How To Tell A Good Drummer From A Bad Drummer

Faster Hands & Feet (in 10 days)

To become a good drummer you have to go beyond your technical skills on the drum kit. If you only focus on playing the drum parts you want to play and/or the more technical ones, you’re doing it wrong. In this lesson, Brandon Khoo will teach you what your general thought process should be behind sculpting a great drum part for any song. This is what separates a novice drummer from a professional drummer.

And remember… This doesn’t mean to always keep things simple. If you think the music calls for you to chop out – go for it! Your number one goal should be to compliment the music while also leaving room for the other instruments when need be.

Free Course With Gavin Harrison (Limited Time):

Follow us!

[timpricedrums]

More is more. Always play double kick. Especially at a wedding gig. In my experience, the bridesmaids have always enjoyed blast beats during 'brown eyed girl'.
Never forget the 22" China cymbal. Play it at the same time as the snare to ensure your backbeat is strong.
You can't do enough stick tricks. It's impossible.
Experiment with time signatures. Try not to tell the band. It will ruin their enjoyment of the gig if they expect a sudden change from 4/4 to 11/16, but if you pull it off, you'll be getting asked to play with everyone.
Just remember, if Vinnie can get away with it - so can you.

[phatsmitty]

"play to serve the song, serve the band" was my method of playing bass, it was well-received with musicians and friends. So refreshing to hear a drummer say the same thing.

[lonnieturnerii]

As the old saying goes, "Play the song, not the instrument." Sage advice.

[tasodionis]

Drummer since 1984. The most important thing is keeping time
Not slowing down or speeding up. Once you master that then you can waste your time twirling your sticks

[jarridlucas]

Based on that intro, I don’t think I’m good enough to be a bad drummer.

[owiseone]

Kind of sounds like transitional music from the show Pawn Stars. Or when they ask the trivia question, in between commercials.

[stantomas]

im a drummer for 50 yrs. it takes more "skill" to play in the pocket and make the music feel good than to play various "fills". id rather listen to a drummer in the pocket with zero fills all night long than anything else. its that sound that grabs you and your not sure why the band sounds so darn good....

[jimbeaux]

This has always been a big challenge for me. I’ve always had to tendency to stuff unnecessary notes and fills, mostly for self gratification. I’ve been on a journey to serve the music, and not myself as you’ve stated in this video. Y’all do a great job! Great people, and great drummers!

[whanowa]

I don't know how anyone could misunderstand what he meant in his original video. The message was clear there.

[danielwyatt]

This guy sounds like an Asian Arnold Schwarzenegger

[scattabrayneGaming]

Dude...you hit the nail on the head!!! I don't get it when drummers think they must do these outrageous fills and double kicking in almost every single song! Please keep delivering more videos! I love your philosophy about drumming!

[the_nautillus]

I consider myself a bad drummer but, hey, we can improve our skills by doing what?
Exactly! By training and learning new tricks every day.

[mongoosemotive]

The best thing is seeing a drummer smiling while groovin always livin the best life

[lservis]

I love the way this guy can switch lead hands and not miss a beat!

[naitch]

John Densmore from The Doors was a swing drummer, they played rock music, you can hear his style during their songs, I'd never in a million years tell him he was a bad drummer.

[Smitty]

one of my favorite drummers The Rev is known for bringing jazz/prog/heavy rock to metal

[krismichalsky]

I completely agree. I've played with too many drummers that are way over the top. Good job bro!!!

[echo]

Wow, you are a really solid drummer with a great feel and groove. And you are so right about "serving the song." This actually applies to all instruments - I wish more people understood this!

[RobRossi]

Love it. Couldn't agree more. Whether you are playing drums, writing a tune, singing a tune, or guitar soloing over a tune, etc. - Always "yield to the song". It's there already. It's our job to get out of the way and let it through.

[flapjackson]

Totally agree! It’s harder to learn restraint than it is to learn those extraneous fills. Keep tempo, feel the groove, and let the fills be the occasional accent to the composition.