, legs, fingers, toes, and everything in between to get the most out of your instrument. While some prospective players might see this as a benefit, it does mean that a baseline level of physical fitness is required to play the drums effectively.

However, while serious drummers are athletes, the drums could be the tool you need to help you get in shape.

Acoustic kits are loud

Technology advances every year, and with that comes some major improvements to electronic drum kits. However, nothing beats the real thing. And the real thing is loud. If you live in an apartment or shared dwelling and don’t have an isolated space to practice, an acoustic kit is usually out of the question. 

There are ways to play drums quietly in an apartment, but it will take some effort!

It’s hard to be a songwriter if you only play the drums

If you want to write your own songs, you’ll probably have to get out from behind the kit. Since drums don’t produce melodies or harmonies like what you’d get from a guitar or piano, you won’t be able to write music in the traditional sense. So if you see yourself wanting to compose a song or two down the road, this is one reason why drummers should learn another instrument (like guitar or piano) along the way.

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from writing drum beats and then asking other musicians to compose over top!

You’re the backbone of the band (no pressure)

As a drummer, it’s your job to serve as the backbone of the band. It’s on you to decide on the tempo, dynamics, and feel. While many drummers love this aspect of the instrument, it can bring a lot of pressure when you’re first trying to play with other musicians. 

It can be challenging to sing while playing

Phil Collins might beg to differ, but because of the physical nature of playing the drums, it can be tough to control your voice as you play. If singing is something you want to do, you’ll need to work on keeping your body steady as you drum so your voice doesn’t sound shaky. You’re already coordinating three or four limbs – imagine five-way coordination!

You won’t learn music theory as it relates to other instruments

Music theory is one of the most important parts of music. But as a drummer, a large portion of it – namely melodic theory – doesn’t apply to you the way it applies to other musicians. This causes many drummers to neglect ever learning these missing pieces, which makes it harder to communicate ideas with collaborators or bandmates.

Challenges of learning the guitar

Your fingers will hurt

When you first start learning to play the guitar, your fretting fingers will feel like they’re on fire. It takes weeks (if not months) to develop strong callouses so the metal strings on the guitar don’t have such a severe effect on your fingertips. It’s important to note that if you take breaks from playing your guitar, this pain will return, and you’ll have to rebuild that thicker skin all over again.

It takes a while to develop freedom

Unlike many other instruments, playing guitar requires you to sync up two dissimilar movements to produce a note or chord. Striking the string(s) while you place your fretting hand in the correct position requires a lot of dexterity. And since you’ll need to perform these actions in tandem every time you want to play something, it can take a while before you start producing anything musical.

Guitar players are a dime a dozen

Since the guitar is the most popular instrument in the world, there are many great guitar players out there. This means there’s a lot more competition when it comes to scoring a spot in a band or project. So if your goal is to break out of your basement, it’s important to do what you can to make yourself stand out from the crowd!

Why you should learn both drums and guitar

They get you developing skills that support each other

Playing the drums is a great way to support the rhythmic aspect of your guitar playing – and the guitar can be an awesome secondary instrument for drummers looking for a songwriting tool.

Learning both can make you a more versatile musician

It goes without saying that being able to play multiple instruments makes you much more versatile. And when you’re looking for gigs, being able to fill different roles opens you up to even more opportunities.

You’ll be able to communicate more effectively

Having knowledge of how different instruments are played makes it much easier to communicate your ideas with other band members – just another way to keep the creative process moving smoothly. 

Does it cost more to learn drums or guitar?

In the long run, both drums and guitars end up costing about the same. It’s just as easy to spend thousands of dollars on a drum kit as it is to spend thousands of dollars on a guitar, amp, and pedals. And any veteran of these instruments will tell you that just one guitar or drum kit is never really “enough.“

When it comes to beginner gear, a guitar usually comes in a couple hundred dollars cheaper than a full drum kit. This won’t always be the case, but it’s typically easier to find a decent beginner guitar for less. 

Keep in mind that no matter what stage you’re at, you’ll need to factor in consumables like guitar strings and drum heads as well. Guitar strings are cheap but will need to be changed every month or two. Drum heads are a little pricier but can be changed 1-3 times per year if you aren’t a full-time gigging/recording drummer.

Try learning both!

Whether you choose drums or guitar, playing music is one of the most fulfilling things someone can do with their time. If you still aren’t sure which instrument you want to learn, get a free 7-day trial to Musora (home of Drumeo and Guitareo) and get access to thousands of drum and guitar lessons, play-along songs, world-class lessons and more.

Start Free Trial

Edited by Sam Landa, Content Marketing Manager at Drumeo

1. How do you play the drums?

You can start learning to play the drums by tapping out rhythms on your knees or on a surface in front of you. Try playing along to your favorite song and see if you can get your hands to line up with the beat. Now tap your foot to the rhythm.

If you have access to a drum kit, sit down comfortably behind it so your right foot rests on the bass drum pedal and your left foot is on the hi-hat pedal.

Next, grab the drumsticks. Once you learn how to hold drumsticks (have them lightly in your hands, about 3/4 of the way down the stick with your palms facing down), make sure you aren’t gripping them too tight. Try hitting the different surfaces of the drums and cymbals to see how it feels.

You’re ready to learn your first drum beat! Jump right into these 20 easy drum songs for beginners, or check out a full step-by-step guide on how to play drums.

2. How do you set up a drum set?

You can set up a drum set just by loosening and tightening wingnuts on cymbal stands and arms. Here’s the quickest way:

1. Open up the cymbal stands, the snare stand, and the throne (seat) by loosening the wingnut closest to the feet, pulling out the legs, then tightening once the legs are most of the way open.
2. Sit down on the throne and attach the kick pedal to the bass drum, which you should position ahead of your right foot so it angles slightly outward.
3. Next, place the hi-hat stand so your left foot rests on the hi-hat pedal at a natural angle.
4. Put the snare drum on the snare stand and set it between your legs. The drum should be mostly flat (a slight angle toward you is fine) and the top should line up just below your belt buckle when seated.
5. Attach the toms to your bass drum using the tom holder. They should go in order of size from left (smallest) to right (largest). Place the floor tom to the right of your right leg.
6. Take the heavier of the two hi-hat cymbals and place it on the hi-hat stand – facing up – with the rod going through the center. Remove the bottom screw and felt from the clutch, then turn it upside down and slide it through the top of the remaining hi-hat cymbal. Replace the felt and screw, then slide the cymbal (with clutch) down the rod.
7. Add other cymbals by ‘unscrewing’ the top wingnut on each stand, removing the top felt, placing the cymbal so it rests on the bottom felt, then replacing the top felt and wingnut.

While you can get creative with how your drums are set up, make sure you can move around the kit easily. Each piece should be set up so it’s within reaching distance – you shouldn’t have to tense up your arms or legs to get there!

3. How do you learn rudiments?

You can learn rudiments by practicing and memorizing a few key patterns. Like chords on a piano or guitar, rudiments are the building blocks of drumming. Learning them helps us improve our speed, stamina, and flow on the drums.

There are 40 standard drum rudiments. The core ones include the single stroke roll, the double stroke roll, the flam and the drag. Every other pattern consists of some iteration of two or three of these rudiments:

• The single stroke roll alternates right and left hands repeatedly.
• The double stroke roll is made up of two hits on the right hand and two hits on the left hand, repeated.
• The flam consists of two notes: a quick, quiet note on one hand immediately followed by an accented (louder) note on the other hand.
• The drag is two quiet notes on one hand (ie. a quiet double stroke) that lead into an accented note on the other hand. It’s also called a ‘ruff’.

The best way to learn is to practice to a metronome until you’re able to play each one comfortably at a moderate tempo. Try alternating which hand you start with after a few minutes.

Once you know how to play rudiments, you’ll be able to tackle pretty much anything on the drums.

4. How do you read drum music?

If you want to read drum music, you’ll come across two common forms: standard notation and tablature (tab). Both forms use notes or figures to represent each part of the drum set. The location of the note on the staff (a set of horizontal lines and spaces) tells you which drum or cymbal to play.

In both standard notation and tabs, an ‘x’ is typically a cymbal while an ‘o’ or round note is typically a drum.

Now that you know what to play, you need to learn when to play. Written music is divided into measures, or bars, which makes up a segment of time. Each bar has a certain number of counts (or beats) in it.

For example, most popular music is in a 4/4 time signature, which means each bar can be divided evenly into four equal segments of time. The first number tells you the number of beats in each bar, and the second number tells you the value of each beat (in this case, a beat is a quarter note, or 1/4 of a bar).

You know how to count to 4, so think of it this way: every time you count to 4, you’ve counted one bar.

Sometimes notes will fall between the beats, which you can count as ‘1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and’ (written 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +). You can divide that even further, counting 1e+a 2e+a 3e+a 4e+a.

Now let’s take a look at a basic drum beat. Try counting out loud.

In this beat, the lowest note (bass drum) falls on the 1 and 3 while the highest note (snare drum) falls ono the 2 and 4. The ‘x’ here signifies a hi-hat cymbal, which you play through the whole bar.

You’ll also come across a ‘rest’ in drum notation, which means time you don’t play.

The following rhythm would be counted 1e+a 2e+a, where the bolded figures signify where you play and the non-bolded figures signify where you take a rest:

Feeling confused? If you want to dig deeper, check out the full guide on how to read drum music.

5. How do you tune drums?

You can tune drums by using a drum key to loosen or tighten your drumheads. You can tune to a specific note (like a melodic instrument) or a relative pitch. Drums use a series of lugs and adjustable rods around the shell. The tighter the head, the higher the note. A looser head will give you a lower-sounding note.

To tune drums, you’ll need a drum key, which you can pick up for a few bucks (online or at your local music store) if your kit didn’t come with one.

In a nutshell, here’s how to tune a drum:

• Loosen all tension rods so you’re starting from scratch, then manually tighten each one.
• Once they’re ‘finger tight’, use a drum key to give each tension rod a full turn, moving in a star pattern around the drum.
• Use a drumstick to tap around the drumhead and adjust the tension until you get a consistent sound next to each rod.

For more details, check out the complete guide on how to tune drums.

6. What’s the best beginner drum set?

One of the best beginner drum sets is the Pearl Roadshow ($659). If you prefer an electronic kit, try the Roland TD1 ($549).

The Pearl Roadshow offers awesome bang for your buck. This updated version of the classic Pearl Export features poplar shells and comes with three toms, a bass drum and snare drum. It also comes with stands, cymbals, drumsticks, a bass drum pedal and a cymbal bag – perfect for anyone looking for an all-in-one purchase. The cymbals aren’t great, but the drums could be your ride or die for a few years or longer.

The Roland TD1-DMK is a compact and quiet electronic kit that features four mesh pads and a rubber bass drum pad alongside a rack system and three cymbal pads. With a soft rebound and decent ‘brain’ (15 built-in ‘drum kits’, 250 sounds, a metronome and more), this is a worthwhile starter kit that won’t annoy the neighbors.

We put together a whole guide on the best beginner drum sets – take a look if you want the full breakdown!

