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Directional Stickings Part 3 – Paradiddles
August 14, 2019
The following exercises help you begin to apply the single, double & triple paradiddle rudiments on the drum kit by voicing each rudiment according to...
Directional Stickings Part 2 – Single Strokes Up Down & Around The Kit
July 16, 2019
This lesson examines various snare, tom tom & kick patterns for voicing single strokes around the drum kit in ‘circular’ and ‘up & down’ motions....
Six Stroke Roll Kick Substitution Lick
July 15, 2019
This simple drum lick incorporates the bass drum into the six-stroke roll drum rudiment, resulting in a more angular and heavily accented roll. An additional...
Swing Independence Part 2
February 14, 2019
This lesson expands your swing independence and four-way co-ordination skills by introducing the bass drum and hi-hat pedal as comping voices when improvising in jazz/swing...
Swing Independence Part 1
February 12, 2019
This lesson lays the foundation for jazz ‘comping’ (accompanying) on the snare drum by exploring the seven different possibilities for ‘filling in’ triplets in the...
The Swing Cymbal Beat
February 11, 2019
The swing cymbal beat is the fundamental drum feel of jazz music. The beat itself is simple; consisting of only ride cymbal and hi-hat pedal...
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat Alternating Sticking & Open Hi-Hat Beats
January 25, 2019
In this lesson we take the sixteenth-note rock beat played with a two-handed alternating sticking and add open hi-hat notes in different positions and combinations,...
Sixteenth-Note-Open-Hi-Hat-Beats
January 24, 2019
Here we introduce open hi-hat notes and alternative hi-hat rhythms to the sixteenth-note rock beat. The beats in this lesson are useful for funk, fusion...
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat Alternating Sticking & Kick Additions
January 23, 2019
This lesson introduces an alternative, open-handed method for playing the sixteenth-note rock beat useful for faster tempos and feels that require a powerful, driving sixteenth-note...
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat Hi-Hat Accents Part 2
January 21, 2019
In this two-part lesson we add various accent patterns and rhythmic variations to the sixteenth-note rock beat hi-hat part. Each hi-hat pattern is first played...
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat Hi-Hat Accents Part 1
January 21, 2019
In this two-part lesson we add various accent patterns and rhythmic variations to the sixteenth-note rock beat hi-hat part. Each hi-hat pattern is first played...
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat Kick & Snare Additions
January 16, 2019
Here we add bass drum notes and snare ghost notes (aka grace notes) to the sixteenth-note rock beat feel in various eighth-note and sixteenth-note positions....
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat Snare Additions
January 16, 2019
In this lesson we add snare drum ghost notes (also known as grace notes) to the sixteenth-note rock beat in various eighth-note and sixteenth-note positions....
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat Kick Additions
January 15, 2019
This lesson introduces sixteenth-note bass drum additions to the sixteenth-note rock beat and is a great step into counting and playing syncopated grooves and developing...
Directional Stickings Part 1 – Phrasing With Single Strokes
January 13, 2019
The exercises in this lesson take odd groupings of single strokes (alternating sticking) and apply them to the drum kit in a manner that takes...
Steve Gadd’s 32nd-Note Groove
January 11, 2019
Steve Gadd’s highly inventive approach to creating original beats is typified and immortalised in this awesome thirty-second-note groove, based on a re-voiced inverted double stroke...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Kick Snare & Open Hi-Hat Additions
January 10, 2019
This set of intermediate-advanced beats adds bass drum notes, snare drum ghost notes (aka grace notes) and open hi-hat notes to the eighth-note rock beat...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Kick & Snare Additions
January 10, 2019
Here we add bass drum notes and snare ghost notes (aka grace notes) to the eighth-note rock beat feel in various eighth-note and sixteenth-note positions....
Paradiddle-diddle Fills & The PaPadiddle-diddle
January 10, 2019
This lesson shows you several ways to apply the paradiddle-diddle rudiment to the drum kit using simple voicings, additional accents and combining it with the...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Kick & Open Hi-Hat Additions
January 6, 2019
This lesson demonstrates a large group of useful beats – all variations to the eighth-note rock beat with sixteenth-note bass drum additions as well as...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Snare Additions
January 6, 2019
In this lesson we add snare drum ghost notes (also known as grace notes) to the eighth-note rock beat in various eighth-note and sixteenth-note positions....
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Kick Additions
January 6, 2019
This series of beats introduces sixteenth-note bass drum additions to the eighth-note rock beat and is a great step into counting and playing syncopated grooves...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Ride Cymbal Variations
January 6, 2019
This lesson shows you a set of ride cymbal accent patterns that add colour and texture to the eighth-note rock beat. The basic options for...
