Free Drum Lessons

Rockin' the Ands

We often find ourselves in a straight-8th-note rut when it comes to playing the hi-hat. Step out of the rut with these 8 beats featuring an "and" ostinato on the hi-hat.

Layering a Groove

This drum lesson begins with a foundational groove and gradually adds layers to fill out the groove. Use this technique to make your playing sound fuller.

7/8 Beats From Patrick Marsepoil's Ebook

This lesson introduces 7/8 timing using Patrick Marsepoil's latest ebook, "7/8 Beats: Odd-Time Coordination."

This is an exercise designed to balance your hands through playing the jazz swing rhythm with either hand. In the first bar, the right hand leads, playing the rhythm on the floor tom. In the second bar, the left hand leads, playing the high tom. The spaces are filled with ghosted snare drum notes. These ghost strokes help you to hear and feel the underlying triplets in the swing feel.

A Slick Almost-Linear Build

This linear groove starts off with a simple, but great-sounding, pattern. Each bar adds to the previous bar to gradually fill out the beat.

Hi-Hat Technique - Steven Adler Style

This unique hi-hat technique is used by Steven Adler throughout the verses of the Guns N Roses hit Welcome to the Jungle.

Groovin' with the Samba Foot

The samba foot pattern is an excellent foot exercise to develop strength and endurance. It's not only fun to play but sounds cool, too.

Samba Groove

This groove builds from last week's "Samba Foot" drum lesson. This beat continues the samba foot pattern, but also includes a 3-note ostinato pattern with the right stick, as well as some other embellishments.

Three Dog Night Grooves - Hi-Hat Technique

Learn the grooves and hi-hat technique used throughout the first chorus of Mama Told Me Not To Come.Learn the grooves and hi-hat technique used throughout the first chorus of Mama Told Me Not To Come. This is a funky song with a lot of slick hi-hat technique. Experiment with applying some of these techniques to your grooves.