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- The basics of rock drumming, with sample rhythms and patterns
- The secrets behind the sounds that make up great drum parts
- How to learn and apply the techniques the pros use
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Rock Drumming Basics
To become a solid rock drummer, there are a couple of basic points to remember when practicing the examples in this guide.
Keep Good Time
This means not speeding up or slowing down during a song. To develop a good sense of time, practice all the examples in this guide with a metronome. Try playing each example at different tempos, from slow through fast. Say the beat, which is written above the notes, aloud.
Play with a Solid Feel
Don’t be afraid to hit the drums. This is not to say you have to bash them, but to obtain the right feel and sound from your kit, you have to strike the drums and cymbals with enough power to sound confident and solid while being relaxed at the same time.
If you feel yourself getting tense at any time, stop and take a short break before continuing.
Play with Dynamics
When playing in a rock band, it is important to use dynamics (the contrast between loud and soft). Alternating the dynamics of your rock drumming can make your playing more interesting and can help mark the different parts of a song.
Hitting the Snare Drum
A great snare sound is the key to solid rock drumming. There are three main ways to strike the snare drum:
- Strike the head near the center, letting the stick bounce back off the head with each beat played. This will produce a good, clear note, allowing the full tone of the drum to be heard.
- Strike the head and the rim at the same time. This is called a rim shot and will produce a much louder note with a very hard tone.
- Lay the stick across the drum, and with your left hand (in the center) on top, hold the stick between your thumb and first finger, leaving your other fingers resting lightly on the head. You’ll get different sounds depending on which part of the stick hits the rim, so try experimenting.
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