Quarter-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Kick & Snare Additions
January 5, 2019
In this lesson we add bass drum notes and snare drum ghost notes (also known as grace notes) to the quarter-note rock beat in eighth-note...
Four-Way Independence Drills – Triplets on Quarter Notes
January 4, 2019This set of independence & co-ordination exercises combines single-stroke, double-stroke and paradiddle stickings between the four limbs...
Four-Way Independence Drills – Eighth-Notes On Eighth-Notes
January 4, 2019This lesson shows you 100 different ways to combine single-stroke and double-stroke stickings between the four limbs...
Quarter-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Snare Additions
January 4, 2019
In this lesson we add snare drum ghost notes (also known as grace notes) to the quarter-note rock beat in eighth-note and sixteenth-note positions. As...
Quarter-Note Rock Beat Sixteenth-Note Kick Additions
January 4, 2019
Here we take the quarter-note rock beat hi-hat & snare pattern and add bass drum notes in various eighth-note and sixteenth note subdivisions. The resulting...
Eighth-Note Open Hi-Hat Beats Part 2
January 4, 2019
In this lesson we take the open hi-hat patterns learned in part one and combine them with a set of eighth-note bass drum variations/additions to...
Eighth-Note Open Hi-Hat Beats Part 1
January 4, 2019
This lesson introduces basic open hi-hat patterns to the eighth-note rock beat by placing open/closed hi-hat notes in different eighth-note positions in the bar. If...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Hi-Hat Accents
January 3, 2019
This lesson introduces various accented hi-hat patterns to the eighth-note rock beat as a simple but effective way of changing the feel of your beats.
...Eighth-Note Rock Beat Eighth-Note Kick Additions Part 3
January 3, 2019
This 3-part lesson expands on the eighth-note rock beat and contains 112 exercises – all based on adding & subtracting bass drum notes in various...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Eighth-Note Kick Additions Part 2
January 3, 2019
This 3-part lesson expands on the eighth-note rock beat and contains 112 exercises – all based on adding & subtracting bass drum notes in various...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat Eighth-Note Kick Additions Part 1
January 3, 2019
This 3-part lesson expands on the eighth-note rock beat and contains 112 exercises – all based on adding & subtracting bass drum notes in various...
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat
January 3, 2019
This lessons shows you how to play the 4/4 Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat, plus a few useful hi-hat variations involving accents and alternate hi-hat rhythms for...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat
January 2, 2019
The Eighth-Note Rock Beat is one of the fundamental beats in drumming and one of the cornerstone rhythmic feels in western popular music. Once you...
Quarter-Note Rock Beat
January 2, 2019
The Quarter-Note Rock Beat (initially introduced to me as the “2/4 Beat”) is the first thing I ever learned to play on drums. After that...
Pimping Your Singles, Doubles & Paradiddles
January 11, 2016
This quick lesson/practice tip shows you a simple way to achieve more consistency when changing between singles, doubles and paradiddles.
Downloads:
...Extending The Six Stroke Roll
January 10, 2016
The six-stroke roll is a versatile and musical rudiment, but it’s non-alternating nature gives it some limitations that this lesson helps to overcome, making it...
Extending The Flam Accent
January 8, 2016
This group of exercises shows you some extensions and modifications to the flam accent rudiment with the aim of enhancing it’s usefulness as a musical...
Sixteenth-Note Kick Grooves
April 10, 2015
This lesson shows you a set of bass drum variations for your rock & funk beats. This means that bass drum notes may fall on...
Sixteenth-Note Kick & Snare Grooves
April 10, 2015
This lesson shows you a set of combined bass drum and snare drum variations for your rock & funk beats. This means that bass drum...
Polyrhythms For Dummies
August 27, 2014
This lesson introduces you to the concept of polyrhythms, and demonstrates the formula for working out everything from basic and advanced polyrhythms based on any...
Performing with Chukale – “Chan Chan”
August 24, 2014I’ve been using a new camera to record some gigs lately so I’ll be sharing the footage from...
Hi-Hat Control Exercises
August 19, 2014
This lesson aims to get you using your hi-hats more dynamically and creatively. The exercises themselves are rooted in 4-way co-ordination and take you through...
Swinging Latin Grooves
August 13, 2014
These ‘swinging latin’ grooves came out of the bebop era, when Cuban percussion rhythms were being introduced to American jazz. They are often used in...
Drum Fills For 4/4 Rock & Funk
August 1, 2014
In this video, you’ll see 55 different 4/4 drum fills that you can copy and try out in your own drumming. They start out simple...
Songo Triplet Lick
July 16, 2014
This video shows you a drum lick based on a 12-note triplet sticking suitable for dropping into a Songo or other Cuban feel without breaking...
Stick Technique – Traditional Grip
June 24, 2014
Ever see those drummers who hold one of their sticks funny? If you want to know what that’s all about this lesson shows you why...
Stick Technique – The Basics
June 24, 2014
Never held a drum stick before, or just want to know if you’re on the right track? This is the lesson for you. You’ll learn...
Stick Technique – Rim Shots
June 24, 2014
This lesson shows you how to draw out maximum power and tone from your snare drum using a common technique called the rim shot.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet...
Stick Technique – Matched Grip
June 24, 2014
Matched Grip’ is the most practical and commonly used grip for modern drummers. This lesson shows you the basic concept, and the 3 variations on...
Stick Technique – Dynamic Strokes
June 24, 2014This is one of my favourite concepts to teach. The ‘Dynamic Strokes’ (Full, Down, Tap, Up) are key in an approach to stick technique that...
Rudiments – Triple Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Triple Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Triple Ratamacue
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Triple Ratamacue drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Triple Paradiddle
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Triple Paradiddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Thirteen Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Thirteen Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Ten Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Ten Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Swiss Army Triplet
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Swiss Army Triplet drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Six Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Six Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Single Stroke Seven
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Stroke Seven drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Single Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Single Stroke Four
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Stroke Four drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Single Ratamacue
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Ratamacue drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Single Paradiddle
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Paradiddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Single Flammed Mill
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Flammed Mill drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways...
Rudiments – Single Dragadiddle
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Dragadiddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Single Drag Tap
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Single Drag Tap drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Seventeen Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Seventeen Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Seven Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Seven Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Pataflafla
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Pataflafla drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied...
Rudiments – Paradiddle-diddle
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Paradiddle-diddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied...
Rudiments – Nine Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Nine Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Multiple Bounce Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Multiple Bounce Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Inverted Flam Tap
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Inverted Flam Tap drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Flamacue
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Flamacue drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied...
Rudiments – Flam
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Flam drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied...
Rudiments – Flam Tap
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Flam Tap drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Flam Paradiddle
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Flam Paradiddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Flam Paradiddle-diddle
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Flam Paradiddle-diddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Flam Drag
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Flam Drag drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Flam Accent
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Flam Accent drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Five Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Five Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Fifteen Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Fifteen Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Eleven Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Eleven Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Drag
June 24, 2014In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Drag drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be applied...
Rudiments – Drag Paradiddle 2
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Drag Paradiddle 2 drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Drag Paradiddle 1
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Drag Paradiddle 1 drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Double Stroke Roll
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Double Stroke Roll drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Rudiments – Double Ratamacue
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Double Ratamacue drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Double Paradiddle
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Double Paradiddle drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can be...
Rudiments – Double Drag Tap
June 24, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha demonstrates the Double Drag Tap drum rudiment on the snare drum, then shows you one of the many ways it can...
Jazz Brushes
June 24, 2014
Learning to play with brushes can be a great way to start discovering some of the secret sounds hidden inside your drum kit. This lesson...
Foot Technique – Double Strokes
June 24, 2014
This lesson on foot technique helps you begin to unlock the secrets of developing speed and power into your bass drum and pedal hi-hat strokes.
Downloads:
PDF...
Foot Technique – Basics
June 24, 2014
This lesson introduces the 3 basic foot strokes used by drummers to achieve a variety of sounds and feels.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet Sample:
...Drum Tuning – Tom Toms
June 24, 2014
In this lesson you’ll learn how to tune your high and low tom toms for optimal tone and projection.
Downloads:
...Drum Tuning – Snare Drum
June 24, 2014
Tuning your snare correctly is important for getting the right sound for any particular style of music. This lesson shows you the basics of snare...
Drum Tuning – Bass Drum
June 24, 2014
This lesson is an in-depth introduction to tuning your bass drum. It covers the basic concept of tuning your bass drum and shows you how...
Play-along – You And The Night And The Music
June 24, 2014
Sacha performs to our play-along version of “You And The Night And The Music”. Download the ‘minus drums’ version and have a go yourself.
Downloads:
...Play-along – Oleo
June 24, 2014
In this performance video, Sacha plays “Oleo” – a typical example of the AABA rhythm changes song form. Download the ‘minus drums’ version and have...
Play-along – Green Dolphin Street
June 24, 2014
“Green Dolphin Street” is a popular jazz standard which can be played many ways. This version uses a simple medium swing feel but also modulates...
