Learn To Play The Drums Without A Drum Kit from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Build your understanding of coordination, rhythm and timing
Improve knowlegdge of drums and drumming
Play rudiments to build hand coordination

Play a rock groove
Read drum music and understand how it works
Play complex hand and foot patterns

Build your understanding of coordination, rhythm and timing
Improve knowlegdge of drums and drumming
Play rudiments to build hand coordination
Play a rock groove
Read drum music and understand how it works
Play complex hand and foot patterns

Syllabus

Introduction

An overview of the whole course. In this lecture the student will be told what they will learn from this course and how they will achieve the learning objectives.

In this lecture the student will be explained some common misconceptions of drumming and how we go about learning the drums.

In this lecture students will learn how to sit to get the best out of the course. This is vital for learning the skills in the course in a comfortable way.

A look how we can play the drums without using any equipment. No drums or drumsticks needed

In this lecture the student will learn how to play the drums using their hands. This will give the student the correct technique for playing the drums and will enable them to play the coordination exercises in this course.

The first step of playing some hand exercises. These are played by beginners and advanced drummers alike so are extremely important!

In this lecture students will learn what Rudiments are and how they are applicable to everything we play as a drummer.

This download will assist the students understanding of the rudiment exercises. The student should download and print this page to help whilst playing and practicing the exercises shown.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play single strokes with their hands. This is one of the most important skills drummers need to be good at.

Check that you have learnt the sticking/hand pattern for a Single Stroke Roll

In this lecture students will learn how to play double strokes with their hands. Double strokes are very important to be able to play the drums with accuracy. Later in the course we will use double strokes to play a challenging coordination exercise.

Check that you have learnt the sticking/hand pattern for a Double Stroke Roll

In this lecture students will learn how to play Paradiddles. This is one of the biggest challenges to the student so far with 8 strokes to the whole exercise. Later in the course we use Paradiddles to create a challenging coordination exercise.

Check that you have learnt the sticking/hand pattern for a Paradiddle

What you need to know about how to play your feet properly. No drums or pedals needed. Just your feet and a solid floor!

Before we continue with the next series of lectures the student will learn how to play with their feet correctly. In this lecture the student will learn how we use our feet on the drum kit and how they can replicate this with the correct technique with just their feet.

This is what everyone wants to learn to play. Learn it, play it, impress your mates!

In this lecture the students will learn the 3 different elements that make up a rock groove.

This download will assist the students understanding of the rock groove exercises. The student should download and print this page to help whilst playing and practicing the exercises shown.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play the right hand part of the rock groove. This right hand part holds the other parts together.

In this lecture we add in the right foot part to the rock groove. The student will play the right hand part along with the right foot part to create a groove using 2 way coordination.

The student will be adding the left hand to our right hand rock pattern whilst leaving out the right hand. This will create another 2 way coordination exercise.

The student will put all the elements learnt from the rock groove together. The right hand, left hand and right foot with work together playing the whole rock groove using 3 way coordination.

In this lecture the student will take anther look at the rock groove that they've learnt to play in this section of lectures.

You'll learn some basic music theory applicable to the drums and be able to read music in rhythmic form

An introduction to how to read music for drums. The student will learn a short background on written music, why they should learn to read and what the learning aims of this section of lectures are.

The student will learn the basics of reading music and where to begin. They will learn the terminology of bars, barlines, clefs, time signatures, rhythm clef, stave and 4/4 and 3/4.

This download sheet is the written music that the student will be use for the next 2 lectures. The student should download and print to use this whilst learning and practicing.

In this lecture the student will learn how to read music and play what they see. This will involve reading the quarter notes and rests on the page and clapping out the rhythm written on the page.

Following on from the previous lecture, the student will be at a level where they can read and play music on their own. In this lecture the student will clap and count the quarter notes on their own.

This download sheet is the written music that the student will be use for the next 2 lectures. The student should download and print to use this whilst learning and practicing.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play and count eighth notes. We play through the eighth note exercise sheet.

In this lecture the student will be able to play and count through the eighth note exercise.