7. What are the best online drum lessons?

The best online drum lesson site is Drumeo. It offers thousands of video drum lessons and personalized feedback, thousands of note-for-note song transcriptions, plus direct access to your favorite drummers via courses and live Q&As.

“But you wrote this article! Of course you’re going to say Drumeo is the best.”

We may be biased, but thousands of drum students agree. Where else can you learn from Michael Jackson’s drummer or ask Styx’s Todd Sucherman for tips?

If you check out our free rudiments resource, you’ll get a taste for the practice tools you’ll find in the Drumeo members area (they let you slow down the track, loop sections and more).

Or start your free 7-day trial – and see if you like it!

8. What are the best beginner drum songs?

Here are the 5 best songs for beginner drummers:

1. “We Will Rock You” – Queen
2. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
3. “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
4. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
5. “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC

If that’s not enough, here’s another 20 easy songs for beginners.

What makes a song attainable for a beginner drummer? Fewer notes and a slower tempo, for two.

You can also take a more challenging song and simplify it like we did in these lessons:

• How To Play “Californication” for beginners
• How To Play “Chop Suey” for beginners
• How To Play “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for beginners

9. How do you hold drumsticks?

You hold drumsticks by positioning the drumstick so your hand is about 2/3 down the stick, making sure your index finger isn’t sticking out and you aren’t gripping too hard.

It’s kind of like holding a pencil!

10. How do you twirl a drumstick?

The traditional drumstick twirl comes from letting the drumstick ‘wobble’ between your index and middle finger as you rotate your wrist. With enough practice and repetition, you’ll be playing this stick trick with the best of them.

There are a ton of different stick tricks you can try. Check out these video lessons:

• How To Twirl Your Drumsticks
• One Stick Trick That Will Impress Your Friends
• The Oldest Stick Trick In The Book
• Stick Tricks To Impress Your Friends

11. How much do drums cost?

A full drum kit can cost anywhere from $150 to $10,000+. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

A beginner drum set costs less than $1000 – and sometimes under $500. You could get this Ludwig Questlove kit for $349, for example:

Beginner kits are made from cheaper materials and won’t sound or feel as good as a pro kit. But they’re great for kids or any new drummer who’s hesitant to shell out thousands of dollars for a hobby. You can still jam to your favorite songs and build your skills like you would on any other kit.

An intermediate drum set could set you back around $900-$1300. The Yamaha Stage Custom is a popular choice that works for many gigging and recording contexts.

A pro level kit can cost $2000, $5000, or even more. The sky’s the limit. This TAMA Starclassic is a beautiful-sounding kit with diecast hoops, but it costs $2000 just for the shells (no cymbals or stands included).

How much is a drum set? As much as you’re willing to spend!

12. How do you practice drums?

The best way to practice drums is to give yourself enough time and repetition to build muscle memory. Do it regularly, and set goals you can work toward. If you do best with structure, take the time to build a practice routine and follow it.

Film and/or record yourself playing. It’s the best way to track your progress and self-diagnose any problems.

Whether you’re working on exercises, drum rudiments, songs or something else, learning takes time. Give yourself “permission to suck” (to quote Sarah Thawer). If you sound perfect when you practice, it means you’re not challenging yourself enough to grow and improve.

If you’re feeling like you just don’t know where to start, check out these tips for tricking yourself into practicing drums.

13. How do you build drum independence?

The best way to build drum independence is to start with just two limbs at a time, making sure you’re 100% comfortable before you add a third or fourth pattern to the mix.

Practice slowly. Give your body time to adjust to any new concepts.

Try this exercise:

Can you play it?

“Independence” is when each of your limbs can comfortably play a pattern while ignoring what the other limbs are doing. It’s the drummer’s form of multitasking, and developing independence can be a mental workout. It can take a long time to feel “free” on the drums. But it’s well worth the effort.

If you aren’t confident working on drumming independence on your own, try Independence Made Easy: a 26-week video course that’ll help you play anything you want on the drums (Drumeo members get it free).

14. Are drums hard to learn?

Drums can be hard to learn because they require physical and mental multitasking. It can take some time for your body to build muscle memory.

But even kids can learn how to play drums. Don’t give up if it seems hard at first. Drumming is fun and rewarding, and with regular practice and patience, you’re going to start seeing your efforts pay off!

Here’s a list of everything you need to know before you start learning drums.

15. Can you drum without a drum set?

You can drum without a drum set! As long as you’re repeating the motions and locking in the muscle memory, you can learn songs and even improve your skills away from the kit.

There are a few ways to practice without drums:

• Jam on a practice pad
• Practice on a pillow or the arms of a couch
• Use your hands to play patterns on your legs – even at your desk or in front of the TV
• Visualize the patterns in your mind (yep, mental practice is a thing)
• Try an invisible drum set. No joke!

16. What are the different types of drumsticks?

There are four basic types of drumsticks:

• Standard drumsticks: You know the ones.
• Brushes: A wire ‘fan’ that’s great for quiet playing and cymbal/snare effects.
• Rods/rutes: A bundle of thin wooden sticks used for quiet playing.
• Mallets: Soft at one end and great for cymbal swells and tom rolls.

And there are five drumstick tip shapes:

• Oval
• Acorn
• Drop
• Ball
• Barrel

(But you may find others on the market.)

17. What’s better: acoustic or electronic drums?

Acoustic drums are the fan favorite for most drummers, but electronic drums have quickly become a popular alternative. The top models often sound and feel similar to acoustic kits, but come with different benefits and disadvantages.

Why acoustic drums are better:

• They’re often cheaper than electronic kits
• Most drummers use acoustic drums live and in the studio
• It’s easier to jam with other musicians (no amp required)
• It might feel more satisfying to play an acoustic kit

Why electronic drums are better:

• They’re much quieter than acoustic kits
• They tend to take up less space
• You can get hundreds of sounds out of a single kit
• They’re easier to record and edit

18. How long does it take to learn drums?

It can take a few hours (or even a few days) to learn a basic beat, but it can take several months to start feeling comfortable on the drums. It takes time to train your body’s coordination.

It might take two years of consistent practice to reach a level where you’re really feeling good and able to play a ton of material well. But everyone is on their own journey.

Are you able to play drums every day? Or do you have 30 minutes to practice once a week? There is no right or wrong answer – learning drums is what you make of it.

19. How do you build a drum practice routine?

Here are 5 tips to build a practice routine on the drums:

1. Create a plan
2. Set specific goals and track your progress
3. Have a balance of technique and musicality
4. Publicly commit to something hard to do
5. Practice drums every day

Every drummer has their own routine preferences. Don’t forget to have fun, and if you aren’t seeing improvement, make sure you’re challenging yourself enough.

20. How can I play faster on the drums?

Here are 5 ways to improve your speed on the drums:

1. Relax. Tension is the enemy of good technique.
2. Use rebound to your advantage. Let the drum’s surface do most of the work.
3. Practice with a metronome. Make sure you have consistent spacing between each note.
4. Slow it down. Sometimes the key to playing faster is playing slower. Make sure you’re comfortable at an easier tempo before you start building up speed.
5. Set a goal. You’re more likely to improve if you have a target to work toward.

Have you seen El Estepario Siberiano on social media? He’s one of the fastest drummers around right now. If your dream is to reach his speed, check out his free course, Fastest Way To Get Faster. You’ll start playing faster after working through just 10 lessons!

GET FAST NOW

21. How do I join a band?

The best ways to join a band – or get session work as a drummer – is to share your playing on social media, develop your skills in different styles, and try to meet other musicians online or at gigs.

22. Are drums loud?

Yes: acoustic drums are loud! You should always wear ear protection when you’re playing drums or standing next to a drum kit.

The cymbals and snare drum are typically the loudest parts of the drum kit. You should get headphones or earplugs to help deal with the noise. As a drummer, your hearing is extremely important: protect it!

If you want to practice drums quietly, you can always get an electronic drum set instead.

23. How do you get better at drums?

The best way to get better at drums is to find a good teacher – and good online content – to keep you motivated and help you level up.

Listening to different genres will also help you become a more well-rounded drummer, and learning how other drummers play and write will give you a foundation on which you can develop your own sound.

24. Is drumming good exercise?

Drumming is great exercise! It’s awesome for cardio, keeps your limbs moving and blood pumping, and is good for mental health. Drumming keeps your brain sharp, too.

Edited by Sam Landa, Content Marketing Manager at Drumeo

Sure, but there are so many awesome resources out there that can make it way easier to learn, perform, and record drums. The rabbit hole is deep.

We’ve put together a list of tools and resources any drummer can use. Everything here is either free or has a free version that’s worth trying. Let’s jump in!

1. Free drumless tracks

Why would a drummer want a track without drums? Well, here are two main reasons:

• So you can hear yourself better while playing along to a song
• To record your own drum part on top

Normally, if you want a drumless version of a popular song, you need to see if the producer on that recording has released the stems (the original pieces/tracks that make up the song). That can be tricky because most of these files aren’t publicly available.

If you’re a Drumeo member (try it free for a week by clicking here), you’ll get access to thousands of drumless play-along songs:

But if you’re just looking to find songs to play along to and don’t care if they’re your favorite tunes, check out 9 free drum playalongs (they come with playback/metronome tools, reference videos and sheet music).

An awesome modern resource that artificially removes the drum track from existing music is Moises.ai. The free version lets you download 5 songs a month, but the paid version is only $3.99/month and is worth it if you’re regularly looking for drumless tracks.

2. Free metronome apps

Gone are the days of needing a standalone physical metronome device. You can now download an app right to your phone!

There are some great free metronomes out there like Tempo Lite (iOS | Android). On top of the basic click function, the app lets you create a setlist and comes with a tempo automator that lets you slowly increase the speed as you work your way up through a warmup or exercise.

The free version won’t have advanced features like click mapping, but it’s perfect for practice.

3. Free DAWs

A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is music production software you install on your computer. You can visualize, cut and edit audio files (among thousands of other features) and while many DAWs can cost you a good chunk of change, there are some free versions that offer decent capabilities.

Here are three free DAWs drummers can download:

Pro Tools Intro: Pro Tools is the granddaddy of DAWs and arguably has one of the nicest interfaces, but it’s also the most expensive. The free version is limited, of course, but if you only need eight audio tracks, it has a ton of built-in sounds and plugins to get you started.

Audacity: This free open-source DAW is great for beginners who are looking for a no-frills option. However, it’s not as user-friendly as other DAWs and can be a bit clunky.

Reaper: With a 60-day free trial that feels endless, even pros sometimes defer to Reaper because it’s affordable and comes with all the features a drummer could need to record their playing.

4. Free drum VSTs and samples

Firstly, what’s a VST (Virtual Studio Technology)?

A VST is a plugin (or tool/add-on) you can install within a DAW to help you produce music. In this case, we’re talking about VST instruments which – in the simplest terms possible – are basically audio files that generate instrument sounds. You can find VSTs of most instruments, but in this case we’re only referring to drum VSTs.

You can layer these sounds with real recorded drums, or you can use them when writing in MIDI and get a great-sounding drum track from scratch without ever having to sit down on the kit.

A drummer might use a drum VST to augment their drum recording or to write demo tracks without needing a full drum recording setup. Paid options include Superior Drummer, EZDrummer, Steven Slate Drums, GetGood Drums (from Matt Halpern/Periphery) and DrumForge.