Play-along – Georgia On My Mind
June 24, 2014
This is a slow 12/8 version of the popular standard “Georgia On My Mind”. It starts off nice and easy but builds and builds and...
Play-along – Dr Smooth
June 24, 2014
This play-along track is great for practicing your rock and funk grooves with sixteenth-note subdivisions. There’s a lot of different ways you could interpret this...
Play-along – Damas Cha Cha Cha
June 23, 2014
In this lesson, Sacha performs to a play-along track called “Damas Cha Cha Cha” – a traditional Cuban cha cha cha with a modern edge....
Play-along – Caravan
June 23, 2014
This track is a fairly typical modern jazz trio rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan”. Keep in mind that once the melody starts, the song is...
Play-along – C Jam Blues
June 23, 2014
12-Bar Blues is the most basic jazz form, and learning to play and feel it is essential to become a great jazz player. “C Jam...
Play-along – Bernies Tune
June 23, 2014
“Bernie’s Tune” is an example of the AABA jazz form. In this version we have a 2-feel in the A sections (2 beats to the...
How To Play Triplets
June 22, 2014
A triplet is a kind of note that allows you to divide beats into 3 notes rather than 2 or 4. This lesson shows you...
Trading Drum Solos
June 22, 2014
In this lesson you’ll learn a technique often used in jazz and other types of improvised music for drummers to take a drum solo while...
Rudiment Applications – Six Stroke Roll 2
June 22, 2014
These demonstrations show you a few ways the Six Stroke Roll rudiment can be used to create drum licks with left and right hand lead.
Downloads:
...Rudiment Applications – Six Stroke Roll 1
June 22, 2014
This lesson demonstrates of some of the ways the Six Stroke Roll rudiment can be used to create melodic patterns around the drum kit.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet...
Rudiment Applications – Single Paradiddle
June 22, 2014
This lesson demonstrates of some of the ways the Single Paradiddle rudiment can be used to create melodic patterns around the drum kit.
Downloads:
...Rudiment Applications – Single & Double Paradiddles
June 22, 2014
This is a short demonstration of Single and Double Paradiddles and how they can be used to play freely and fluidly around the drum kit.
Downloads:
...Rudiment Applications – Inverted Paradiddles
June 22, 2014
This lesson demonstrates an ‘inverted’ Single Paradiddle rudiment and how it can be used to create melodic patterns around the drum kit.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet Sample:
...Metric Modulation
June 22, 2014
This advanced lesson deals with the concept of Metric Modulation, which means changing the meter (time signature) and/or tempo (speed) of the music.
Downloads:
...Licks – Woody Woodpecker
June 22, 2014
I came up with this 9-note drum lick back at university and have had people asking about it ever since. One YouTube commenter said it...
Licks – The Blushda
June 22, 2014
This is a powerful and very handy drum lick made up of a flam and a drag. With a little practice the ‘Blushda’ will sit...
Licks – Steve Gadd Drum Lick
June 22, 2014
Here’s a really cool drum lick made famous by the great Steve Gadd. Remarkably simple but really effective when practiced right.
...Licks – Speed Exercise – Directional Triplets
June 22, 2014
This is a simple but effective practice exercise designed to get you moving around your drum kit with more speed and endurance. It’s more of...
Licks – 6-Note Speed Lick
June 22, 2014
This simple drum lick is made up of only six notes and can be used in any sort of music where you want a heavy...
Free Playing – With No Pulse
June 22, 2014
Sometimes the best thing you can do behind your instrument is just play. Free playing time can allow you to momentarily forget all the structured...
Free Playing – Songo Grooves
June 22, 2014Billy Cobham Melodic Pattern
June 22, 2014
Found in an old Billy Cobham drum clinic video, this pattern combines a 3-note pattern in the left hand with a 4-note pattern in the...
Twelve Eight Rock Beat
June 22, 2014
This lesson introduces the Twelve-Eight Rock Beat: a great rhythm to learn when you’re learning rock and also interested in music that uses the shuffle...
Twelve Eight Rock Beat Variations
June 22, 2014
This lesson gives you some simple ideas to add flavor to your Twelve-Eight rock beats.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet Sample:
...Swing – Advanced Snare & Kick Combinations
June 22, 2014
In this mini-lesson, Sacha demonstrates some great swing coordination exercises that really put your snare drum and bass drum to work! When you practice these...
Steve Gadd’s 32nd-Note Groove
June 22, 2014
*View The Updated Lesson Here*
Steve Gadd invented some killer grooves over the years and this is one of my favourites. It’s incredibly simple but...
Sixteenth-Note Rock Beat
June 22, 2014
*View The Updated Lesson Here*
Learning the sixteenth-note rock beat opens the drummer up the mountains of possibilities available for creating different types of rock,...
