An Introduction To Drumming from Udemy

Welcome to 'An Introduction to Drumming'.

This is the most complete and in-depth course you will find on learning to play drums at a beginner level.

The lectures provide step by step instructions and there are practical play-along example videos for every exercise.

What you'll get in this course:

13+ Hours of video lessons, covering everything a beginner drummer needs to know
A 97-page companion book (in PDF format) to aid your practicing
Downloadable music backing tracks for you to play along with
Content equivalent to one year's worth of private lessons.

After this course, you will be able to:

Read and write basic drum notation
Play drum grooves and fills comfortably at a variety of tempos
Play rock & pop songs along with backing music
Count rhythms correctly and practice effectively
Confidently enter for a Rockschool/Rock & Pop Initial exam

My name is Stefan Nel and I am a professional musician and teacher with more than 10 years of experience. This beginner course contains everything that a typical student will learn in their first year of drum lessons. The aim of this course is not to make you a pro drummer, but to give you a solid foundation on which to build your drumming career.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Correct grip & kick drum technique
Basic music theory & note reading
Beginner rock & pop grooves

How and when to play drum fills
Playing along to music
Effective practice methods

Correct grip & kick drum technique
Basic music theory & note reading
Beginner rock & pop grooves
How and when to play drum fills
Playing along to music
Effective practice methods

Syllabus

Welcome

Welcome to ‘An Introduction to Drumming’!

Here you will learn everything you need to know to build a solid foundation in drumming.

Correct technique, grooves, fills, theory, and so much more.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides over 13 video lessons, which is useful for learners who prefer visual and auditory learning experiences

Includes a 97-page companion book in PDF format, which can help learners study on the go and offline

Offers downloadable music backing tracks, which allows learners to practice playing along with songs and improve their timing

Prepares learners to confidently enter for a Rockschool/Rock & Pop Initial exam, which can be a great motivator for structured learning

Teaches how to read and write basic drum notation, which is a foundational skill for understanding and communicating music

Requires learners to have access to a physical drum kit, which may be a barrier for some students without access to one

Reviews summary

Comprehensive beginner drumming foundation

According to learners, this course provides a solid, comprehensive introduction to drumming, equivalent to a year of private lessons as claimed. Students particularly praise the clear, step-by-step instruction and the practical exercises with play-along examples. The companion book and backing tracks are frequently mentioned as highly useful resources. While the pace is suitable for true beginners, a few mention it might be a bit slow if you have some prior experience. Overall, it is seen as an excellent foundation for aspiring drummers.

Videos and audio are well-produced.

"The video quality is excellent, and the audio is clear. You can really see and hear what the instructor is doing."

"Good production value helps a lot. The multiple camera angles are helpful."

"Well-filmed and edited, making the lessons easy to watch and learn from."

"Professional look and feel to the course materials."

"Clarity of the video and sound made a big difference in understanding."

Perfect starting point for those with no experience.

"As someone who had never touched a drum kit, this course was the perfect place to start."

"Specifically designed for beginners, and it delivers. Doesn't assume any prior knowledge."

"If you're starting from zero, this course is highly recommended."

"Found this course ideal as my first step into learning drums."

"Tailored perfectly for absolute beginners."

The book and backing tracks enhance learning.

"The accompanying PDF book is incredibly helpful for practicing. It's a great reference alongside the videos."

"Loved the backing tracks! Playing along is the best way to apply what you learn."

"The combination of video lessons, the book, and backing tracks makes for a very effective learning package."

"The downloadable materials are a significant value-add to the course."

"I used the PDF book constantly for exercises and practice routines."

Course covers all beginner essentials thoroughly.

"This course really does cover everything a beginner needs - technique, theory, grooves, fills, playing along. Very comprehensive."

"It feels like a genuine foundation course. I learned about reading music, different techniques, and how to practice effectively."

"The material is well-structured and covers all the bases for an introduction to drumming."

"Provides a great overview of fundamental skills needed to start drumming."

"Learned proper grip, kick techniques, basic theory... it's all there."

Lessons are easy to follow, even for complete beginners.

"Stefan's teaching style is super clear and encouraging. Never picked up sticks before, and I feel like I'm actually learning."

"The step-by-step approach makes everything very digestible. I appreciate how he breaks down complex ideas."

"Instructions were very clear and easy to understand, even for someone who has never drummed before."

"The videos were well produced and easy to follow. Highly recommended for absolute beginners."

"I found the explanations very straightforward. It makes learning drumming much less intimidating."

Some with experience find the pace slow.

"While great for total beginners, I had some prior experience and found the initial pace a little slow."

"If you already know the basics of reading music, you might find the theory section drags a bit."

"It moves at a very deliberate pace, which is good for most, but might feel slow if you pick things up quickly or have some background."

"The foundational sections were a bit repetitive for me, having dabbled before."

"Wish it moved a little faster through the absolute basics."

