How to play Drums : The Ultimate Guide to Drumming from Udemy

Welcome to How to play Drums : The Ultimate Guide to Drumming

Over the past 18 months of work, this course has been lovingly crafted from the ground up with one main goal : get you playing the drums like a Pro.

What's included in the Drum course?

Over 9 Hours of HD drum lessons with studio-quality drums.
Curated Spotify Playlists for you to practice to - all designed around the course's content.
A student FAQ section where I add videos based on your questions.
Exclusive practice tracks with sheet music and audio play-throughs.
Over 360 exercises and examples spread over 80 lectures.
A professional drum tutor is on hand to answer any questions.
Downloadable workbooks, reference booklets and quizzes.

No more confusing, multi-parted courses or disjointed lessons. Here, you will find everything you need.

My name is Rohan Bumbra, a professional musician and passionate teacher of several years. I teach drums in person and also online teaching. I am the resident teacher on the drum central youtube channel, as well as hosting my own educational drumming channel on youtube. Alongside this, I already have experience with courses as you will see from my "Hybrid Drummer" page on Udemy.

This course will take you from an absolute beginner drummer to a gig-ready, confident musician.

The lessons in this course are structured in a way where you are applying everything you learn to music. Every drum lesson has a PDF download for you to print out and practice within your own time.

You will learn so much in this course that it's quite hard to list. I recommend you have a look at the course chapters above to see ALL the things you'll learn about.

Every drum lesson in this course has been designed to be of professional quality while keeping things relevant and exciting.

Here's the best part... The student FAQ section. This is where I will be filming new videos for the course around questions YOU send in. That means you can help build even more content into the course. If the question deserves a video dedicated to it, then it'll get one.

That means the course will be constantly evolving and growing with the help of YOU.

If you want to join a friendly community of drummers eager to learn, please enrol and I hope to see you in there.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Rohan

This course comes with a 30 Day money-back guarantee and lifetime access.

Here's what people have to say about my previous video lessons :)

"Rohan Bumbra is an unbelievably talented artist. His own work speaks volumes as to his understanding of the topics covered within this course and the quality of content provided is excellent. Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about a subject which I previously knew nothing about. I highly recommend this course. " - Hybrid Drummer Review

"Your lessons are on the masterclass level thank you so much. "

"Beautifully delivered. I'm off down my shed to give it a go cheers. :)"

- Youtube lesson comments

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to play grooves and fills
Learn to play an array of styles on the drums such as rock, funk, jazz and more!
Gain a deep understanding of rhythm and the fundamentals of music
Build up your knowledge of rudiments - the dna of drumming
Understand and play sheet music
Gain the confidence to play with fellow musicians!
Improve foot and hand coordination

Improve hand speed, endurance and accuracy
Learn the proper technique to utilise your drums to their full potential!
Improvise new grooves and fills
Learn songs quickly and easily
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How to play grooves and fills
Learn to play an array of styles on the drums such as rock, funk, jazz and more!
Gain a deep understanding of rhythm and the fundamentals of music
Build up your knowledge of rudiments - the dna of drumming
Understand and play sheet music
Gain the confidence to play with fellow musicians!
Improve foot and hand coordination
Improve hand speed, endurance and accuracy
Learn the proper technique to utilise your drums to their full potential!
Improvise new grooves and fills
Learn songs quickly and easily
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Chapter 1 - Setting Up

Introduction - Spotify link in resources

Parts of a drum kit

Tuning your drums

Are you left or right handed?

How to position your drum kit properly

Hand Technique

Foot Technique

Getting the best sound from your drums

Chapter 2 - Foundations

Intro

Notation Basics 1

Notation Basics 2

Your First Groove

Your First Fills

Groove Variations : Bass Drum

Groove Variations : Snare Drum

Fill Variations - Combining 1/4 and 1/8th Notes

Modular fill rhythms - Expand your vocabulary

Half time and double time feels

Using Different sources for grooves

Structures of a song

Rhythm Exam 1

Chapter 3 - Advancing Concepts

16th Notes

16th Notes with 8th notes

16th Note Grooves

16th Note Fills

Modular fill rhythms part 2 - Expand your vocabulary

Using the left foot in grooves

Top tip - Different sounds from a single drum

Top tip - hh flourishes

Open Hi-Hat Grooves

Syncopated Bass Drum Grooves

Syncopated Snare Drum Grooves

Permutations Exercise - Build Limb independence

Adding Bass Drums to Fills

Accents - Accent Study

Accents in grooves

Ghost notes

Dynamic Markings

Different time signatures

Rhythm Exam 2

Chapter 4 - Rudiments

Intro - What are Rudiments?

Finger Technique and Single Stroke Rolls

Double Stroke Rolls

The Paradiddle

Applying the Paraddidle

The 5 Stroke Roll

Applying the 5 Stroke Roll

The 7 Stroke Roll

Applying the 7 Stroke Roll

The Buzz Roll

Flams

Building hand speed using rudiments

Rudimental rip - A snare drum piece. Easy / Medium / Hard

Chapter 5 - Triplets and Shuffles

What are Triplets?

