Play 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' On The Drums | 5 Levels

Even a complete beginner drummer can learn how to play one of the biggest songs of the ’90s: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. In this video, Dave Atkinson will take you through the basic skeleton of the song, then level it up until you’re eventually able to play it just like Grohl!

Rather than struggling to make it through the song before you’re ready, you can still do it solidly and confidently by stripping it down to the basics. All you need to know is how to play a simple beat. Whatever skill level you’re at, here are five versions of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”:

0:00 Intro

1:06 Beginner

2:55 Weekend Warrior

4:54 “I’ve Taken Lessons”

6:33 The Cover Band Drummer

8:27 Play Like Dave Grohl

What level are you at? Where do you hope to take it?

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[DrumeoOfficial]

Get note-for-note sheet music + handy playback tools for 40 of drumming’s biggest songs FREE- including Smells Like Teen Spirit!

[janocronismo]

Dude is a very effective teacher, I like his style a lot.

[mdouet]

The delayed crash shots isn't something I noticed at first, but now that you've mentioned it, it really makes a difference in the overall feel of the song.

[mr.sokmen]

I am at the "dont have a drum" level.

[mrlovalova]

Honestly, what really stands out, is Dave's way of teaching this Song

[DrumeoOfficial]

What level are you at? Where do you hope to take it?

[mutedrumsdaddy]

I feel like we don’t see you play that often, you sound great!

[cvalerin]

It’s amazing when you can see the differences between “yes i can play the Song” And “i can really play the song”, great Video!

[davidb.]

What am i doing here. I'm a guitarist

[CharleyBlumer]

I've been drumming for 13 years now and wasn't sure how much i was going to learn from this video but wow. Hat's off to you sir. You are an amazing teacher. I've always done the delay on the cymbal hit from watching live bands but never truly understood what i was doing. I never learned to read music notes either but seeing the visual you gave in this video actually made it click with me. Thank you.

[gamerwithglasses]

I'm a guitar, piano, violin and bass player. Drum tutorials are always so interesting because drummers read music in such a different way. It's really fascinating as to how they look at music.

[alibardgett]

Well done Dave! It’s hard to play beginner level when you’re used to playing it full on 🤟🏼

[Chrizz_-kveq]

I finished level 1 after an hour it was confusing for me I'm new with drums but I'm very motivated to learn from you!

[chrisjessup]

I'm not a drummer, but this is pretty awesome. Breaking down the instruments in a song always makes me appreciate it more!

[celebrationsbridal]

Level 6: Energy and Sustainability. Dave Grohl brings it hard and you've got to match that intensity for the whole song.

[KaiRossBest]

Really curious - what kind of microphones are being used on the toms in this video? Thanks!

[fadyrayes]

Great lesson and excellent breakdown! I'm glad you mentioned the slight delay on hitting the 1 many people miss that. I made the mistake of right away trying level 5 as a beginner and I simply didn't have the time control to play quarter on the hats with 16th syncopation and hitting those 16th note bass drum in time. I only revisited this song from my childhood years later. This type of 'simplification' gives beginner drummers ways of approaching this great song and progress thru the levels.

[magicsquirrel]

I have never played a drum set, don't own one, and am terrible at music, but I love this song and watching this breakdown video was very interesting. Thank you for making this!

[freereveller]

I started the intro with my new band and they immediately joined and played the song. AFTER, the guitarist told be he was very impressed with my playing it correctly, knowing very well it's not as easy as it seems to really get it right. Those are the complements that really matter to me. The way you teach it in different levels is masterful!

[CraigShawCraigShaw]

I've always believed it's much better to play a simpler version really well than to struggle with the full version. Great lesson!