Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn all the parts and functions of a drum kit
Learn how to setup your drums effectively
Learn how to tune the drums
Learn how to effectively hit the drums and cymbals
Learn to play your first beat and fill through a unique number system
Learn to play your first song crafted just for you based on what you have learnt
Learn to understand the importance of drum notation and how to read it
Learn how to read and play quarter notes, 8th notes, 16th notes and 32nd notes
Learn about rests and how they work in notation
Learn how to comprehend and play note value combinations

Learn and play dotted kicks, snares and rests
Learn about time signatures
Learn to play rudiments, which are the building blocks of drumming
Learn to play single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles
Learn different kick patterns
Learn to play popular beats and fills
Learn to develop your own practice plan
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Learn all the parts and functions of a drum kit
Learn how to setup your drums effectively
Learn how to tune the drums
Learn how to effectively hit the drums and cymbals
Learn to play your first beat and fill through a unique number system
Learn to play your first song crafted just for you based on what you have learnt
Learn to understand the importance of drum notation and how to read it
Learn how to read and play quarter notes, 8th notes, 16th notes and 32nd notes
Learn about rests and how they work in notation
Learn how to comprehend and play note value combinations
Learn and play dotted kicks, snares and rests
Learn about time signatures
Learn to play rudiments, which are the building blocks of drumming
Learn to play single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles
Learn different kick patterns
Learn to play popular beats and fills
Learn to develop your own practice plan
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

In this section, students will be able to know all the parts of the drum set and also know how to setup the drums

In this introductory lesson, learn to prepare a space for your drums. #getstarted #first

Let's get to know all the hardware that comes along with a drum kit. In this lesson, you will learn the parts of a drum kit and how they function.

In this lesson, you will learn how to set up your drums and also learn to optimise some of the settings for your playing.

In this section, students will learn the importance of tuning your drums and find out how it will affect the development of your overall sound as a drummer

In this lesson, you will learn the importance of tuning your drums and how it will affect the development of your overall sound as a drummer.

In this lesson, you will learn the technique that is used to tune the snare.

In this lesson, you will learn to tune the bass drum.

In this lesson, you will learn to tune the toms.

In this section, students will learn how to effectively hit the drums and cymbals using recommended techniques, play your first beat and fill.

In this lesson, you will learn how to efficiently hit the drums and cymbals using recommended techniques.

In this lesson, you will learn how to play your very first beat by using the number system. Have fun with this one!

Now that you understand the building blocks of a basic beat, let's learn how to construct and play a fill.

In this section, students will learn about what the basic quarter note and 8th note values represent, how to play them and also learn how to play your first song with those note values.

In this lesson, you will learn how important keeping time is when drumming. You will learn what BPM is and also find out what a metronome is and what it is used for.

In this lesson, you will learn how to play quarter note beats in time.

Now that you have got the hang of quarter note beats, it is time to move on to 8th note beats. Let's go!

In this lesson, you will start to learn how to execute 8th note fills.

You know you're ready for it. Let's dive into this lesson, where you will learn to play your first song.

In this section, students will look at the building blocks of drum theory. Students will learn why drum notation is important, and also how to read it. Important section for all!

In this lesson, you will have an overview on drum theory and why it is important.

In this lesson, you will be introduced to drum notation. You will learn to familiarise yourself with the basics before moving on to reading notation.

In this lesson, you will learn how to read drum notation.

In this section, students will now go full steam ahead into exploring quarter notes, 8th notes, 16th notes and 32 notes, rests, fills via notation exercises.

In this lesson, you will further explore quarter notes, this time using drum notation.

In this lesson, you will further explore 8th notes, this time using drum notation

In this lesson, we move forward to further explore 16th notes and 32 notes using drum notation.

In this lesson, you will learn about rests and how it plays an important part in drum notation. You will learn how to read and count rests.

In this continuation of Lecture 22, you will learn how to read and apply rests in beats.

In this lesson, you will learn to play 16th note fills.

In this section, students will learn how to combine note values, learn more on dotted notes, and knowing your time signatures

In this lesson, you will learn how to combine note values. Also try not feel too hungry for this one. You'll get what we mean after watching the lesson.