You'll learn the names of the drums & cymbals and how they are written in drum music

An introduction to the section. We'll see what the student will learn and why. The names of the drums, the names of the cymbals, the difference between acoustic and electronic drum kits. And how drums are written in music.

In this lecture the student will learn the names of the 5 drums of a standard drum kit. The student will also learn how these 5 drums are used and some background information on the drum kit.

In this lecture the student will learn the names of the 3 cymbals of a standard drum kit. The student will learn how these cymbals are used and some background information on these.

In this lecture the student will learn what an acoustic drum kit is and the advantages and disadvantages of an acoustic drum kit. The student will learn what applications an acoustic drum kit has and how you would put this drum kit to use.

In this lecture the student will learn what an electric drum kit is and the advantages and disadvantages of an electric drum kit. The student will learn what applications an electric drum kit has and how you would put this drum kit to use.

In this lecture the student will revisit written music and will learn how the different drums discussed in this section can be written down. The student will learn what lines and spaces the drums are written down on the stave and the different symbols given to drums and cymbals to distinguish between the two.

Another look at Rudiments, this time with the challenge of playing them at the same time as the feet. Plus! A new exercise called Opposites to really test your coordination!

In this lecture the student will learn what the possibilities are combining rudiments learnt earlier in the course along with a foot pattern.

In this lecture students will learn how to play the foot pattern that they will use in this section of lectures.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play single strokes along with a foot pattern creating a simple exercise involving all 4 limbs, using 4 way coordination.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play double strokes along with a foot pattern. This exercise is more complex than the previous lecture, involving 4 way coordination, which will push the students abilities.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play Paradiddles along with the foot pattern. This will involve 8 notes using 4 way coordination.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play the hand pattern for the Opposite exercise.

In this lecture the student will learn how to play the full opposite exercise involving the hands and feet creating a complicated, but achievable, 4 way coordination exercise.

In this section you will learn how to play more Rudiments involving different dynamics - Flams, Drags and Ruffs.

In this lecture you will learn how to play a Flam. This rudiment can be used in a wide range of styles and gives you snare sound a much wider and 'fatter' presence. It is achieved by playing two notes in quick succession, the first softer than the second.

In this lecture you will play Drags: two soft notes played with the same hand (a double) followed by a strong note played with the other hand

In this lecture you will play Ruffs: three soft notes played by alternate hands (single strokes) followed by a strong note

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides an accessible entry point for aspiring drummers, allowing them to learn fundamental techniques without needing immediate access to a full drum kit

Focuses on developing essential coordination, rhythm, and timing skills, which are crucial for building a solid foundation in drumming

Teaches how to read drum music and understand rhythmic notation, which is a valuable skill for drummers who want to learn and perform a wide range of musical styles

Explores rudiments and hand exercises, which are important for developing hand coordination and control, benefiting both beginner and advanced drummers

Covers the names of drums and cymbals, as well as how they are written in drum music, which is helpful for understanding drum kit components and notation

Explores playing rudiments with different dynamics, such as flams, drags, and ruffs, which can add depth and nuance to drumming techniques

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 Without A Drum Kit with these activities:

Review Basic Rhythm Concepts

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of fundamental rhythm concepts before starting the course. This will make learning drumming techniques easier.

Browse courses on Rhythm

Show steps

Review definitions of time signatures and note values.
Practice counting rhythms using different time signatures.
Listen to music and identify the underlying rhythm.

Read 'Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1'

Show steps

Supplement your learning with a well-regarded drum method book. This will provide a broader foundation in drumming techniques and music reading.

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

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1'.
Work through the exercises in the book, focusing on the fundamentals.
Compare the techniques in the book to those taught in the course.

Practice Hand Coordination Exercises

Show steps

Improve hand coordination through repetitive exercises. This will help you master the rudiments taught in the course.

Show steps

Practice single stroke rolls at varying tempos.
Practice double stroke rolls, focusing on evenness.
Practice paradiddles, paying attention to the sticking pattern.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Drumming Practice Routine

Show steps

Develop a structured practice routine to solidify your drumming skills. This will help you stay consistent and track your progress.