A quick Google search will turn up a ton of free drum VSTs. But if you don’t have time to search around, try the Steven Slate Drums 5.5 demo, which comes with a great-sounding kit and several presets.

VSTs use samples (audio files) to play sounds. You can also find a ton of free drum samples and even full sample packs online, whether it’s a promo from a VST company or a pro drummer.

5. Free drum lessons

Many people know about Drumeo from the hundreds of free drum lesson videos on our YouTube channel. But not everyone knows about our epic paid membership platform.

If you’re just discovering Drumeo and aren’t ready to commit to a membership, you can try it for free for a week by clicking here.

You’ll get full access to Drumeo’s premium content, including:

• 5000+ songs and practice tools (so you can slow down and loop parts while you learn)
• Step-by-step learning paths
• 2500+ drum lesson videos and courses from hundreds of the world’s top drummers (including ones from some of your favorite bands)
• Personalized feedback
• Live Q&As
• Dozens of drumming documentaries and shows
• Killer deals on Drumeo products (like the QuietKick, QuietPad, drumsticks and more)
• A supportive and eager community of drum students just like you

6. Free music transcription/scoring programs

Like DAWs, the best music transcription software can cost hundreds of dollars or more (and for good reason). But there are some free options that’ll get the job done almost as well.

Musink Lite‘s interface is great for drummers – you can quickly click around on the staff to place notes as you come up with beats. Read this article on how to quickly notate creative drum ideas so you can try them out on the kit later.

MuseScore is totally free, open-source software that lets you click and drag notes or input using a MIDI keyboard.

If you just need to use it a few times or want to make sure you’re happy before paying for it, Finale (one of the most popular scoring programs) offers a 30-day free trial. You can easily move notes around, assemble complex drum beats and time signatures, share your scores with friends and more.

You might also like Guitar Pro, which – don’t let the name fool you – is another good option for programming drum beats and more. Click here for their 7-day free trial (and if you’re looking for a template to get started, download 10 free Guitar Pro drum beats here).

7. Free drum notation PDFs

If you know how to read drum music and that’s how you learn songs best, the internet is full of free sheet music.

8. Virtualdrumming.com

If you don’t have a drum kit or want to practice tapping out rhythms on your work break, virtualdrumming.com has some fun free features. Build your own virtual drum kit, tap along to songs and learn more about kits that belong(ed) to your favorite drummers.

9. Wambox

Wambox is a free tool for programming drum beats. Its interface is user-friendly and is a great option for anyone who wants to quickly ‘jot down’ an idea for a beat or fill – especially if you don’t know how to read and write drum music.

You can download your beats for later reference, too.

Did we miss any cool free tools for drummers on this page? Hit us up on our social channels and let us know what we should add.

Edited by Sam Landa, Content Marketing Manager at Drumeo

If you’re a beginner drummer who’s just learning how to play drums, here are five easy songs you can play right now.

No joke – even if you’ve never picked up a pair of sticks (learn how to hold drumsticks here), all of these songs are based on this simple drum groove. You can play the same beat the entire song, and as you progress in your drumming skills, you can add fills and other details later.

(P.S. We have the drumless versions of these tracks available for Drumeo members – get a free 7-day trial to our online drum lessons platform now!)

1. “We Will Rock You” – Queen

A great song for brand new drummers, the original recorded track is just stomps and claps – but Roger Taylor would play the rhythm on the drums live. It’s the same groove the whole song, which means it’s a great way to practice a simple beat while rocking out to a Queen classic.

2. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan

Another song you can get through by playing just one beat – the essential rock beat – you should focus on consistency and spacing between the notes.

3. “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” – Green Day

Similar to the last beat but with one more note on the kick drum, you can groove on the same pattern through the whole song if you want.

4. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson

This is basically the quicker version of the groove from “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.”

5. “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC

This song is similar to “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” with an extra kick drum hit. It’s a bit quick for a new drummer, but if you slow it down and get it solid, you’ll be playing at full speed in no time.

The practice tools in the Drumeo members area let you loop (repeat) sections, slow them down, and find drumless versions of songs to play around with. Get a free 7-day trial to the Drumeo lessons platform – you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll be playing your favorite tunes!

You might like these other articles, too:

• 20 Easy Drum Songs For Beginners
• Learn To Play Drums In 10 Minutes
• 13 Easy Drum Beats For Beginners

Well, for the most part.

Many popular drum brands make drumsticks, even if their specialty is drum sets or cymbals. But not all drumsticks are made equal. Some woods are sturdier than others, they can come in different lengths and thicknesses, and they can be made of different materials.

This guide will highlight the best drumsticks for different styles so you can find the best batons for you. The Drumeo team has personally tested each of these products and often use them every day for gigs, recording and more.

The Best Drumsticks, Period

What makes a good pair of drumsticks? While most brands have great products and make sure each pair of sticks is perfectly matched, beginner drummers or those low on money (most pairs of basic wooden sticks are around $11 USD) might choose no-name sticks from a bargain bin.

That’s totally fine, but you’ll need to be aware of what to look for:

• Make sure the sticks feel comfortable in your hands
• Both sticks should look and feel similar (roll them on a table to be sure)
• Decide if you like the feel of lighter or heavier sticks

If you live in North America, you’ll probably come across at least a few of the following drumstick makers:

• Vic Firth
• ProMark
• Vater
• Zildjian
• Regal Tip
• Ahead
• Los Cabos

There is a standard for drumstick shapes and sizes, and you’ll find the most common sizes at any local music store or online drum shop.

Most pairs of drumsticks are labeled with a number and a letter. The higher the number, the slimmer the stick. The most common letters are A and B, with B being the heftier stick.

For example, a 7A is much slimmer than a 2B.

But a slimmer stick doesn’t necessarily mean a lighter stick. Maple is a lighter wood than hickory or oak, so a maple 2B could feel even lighter than a 5A made of a denser wood.

You can learn more in detail about the different types of drumsticks, sizes, and materials in this article here.

The most popular drumstick models are popular for a reason: drummers love them for playing all sorts of music. They trust the brands to make good quality products and know they’ll feel and sound great.

If you’re playing a variety of styles, a beginner drummer, or are looking for something that ‘just works’ overall, here are our picks for best all-around drumsticks, which are all sized 5A and made from durable hickory:

Vic Firth 5A American Classic

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: .565″

Tip: Teardrop

Vic Firth (the guy who founded the company) started making drumsticks not because he wanted to start a global brand, but because sticks in the 1950s weren’t up to his standard. The lacquered 5A American Classic is one of the most popular options around (in fact, Vic Firth says they’re the world’s best-selling drumstick). They’re made of solid, dense hickory for durability and a great feel and sound, and we recommend the 5A size as a happy medium for the versatile drummer.

Buy now

ProMark Rebound 5A

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: .565″

Tip: Acorn

The Rebound 5As have a long taper that help create a rear-weighted feel (which means a slightly heavier-feeling butt end) for better control on the kit. One of ProMark’s best-selling drumstick models, they’re super responsive and give you a nice balanced feeling in your hands.

Buy now

Vater Drumeo 5A Drumsticks

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.570″

Tip: Acorn

These Drumeo-branded Vater 5As contain twice the moisture content of most regular drumsticks, making them less likely to splinter and break. All of Vater’s sticks are weighted, tone matched, and hand rolled so every pair is perfect.

These are the cheapest drumsticks in this guide, and some of the most affordable on the market. But don’t be fooled by the low price: these sticks are hardy as heck and will get you through rehearsals, gigs, studio sessions and more.

Watch: The 10,000 Rimshot Challenge (proving how hard it is to break these drumsticks)

Buy now

The Best Drumsticks For Rock

If you’re playing rock music, you’re probably looking for durability and power. Rock drummers need reliable drumsticks that can carry them through both the soft and heavy parts, and the following sticks meet those criteria perfectly.

ProMark Classic Forward 5A

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: .551″

Tip: Oval

Lacquered for a smoother finish and better grip, these ProMark Classic 5As are forward-weighted for more oomph (they have a shorter taper than the average stick). They’re built to play ‘into the drum’ which means more power and speed with less effort on your part. These are great for heavy hitting rock drummers looking for a solid option.

Buy now

Ahead 5B Rock Drumsticks

Size: 5B

Material: Polyurethane (aluminum core)

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.595″

Tip: Oval (nylon)

If you’re looking for something more durable than wood, Ahead makes awesome polyurethane drumsticks that looks just as good as they sound. They come with replaceable covers, tips and rings and “last 6-10 times longer than wood drumsticks”. Ahead says they’re built with over 5% more rebound, which helps you play faster with less effort (you be the judge).

They do feel slightly different from traditional drumsticks, but if you tend to destroy sticks quickly you should give these a try.

Buy now

Vic Firth American Classic 2B

Size: 2B

Material: Hickory

Length: 16.25″

Diameter: 0.630″

Tip: Teardrop

The heftier 2B size means this stick is a little thicker, a little heavier, and a little longer to stand up to long rock jams. Some drummers love the feeling of something more substantial in their hands. Hickory is always a solid choice for heavy hitters and the teardrop tip will give you a nice warm tone on your cymbals. Vic Firth makes reliable drumsticks and the American Classic 2Bs are no different.

Buy now

The Best Drumsticks For Metal

Metal has more subgenres and drumming styles than many people realize. Some metal drummers play slow and heavy while others play at such high tempos they need to hit lightly to conserve energy. The following sticks include options for both breeds of metal drummers.

Vic Firth Extreme 5A

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16.5″

Diameter: 0.565″

Tip: Teardrop

Take the best-selling 5A American Classic and add an extra half-inch of length and you get the Vic Firth Extreme 5A, perfect for metal drummers who want a stick that’s small enough for fast, efficient playing but longer for more reach.

Still made of the durable hickory heavy drummers love, plus lacquered for extra grip.

Buy now

ProMark FireGrain 2B

Size: 2B

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.630″

Tip: Oval

These drumsticks may look like they’ve come straight out of a deadly blaze, but ProMark FireGrain sticks are purposely heat-tempered to make them stronger. They’re forward-weighted for more power, too.

You can get these in other sizes, but we recommend the monstrous 2Bs for metal drummers who play the slow, heavy stuff.

Buy now

Ahead Speed Metal Drumsticks

Size: 5A

Material: Polyurethane (aluminum core)

Length: 15.69″

Diameter: 0.540″

Tip: Teardrop

The Ahead Speed Metal sticks are based on the design formerly known as the Joey Jordison Slipknot signature model. A bit shorter than the average stick (and slimmer than a typical 5A), you can expect a quick response and a ton of control. The tough polyurethane sleeve is replaceable and holds up to more beatings than regular wood, with an inner core of aluminum to keep these sticks stupidly light. A great option for speed players!

Buy now

The Best Drumsticks For Jazz

When it comes to jazz drumming, it’s all about articulation and a light touch. Maple is a perfect lightweight wood for capturing the subtleties of your playing, and a nylon tip will give you crisp definition when playing swing patterns on the ride cymbal.

However, hickory performs just as well (and has added strength for long gigs) and wood tips provide a nice warm sound on any surface.