1/4 Note Triplets

Shuffle Groove

Swing Groove

Triplet Fills

Triplet and Straight transistions

Bonham Triplets

12/8 VS 4/4 Triplets

Rhythm Exam 3

Chapter 6 - Drumming Styles

Rock

Funk

6/8 Ballad

Shuffle

Country

Jazz

Chapter 7 - Advanced Notation

Dotted Notes

Ties

Repeats and Structural Notations

Chapter 8 - What Next?

Learning songs and writing parts

Playing with a bassist

Some Books you might enjoy!

Taking your playing to the next level

Well done!

Student FAQ Section

Backing Tracks

Backing Track Downloads

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides over 360 exercises and examples, which allows learners to build a strong foundation in drumming techniques and musicality

Includes curated Spotify playlists designed around the course's content, which helps learners apply their skills to real-world music

Covers a wide array of drumming styles, such as Rock, Funk, and Jazz, which allows learners to explore different genres and expand their musical horizons

Features a student FAQ section where the instructor adds videos based on student questions, which ensures the course content remains relevant and up-to-date

Teaches learners to understand and play sheet music, which is a fundamental skill for drummers who want to collaborate with other musicians

Requires learners to have access to a physical drum kit, which may be a barrier for some students who do not have the space or resources for one

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 How to play Drums : The Ultimate Guide to Drumming with these activities:

Review Music Theory Fundamentals

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Strengthen your understanding of music theory to better grasp rhythmic concepts and notation used in drumming.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review basic music notation, including notes, rests, and time signatures.
Practice identifying rhythms and counting beats in different time signatures.
Familiarize yourself with musical terms like tempo, dynamics, and key signatures.

Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1

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Supplement your learning with a structured drum method book to reinforce techniques and rhythms.

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

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Work through the exercises in Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1, focusing on proper technique and rhythm.
Practice the included play-along tracks to develop your timing and coordination.
Review the book's explanations of musical notation and drumming terminology.

Compose a Simple Drum Solo

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Apply your knowledge of rudiments, fills, and grooves to create your own drum solo.

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Brainstorm ideas for your drum solo, including the overall structure and specific rhythms you want to use.
Experiment with different combinations of rudiments, fills, and grooves.
Practice your drum solo until you can play it smoothly and confidently.
Record yourself playing your drum solo and analyze your performance.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Rudiment Practice with a Metronome

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Improve hand speed, accuracy, and coordination by practicing rudiments with a metronome.

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Select a few rudiments to focus on, such as single stroke rolls, double stroke rolls, and paradiddles.
Set a metronome to a slow tempo and practice each rudiment, focusing on evenness and consistency.
Gradually increase the tempo as your technique improves.
Record yourself playing and analyze your performance for areas of improvement.

Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer

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Improve your stick control and coordination with this classic drumming exercise book.

View Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer on Amazon

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Work through the exercises in Stick Control, focusing on maintaining consistent strokes and even dynamics.
Apply the exercises to different parts of the drum kit to develop your overall coordination.
Use a metronome to ensure that you are playing in time.

Drum Cover Video

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Solidify your learning by creating a drum cover video of a song you enjoy.

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Choose a song that you want to cover and learn the drum part.
Record yourself playing the drum part along with the song.
Edit the video and audio to create a polished final product.
Share your drum cover video online and get feedback from other drummers.

Jam Session with Other Musicians

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Gain experience playing with other musicians and improve your timing and improvisation skills.

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Find other musicians to jam with, such as guitarists, bassists, and singers.
Choose a few songs to play together or improvise over a chord progression.
Focus on listening to the other musicians and playing in time with them.
Experiment with different rhythms and fills to add your own personal touch.

Career center

Learners who complete How to play Drums : The Ultimate Guide to Drumming will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Drummer

A drummer plays percussion instruments, often as part of a band or ensemble, and this course will help build a strong foundation in the necessary technical skills. The course thoroughly covers foundational elements like setting up a drum kit, hand and foot techniques, and reading sheet music. For aspiring drummers, this course provides instruction in a variety of playing styles including rock, funk, and jazz, along with the fundamentals of music, which are essential skills for any drummer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drummer

Band Member

A band member contributes to the overall sound and performance of a musical group, often on a specific instrument. This course can be a valuable asset for a band member who wishes to play drums. The course offers a structured approach to learning rhythms, fills, and grooves, essential for any competent band member who is a drummer. The lessons in the course also emphasize how to apply new drumming techniques to various musical settings, which helps integrate rhythmic elements in a band performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Band Member

Session Musician

Session musicians are hired to perform on recordings or live shows, often in various genres. This course helps build a strong foundational skill set for a session musician. It emphasizes different drum styles, from rock to jazz, and teaches improvisation and playing to different time signatures. The course’s focus on applying learned techniques to real music situations can be useful for session musicians. The practice tracks and sheet music also help session musicians with musicality and performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician

Percussionist

A percussionist plays a variety of percussion instruments, often in orchestral or ensemble settings, and this course will help those wanting to focus on drum kit. The course dives into core drumming skills, covering techniques like hand and foot coordination, as well as diverse styles such as rock, funk, and jazz. The course's in-depth look at rudiments and their application can help percussionists build a stronger command of rhythm and technique. The course also helps one learn songs, which is vital for a percussionist in any variety of ensembles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Percussionist

Music Teacher

A music teacher instructs students in various aspects of music, and this course may be helpful for those specializing in percussion. This course covers a comprehensive range of drumming techniques and styles, along with the fundamentals of music theory. Prospective music teachers who wish to teach drumming can benefit from the course’s extensive curriculum, including over 360 exercises and examples, as well as downloadable workbooks. All of these are vital for developing effective teaching methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Music Producer

A music producer oversees the creation of recorded music, often involved in many aspects of the process. Music producers often play a variety of instruments, including drums. They may find it useful to learn more about drumming from this course. This course provides an understanding of the techniques and rhythms used in drumming, and thus can help a music producer create better tracks. This course will also enhance one's understanding of how drums fit into the overall mix, which would allow a producer to give better guidance to the drummers they hire.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Songwriter

A songwriter crafts original songs, including lyrics, melodies, and rhythms. This course will provide insights into drumming and rhythmic structures, which may be helpful for a songwriter. The course covers the fundamentals of rhythm and introduces various drumming styles, and this knowledge can be integrated into songwriting. The detailed instruction on musical forms and structures, as taught in this course, can also inspire fresh approaches to composing songs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Music Journalist

A music journalist writes about music and the music industry. This course may enhance their understanding of rhythm and drumming techniques. The course offers a comprehensive overview of drumming styles and techniques, which may give a music journalist a more accurate and nuanced perspective when writing reviews or articles. This course helps build fundamental knowledge of musical structures, which may be useful for a music journalist when interviewing drummers or writing about drum-heavy music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Drum Technician

A drum technician maintains and repairs drum equipment for musicians, and this course teaches a lot about drum kit function. While not a focus of this course, they can benefit from understanding drum performance and how it impacts the wear and tear on the instruments. This course gives an intimate understanding of a drum kit, including its setup, components, and playing techniques, which will give a drum technician some useful background for the work they do. The course also covers how to tune drums, which is a key skill for any drum technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drum Technician

Sound Engineer

A sound engineer is responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering audio. They can benefit from this course as it gives an understanding of drums and drumming techniques, which may give them greater insight during audio production. This course can improve their understanding of the nuances of drum sounds and the techniques used to create them, which will help them capture and mix drum tracks more effectively. The course provides a foundational understanding of rhythm and its application to musical performance. It may be beneficial to have a basic music background, such as one would acquire from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Engineer

Live Sound Technician

A live sound technician is responsible for managing audio during live performances. The knowledge gained from this course may improve their ability to understand how drums fit into a mix. This course teaches an understanding of drumming techniques and rhythm to the live sound technician, which may help them troubleshoot the sound coming from the drums. The course also imparts knowledge about how drums are played, enabling a better understanding of what sounds the drums are expected to make.

See salaries and explore the career path for Live Sound Technician

Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. While this course is focused on performance, it provides a detailed understanding of how to play the drums, which may be useful for a music therapist. The course covers a wide variety of drumming styles and techniques, which may broaden the skill set of a music therapist. The understanding of drumming and its impact on musical performance acquired in the course can be useful in therapeutic settings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Video Game Music Composer

A video game music composer creates soundtracks and music for video games. While this course is focused on performance, it may enhance their understanding of rhythm and percussive ideas. The course provides an in depth exploration into drum techniques, which may be valuable for a video game music composer who may use those techniques in their compositions. A foundation in music theory and drumming, as provided in this course, may broaden the range of a composer's musical toolkit when composing for video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Music Composer

Entertainment Specialist

An entertainment specialist is involved in planning and executing various forms of entertainment, including live musical performances. While this course does not directly apply to event planning, the course may give them a knowledge and appreciation for the work of drummers, allowing them to better manage the needs of drummers at their events. This course provides a deep dive into the world of drumming, which may be useful for someone who is responsible for entertainment. This includes knowledge of a wide variety of musical genres, and so could help an entertainment specialist better understand the performers they book.

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Audiobook Narrator

While an audiobook narrator is focused on the spoken word, a background in music can help them understand rhythm and cadences, which may improve their narration. A foundation in music, such as one would get from this course, may be useful for an audiobook narrator, enhancing their ability to pace and time the cadence of spoken word. Though not directly related, the course's focus on rhythm and timing may subtly improve their control over the pacing of a spoken narrative.

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How to play Drums

The Ultimate Guide to Drumming

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Activities

Career center

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