Show steps

Identify your drumming goals and areas for improvement.
Select exercises and techniques from the course to include in your routine.
Schedule regular practice sessions and stick to your routine.
Track your progress and adjust your routine as needed.

Explore Online Drumming Tutorials

Show steps

Refine your drumming skills by following online tutorials. This will expose you to different teaching styles and techniques.

Show steps

Search for online drumming tutorials on YouTube or other platforms.
Choose tutorials that focus on specific techniques or styles.
Practice along with the tutorials, paying attention to the instructor's advice.

Record Yourself Playing a Rock Groove

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of rock grooves by recording yourself playing one. This will help you identify areas for improvement.

Show steps

Choose a rock groove pattern from the course.
Practice the groove slowly until comfortable.
Record yourself playing the groove at a consistent tempo.
Listen back to the recording and identify areas for improvement.

Review 'Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer'

Show steps

Enhance your hand technique with a classic drumming exercise book. This will improve your control and coordination, leading to better drumming overall.

View Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer'.
Start with the basic exercises and gradually increase the tempo.
Focus on maintaining consistent strokes and even dynamics.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn To Play The Drums Without A Drum Kit will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Drummer

A drummer provides the rhythmic foundation for musical performances and recordings. This role requires a strong sense of rhythm, timing, and coordination, all of which are core tenets of this course. The course helps you develop a deep understanding of drumming techniques without needing a physical drum kit, allowing you to practice anywhere. Through the practice of rudiments, grooves, and complex patterns, this course builds the foundational skills necessary to succeed as a drummer, regardless of playing style. Learning to read drum music also helps round out a drummer's skills. The hands-on practice with coordination exercises in the course offers significant value to anyone aiming for a career as a drummer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drummer

Percussionist

A percussionist plays various instruments to create rhythmic and textural elements in music. Skills in rhythm, timing, and coordination are essential for the role of a percussionist, and this course is highly relevant to developing these. This course introduces key drumming techniques, and importantly, teaches how to play with hands and feet, building the coordination required to play drums and many other percussion instruments. Learning to read drum music and understanding rhythm are also highly translatable skills for a percussionist. The course can serve as an important building block for anyone looking to start a career as a percussionist, especially if they have limited access to a traditional drum set.

See salaries and explore the career path for Percussionist

Rhythm Instructor

A rhythm instructor focuses on teaching the fundamentals of rhythm through various instruments and exercises. A deep understanding of rhythm and timing, which the course provides, is vital for a rhythm instructor. The course's emphasis on coordination, hand and foot patterns, and music reading will directly aid in their ability to teach effectively. The hands-on experience of this course, combined with knowledge of drumming rudiments and techniques, builds a foundation for teaching rhythmic concepts. Someone wishing to become a rhythm instructor may find this course to be a suitable starting point.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rhythm Instructor

Music Educator

A music educator teaches musical concepts and skills to students of various ages and skill levels. Understanding rhythm, timing, and drumming fundamentals is a strong foundational element for any music educator. This course provides practical experience in teaching techniques as well as learning them, which is valuable in the classroom. By learning to play complex patterns and read drum music, this course helps those who wish to be music educators. Furthermore, the focus on coordination can assist in the teaching of other instruments. The hands-on exercises and detailed explanation of drumming principles offered in this course can be very useful for a music educator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Session Musician

A session musician is a skilled instrumentalist hired to perform or record in studio sessions for various projects. A session musician needs to have a strong sense of rhythm and timing, as well as the ability to read music. This course helps you understand the basic techniques of drumming, including playing grooves and complex hand and foot patterns. It also introduces you to music reading skills. These are all crucial for a session musician. Having a grasp of drum rhythms and reading sheet music may offer a competitive advantage. This course may be a useful step for anyone interested in becoming a session musician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician

Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. The study of rhythm and timing is essential for a music therapist, as it can impact mood, movement, and communication. The skills developed in this course, such as understanding rudiments and complex patterns, may be useful when working with populations who benefit from rhythmic activities. While this course focuses on drumming, the underlying concepts of rhythm and coordination are transferable to therapeutic settings. A music therapist needs to understand rhythmic structure, making this course potentially useful in their training.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Marching Band Instructor