Vic Firth 85A Drumsticks

Size: 85A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.551″

Tip: Teardrop

The 85A is sized right between the 8D and 5A, a perfect balance of length and diameter for jazz or fusion drummers. For those unfamiliar with the 8D, they’re like a longer version of the 7A and super lightweight. The delicate stick end is great for nuanced playing and while it may be a bit harder to find than a 5A or 7A, it’s worth giving this model a shot.

Buy now

Vic Firth SD2 Bolero Drumsticks

Size: SD2

Material: Maple

Length: 15.75″

Diameter: 0.635″

Tip: Round

While these sticks are billed as “perfect for lighter orchestral work and pit playing”, they’re also a jazz drummer’s best friend. The SD2 Boleros have a short taper so they’re forward-weighted, and their small round tip is good for articulating intricate patterns.

If you prefer a thicker stick but want it to be light as a feather, this is the one for you.

Buy now

ProMark Forward 7AN

Size: 7A

Material: Hickory

Length: 15.375″

Diameter: 0.512″

Tip: Oval (nylon)

It’s lighter, it’s shorter, and it’s perfect for playing jazz. 7A is one of the most popular sizes for drummers who play this style, and it’s not uncommon to opt for nylon tips for that perfect ting ting-tingting on the ride. The ProMark Forward 7AN is just one example of a stick size that’s become a jazz standard.

Buy now

The Best Drumsticks For Electronic Drums

When you’re shopping for drumsticks to use with your electronic drums, you want to find options that won’t damage the heads. The best drumsticks for electronic kits have nylon tips. Wooden tips can break over time and rough edges could damage mesh heads. There’s nothing wrong with natural tips; you just need to be careful.

Aside from this ‘head safety’ consideration, you can use any regular drumstick on an electronic drum set. But be aware that nylon tips may be more likely to white marks on your rubber pads.

Read: The Best Electronic Drum Sets

Vater American Hickory 5A

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.570″

Tip: Acorn (nylon)

They’re simple, solid and cost-effective. Pick up a pair of hickory 5As from Vater and drum your heart out. The nylon tips are mesh-friendly and will give you nice punchy strokes on your electronic kit. This is the most common drumstick size and material for acoustic drums as well, so you can easily transfer over to a traditional setup.

Buy now

Zildjian Anti-Vibe Drumsticks

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.560″

Tip: Oval

They Zildjian Anti-Vibe drumsticks are surprisingly light for 5As and come with a rubber insert that helps to reduce vibration, which you might notice if you’re playing on rubber heads. Less shock and vibration means less stress on your wrists and fingers so you can keep going for longer and worry less about injury.

Because the butt end is hollowed out to make room for the rubber insert, they feel a bit front heavy, which may or may not be up your alley. The rubber ends could be glued in more tightly, so consider adding some super glue for extra security.

Buy now

Los Cabos 5A Pink Drumsticks

Size: 5A

Material: Hickory

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.575″

Tip: Acorn

One bonus to playing electronic drums is you don’t have to worry about chipping the paint on cool-colored sticks. These pink 5A drumsticks from Canadian company Los Cabos support breast cancer research. If you want to contribute to a good cause and get a solid pair of sticks at the same time, give these a go.

The brand also offers black and yellow dips (but the revenue from those don’t go to a nonprofit).

Buy now

The Best Low-Volume Drumsticks

While you can use rubber tips, rutes, brushes or felt mallets to play drums more quietly, drumsticks are only part of the picture when it comes to lowering overall kit volume.

If you’re looking to reduce the decibels even more, read this article and learn about low-volume heads, mute pads and more.

Vic Firth Practice Tips

Size: N/A

Material: Rubber

Length: N/A

Diameter: N/A

Tip: Barrel

One pack of Vic Firth Practice Tips comes with two pairs of rubber tips that fit over most drumsticks so you can instantly turn any surface into a practice pad. These are also great for reducing the volume of a drum set; they’ll just feel a bit different on the rebound.

If you prefer an oval tip and a slightly different feel, check out TAMA’s Silent Tips.

Buy now

ProMark Hot Rods

Size: 5A (ish)

Material: Birch

Length: 16″

Diameter: 0.560″

Tip: N/A

Hot Rods are basically the same size as a standard 5A drumstick but come with some obvious differences: they’re rute sticks, which consist of dowel bundles. They create a satisfying ‘tick’ sound when striking surfaces and are perfect for quiet drumming on an acoustic kit or other percussion instruments. But the quietness comes at a cost: these don’t feel like regular drumsticks, so expect a light feel and essentially zero rebound.

Don’t try to go all out with these; they aren’t built for heavy hitting and you’ll likely snap some of the dowels if you wail with them.

For an even quieter and smaller stick, try ProMark’s Cool Rods (they’re even lighter).

Buy now

More like this article:

• The Different Types Of Drumsticks
• How To Choose Drumsticks
• We Tested $1450 Worth Of Weird Drumsticks
• How Drumsticks Are Made

• Standard drumsticks: The ones you see rockstars playing.
• Brushes: A wire ‘fan’ that’s great for quiet playing and cymbal/snare effects.
• Rods/rutes: A bundle of thin wooden sticks used for quiet playing.
• Mallets: Soft at one end and great for cymbal swells and tom rolls.

And there are five basic types of drumstick tip shapes:

• Oval
• Acorn
• Drop
• Ball
• Barrel

Out of all the drumsticks on the market, which ones are the best for you?

This guide will give you a detailed rundown of the most common drumstick types and what to look for the next time you’re hunting for a pair.

Here’s a quick overview of the different types of drumsticks:

Standard Drumsticks

Drumsticks have been around for a long time. For drum kit players, these are your ultimate tools. The feeling of these in our hands is what makes most drummers fall in love with drumming from day one.

When you’re a new drummer, it can be tricky to choose which drumstick types to get. You might notice that every stick has a set of letters and numbers.

What do the numbers on drumsticks mean?

In a nutshell:

Lower number = thicker stick
Higher number = thinner stick

The most common numbers you’ll see are 2, 5, 7, and 8. The lower the number, the thicker/heftier the stick and the larger the circumference.

What do the letters on drumsticks mean?

‘A’ refers to a lighter stick, while ‘B’ means the stick is a bit heavier. All other sticks with varying letters fall somewhere in between these two.

These are the most common drumstick sizes you’ll see at music retailers:

• 7A (a lighter stick, great for jazz)
• 5A (a good moderate stick for all types of playing)
• 5B (a bit heftier than 5A)
• 2B (heavy, best for hard rock)

Most drumsticks used on the drum set are around 16″ long but can range from 15-17.5″. You can sometimes find extra-long sticks (like the Vic Firth ‘Extreme’ line or the Los Cabos ‘Intense’ line) if you’re looking for a different feel and response.

What are drumsticks made of?

Most drumsticks are made from a select group of woods and other materials:

• Maple 
• Hickory
• Oak
• Carbon Fiber
• Polyurethane
• Aluminum

Maple is a good lightweight wood while aluminum is a lightweight metal option. Hickory and maple are the most common drumstick materials.

The type of wood largely determines the weight of the sticks and how they sound. Another factor is the type/shape of their tips:

• Oval
• Acorn
• Drop
• Ball
• Barrel
• Nylon

…which can slightly alter how the sticks feel when you strike the drumheads.

All of these tips are made from wood except nylon, which changes how the sticks sound when they hit the cymbals. Nylon-tipped sticks can give you a more consistent tone from one pair to another.

A big debate among drummers is whether to get sticks with nylon or wooden tips. Nylon tips sound bright, while wooden tips sound warmer and more natural.

If you don’t know which tips you want on your sticks, test a few and let your ears decide.

Vater x Drumeo
5A Hickory Drumsticks

BUY NOW

Vic Firth
5A Hickory Drumsticks

GUITAR CENTER | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

Promark
5A Hickory Drumsticks

GUITAR CENTER | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

At the end of the day, the best types of drumsticks are the ones that aren’t broken. Don’t get too stuck on which specific sticks to choose, as they all have the same purpose. 

It comes down to personal preference, but here’s some help from Jared Falk on narrowing down your choices:

Brushes

Brushes are made from a thin set of evenly spread out wires. The volume you get from the drums is a lot quieter when using brushes, so they’re often used for soft settings. This is one of the main reasons drummers will choose brushes over drumsticks.

You can play like you would with standard sticks to get a mellower impact from the drums and cymbals. You can also sweep them over the snare drum head to get a swishing sound, which is an iconic brush playing technique.

Brushes are mostly used in jazz drumming, but there’s also a place for them in other modern music. There’s a bit of a learning curve to master brushes, but it opens up a whole new world of options. 

Los Cabos
Standard Brushes

REVERB | SWEETWATER

Vic Firth
Heritage Brushes

GUITAR CENTER | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

Zildjian
Wire Brushes

AMAZON 

Even if you never end up using them, brushes are valuable tools to have in your stick bag, and learning to use them will only expand your drumming skillset.

Check this video of Jason Sutter giving the rundown on how to play with brushes: 

Rods

Rods (also known as ‘rute sticks’) are another quiet alternative to standard drumsticks. Comprised of a bundle of thin sticks that’ve been strapped together, you may have been asked to use these if you’ve performed in a small venue or church.

The striking sound you get from rods is less intense than standard drumsticks, but you get more attack and volume than you do from brushes.

Some rods are made from wood while others are plastic or synthetic fiber. Thanks to their heavier weight, wooden rods tend to sound a bit louder. Plastic rods are quieter, and they don’t break as easily as wooden rods. 

Promark
Hot Rods

GUITAR CENTER | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

Vic Firth
Rutes

AMAZON | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

Vater
Splashsticks

GUITAR CENTER | SWEETWATER

Rods are the perfect tools to use in places like coffee shops. You can play everything on the kit without overpowering the environment with sound. However, you lose a bit of stick definition on the cymbals compared to a standard drumstick. 

Mallets

Mallets are sticks that have thick material pieces at the end. This material completely changes how the sticks sound when they strike drums and cymbals. 

The thicker the material at the end of a mallet, the warmer the sound will be. Almost all attack goes out the window, so they’re perfect for cymbal swells and tom rolls and builds.

You’ll see many drummers playing drum solos with mallets as their unique sound adds variety to the soundscape. 

Mallets take away the sharp cracking sound that cymbals produce, and that’s why they work so well for swells. As you repeatedly hit a cymbal with mallets, the warm sound resonates and gets louder. It’s the classic song starter and finisher. 

Promark
MT3 Oak Mallets

AMAZON | GUITAR CENTER | THOMANN

Ahead
Polyurethane Mallets

AMAZON | AHEAD

Meinl
Drumset Mallets

AMAZON | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

If you don’t have a set of mallets yet, you could always DIY it by attaching cymbal felts to the ends of your sticks. 

Hybrid Drumsticks

Every now and then, a drumstick brand will create something unique that combines different stick types and materials: a hybrid stick.

The most common type of hybrid stick has a standard drumstick tip on one end and a mallet tip on the other end. These are amazing for drummers who don’t want to risk dropping their sticks while switching between mallets and standard sticks mid-song. Just flip these around whenever you want to play warmer tones or cymbal swells. 

Musical theater drummers tend to be the biggest lovers of hybrid mallets, but it won’t hurt anyone to have a pair of these handy. 

Meinl
Switch Sticks

AMAZON | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

Headhunters
Jingle Things

REVERB | HEAD HUNTERS

Promark
Broomsticks

AMAZON | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

You may also come across sticks with wire bristles or another material at the end to add a bit of flavor to the sticks. Some hybrid sticks are a lot more practical than others, so keep that in mind before choosing the latest Frankensticks to be your trusted pair.

Signature Drumsticks

Signature drumsticks get a section on their own because they’re often different from standard stick designs. These are made when artists get involved with a brand’s design process and the stick specs are made to fit the artist’s tastes.

When using a pair of signature drumsticks, you’re playing what a particular drummer thought would be the perfect stick. 

Vic Firth Ray Luzier
Signature Drumsticks

AMAZON | GUITAR CENTER

Promark Neil Peart
Signature Drumsticks

AMAZON | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

Ahead Lars Ulrich
Signature Drumsticks

AMAZON | SWEETWATER | THOMANN

Many signature sticks have unique additions that aren’t commonly found on standard drumsticks. For example, check this clip that features Gavin Harrison’s signature drumsticks with a matte dipped grip: 

Which drumsticks should I get?

It’s useful to have every type of drumstick in your stick bag, but you may use some more than others. Focus on standard drumsticks first since you’ll likely use them the most. 

The other types of sticks you should get will depend on what styles of music you play. You’ll need brushes for jazz and mallets for musical theater. Look around to see what’s out there, try a few different pairs, and your stick bag will turn into your trusted arsenal of tools in no time.

Learning to play drums might look difficult, but it’s easier than you think. And you can start playing drum beats more quickly than you think, too!

In this video, Domino Santantonio will show you how to play one of the most popular beginner drum beats of all time, then coach you through a 5-minute drumming ‘workout’ as you build the beat into something you can play confidently.

It’s like a fitness video, but with drums!

Domino Santantonio is the host and instructor of 30-Day Drummer, a workout program that will challenge you to practice drums every day for one month. It’s built for new drummers, so you don’t need any experience to sign up!

The latest challenge is over, but here’s some info for next time!

When you sign up for 30-Day Drummer, you’ll:

• Get a free practice pad ($79 value) and drumsticks if you sign up by Feb. 20 – no drum set required!
• Get access to a platform where you can connect with other drummers in the program and share your progress
• Get weekly live Q&A sessions with Domino
• Build good practice habits
• Improve your timing
• Boost your creativity
• Play musically

This challenge only needs 10 minutes of your time every day. You decide where in your schedule these workouts fit best.

For just $97, you’ll get to join the program and have lifetime access to all the videos. So down the road if you feel yourself falling out of the routine, you can jump right back in. It costs less than private lessons and you’re guaranteed to be playing drum beats and fills by the end of the month.

Over 6000 drummers participated in the last 30-Day Drummer program. What are you waiting for?

Practice along with Emmanuelle Caplette as she goes through this 5 minute beginner drum warmup on the practice pad!

<<Click here to download the PDF sheet music>>

If the tempo is too fast for you, use the video controls to slow it down or set your own metronome to a speed that works for you.

These exercises are great for developing your single strokes and double strokes, as well as basic accents. Once you’ve worked through this warmup, try some of these exercises from the legendary drum book, Stick Control!

And – as always – it’s more fun to practice rudiments along to songs, so enjoy this epic Kaz Rodriguez track (or find one of your own that’s at a good tempo for you).

<<Click here to download the practice track>>

Each groove has sheet music and an audio track so you can hear how it’s supposed to sound. (If you don’t know how to read drum music, click here)

We’ve also included two examples of popular songs that feature each beat. Even if the song is too difficult right now, you can listen to how that part sounds in the context of a real track.

Drumeo students can find sheet music for most of these songs (and 5000+ more) in the members area. Try Drumeo for 7 days free!

What makes a drum beat beginner-friendly?

These beats are considered ‘easy’ because they fit one or more of the following criteria:

• They sound good played slowly
• They typically only require three limbs rather than four
• They have less syncopation/subdivisions

Have a good time with these! Play them exactly as written at first, then try moving them around the kit or adding some fills. Once you’re feeling good, grab your headphones, crank up your favorite jams and play along.

1. Bread ‘n Butter (92 BPM)

Start with the bass drum and snare, then add the closed hi-hat part. Focus on playing a solid backbeat and keeping the tempo steady. Every note counts!

Here are two songs that use this simple drum beat:

2. Big Bell Bounce (98 BPM)

This one has the ride cymbal bell on the “and” of each beat (also called the “upbeats”). Try to hit the same spot on the bell every single time so you get a consistent sound.

Check out these songs to hear the beat in practice:

3. Hi-Hat Hotness (100 BPM)

Follow the written sticking by playing both hands on the hi-hat and bringing your right hand down to the snare for beats 2 and 4. It’s a challenge to keep this one from getting too messy, so start slowly and build the tempo. Keep the bass drum solid on every quarter note (which is called “four-on-the-floor”).

You can hear this beat in these songs:

4. Terrific 2-Beat (105 BPM)

This might look easy as pie, but it’s harder to get “in the pocket” than you think! This one should feel laid back and relaxed. Keep your hi-hat loose and really focus on the metronome.

Try out these songs (and simplify if you have to):

5. Tom-Tom Time (88 BPM)

Play this groove with your right hand on the floor tom and your left on the snare. Using the toms instead of the hi-hat or ride gives the pattern a different tone color.

You can hear this type of tom beat in the following songs:

6. Useful Upbeats (95 BPM)

This one is a workout for your hi-hat foot. Open the hi-hats slightly on the upbeats, and close them on the downbeats.

Check it out in these tracks:

7. Beatle Bits (100 BPM)

This is the groove Ringo played on the Beatles’ hit “In My Life.” Your right hand hits only the one note on the closed hi-hat. Once you get it, try playing along with the song!

You can hear the beat in this song, too:

8. Stir the Sauce (80 BPM)

The 16^th note interaction between the ride and snare on the second and third beats makes this groove a little bit funky. Try to keep it clean and smooth.

This is the beat a lot of new drummers learn so they can show off to their friends. Listen to it in context here:

9. Quirky Quarters (85 BPM)

This one has a simple quarter note pulse on the snare while the bass drum is a little more active. Accent the downbeats on your hi-hat to give the pattern shape and definition.

10. Jazz Jam (95 BPM)

Try to make the ride cymbal swing pattern feel laid-back and relaxed. While most of this pattern is based around the cymbals, drop in a snare hit on the third triplet of beat 3.

11. Twirl ‘n Twist (100 BPM)

This is a 2-measure phrase with a lot going on in the bass drum and snare part. Work on those alone at first, then add the ride cymbal and crash. Play one measure at a time, then combine them.

12. Spacey Stuff (105 BPM)

The key to this one is keeping a steady pulse with your bass drum on every quarter note (four-on-the-floor). Really crack those flams on the toms.

13. Waltzy World (105 BPM)

This pattern is in a 3/4 time signature, which means there are 3 beats per measure and each is worth one quarter note. Begin practicing this pattern with your hands alone, then add the bass drum.

Drum beat tips for beginners

• Isolate your limbs when you first begin to practice. You can play the hands by themselves, and when you’ve got that, add the feet. You can also work on the bass drum and snare alone.
• Start slowly and gradually build speed, repeating as many times as necessary. You don’t need to play these at full tempo right away. The BPM (beats-per-minute) markings are just helpful suggestions. These grooves will work at faster or slower tempos too. However…
• It’s important to practice with a metronome. It will improve your natural timekeeping and help you stay on track.
• Play with dynamics. Everything should not be the same volume, so practice these loud, medium, quiet and everywhere in-between. If you see an accented note, try to create a big difference between it and the non-accented notes.

That’s it! Enjoy these 13 patterns, play them along with music and make them your own.

This article will teach you several ways to notate drum music and includes multiple formatting styles. Because notation isn’t 100% standardized, rhythms may be presented differently from one drum book or lesson to another. It’s better to be prepared for anything!

Chapters

The Staff

Drum notation has a lot in common with the notation for other instruments since it’s laid out on a set of five horizontal lines (called a “staff”). Each part of the drum set is written on a line – or in the space between the lines – so you can visually tell everything apart. 

Lower pitches like the bass drum and floor tom are towards the bottom of the staff, while the snare and toms are in the middle. Higher tones like cymbals are at the top.

This graphic – known as a ‘drum key’ – shows where the most common parts of the drum set appear on the staff. It all makes sense when you look at it!

For example, the hi-hat is both at the top (when you hit it with your stick) and the bottom (when you step on it). 

The two vertical boxes on the left are called the “drum clef,” which tells us that this music is specifically for drums. It’s just like the treble and bass clefs you’ll see in notation for melodic instruments. 

Time Signature

This is one of the first things you should look for when you see a drum chart. The time signature is the two numbers stacked on top of each other on the left side of the staff. 

Written music is divided into chunks called measures. Think of a measure (or “bar”) as a pie. Every measure has a certain number of counts or “beats” in it, which make up fractions of the whole pie. 

In the time signature, the top number tells you how many beats are in each measure. The bottom number tells you the value of each beat. For example, 4/4 time has 4 beats per measure and each beat is worth one quarter note. 6/8 time has 6 beats per measure but each beat is worth one eighth note.

It’s also important to check out the tempo or “beats per minute” at the top left of your chart. A tempo of 60 beats per minute (BPM) in 4/4 time means that each of the measure’s four quarter notes occur once per second (just like the second hand of a clock).

How To Read Drum Notation

Now that you know the basics of the staff, time signature and tempo, it’s time to check out some drum notation! 

Let’s start at the top. Cymbals and hi-hat notes are usually written as an ‘x’ while drums are written as solid round notes. 

Here are some of most common note values you’ll encounter and their value in 4/4 time:

Adding an additional ‘slash’ to the stem of a note cuts its value in half.

Other types of notes

Dotted notes

Placing a small dot to the right of any of these notes adds an extra 50 percent of the note’s value. For example, if a quarter note is worth 1 beat, a dotted quarter note is worth 1.5 beats.

Connected groups

Multiple notes that comprise a beat are often connected by horizontal lines called “beams” to make them easier to group visually.

Tied notes

A curved beam or “tie” connecting two notes means that you play them as if they are one note. The second note is silent and its value is added to the first. For example, if there is a cymbal hit on the “and” of beat 4, it is written as a tied note across the bar line to show its longer sustain.

Triplets

Triplets are made up of three notes equally spaced over a period of time where there would normally be two notes. They’re connected by a horizontal beam and written with a small ‘3’ above them. 

Triplets are the most common type of “tuplet” (which is any equal subdivision of notes spaced evenly over a larger note length). 

Stems

You may also notice the stems of the notes (the straight vertical lines jutting out). In traditional drum notation, notes played with the feet have downward-facing stems, while everything else points upward. This shows you the separation of the hands and feet (and isolating your limbs can help you learn new patterns). 