In this lesson, we dive into the world of dots. You will learn what dotted notes are and also look at beats and rhythms that have such notes.

In this lesson, you will learn more about time signatures in drum notation.

In this section, you will learn the most widely used rudiments in drumming and also start to practice limb independence.

In this lesson, you will be introduced to the concept of rudiments.

In this lesson, you will learn about various drumstick grip techniques and also find the one that will suit you.

In this lesson, you will learn about the famous rudiment, the single stroke roll and apply it across the kit.

In this lesson, you will learn to play arguably the most versatile rudiment, the double stroke roll. You will also learn about stick rebound to gain speed.

In this lesson, you will learn how to play the paradiddle rudiment. This is going to be fun.

In this lesson, and as a prelude to independence lessons later, you will go through some limb exercises for your hands and feet.

In this lesson, you will learn various kick patterns that you can use in beats.

In this section, students will learn how to fully maximise the usage of the hi-hat cymbal using various techniques.

In this lesson, you will learn about hi-hat settings and also how to produce different sounds on the hi-hat.

In this lesson, you will learn how to seamlessly open and close the hi-hat in a beat.

In this lesson, you will learn to play the hi-hat in less obvious ways.

In this section, students will be introduced to rock music by playing beats and fills and also learn to develop their own practice plan.

In this lesson, you will learn more about the genre of Rock, and the bands that have been influential since the genre's emergence.

In this lesson, you will learn basic rock beats and fills.

In this lesson, you will learn how to play basic punk beats and fills.

In this lesson, you will learn steps to warm up before playing.

In this lesson, you will be guided to develop your own practice plan. We have also prepared a Goal Setting and Milestone Activity chart for you to chart your progress.

In this section students will dive into the world of triplets and how 8th note and 16th note triplets can make a world of a difference in their fills vocabulary

In this lesson, you will learn about triplets and look at different exercises on applying them in your groove.

In this lesson, you will learn in more detail on how to execute 8th note and 16th note triplets. You will also be able to differentiate these with the usual 8th note and 16th note single strokes.

As a continuation to the previous patterns, you will learn different sticking patterns that you can apply to 8th note and 16th note triplets.

In this lesson, Ryan shares an exercise that will help you familiarise with all the crucial note values you should know. This will help you understand where the triplets sit and how they feel on a spectrum.

These lessons are quick and brief and gives the learner some inspiration on a wide variety of drumming topics

Here is an interesting take on how to spark creativity on the drums.

Let's try to add a shaker while playing the drums.

Let's strengthen your left hand with a popular RLL fill.

When playing the sidestick, try to find that sweet spot that makes all the difference.

A very useful fill that can be used in tunes or in drum solos.

Here are the top 5 things you need in your drum bag!

Understand how the kick pedal works. And then let's give it a little boost.

A useful lesson on how to set your drum throne height.

Flamadiddle routine workout

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Features multiple camera angles during lessons, which allows learners to clearly see the techniques and movements of each limb while playing the drums

Includes downloadable PDFs with references, lesson points, and exercises, providing learners with comprehensive supplementary materials to reinforce their learning

Crafted by drum educators with extensive experience, including touring, recording, and teaching, which ensures learners benefit from practical insights and professional guidance

Explores drum theory, including notation, note values, rests, and time signatures, which builds a strong foundation for understanding and playing music

Covers rudiments like single strokes, double strokes, and paradiddles, which are essential building blocks for developing drumming technique and coordination

Teaches how to tune drums, which is a foundational skill that affects the overall sound and is important for any drummer to learn and master

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music concepts like rhythm, tempo, and time signatures, which are essential for reading drum notation and understanding musical structure.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review the definitions of rhythm, tempo, and time signatures.
Practice counting rhythms and identifying time signatures in sheet music.
Listen to music and try to identify the time signature and tempo.

Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1

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Supplement the course material with a structured, progressive learning approach to drumming fundamentals.

View Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1: The Most... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1.
Work through the exercises in the book, focusing on rhythm and notation.
Practice the exercises with a metronome to improve timing.

Metronome Practice

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Improve your timing and rhythm by practicing various drum beats and fills with a metronome at different tempos.

