Free Drum Lessons
Six Punchy Short Fills
Short fills are perfect for light transitions or breaking up repeated bars of drum beats. If overused, they can become annoying and predictable. Used with purpose and judgement, short fills are a great addition to the song.
Simple Swing Sixteenths - Drum Fills
Some simple patterns, when orchestrated around multiple drums, create complex-sounding, syncopated grooves. In this lesson, we're orchestrating a full bar of sixteenth notes around the kit.
Time-Tested Power Fill - Paradise City
Steven Adler plays this beastly drum fill leading into the double-time outro of Paradise City. Though it sounds impressively confusing, it's based on a simple pattern of repeating 'right, left, kick.'
This Is War - Chorus Groove and Fill
In this drum lesson, learn the chorus groove and monster fill from the song This Is War by 30 Seconds To Mars.
Drum Fill from Rock And Roll by Led Zeppelin
This lesson sheet notates the drum fill from the third and final verse of the song Rock And Roll and lays out a template for applying Bonham's fill technique to your own drumming.
Nothing Else Matters - Drum Fill Concept
Learn a cool technique used by Lars in the song Nothing Else Matters.
Roger Taylor Drum Solo - Explained
Learn the classic 8 bar drum break played by Roger Taylor in the song Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie.
A Unique Pick Withers Drum Fill Technique
Pick Withers uses a unique drum fill technique throughout the song Sultans of Swing. The most common fills we play are full or partial measure and end with a crash on beat 1. Sometimes, the fill is extended into the next measure, and the fill ends with a crash after beat 1.
Drum Fills from Down Under
Learn some of the classic tom fills from the song Down Under by Men at Work.
Simple Power Fills - Charlie Watts Style
Charlie Watts uses simple yet powerful fills in Gimme Shelter. In this lesson, learn his technique and ways to easily make it your own.
Hi-Hat Fills? Why Not!?
This lesson strays from the common application of drum fills where toms and snare strokes are at the heart of the fill. By placing an emphasis on the hi-hat, a more subtle (but often effective) drum fill can emerge.
Put this Warm-up in Your Grooves
One of my favorite go-to warm-ups, this pattern can also double as a slick technique to use within your drum beats.