The note values of the hands and feet each add up to the total number of the beats in the whole measure (for example, in 4/4 time, the notes and rests in the hands would add up to 4, and so would the notes and rests in the feet).

One thing to keep in mind about music notation is that there are a lot of minor variations in the way different people write things. Many of the rules are flexible and evolve over time. In modern drum notation, all the stems point upward (even the notes played on the bass drum) and everything looks more connected. All the notes together add up to the total number of beats in each measure. 

However, it’s harder to visualize the separation of the hands and feet this way. Traditional and modern notation both have pros and cons, and it’s useful to learn how to read both styles.

Rests

A rest tells you when not to play. Here are some of the most common types in 4/4 time.

Just like with notes, adding a dot tacks on an additional 50 percent of the rest’s value. For example, here’s a dotted quarter-note rest (worth 1.5 beats):

Sticking, phrasing & accents

Now that you’ve got a basic idea of how notes and rests work, let’s get into some other important symbols you might come across in different types of drum music.

Sticking

If you see the letters ‘R’ and ‘L’ above or below the staff, these signify which notes should be played by your right and left hands. This pops up most commonly in educational exercises and rudiments rather than full song charts.

Accents & articulation

Accented notes should be played louder than the rest. The most common type of accent symbol is a wedge with the opening pointing left. Hand accents are usually written above the staff, while foot accents are below. Less common is a wedge with the opening pointed downward, which means the accent should be a short or “staccato” note. 

Phrasing markers

These are super helpful in telling us how a note should be played. Staccato notes have a dot above them (it’s usually best to play those on a drum rather than a cymbal that rings too much). 

Longer, or “legato” notes tend to be tied to visually indicate their duration. These work best if you play them on cymbals since they have more sustain. 

Open/closed hi-hats

When you see an ‘o’ sign above the hi-hat, that means you should lift your toes and open it. A plus sign means you should close the hats. 

Sometimes people use curved beams to connect open and closed hi-hat notes (but sometimes they don’t…so be ready for either style!) 

Loose hi-hat notes (where you should play the hi-hat partially open) are often written as an ‘x’ with a circle around them.

Grace notes (flams & drags) 

Notating and reading rudiments is an important part of understanding drum music. Flams and drags are types of “grace notes” which have no numerical value – you just play them immediately before another note.

“So I don’t count them as part of my pie when I add all the notes and rests in each measure?” Nope! 

Think of these as little ornamentations that precede the main note they’re attached to. They’re tied to the main note with an upward-facing curved beam.

Buzzed notes & rolls

Bounced notes are written with a slash through the stem of the note. This is called a “tremolo”. One slash indicates a bounce or double stroke, and these slashes are also used to notate open rolls (where you can hear each stroke individually). 

Closed rolls and buzzes (where you can’t hear each individual note) have a ‘z’ through the note’s stem. 

Longer rolls of either type are written as tied notes to indicate their length. They’ll also sometimes have a number written next to the tie to tell you how many strokes are in the roll.

Breaths & pauses

Along with the rests we went over earlier, here are a few other signs you might encounter in drum music. 

A caesura (commonly called “railroad tracks”) is a pause marker with two leaning vertical slashes. It basically means “stop right there!” 

A fermata, or “hold” is written as a downward facing semi-circle with a dot in the middle. This indicates a full pause in the music where you stop counting the time.

You may also see a pair of eyeglasses, which is an informal way to say “watch out, here comes something important!”

Percussion & other variations

Cowbells, wood blocks, and triangles are written with triangular or diamond-shaped note-heads on different lines of the staff. 

Cross-sticks are written with an ‘x’ on the snare drum line, while other types of rimshots (hitting the rim and snare together or hitting one stick with the other as it rests on the snare head) appear as a round note with a slash through it. 

Stay alert and be ready for different types of notation!

Dynamics

Dynamic markings are some of the most important symbols on any drum chart. They help you play with sensitivity and convey important changes in the music. If you nail the dynamics on drums, everyone in the band will love you!

Here are a few of the most common dynamic markings from quietest to loudest:

ppp (triple pianississimo, sometimes called “triple-p” or “triple piano”) –  This means “very, very quiet.” As quiet as you can play! 

pp (pianissimo, or “double-p”) – This means “very quiet,” or just barely above ppp.

p (piano) – Quiet

mp (mezzo-piano) – Medium or moderately quiet

mf (mezzo-forte) – Medium or moderately loud, but not too loud 

f (forte) – Loud

ff (fortissimo) – Very loud. We’re not quite at top volume, but we’re close!

fff (fortississimo) – Very, very, loud. This is sometimes also called “triple-forte” or “triple-f.” Now we’re in ear-spitting territory!

Along with these basic dynamic markings that tell you how loud or quiet to play, there are also a couple of important symbols that indicate changes in the dynamics.

A crescendo is a gradual increase in the volume notated with a right- facing “hairpin.” Make sure not to get too loud right away and allow the volume to build steadily.

A decrescendo (or diminuendo) is the opposite. Again, make sure not to get to your final volume too quickly. Keep an eye on the duration of the dynamic change and bring your volume down steadily. These subtle dynamic changes can make a big difference in your sound!

Along with these basics, here are a couple of other dynamic symbols that are important for drummers.

If you see the word subito (or “suddenly,” sometimes abbreviated “sub.”) before a dynamic marking, that means you’re making an abrupt change.  For example, if you’ve been chugging along at ‘mf’ or ‘f’ and you see “sub. p,” bring the volume down right away.

Another similar concept uses an ‘fp,’ or fortepiano sign. This is a loud first note followed by an immediate drop in volume. You’ll often see these on the first note of a dramatic roll (think of a classic drum roll used to build tension and play vaudeville artists onstage).

Also keep an eye out for the ‘sfz’, or sforzando symbol, which literally means “suddenly, with force.” The idea here is to emphasize the attack  of a note or phrase (smack it, then go back to whatever dynamic level you were at before).

Directions

Knowing how to read the road map is the key to a successful journey through any drum chart. Here are a few of the most common directional signs you’ll come across:

Repeats

There’s a lot of repetition in drum music, so you might see these a lot. A repeat is written as 2 vertical bar lines with 2 adjacent dots which signal that you should go back and play a section again. 

“But where do I go back to?” Just look out for the inverted repeat sign to tell you the boundary of the repeated section. If there’s no inverted repeat signal, go back to the beginning of the chart. Repeat the section once unless otherwise indicated.

First & second endings

Sometimes a section of your chart will repeat, but the last bar or two is slightly different each time. First and second ending markers make the whole thing easier to read by notating these varied endings without rewriting the entire section (so you’ll ultimately have a shorter chart with fewer page turns). 

The first time through, play the first ending (the measure with the “1” over it) and jump back to the inverted repeat sign. After you go through the second time, skip the first ending and jump directly to the second before you continue. 

Some charts have even more than two endings, so just keep repeating until you get to the last one.

Codas

This is another way to shorten the length of a chart by jumping backward and forward so you don’t have to re-write a section that repeats. This concept can be tricky at first, but once you get it you’ll be in great shape to read any kind of drum chart.

The first thing you’ll need to look out for is the ‘D.S.’ or Dal Segno, which means “from the sign.” 

Think of this as a portal back to an earlier symbol in the chart (commonly called ”the sign”). It looks like an ‘S’ with a backward slash through it and two dots on either side. 

A ‘D.C’., or Dal Capo is a similar concept that means “go back to the beginning” instead of to the sign. Either way, you’re jumping backward to an earlier point in the chart. 

Usually, the D.S. or D.C. marker will have the words “al Coda” or “al Fine” after it. This tells us whether to play straight through to the end (“al fine”) or if we’ve got one more jump to make (“al coda”). If it’s an “al coda,” keep playing until you see a “To Coda” marker. 

The Coda, which looks like a bullseye (or a circle with a plus sign in it), is our ultimate destination and the “To Coda” marker is another portal that sends us forward to get there (it’s like warping in a video game). After you leap forward to the Coda, play through to the end and collect your prize.

Measure repeats & slash marks

These pop up a lot in drum charts. Full measure repeats are written as a backward slash with 2 dots and signal that you should play whatever you played in the previous bar. Multi-measure repeats will have 2 slashes and the number of bars written above this symbol.

Many drum charts also use a concept called slash notation to indicate that the drummer should play time or continue grooving. This concept features crooked hash-marks on each beat of the measure instead of writing musical notation or patterns. 

Compared to measure repeats, slash marks offer a bit more flexibility to vary the pattern you’re playing.

Measure numbers & rehearsal letters

Measure numbers are landmarks that tell you how many measures into the piece you are. 

Rehearsal letters normally correspond with different sections of the song. The verse could be “Letter A,” the chorus “Letter B,” etc.

Both of these types of markers are especially useful when you’re rehearsing longer pieces of music and usually appear to the left of the staff.

Charts

Along with traditional notation, drummers should be able to read and write other types of charts. Every musical situation is different and sometimes one of these other types fits the bill.

This video shows how drum charts help you learn songs faster:

Lead sheets

These include the major landmarks of the song (like melody, dynamics, form and accents), and everyone in the band often reads the same one. These charts won’t have the exact drum pattern written out for you, so the trick is to interpret the information and come up with the right groove, fills and other details.

The more you encounter these charts, the better you’ll get at using your ear and intuition to fill in the blanks.

Road maps

These are “drummer shorthand” charts you can create if you’re learning a song by ear. Road maps give you the information you need to get through the song before you’ve completely memorized it. 

They should contain the number of measures in each section, notes on the dynamics, fills and hits, and any other information that could be helpful in playing the tune. 

For a detailed run-down on how to create road maps, check out this article.

Drum tablature

Drum tabs are another type of shorthand that can help you learn patterns if you don’t know how to read music. This style of notation is more commonly used by guitar players, but it’s good to know how it works. 

Each piece of the drum is symbolized in abbreviated fashion on a horizontal line while different letters indicate various ways to strike them. Instead of rests, the spaces between the notes are indicated with dashes.

Here are some of the most common symbols:

x – Cymbal or hi-hat

X – Accented cymbal

o – Normal hit on a drum or open hi-hat

O – An accented note on a drum

g – A quieter note 

f – Flam

d – A bounced note or drag

b – Ride cymbal bell 

@ – Snare rim 

The bottom line

Drum notation has many similarities to the music written for other instruments, but there are also a ton of important differences. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, knowing how to recognize and interpret the notes, rests, dynamics and directions in a drum chart will help you become a better player and a stronger overall musician.

Did you know Drumeo has thousands of beginner drum lessons, video courses, sheet music and practice tools for drummers just like you?

Start 7-day free trial

One day, you’re just a person going about your regular life. And the next day, boom – you’re a drummer.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could just dive in like that?

While some people are comfortable taking the plunge – signing up for drum lessons and buying a practice pad or drum set – if you’re reading this, you might be the type of person who needs to think a bit more before you decide to take on a new hobby.

This article answers some of the most common questions people have when they’re first thinking about picking up this instrument. New drummers start here!

What’s the best age to start drumming?

The best age to start drumming is any age. Other articles might imply that younger is better, but this isn’t the case. Anyone can learn how to play drums, whether they’re 5, 15, 35, 60, or 75. As long as you have the time and energy to practice, you can do it.

