DON’T Learn the 40 Rudiments Until You’ve Done This First…

The Singles Subdivision Challenge! Download the Notation PDF Here:

You could spend months or even years practicing your rudiments…but go nowhere if you’re not practicing them the right way. The truth is, though, that you don’t need to learn all 40 rudiments to be a good drumset player. There’s a far more important skill you absolutely must master first, and I’ll share it with you alongside a super practical exercise you can do RIGHT NOW. Let’s dig in!

A bunch of links to additional resources!

Old BLOG post about how to effectively practice drumset - ON A PAD - in an apartment!
“If You Were Only Allowed to Practice ONE Thing on Your Practice Pad…”

HAND TECHNIQUE & GRIP Playlist: The Key Techniques that Lead to Speed, Precision, and Fluidity on the Kit

*I was planning to post a link to the Mark Guiliana interview here, but that episode is no longer publicly available. Here’s a link to that particular podcast anyways, though. Lots of great drummer interviews here!

Mark Guiliana performing on vic firth:

I believe that ANYONE can learn the drums, and I believe you’re far more capable of becoming a great drummer than you think you are. Don’t sell yourself short! SUBSCRIBE for more Non Glamorous videos that get straight to the point of solving drumming frustration. Stay Non Glamorous, Everyone!

[vquekie]

Excellent advice, I started playing drums 6 yrs ago. And think for me the biggest improvement came from proper grip and relaxing behind the kit, I most work on singles, doubles, flams, paradidles, and rebound control with dynamics, I've since landed a drum position with a Blues/classic rock band at 75 yrs of age, I love this!! Thanks Stephan

[lynnekuchel]

I bought a practice pad at age 55 during summer 2020 and started learning rudiments just to see if this was something I could really do. They helped me understand my limitations pretty quickly but also let me had a little fun which made me want more. A few months later I got a used Tama set. Your videos really help me focus on the right thing as opposed to others that pretty much make me feel slow and inadequate. Keep up the fantastic work.

[calbrit]

This is great, glad I found it - playing for 10 years since age 50, know plenty of songs, played with bands but never really felt "competent". Now I have gone back to basics and learning proper technique, starting to get it. what I love about Stephen's videos, is he talk's around the lesson giving all the "why's", verbalizing all the frustrations, mistakes and how to overcome. I learn more listening to the whole videos rather than just practicing "wrong".

[connortannahill]

I'm trying to fast track my drumming. Been going hard for a couple months. This channel is a go to for my practise. Don't know how this channel isn't even more popular. It's helping soooo much

[Chiroman]

Steve, you always have that nice, relaxed delivery of valuable info. Me, at 69 years old, returning to playing drums after a hiatus of 50 Years, I play recreationally for personal pleasure and hobby. Retired due to physical disabilities from spinal issues including stenosis which affects my lower back and neck and my legs, I play to My CCR, PETTY, CLAPTON, MELLENCAMP, CARS, ANIMALS, BEATLES, STONES, HOLLIES, MELISSA E., KINKS, even lots of Linda Ronstandt ( play her music, she was really the first Diva), EAGLES, and advice is so appreciated. I never did really play by reading music, played By Ear exclusively from 1966 after taking 6 to 8 lessons .

[sdw-hvko]

I actually did this exact exercise on bass for about 3 years, just for 3-5 minutes at the start of every practice session (probably 5 days a week or so). Then I'd play anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours learning a song or dicking around, but I can definitively say that those 3-5 minutes did more to improving my rhythm and technique on bass than anything else. Now I'm trying to pick up drums and I'm very excited to apply this exercise!

[TheFranchiseKing]

Stephen...thank you for putting this drum channel together! I took drum lessons when I was 11, and I became fairly good. Gave it up, but played on a set or two at folks houses here and there. 15 years ago I bought a set, used it on and off for 3 years then sold it. Fast forward to now. I just picked up a used Yamaha Rydeen drum set, and I plan on getting back to the basics and eventually buying better cymbals and heads. My point? I wanted a new hobby and I'm excited to jump back in. I'll watch your videos and I've subscribed for your updates. You do a great job teaching. The Franchise King®, Joel Libava

[kylejhazelton]

oh wow, i just started and had no idea what to practice.. now i have a simple thing to do when i sit at the kit. thanks

[clintony]

What I've been doing lately is basically this, but with my eyes closed and listening very closely to the intensity. I've noticed my left hand hits much more rigidly than my right, so I practice having even power in both to get a very consistent sound.

The more I do this, the better overall control I'm starting to get with my left hand. I'm not a beginner or an expert, but I find this helps me a LOT

[BearWithTrident]

21:05 "Get your grip together first, Son. If all your friends were doing crazy paradiddles around the kit would you do it, too?"
Idk if you have kids, but you have an awesome Dad tone and voice.

[richardnorman]

I was always amazed reading interviews with great drummers who said they never learned the rudiments.

[hombreenojado]

The rudiments essentially consists of combinations of the same strokes; singles, doubles and the flam. I work on those. Lol.

[bgnPrinceton]

I'm just at the beginner stages, but we share the same mentality of making sure the foundation is solid before moving forward. I appreciate your content because you continually stress this. Great stuff!

[DeuceDeuce]

Your tangent about the social skills portion, is 110 percent spot on. Be a good person first, a good drummer second.

[Slakass]

Thank you!
Thank you so much for clarifying this. Been wracking my head trying to do the paras (cause that's what everyone tells you) and getting only more and more frustrated. You're the first one to cover the basics, like hand sticking and single stroke. Not all of us aspire to become the next Neal Peart and even if we were, starting with the paradiddles sure isn't the way to get going. You are a wise man with common sense. I'm following your directions from now on. All the other videos I have bookmarked can wait (or be ignored). Sent an email in order to download the material you posted here, waiting eagerly for the reply from you. And to think it only took me close to 2 years to finally find someone that knows how to teach drums. Cheers.

[oximoros]

You are very generous in your sharings. is not so common to see and hear people giving this kind of testimonial/advices so experiencial. thank you very much!

[buddykroma]

He answers the question in the title at 7:43 - singles. Practice singles.

[dreamerrt]

The way you kept underscoring the point hit home. I appreciate it the point of view coming from someone with your cachet.

[jeoffjungbauer]

So True!!! I have a kit in my basement, but I spend most of my time practicing singles, doubles, and subdivision exercises on my pad! I love the pad. My teacher calls it yoga for the mind.

[Neesager]

Thank you very much for your guides and pdf files. Much appreciated that those are free!