So far, we have shown you some basic descending 16th note drum fills, with some 8th notes mixed in for good measure. It’s time to get creative with our orchestrations and think outside the box. We’ll also talk more about counting bars, explaining why we mainly count three bars of time before playing a drum fill in these exercises. Don’t forget the additional ten audio files below!

Now that you have built up your confidence on 16th note drum beats, it’s time to throw in some drum fills! After a quick check-in on your progress, Simon walks you through the 16th note drum fill and some of the popular variations. We’ll also throw in some 8th notes to keep things fresh! Don’t forget to check out the accompanying Music Notation videos!

These different bass drum patterns will test your coordination further! We add some eighth note rests to the bass line to keep things exciting and challenging! Make sure you are nice and comfortable with this – the 16th note fills are up next! Don’t forget the additional ten audio files below!

Now that you are comfortable with a basic 16th note beat, it’s time to add some variations on the bass drum! We’ll ease you into five new options to expand your 16th note possibilities! Prepare for some fun and some challenging coordination!

Using a fundamental bass and snare drum backbeat, Simon talks you through playing your first 16th note drum beat. These beats are extremely common in music, and they are also a lot of fun to play. You will learn how to count this new beat while learning two different sticking options. We break it down into manageable segments starting with the hands first, then the feet, before putting it all together. Don’t forget to watch the accompanying Music Notation videos!

Moving on nicely from the previous lesson, we show you how adding 8th note rests to your drum fills can give you a few more musical options to experiment with and work on fine-tuning your sticking and control. Simon talks about incorporating your drum fills with grooves, including how to exit a drum fill and continue playing while maintaining complete control. Don’t forget the additional ten audio files below!

Now that you are playing a solid and comfortable basic drum beat, it’s time to add some drum fills. Simon explains exactly what a drum fill is and offers insight into timekeeping, sticking, and building control. You’ll feel the bigger picture coming together after working through this exercise. We’ll also talk you through how to safely and musically hit your crash cymbals and give you some tips on practicing your own basic drum fills. Don’t forget to watch the Music… Read More

After a quick check-in on your progress, Simon gives you another five bass drum patterns to further develop this crucial drum beat. These involve using the eighth note rest and are a little more challenging from a coordination and reading standpoint. You will be ready for the challenge if you have followed the program! Don’t miss the additional ten audio files below!

Now that you have your basic 8th note drum beat in place, we are going to add five different bass drum patterns to give you some variations! This continues methodically from lesson 1, in small manageable steps. Simon also demonstrates a beat at different tempos, and talks about some practice goals and guidelines, including using the metronome. Getting Started FAQs

In this lesson, Simon shows you how to play an essential pop/rock drum beat. The 8th note beat is the foundation for so many drum parts, so whatever you do, don’t skip this lesson! Look out for practice guidelines and helpful tips towards the end of the video. The fun starts here! Getting Started FAQs