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Set a metronome to a comfortable tempo (e.g., 60 BPM).
Practice playing basic quarter note, eighth note, and sixteenth note patterns.
Gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable.
Incorporate simple fills into your practice routine.

Four other activities

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Create a Drum Cover Video

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Apply your drumming skills by learning and performing a drum cover of your favorite song, reinforcing your understanding of rhythm, timing, and song structure.

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Choose a song you enjoy and that is within your skill level.
Listen to the song carefully and transcribe the drum part.
Practice the drum part until you can play it accurately and consistently.
Record a video of yourself playing the drum cover.
Share your video online and get feedback from other drummers.

Compose a Simple Drum Solo

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Develop your creativity and improvisation skills by composing and performing a short drum solo using the techniques learned in the course.

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Choose a tempo and time signature for your solo.
Experiment with different rhythms, fills, and rudiments.
Structure your solo with a beginning, middle, and end.
Practice your solo until you can play it smoothly and confidently.
Record your solo and share it with others.

The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught By Alan Dawson

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Expand your rhythmic vocabulary and drumming techniques by studying the methods of a legendary drum educator.

View The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught by... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught By Alan Dawson.
Study the exercises and concepts presented in the book.
Practice the exercises with a metronome and apply them to your playing.

Jam with Other Musicians

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Enhance your timing, improvisation, and musicality by playing with other musicians in a jam session or band setting.

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Find other musicians to jam with, such as guitarists, bassists, and singers.
Choose a genre or style of music to play together.
Practice improvising and playing along with the other musicians.
Focus on listening to the other musicians and playing in time with them.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Drummer

A professional drummer needs a deep understanding of rhythm, technique, and musicality. This course, 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course,' is a direct pathway to mastering these elements. The course covers drum kit setup, tuning, striking techniques, and reading drum notation, building a solid foundation for any aspiring professional drummer. The curriculum's focus on note values, rudiments, and time signatures, alongside beat and fill construction, directly improves performance ability for a drummer. Additionally, the course provides practice plans, which are beneficial for any drummer who needs to improve.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drummer

Band Member

A band member who plays drums will find 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' to be very valuable. This course will provide the theoretical and practical lessons needed to perform at a high level. A band member should have mastery over their instrument, and this course is geared to build that mastery over drumming. The course covers drum setup, tuning, playing techniques, and notation, as well as practice plans to ensure a band member is always in shape. This combination of practical skills will help the band member perform well.

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Performer

A performer who plays drums benefits from a deep understanding of their instrument. 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' provides a comprehensive pathway to achieving that mastery. The course provides detailed lessons on drum technique, rhythm, and notation. The course also provides specific routines related to warming up and practice plans. A performer should take this course to maximize their stage presence. Knowing how to tune the drums, hit them effectively, and understand the theory behind drumming greatly contributes to a richer performance.

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Touring Musician

For a touring musician who plays the drums, 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' is extremely helpful. This course covers essential skills, such as drum setup, tuning, and striking techniques, all of which are needed for musicians that are exposed to a variety of venues. The course curriculum includes lessons on the foundations of drumming, including understanding rhythm and reading notation. These are key characteristics for any touring musician. The practice plan portion of the course also allows touring musicians to maintain their ability while on the road.

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Recording Artist

A recording artist who plays the drums needs a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and artistic aspects of the instrument. 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' builds these skills. The course teaches drum setup, tuning, playing techniques, and notation. A recording artist should not only know how to play, but also understand theory, and this course teaches both. The course material is designed to create a well-rounded musician for recording.

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Session Musician

A session musician needs to be versatile and adaptable, and 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' can aid in honing these skills within the context of drumming. This course develops a strong rhythmic foundation, covering a wide range of skills from drum setup and tuning, to complex patterns and rhythms. The course's focus on drum notation and the ability to play various note values and rudiments improves a session musician's adaptability across genres. Additionally, the course's exercises and downloaded materials will be useful to practice for different sessions.

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Drum Technician

A drum technician greatly benefits from a comprehensive understanding of drum setup, tuning, and maintenance, and 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' provides this knowledge. The course curriculum covers various aspects of drum care and preparation. The technical knowledge provided by this course includes drum setup and tuning techniques. This course also covers methods for best sound. A drum technician will benefit from the course's practical and theoretical approach.