“Is it ever too late to start playing drums?” Nope! Did you see a video of a 4-year-old performing a face-melting drum solo and now you aren’t sure if drums are for you? People of all ages doubt whether they missed their opportunity to get started, but there’s no ‘perfect’ age. It’s a healthy and fun activity that you can enjoy for the rest of your life. As they say, it’s better late than never.

“Am I too old to start learning the drums?” Not at all! And you aren’t too young, either. The best time to start drumming is right now – what do you have to lose? Before you know it, you’ll be playing your favorite songs and wondering why you didn’t start earlier.

Is it easy to learn the drums?

Drumming can be both easy and hard. If you find that you pick up rhythms quickly, you have natural coordination, and you can clap in time, you may find that learning drums is easier for you than someone who struggles with these things. 

But like any new undertaking, there can always be a bit of a learning curve. Enjoy your successes, and use challenges as opportunities to push harder. You might even impress yourself! The best part? Whether you find drumming easy or hard, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. And the payoff feels amazing.

How long does it take to learn to play the drums?

You could be playing simple beats and songs in just a few weeks. It all depends on how quickly you pick up on the coordination and how often you’re practicing. The more you practice, the quicker your muscle memory will kick in, and the less you’ll have to think about what you’re doing.

Ask yourself, “How soon do I want to be playing drums, and how much am I willing to do to get there?”

How much time do I need to commit to learning drums?

To see the quickest results, you should spend at least a few hours a week practicing drums. The more you practice, the faster you’ll improve. Try to set aside at least 30 minutes a day if you can.

However, life sometimes gets in the way, so this might not be possible for you. Any practice is better than no practice! Learning a new instrument should be fun, not feel like a chore. So even if you just sit down on the kit for an hour once a week, you can still make progress and enjoy yourself.

Is playing the drums expensive?

Playing the drums actually doesn’t cost much to get started. It can get more expensive later, but it depends on the quality of gear you’re looking for.

When you first start learning how to play drums, you don’t need a drum set. You can start with a pair of sticks and a practice pad (or even sticks and a pillow). Once you’re able to play rolls and rhythms with your hands, you can add your feet, at which point you probably want to get a drum kit.

Like many other instruments, drum sets can run you back a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. It all depends on what you’re looking for and whether you buy used or new gear.

Check out this article for a detailed look at how much drum sets and cymbals cost, which brands you should consider, and much more.

If you decide to take drum lessons, the average price for a one-on-one teacher is $30-50 USD for a 30-minute lesson. You can also get a membership to an online drum lessons site like Drumeo for $29/month, which gives you access to thousands of lessons, live coaching and Q&As, the ability to submit videos for teachers to review your playing, and more. Or check out this New Drummers Start Here course, which is three months of specialized drum lessons for $7.

What do you need to start playing the drums?

All you need is a pair of sticks and some time in your schedule. You don’t even need a drum kit to get started (try making a DIY practice pad with stuff from the dollar store!).

If you’re planning to teach yourself or learn by watching videos online, there’s a ton of free content for beginners. If you prefer to have an expert provide some guidance, you can sign up for an online drum lessons membership or take one-on-one lessons in person.

If you’re buying a drum kit, make sure you have enough space, and a carpet so it doesn’t slide. Browse through the first part of our guide on how to play drums if you really want to be mentally prepared.

How do you start drumming? All it takes is one decision. And if you realize later that it’s not for you, it’s okay. The worst that can happen is you have to sell your drum set. You’ll never know how much you might love it if you don’t try!

How much space do I need to play drums?

You should have at least a few square feet of space. A basic electronic kit will have a smaller footprint than acoustic drums, but you also have to take into account an extra foot or so on at least one side so you can get behind the kit.

It can’t hurt to give yourself more space than you need, especially if you aren’t sure how close you’ll want to bring your cymbal stands or how close your seat will be to the drums. The only way to be sure is when buying a kit, ask how big the footprint will be, and measure the room. 

Do you need to read music to play the drums?

You don’t need to read music to play drums. In fact, there are many professional (and legendary) drummers who don’t read music, but who have made a career in music. If you can learn by listening and by ‘feeling’ the rhythm, reading music is just the cherry on top.

That said, if you learn better by reading, the language of drum notation can help you pick things up more quickly. Reading music can help you communicate better with your drum teacher or bandmates, and can be a valuable skill if you ever decide to become a professional drummer. If you want to learn how to read drum music, here’s an entire guide.

Where should I get drum lessons?

You can find drum lessons online or in person. The most important thing is to choose a drum teacher who has good reviews from students and who you feel comfortable with. You can always try one or two lessons and decide if this teacher is right for you and a good fit for your learning style.

Whether you become a member of a video lesson community, take virtual one-on-one lessons with your favorite drummer, or are introduced to a local teacher through a music school, you get to choose your learning journey. 

If you find that you aren’t ‘getting it’ with one style of teaching, try something else. Everyone can play drums – we just learn differently.

Should I start playing the drums?

Yes! Like learning any new skill, drumming just takes a bit of time and energy. Even if you only have a practice pad, even if you only play once in a while, and even if you’re just picking up drumming for fun or exercise or to make new friends…it’s absolutely worth it. 

Any drummer can vouch for the incredible community and feeling you get when you join this group of passionate people. There are so many reasons to start drumming. You have nothing to lose!

We’ve launched a course to make getting started on the drums easier than ever.

It’s called New Drummers Start Here – and it’ll take you from a total beginner to playing drums with real music in 90 days or less.

Click here to check it out!

“Showmanship and chops? In a BEGINNER LESSON?”

Sure, why not – if you slow it down.

If you’ve been playing basic beats and fills, working on your time and technique, and you’re hoping to start developing some new cool ideas, this lesson will give you a foundation for chops.

But hold on – what are chops?

Most people use the word to describe repetitive linear patterns (or hand/foot combinations) played quickly around the kit. When drummers go into the practice room and ‘shed’ (aka jam), they’re developing technical proficiency with certain patterns.

While groove is just as – if not more – important than chops, it can be fun to shred and come up with variations on a pattern on different surfaces.

In this lesson, Jared shows you six ‘chops’ you can try, even if you’re an elementary drummer. Like anything, it’s not going to sound great when you start. And some of these patterns might not sound like much when played slowly, but they’ll sound awesome later. Remember to practice slowly to a click and don’t try to rip around the kit until you’re ready – and be honest with yourself!

(Download the sheet music here)

Below we’ve assembled some of the most commonly used drum beats in some of the most popular genres. It includes beginner drum beats, but intermediate and advanced drummers will find some awesome ideas here as well.

Rock drum beats

Simple 8th note drum patterns have been around since rock’s inception and continue to play a major role in popular music. These easy rock drum beats represent some of the most played, recorded, listened to, sometimes ridiculed but mostly revered, incredibly important patterns of all time.

The first – the grandmother of them all, “the basic rock beat” – is literally the foundation of most of the grooves we play on the drum set. Fittingly, it’s the first one in this beginner drum lesson:

Rich Redmond demonstrates the next four simple rock patterns in his lesson called “Money Beats”. As Rich says, these beats are “the ones you need to know to even think about playing in a band, playing on songs, or just being a working drummer”:

To step your rock grooves up a notch, add a 16th note bass drum stroke (or several). A great example is the cool drum beat to “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd, shown in this Drummer’s Guide to Rock:

And to go all the way in your rock playing, learn the iconic beat to the Nirvana song “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. This article shows five variations, from beginner to Dave Grohl level. Here’s the beat Grohl plays in the song:

Here’s a video showing you how to get there, even if you’re a total beginner:

Funk drum beats

Funk borrows heavily from rock drumming, but with some signature differences. Syncopation, snare displacement, 16th note ride patterns, hi-hat openings and ghost notes are all hallmarks of funk beats. To get started, check out the first example of a basic funk groove in this Drummer’s Guide to Funk. It contains a snare displacement on the A of 2 and a kick beat on the E of 3:

If you’re looking for a more advanced drum beat in the funk genre – one that uses almost all of the techniques mentioned above – check out the “Funky Drummer” groove by James Brown’s drummer Clyde Stubblefield. It’s considered by many to be the most famous drum beat of all time (it’s definitely the most sampled!).

Watch this video to see how it’s played:

Blues drum beats

Shuffles and triplet-based grooves are stereotypically associated with blues playing, but they’re really everywhere in popular music. Learning them is an absolute must.

The 12/8 slow blues pattern is the basis of many Motown and R&B hits (and pop songs as well), and is counted as 8th note triplets:

In this example of a basic shuffle, the hi-hat is taking the shuffle part (it could also be taken by the bass drum, the snare, or any combination of the three):

Nowhere are shuffles more recognizable than in traditional blues playing. For an awesome demonstration of various types of slow blues beats and shuffles, check out this lesson by Tony Coleman, longtime drummer for B.B. King:

Next, you should learn the half-time shuffle, also known as “the Purdie shuffle” (named after the originator of the groove, R&B Bernard Purdie).

This beat, famous among drummers, was used by John Bonham as the basis for the Led Zeppelin song “Fool In The Rain”:

It’s also the foundation of Jeff Porcaro’s well-known drum beat for the Toto song “Rosanna”:

To see the inventor himself in action, check out this amazing lesson by Bernard Purdie where he demonstrates his iconic groove:

Latin drum beats

Every working drummer should have at least a basic knowledge of a few latin drum beats, and the bossa nova is probably the most quintessential latin groove. It typically includes a 3-2 clave (a two measure pattern with the first measure containing three beats and the second containing two) played with a closed hi-hat and rim click on the snare, over a traditional samba ostinato on the kick drum.

In his “Introduction to Brazilian Grooves”, Mark Kelso demonstrates the traditional bossa nova rhythm on the drum set, and discusses the importance of dynamics and feel in these rhythms:

If you want to up your game in the latin realm, beats like the Cha-cha, Songo, Mambo, and the Mozambique (all of which can be found in this Juan Mendoza lesson “Latin Grooves Every Drummer Should Know”) are mainstays of the genre.

For the more advanced players, here’s the Mozambique:

Jazz drum beats

An art form in itself, jazz is often considered the most advanced musical style. Its fundamental drum set rhythm is a triplet-based swing pattern played on the ride cymbal, with a hi-hat foot pattern played on the backbeats of two and four:

For a step-by-step demonstration of the basic jazz groove, see the below video called “Your First Jazz Lesson”, which includes incorporating the bass drum on the quarter notes for a technique called “feathering”:

Check out “A Drummer’s Guide to Jazz” for more essential jazz grooves.

Improvisation and soloing are major components of jazz playing. The drums respond to and accompany the melodic motifs of fellow musicians by doing something called “comping”, which can be performed on the snare, bass drum, or ride cymbal, or any combination of the above.

As an example, this notation shows comping for multiple limbs:

Metal drum beats

Most metal drum beats incorporate a technique called “double bass” which consists of two bass drum pedals – one for each foot.

The first metal pattern below is a basic double bass beat made up of 8th notes on the hi-hat, snare on the backbeats, and alternating 16th notes being played between the two kick pedals. It’s the first notation from “A Drummer’s Guide To Metal”:

Next up is a “blast beat”, a pattern commonly used in death metal and metalcore. Blasts typically incorporate double bass, but some, like the beat below, can be played with a single pedal.