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 An Introduction To Drumming with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Solidify your understanding of music theory concepts like note values, time signatures, and rhythm before diving into drumming-specific applications.

Browse courses on Music Theory

Show steps

Review online resources on music theory fundamentals.
Complete practice exercises on rhythm and note reading.
Take a short quiz to assess your understanding.

Read 'Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1'

Show steps

Supplement the course with a well-regarded drum method book to reinforce concepts and provide additional exercises.

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 areas covered in the course.
Compare the book's explanations with the course lectures.

Practice Rudiments Daily

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Improve your stick control and coordination by practicing essential drum rudiments regularly.

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Select 3-5 rudiments to focus on each day.
Use a metronome to maintain consistent tempo.
Gradually increase the tempo as you improve.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Record Yourself Playing a Groove

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Assess your progress and identify areas for improvement by recording and reviewing your drumming.

Show steps

Choose a groove from the course material.
Set up a recording device (phone, camera, etc.).
Record yourself playing the groove several times.
Review the recording and identify areas for improvement.

Learn to Play a Simple Song

Show steps

Apply your drumming skills to learn a complete song and experience the satisfaction of playing along with music.

Show steps

Choose a simple song with a drum part you can learn.
Find a drum transcription or tutorial for the song.
Practice the drum part slowly and gradually increase the tempo.
Play along with the song.

Explore 'The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary as Applying to the Drumset'

Show steps

Expand your rhythmic vocabulary and explore more advanced drumming concepts with a comprehensive drumset vocabulary book.

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

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary as Applying to the Drumset'.
Browse the book and identify patterns that interest you.
Practice selected patterns slowly and gradually increase the tempo.

Jam with Other Musicians

Show steps

Gain experience playing with other musicians and develop your timing and improvisational skills.

Show steps

Find other musicians to jam with (guitarists, bassists, etc.).
Choose a genre or style of music to play.
Practice playing along with the other musicians.

Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction To Drumming will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Drum Instructor

A Drum Instructor guides students in learning to play the drums, often working with beginners. This course, 'An Introduction to Drumming,' directly aligns with the foundational knowledge required for this role, covering essential techniques like grip, kick drum, and hi-hat control. The course's comprehensive approach, including over 13 hours of video lessons and a companion book, mirrors the structure of a typical drum lesson curriculum. Moreover, understanding basic music theory, note reading, and the ability to teach rock and pop grooves are crucial skills for a drum instructor. This course will prepare one to create a curriculum for beginners and to understand the common challenges that beginners face. One must be able to teach effective practice methods, which is also something that this course provides.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drum Instructor

Session Musician

A Session Musician is a versatile instrumentalist who plays for recording sessions or live performances. This course, 'An Introduction to Drumming,' helps build the necessary skills to play grooves and fills for a variety of musical pieces. The course's focus on playing along with backing tracks is extremely relevant to the work of a session musician who is expected to perform in sync with other instruments. The ability to read basic drum notation, a skill taught in this course, is also crucial in recording studios where charts are used. The course provides a foundational understanding of music theory, counting rhythms, and playing at different tempos. In particular, the sections on using different kick drum techniques and hi-hat control are essential for drummers who will play many different styles of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician

Band Member

A Band Member plays a vital role in a musical ensemble, often being responsible for performing a specific instrument. 'An Introduction to Drumming' introduces core drumming techniques, rhythm, and theory. These techniques are essential to being a successful member of a band. The course’s focus on rock and pop grooves and fills will equip a band member to play common modern music styles. The course helps one to develop consistent timing, reading drum notation, and playing with backing tracks. In particular, the section on various kick drum techniques will provide the proper foundation to perform with power and efficiency.

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Music Teacher

A Music Teacher is tasked with educating students in music theory, performance, and appreciation. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a future music teacher who wants to understand the fundamentals of teaching a rhythm-related instrument. The course provides instruction in core music theory, note reading, and rhythm counting which are essential elements of music education. The course also provides a thorough education on the physical aspects of drum playing, from stick grip to kick drum technique. This specific course focuses on teaching rock and pop styles which is helpful for students who are interested in modern genres. The practice methods taught in this course are also useful for a teacher to understand and pass on in their instruction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Percussionist

A Percussionist is a musician who plays a variety of percussion instruments. This course, 'An Introduction to Drumming,' helps someone who wants to become a percussionist by providing a good start in the technical aspects of a rhythm-based instrument. The course focuses specifically on drum kit techniques, teaching the proper grip, and kick drum techniques. The course also emphasizes the importance of reading basic drum notation and playing along to backing music. This course contains information on playing rock and pop styles, which may be useful for a percussionist who wants to play in a contemporary band. While a percussionist also plays many other instruments, this course provides a solid foundation in rhythm.

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Musical Director

A Musical Director oversees the musical aspects of a performance or production, such as live shows or musical theatre. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a musical director who wants to have a deeper understanding of the drum part. The course covers the fundamentals of drumming, including techniques, music theory, and rhythm. This knowledge helps a musical director communicate more effectively with a drummer, and make more informed decisions. The course also discusses effective practice methods, which may help a director to understand the time it takes to properly prepare for a performance. Specifically, the section on how to play rock and pop songs may be useful in many types of contemporary productions.

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Music Arranger

A Music Arranger is responsible for adapting an existing piece of music, often for a different instrumentation or style. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a music arranger who wants to explore how rhythms and drum parts combine with other instruments. The course provides training in basic music theory and in playing rhythms and fills. Music arrangers who understand how to craft drum parts will be able to create more complete-sounding pieces of music. The course includes rock and pop styles, which provides an understanding of common contemporary styles. Additionally, the emphasis on effective practice methods may be useful to a music arranger in developing their sense of musical time.

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Audio Engineer

An Audio Engineer manages the technical aspects of recording and mixing sound. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful to an audio engineer who wants to gain more knowledge of the technical side of recording drums. The course provides insight into drum setup and tuning and the different sounds produced by different drum techniques. The course provides a knowledge of common drum rhythms in rock and pop. This course may help an audio engineer produce a better mix. The course also introduces a way to understand drum notation which is useful in recording situations.

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Music Therapist

A Music Therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful to music therapists due to the fact that drumming often has therapeutic benefits, including improving mood and relieving stress. The course teaches basic drumming techniques and rhythms, which provides a foundation for using drums in therapy. The course also teaches how to play rock and pop which may be motivating to the population that they will work with. The course's focus on effective practice methods also provides a framework for incorporating practice into therapy sessions. This course provides a beginner level of understanding of this valuable instrument.

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Songwriter

A Songwriter creates original musical compositions. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a songwriter who wants to deepen their knowledge of rhythm and how it relates to overall song structure. The course teaches basic music theory and rhythm concepts which are crucial in songwriting. The course provides a study of rock and pop rhythms, which are common in contemporary songwriting. The ability to play along with backing tracks also may help a songwriter to work on different ideas. Also, the course provides a knowledge of fills which may be helpful when crafting a song structure.

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Music Journalist

A Music Journalist writes about music-related topics. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a music journalist who wants to have a deeper knowledge of the technical side of drumming. The course provides an introduction to drumming technique, reading music notation, and playing common rhythms. This will help a journalist understand the details of a drummer's performance. The course provides practical, hands on experience that will deepen the understanding of any person who wants to write about drummers. The specific techniques in rock and pop styles may be particularly helpful when reviewing performances or albums.

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Content Creator

A Content Creator develops and publishes engaging material on various platforms. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be helpful for a content creator who is interested in creating music-related content. The course provides a comprehensive overview of learning to play drums, from grip to playing along to backing tracks. A content creator could use this knowledge to create educational videos. The course includes the necessary knowledge to begin playing, and also provides a perspective on the student journey. The practice methods discussed in this course may also help content creators understand the time it takes to learn a skill.

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Music Store Representative

A Music Store Representative works in retail to assist customers with equipment and supplies. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a music store representative who wishes to better understand the needs and concerns of drummers. The course provides a beginning understanding of the needs of a drummer, from drumsticks to a drum kit. The course also teaches the common techniques used by drummers which may help a representative to understand and assist customers. This course provides an overview of the basics of playing, which may be useful when helping beginners find the right equipment.

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Stagehand

A Stagehand is responsible for the setup and operation of stage equipment. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a stagehand who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of common drum set components and drum techniques. The course teaches the anatomy of a drum, the anatomy of a drumstick, and the anatomy of a kick pedal which is useful for setting up equipment and making sure a drummer is comfortable. The course also discusses basic techniques and rhythms which may help a stagehand understand the needs of drummers. Additionally, the course reviews the different parts of a drum set, which is useful for setting up on stage.

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Tour Manager

A Tour Manager oversees the logistics of a musical tour. 'An Introduction to Drumming' may be useful for a tour manager who wants to be better able to communicate with drummers. This course provides an introduction to the techniques and knowledge needed to play the drums. It also teaches the foundations of music theory, which may help a tour manager to better support a drummer. The course’s focus on practicing and playing along to backing tracks may help a tour manager to understand how a drummer prepares for a show. Ultimately, this course provides the basic knowledge to help manage the needs of a drummer on tour.

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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 An Introduction To Drumming.

Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1

Save

Widely used introductory drum method that covers essential techniques, reading, and basic rhythms. It provides a structured approach to learning the drums, complementing the course material. It is particularly helpful for reinforcing the concepts of note reading and basic grooves. Many instructors use this book as a primary teaching tool.

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

Kindle Edition

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

Save

Provides a comprehensive approach to drumset vocabulary, focusing on developing a wide range of rhythmic patterns and fills. While more advanced, it can be a valuable resource for expanding your drumming vocabulary beyond the basics covered in the course. It is useful as additional reading to broaden your understanding of rhythmic possibilities.

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

Paperback

An Introduction To Drumming

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Comprehensive beginner drumming foundation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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