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Music Educator

A music educator, particularly one teaching percussion, can benefit from a structured approach to instruction, such as that offered in 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course'. This course provides a comprehensive learning experience with a structured curriculum, downloadable reference materials, and multi-camera angle videos. Understanding the course's teaching methods, including how to break down complex concepts into simpler steps, will assist an educator's ability to teach effectively. By understanding the course's approach to teaching note values, rudiments, and patterns, will allow the educator to better relate to the challenges of a beginner.

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Music Producer

A music producer should have a strong grasp of rhythm, and 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' can provide an excellent foundation. While not a producer's primary role, understanding drum arrangements, techniques, and notation is useful for shaping a production and for communicating with drummers. This course's focus on note values, time signatures, and rudiments could give producers a deeper understanding of rhythm and percussive elements. A music producer who undertakes this course will develop their technical and theoretical understanding of rhythm and how it is performed.

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Orchestral Percussionist

An orchestral percussionist needs to have a strong understanding of rhythm, technique, and musicality. 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' may be useful in developing foundational skills related to these aspects. While orchestral percussion goes beyond a drum kit, the course's focus on rhythm, playing techniques, and reading notation is a valuable start. The curriculum's focus on note values, rudiments, and time signatures can help build a percussive foundation, and the practice plans may be useful for an orchestral musician to use.

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Sound Engineer

A sound engineer, while not a performer, can benefit from the knowledge offered in 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course'. This course offers insights into drumming techniques, drum kit setup, and tuning. Such knowledge enhances a sound engineer's ability to capture the best possible sound during recording and live performance. Sound engineers who take this course may have improved communication with drummers, and produce a better mix for an audience. The course can provide a good understanding of the technical details involved in playing and recording drums.

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Composer

A composer, particularly one writing for ensembles or multimedia, may find 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' to be helpful in their work. Though a composer may not be a performer on the drums, understanding the instrument's nuances, techniques, and notation can lead to more informed compositional decisions. The course's detailed exploration of rhythms, note values, and time signatures can help a composer create compelling and complex percussive arrangements. The practice plan may also offer insight into training.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist who seeks to use percussion in therapeutic settings may find 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' to be helpful. This course provides a structured approach to learning the instrument, and the ability to understand a student's learning path. The curriculum's focus on note values and playing techniques may be useful for creating rhythms for therapeutic purposes. A music therapist completing this course may find they achieve a deeper understanding of drum instruction.

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Songwriter

A songwriter's work might be improved by the knowledge gained through 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course'. While not a primary focus of a songwriter's work, understanding drum patterns, rhythms, and notation may greatly assist in writing songs. The course's focus on drum theory, note values, and time signatures is helpful for shaping a song's rhythm. A songwriter who takes this course may deepen their understanding of rhythmic structures, add another aspect to the songwriting tool belt, and assist in the creative process.

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A DJ may find that 'Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course' is helpful to improve their understanding of rhythm and timing. While a DJ does not directly play the drums, understanding the drum's role in a rhythm section can improve their ability to mix tracks in a creative way. The course’s introduction to note values, time signatures, and fills will offer a deeper knowledge of rhythmic structure. This may help a DJ with their performance, and add another tool to their belt, when they attempt to cut, chop, and rearrange music.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course.

Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1

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Comprehensive introduction to drumming techniques and notation. It covers the fundamentals of reading music, playing basic rhythms, and developing coordination. It is commonly used as a textbook for beginning drummers and provides a solid foundation for further study. This book adds depth to the course by providing structured exercises and clear explanations of essential concepts.

Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1: The Most...

Kindle Edition

The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary as Taught by Alan...

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Presents the teachings of renowned drum educator Alan Dawson. It focuses on developing a comprehensive vocabulary of rhythms, patterns, and techniques. It is more valuable as additional reading for intermediate to advanced drummers. This book adds breadth to the course by exposing students to a wider range of drumming concepts and approaches.

The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught by Alan...

Paperback

Learn To Play The Drums - The Ultimate Drum Course

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Activities

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