Another example of a typical metal beat is the “bomb blast”. Both hands play at the same time with the feet simultaneously doing 16th notes underneath. In this article and video on “The Five Iconic Beats Every Metal Drummer Should Know”, it’s the last example:

Congratulations if you can play all the drum beats we’ve presented here! And if you’re still learning, that’s awesome too. Being a well-versed drummer with the ability to play in a wide variety of musical situations takes time and dedication.

If you want to learn more about all the different types of drum beats, check out The Drummer’s Toolbox – you’ll learn over 100 styles!

If you’ve never performed in front of an audience before, how do you get over the nerves? Raghav Mehrotra remembers freezing at his first gig, trying to figure out how to work up the courage to get on the stage. He’s now a seasoned performer (at the ripe old age of 16) and has a couple of key tips and expectations for any drummer who’s worried about their first gig.

The main takeaway is the more prepared you are, the more relaxed you’ll be.

1. Overprepare

That being said, there’s no such thing as being overprepared. If you’re learning a set and you have the list of songs, practice all of them and try to get them exact. You might want to coordinate with the other band members in advance on how you’re going to start or end songs. If you get all the details locked down before the gig, you won’t be left guessing when you hit the stage.

2. Practice until you can’t get it wrong

“Don’t practice until you get things right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.” It’s one of Raghav’s favorite mantras, and it should be yours too – because if you’ve prepared so thoroughly that you can’t physically mess up, you’ll have more confidence, and your nerves should ease up.

3. Map out your songs

Practice the songs exactly how you’ll play them at the gig. Try to map out the song by section – like a roadmap of where the verses, choruses, or transitions are. You should also note what the other musicians are doing, so when you’re in the heat of the moment and you hear those cues you’ll know exactly where to go from there. Memorize them so you’re never left in the dark!

4. Always watch and listen

When you’re onstage, always be watching and listening. Be present in the music and try to be ready for any situation. Non-verbal communication with other musicians will help you catch last-minute changes. If the vocalist motions to you to end the song sooner or the guitarist needs another ten seconds before you count in the next song, you won’t miss these things (and your bandmates will be thankful for it).

5. Arrive early

As a drummer, if you’re on time, you’re probably late! With so much gear and so many moving parts, you might need more time to adjust your setup in advance. You don’t want to be stuck trying to change your snare height mid-song.

6. Be the foundation

Our job is to keep the groove – we aren’t (usually) hired to play solos. Remember that you’re the backbone of the band. You can hold down that foundation while still making things interesting. It’s a win-win.

Looking for even more tips to prepare for your first gig? Check out this article here.

Break a leg! (But not a stick)

Drum fills are rhythmic patterns that either elaborate on or break from the main groove of a song. They’re typically used as a transition between song sections, and often come after two, four or eight measures. Fill lengths vary and depend on the musical context. They sometimes last just one or two beats, or as long as one or two measures – and sometimes even longer.

Drum fills can be thought of as not just rhythmic, but melodic as well. A drummer can create a fill “theme” in a song; for example, every fill consists of 8th notes and starts on the 3 in a measure. In this way, a fill can be the drummer’s equivalent of a melodic hook – a “memorable musical idea” that catches the listener’s ear and comes up a few times throughout a song.

What are drum fills used for?

Fills create interest, excitement, and even tension/release when transitioning between parts of a song, such as from a verse to a chorus. They’re deviations from the main groove that introduce a new texture in order to “fill the gap” between melodic phrases and mark that something’s happening musically.

You could think of hitting a crash cymbal as the simplest drum fill: it takes up the space of just one beat but is still a break from the primary rhythm, usually emphasizes a musical transition, and signifies the end of a group of two, four or eight measures.

Dave explains how to play a drum fill perfectly in this video (even if you aren’t playing rock music):

Here are some of the most widely used drum fills – from beginner to advanced – that every drummer should have in their rhythmic toolbox. These popular and familiar fills have stood the test of time because of how well they work in a wide variety of songs.

Beginner drum fills

Intermediate drum fills

Advanced drum fills

Use this list as a jumping off point to building your own skills. Your fills can become your signature “voice” as a drummer – so improvise, experiment, and trust your creativity.

Are you an ‘experienced beginner‘ or intermediate drummer looking to add some more complex-sounding vocabulary to your arsenal? This is the lesson for you.

In just 10 minutes, you’ll learn three drum fills that are actually really easy, but sound difficult.

Since drumming is mostly a combination of single strokes and double strokes – just changing where you place them – the sky’s the limit when it comes to writing and playing fills. These ones help build skills with your left hand leading, and involve odd groupings of 3s, 5s, and 7s translated to 16ths.

Don’t forget to experiment with these combinations around the kit in whatever order sounds or feels good to you. Start slowly and then try them out at higher tempos.

1. Groups of 3 as 16th notes

You’re probably familiar with the basic LRR pattern. If you change the grouping and separate them into 16th notes, LRR LRR LRR LRR LRR becomes LRRL RRLR RLRR LRRL (with an extra L at the end to resolve the phrase).

2. Groups of 5 as 16th notes

LRLRR LRLRR LRLRR L becomes LRLR RLRL RRLR LRRL.

3. Groups of 7 as 16th notes

LRLRLRR LRLRLRR LL becomes LRLR LRRL RLRL RRLL.

Once you’ve got the patterns down, get them up to speed. If you’re having trouble with playing faster fills, check out this free course where you’ll get 10 days of game-changing video lessons!

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse

Practice your songs so you are absolutely nailing them. Not only does playing with confidence inspire new fans, you’ll be grateful for the muscle memory if you end up having a case of nerves at the gig. If any of your drum parts are feeling shaky in rehearsal, realize this will likely be times ten when performing in front of an audience. So, work on those sections to make sure everything is feeling 100%.

Create a similar environment

Arrange your rehearsal space so it’s as similar as possible to a music venue; it can help you feel more at home onstage. Practice with your band facing forward and in their stage positions, and face your PA speakers forward as well. If possible, use monitors. Decide the order you’ll play your songs and rehearse that, and practice looking at the audience instead of down at your drums. Try wearing what you will at the gig to make sure it’s not too loose or tight. You can even figure out what cues your band will use if you can’t hear each other at the show.

Use your soundcheck wisely

Keep in mind that soundcheck isn’t a time to show off your chops. While it’s important to play how you’ll perform so the sound person can set the correct volume levels, soundcheck is also the time to make sure you’re hearing what you need through your monitor (for example, do you cue off lyrics? Then your singer should be coming through loud and clear!). Remember, your sound person has everything to do with how you hear yourself and how the audience hears you, so having a friendly, respectful relationship with them is crucial.

Backline or your own drums?

If the gig is backlined (meaning the venue or promoter provides the equipment for everyone to use), realize you might be adjusting drums and stands on the fly — and probably with little time — so make a mental map before the show as to what their positions are on your personal kit. Bring your own cymbals and snare, since those are your signature sounds as a drummer, and grab your kick pedal as well since the tension is set to what you’re used to.

Whichever drum set you’re going to use at the gig, make an emergency “drum repair kit” with extra heads, sticks, drum key, cymbal felts, hi-hat clutch, gaffer tape and dampening gels, and carry it in your hardware bag. Check, and possibly grease, your hardware ahead of time to make sure everything can be both loosened and tightened. And bring your drum rug, since some venues may not have one.

Find out venue details

Save time and headaches by communicating with the venue ahead of time to make sure everyone has what they need. Here are some questions you should consider:

• Where is the venue located, how long will it take to get there, is there parking, and where do you load in?
• What time is load-in, is there a sound check, and if so, what time is it?
• How many channels does the PA have, will everyone have a monitor, are there separate monitor mixes, and are they requesting a stage plot (the layout of your equipment on stage)?
• How many bands are playing, where is yours in the line-up, and are drinks and/or meals provided?

Relax and enjoy yourself

The main thing to remember is to have fun! Let go and realize it won’t be perfect. You can only get better at something by doing it a lot, and there will always be another gig. As a performer, serve your audience as best you can by giving them an amazing experience. Be proud you’re attempting something risky and new, and trust that being yourself onstage is always the way to go.

In this quick video, you’ll learn how to hold your drumsticks using matched grip.

Before we get into it, make yourself aware of your body’s position. As you move around the kit, you might naturally turn your hand(s) a bit, which is normal. Feel free to make adjustments if you need to.

Once you know how to hold them, learn all about the different types of drumsticks.

The three matched grip positions

German grip

To hold drumsticks in German grip, face your palms down. This grip is useful when you want a lot of power in each hit.

American grip

Turn your hands up slightly when playing in American grip. This is the most popular grip for most styles of drumming and a good ‘base’ position to use.

French grip

Thumbs up for French grip! This hand position is good for intricate, controlled drumming, or a softer stroke.

Why hold drumsticks properly?

It’s important to hold your sticks in a way that feels natural. If you grip too tightly or force your hands into an odd position, you might cause an injury, or develop bad habits that can lead to injury. Good stick grip will give you more freedom and fluidity around the drum set – and will help your drumming sound even better.

Is there a right or wrong way to hold drumsticks?

Every drummer has their own technique that works best for them. Every drummer on Drumeo uses their own grip, and will teach you how to hold drumsticks in slightly different ways. In this video, you’ll learn how Jared Falk does it.

Step 1: Find your natural hand position

Start by finding your natural hand position by dropping your hands down by your sides and letting them dangle. Everyone’s natural hand position will be different, so don’t worry if yours doesn’t look like someone else’s.

Step 2: Bring up your hands

Bring your hands up while keeping them relaxed. With one hand, grab one of your drumsticks and place it in the other dangling hand.

Step 3: Find the stick’s fulcrum

Next, we need to find the stick’s fulcrum, which is the point where the stick balances on your fingers. The aim here is to find where the stick receives the most natural rebound. Drop the stick onto a snare drum and count the number of bounces you get. Try different positions on the stick to find the position that gives you the most rebound and feels comfortable for you.

Step 4: Choose your preferred fulcrum

You can choose between different fulcrums depending on your personal preference. This includes using a middle finger fulcrum while your index finger acts as a guide, a combination fulcrum using both your index and middle finger equally, or an index finger-only fulcrum.

Step 5: Adjust your grip

Hold the stick firmly, but not too tightly. Your grip should be loose enough to allow for some movement and flexibility. Some teachers suggest leaving enough space between the stick and your hand to slide another drumstick through, however, playing the drums is very physical, and the stick is going to move around as you play. We suggest simply lining the stick up with the fleshy part of your hand while making sure there is at least some space between the stick and the rest of your hand.

Step 6: Repeat with your other hand

Make this a matched grip by repeating the process with your other hand.

Step 7: Try it out

Practice playing around the kit and experiment with different positions until you find the grip that feels the most natural and comfortable for you.

Playing drums means a lot of repetition. The sooner you can develop good technique, the lower your risk of injury. Holding drumsticks is easier than it looks, and it’s different for each drummer, so give this a try and see what’s most comfortable for you.

Want to learn how to play drums? Get the full step-by-step guide here!