Rock Shuffle
June 22, 2014
The rock shuffle is a triplet-based rock beat that introduces the drummer to the ‘swing’ feel.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet Sample:
...Rock Shuffle Beats
June 22, 2014
This lesson shows you a few ways to add interest to your rock shuffle grooves with some snare drum and bass drum variations.
Downloads:
...Quarter-Note Rock Beat
June 22, 2014
*View The Updated Lesson Here*
This lesson introduces the basic feel behind rock and pop drumming. Also a great coordination exercise, this beat is often...
Open Hi-Hat Beats
June 22, 2014
This lesson shows you various rock/funk beats that require you to open and close your hi-hats. You’ll see a few very important technical tips for...
Jazz Cymbal Beat
June 22, 2014
The jazz cymbal beat is the rhythmic foundation of jazz and swing drumming. After learning this short, simple beat, you are on the way to...
Jazz Cymbal Beat Variations
June 22, 2014
In this lesson we go through a few variations on the Jazz Cymbal Beat that will give some ideas on how to make your jazz/swing...
Jazz Coordination One Beat Combinations
June 19, 2014
This lesson shows you how to combine exercises from the jazz coordination master list to create musical phrases and ideas.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet Sample:
...Jazz Coordination Master List
June 19, 2014
This lesson give you a list of exercises that allow to start incorporating bass drum and snare drum rhythms into your jazz cymbal beats.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet...
Half-Time Shuffle
June 19, 2014
The half time shuffle is a groove made infamous by studio legends such at Jeff Porcaro, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie and Steve Gadd. Learning it helps...
Half-Time Shuffle Variations
June 19, 2014
This lesson shows you some interesting variations to completely change the feel of your half time shuffle grooves. Make sure you check out Steely Dan’s...
Funky Drummer Beat
June 19, 2014
This lesson was great fun to create! James Brown’s ‘Funky Drummer’ is perhaps one of the best funk recordings ever made, no small thanks to...
Funk Over Swing Polyrhythm
June 19, 2014
In this video, Sacha plays a swing coordination exercise where the right hand plays a traditional cymbal beat while the other three limbs play a...
Eighth-Note Rock Beat
June 19, 2014
*View The Updated Lesson Here*
The eighth note rock beat is the most commonly used drum beat in popular music today. After mastering this lesson,...
Eighth-Note Kick Drum Beats
June 19, 2014
*View The Updated Lesson Here*
This lesson shows you a set of simple bass drum variations to the eighth-note rock beat. Bass drum notes may...
Cowbell Funk
June 19, 2014
This is essentially a video response to a YouTube video Sacha posted a few years back. Quite a few people wanted to know what was...
Brazilian – Samba With Brushes
June 19, 2014
This lesson shows you how to begin to interpret the Brazilian Samba groove with brushes.
Downloads:
...Brazilian – Samba Basics
June 19, 2014
Coming from Brazil, the samba is a unique rhythm that opens up some interesting possibilities on the drum kit.
Downloads:
...Brazilian – Bossa-Nova
June 19, 2014
Bossa-Nova is a Brazilian groove that is often used as an alternative feel in rock and jazz. This lesson introduces the basic building blocks of...
Brazilian – Bossa-Nova Variations
June 19, 2014
This lesson gives you a few neat variations to try on with your basic bossa-nova feel.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet Sample:
...Afro Cuban – Songo
June 19, 2014
Songo is a rhythm that really put the drum kit on the map in Cuban music. This lesson shows you the different parts of the...
Afro Cuban – The Clave
June 19, 2014
The Clave is the fundamental groove behind Afro-Cuban music and is important to understand when learning the rhythms behind many styles including Salsa, Mambo, Bolero,...
Afro Cuban – Cha Cha Cha
June 19, 2014
Cha Cha Cha is a simple yet catchy Cuban rhythm that’s really fun to play on drum kit. It’s a great coordination exercise too.
Downloads:
PDF Worksheet...
Afro Cuban – Cascara
June 19, 2014
The Cascara is a simple but very important and widely-used rhythm in Afro-Cuban drumming. Once you memorize this pattern, many things you hear in Afro-Cuban...
Afro Cuban – Bongo Bell (Campana)
June 18, 2014
More cowbell! This simple cowbell pattern is what drives a Salsa or Latin-Jazz ‘Montuno’ groove. It’s easy to play but it takes practice to make...
Afro Cuban – Bass Drum Tumbao
June 18, 2014
This lesson shows you what you can do with your bass drum when playing in various Afro-Cuban styles. It’s not always on the...