A marching band instructor educates and trains marching band members, often focusing on rhythmic precision and coordination. A marching band instructor needs to have a strong understanding of rhythm, timing, and coordination, all of which are areas of focus in this course. The course's lessons in playing grooves and complex patterns will aid in their practical knowledge. Learning about hand and foot coordination will help in teaching band members. This course may help build a foundation for those who wish to train a marching band.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marching Band Instructor

Drum Technician

A drum technician specializes in the maintenance, repair, and setup of drum kits for musicians. While not directly playing, a drum technician needs a detailed understanding of how a drum kit works, as well as the various styles of drumming. This course offers insight into various techniques and rudiments that may be useful in understanding how drumming is performed. Learning to play different patterns, as well as understanding drum music and drum kit components, may be helpful for a drum technician. The course can provide a foundation for the practical aspects of drumming, aiding in the role of a drum technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drum Technician

Songwriter

A songwriter creates original musical compositions, including melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. A songwriter benefits from a strong sense of rhythm and timing which this course emphasizes. Learning grooves and complex rhythmic patterns on the drums can enhance a songwriter's understanding of rhythm in general. This course may provide a songwriter with a new perspective on rhythm. The exercises in coordination and patterns may provide them with an understanding of how rhythm can impact their art. This course may help a songwriter develop their understanding of timing and rhythm.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Band Leader

A band leader is responsible for the artistic direction and management of a musical ensemble. While a band leader may not play drums, they benefit from a foundational understanding of rhythms and timing, as provided by this course. The course's exploration of drumming fundamentals helps build awareness of rhythmic structure, which can improve communication with drummers in their band. Exposure to complex patterns and music notation within the course may be useful for a band leader. For a band leader, this course may help build knowledge to lead a group of musicians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Band Leader

Choreographer

A choreographer creates movement patterns for dances and performances. Choreographers must have a strong sense of rhythm and timing in order to put together movement that matches with music. This course helps teach rhythm, timing, and coordination, which are vital skills for a choreographer. The course introduces different drumming patterns and emphasizes hand and foot coordination, which directly helps develop a sense of beat. Through learning rudiments and complex patterns, this course can assist in developing a choreographer's sense of time and rhythm.

See salaries and explore the career path for Choreographer

Fitness Instructor

A fitness instructor leads exercise programs and classes, often incorporating music and rhythm. A fitness instructor needs a good sense of rhythm and coordination in order to work with music. This course emphasizes these elements. Learning about drum rudiments, hand and foot patterns in relation to music may help fitness instructors develop their own fitness routines. Specifically, the coordination exercises may help in their teaching. This course may be useful to a fitness instructor who wishes to develop more of an understanding of rhythm.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fitness Instructor

Audio Engineer

An audio engineer works with the technical aspects of sound recording and mixing, including drum recordings. While an audio engineer may not need to play drums, understanding the technicalities of drumming techniques may be helpful in their field. This course explores various drumming patterns, rudiments, and music reading, which may help the audio engineer to have better communication about the drum parts in a recording. A deeper understanding of drum techniques gained from this course may also help with mixing drums. A course such as this may help an audio engineer better work on the drum track of a recording.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Sound Designer

A sound designer creates and manipulates audio for various media, including films, videos, and games. While a sound designer does not need to play drums, the knowledge of rhythmical patterns and how they are made can greatly assist a sound designer. The course's focus on rhythm and drumming techniques will help those working with sound design in general. Learning about drum components and their sounds will help a sound designer create more realistic soundscapes. If a sound designer wants to expand their knowledge of rhythm, this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Music Journalist

A music journalist writes about music, musicians, and the music industry. While they may not be musicians themselves, they require some technical knowledge in order to write authoritatively. This course helps teach the basics of drumming and would help a music journalist to write about drum techniques and drumming in general. This course introduces students to foundational concepts such as rudiments, grooves, and hand and foot coordination. This course may be useful for a music journalist who wishes to expand their musical knowledge in order to write more in depth about drumming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Learn To Play The Drums Without A Drum Kit

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses