5 Ways To Improve Your Punk Drumming

There are a few key ways to become a faster and tighter punk drummer. And no, it’s not by drinking and moshing more.

If you’re into bands like NOFX, Black Flag and Blink-182, this lesson will be right up your alley. Here are five tips to help you play along to the songs you love (and get the gig with your favorite local punk band):

0:00 - Intro
1. Master your bass drum double strokes (1:04)
The best punk drummers have a blazing fast foot. Solve your bass drum problems and you’ll solve your punk drumming problems! Use the slide technique or the heel-toe technique to get two strokes for the price of one.

2. Learn these two classic punk beats (3:46)
Focus on nailing these two beats:

Bass, snare, bass bass snare, like in “Linoleum” by NOFX and “Anthem” by Blink-182.
Bass, snare bass, bass snare, like in “Nothing” by Millencolin where the bass drum lands on the and of 2 and the and of 3).

3. Learn how to use punk beats musically (6:37)
Yep…you can be musical in punk. Combine the two beats above into a 2-bar phrase and maybe play a polka beat before going into them. If you need a break from double strokes, simplify the bass drum and match the guitar rhythms. If the guitar does a push, have your kick do a push.

You can also mix and match by moving your lead hand to the toms or on the ride or crash – don’t just rely on the hi-hat. You can also go into a half-time version of the beat if you want to drop the energy or change the feel of the song.

4. Master the ‘reverse shank tip‘ (10:14)
Playing a fast hi-hat part at 200+ will burn out your arm if you’re trying to go full throttle with just your wrist. Like how the double stroke is a must for your feet, the shank tip is a must for your hands.

The typical shank tip technique is where you use the shank (shoulder) of the stick for the first hit and the tip of the stick for the second hit. In the reverse shank tip, place the accent (shank) on the upbeat instead of on the downbeat. Think of it like matching it with your backbeat hand. This method preserves your energy so you can play longer and avoid injury.

5. Focus on the backbeat (13:44)
Punk rock is all about the backbeat – it keeps the energy going and drives the song. The worst thing you can do as a punk drummer is lose the backbeat! If you’re getting tired, you can give your lead hand a break by skipping some notes on the cymbal or using two hands where you’d normally use one.

Your can also play half the amount of notes on your lead hand. Instead of playing 8th notes, have your hands working in unison on the 2 and the 4.

While pretty much anyone can play punk music (it’s accessible, affordable, and pretty straightforward), it’s harder to be a good punk drummer. Master these tips and you’ll be in high demand!

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[MrDottorzeta]

I’m a hard core punk drummer from 1992. I record 4 albums of my own music, but I’ve played for practicing a lot of NOFX, Face to Face, No Use For a Name stuff and works great. But you can reach the “next level” on hardcore music trying to practice Lagwagon and Strong Out music. challenging!!! Because the problem with these parts is not only the speed, but the technique too. Great tips in this video, they are all super useful. Only one thing that for me you forget: respiration. Your arms and your feet need oxygen to work properly. If you are able to manage your respiration while you’re playing a 220 bpm song, it helps a lot. You have to breat with the beat, constantly. In te past I take a breath only after a crash beat or a fill. Not a great idea. Much better to learn to breath continuously. It needs a little bit of practice, but saves a lot of energy when you have a long song list!!!

[riotkiley]

I'm a NOFX fan of 20+ years and this was an awesome video because you're right, punk rock is generally away from spot light, partly because we like it that way, but it's still heartwarming when someone of influence shows their admiration and respect for the culture and can appreciate that it is a disciplined way to make music. Smelly is a killer drummer, it would be cool to see a session with him on Drumeo.

[vinceventura]

Listen to Suicidal Tendencies‘ Freedumb Album with Brooks Wackermann. A masterpiece of Punk Rock Drumming!

[ShartimusPrime]

One recommendation for building speed for the foot is this Buddy Rich trick of taking the *spring off the pedal and getting the beater to rebound off the bass drum head with just feeling for the rebound with your ankle. It's the same as the slide technique, but helps beginners feel for how the beater should continuously bounce off the head. Edit: Btw, really loved the video. I hope Smelly comes through to Drumeo! Bill Stevenson would be a really good one too.

[matteolocati]

Well said. There are really few lessons about punk rock drumming. It takes not much to understand what this genre requires in terms of grooves and fills (and because of that, somebody may under rate punk) but behind that speed there's a sense! Thanks for the tips, David!

[Pedro-dnsg]

I witnessed The Decline live in Rio. Smelly just left the drum kit for the final section of the song, got Hefe's guitar and chilled playing some power chords for ~3min. A roadie took over the drums. So that's another tip to preserve endurance in a punk show haha

[davisbest]

As an exclusive punk drummer who has only been playing punk since late 90's, this lesson is spot on for the basics. Very well done. However as a punk drummer I must of course reject your capitalistic video.

[joeyritter]

This was my favorite lesson. There's nothing like the fast punk beat. Thanks for showing the love!

[MrNight-iwmd]

My favorite style of music. Highly recommend Lagwagon, Wilhelm Scream, and Propaghandi.

[TimSavage-drummer]

From my time playing punk, I remember all of the pain in various parts of my arm. Something I do recommend is getting a copy of Jo Jo Mayers, Secret Weapons of the Modern drummer. Has a lot of tips to tweak your technique to reduce injuries while increasing speed, which made a world of difference to my high-hat technique and endurance.

[travisdrums]

This one one of the most well explained, well demonstrated tutorials I’ve ever seen. To get across so much crucial information in just under 20 minutes. Awesome job!

[thomasfischer]

When I started playing drums, I actually started with Dave's first punkrock drumming video. Back then, it surely was a great help. Easy to imagine that this one will be very helpful for starters as well! I would be interested to see his favorite drumming parts - no matter if copied from songs or self invented. Additionally, there are some ways to make punk beats more spicey like throwing in a quick double on the hi-hat or something like this (not on 200 bpm, of course). But would be interested to know how things that we are all too well familiar with can sound surprising and fun when done in a smart way.

[FRPWR]

I always cheat my way out of double strokes on Hi-hats by hitting the snare at the same time with my kick leading the beat, hoping nobody would notice, but that reverse stick technique i DEFINITELY gotta try, next time my punk band preforms. Thank you!!

[stefdrumcore]

Respect just for using a clip of my favourite punk band "No Use For A Name"

[simon-pierreblanchet]

Yes please, more punk drum lessons! This one was a game changer for me. So many thanks Dave!!

[AskDr.Stupid]

I’ve been playing punk on drums for 25 years with absolutely no lessons at all. I skip beats with my lead hand and replace Tom hits with my kick. I thought I just stomped out every kick (heel up) but when I actually looked at how I use my foot I’ve been using slide technique this whole time without realising it. I would LOVE more punk content btw. Punk is the only style I love playing and am really good at. I found it was harder to get those super fast rolls happening than it was getting my double kick down. Maybe some hand speed lessons next??

[edwardbyard]

Some great tips here! Bobby Schayer from Bad Religion did a lot of this; half time and effort saver beats. Get Bobby in the studio. I'm sure he'd share some tips even though he has long retired.

[Fiascopia]

Dude, where was this video 7 years ago when I started :D
Most concise AND ACCURATE how-to on punk drumming I saw

[Zeke_Teke]

not a punk drummer but truly appreciate this video. thank you for these tips!!!

[aaronfidelisrecine]

You could easily do an entire video on Bill Stevenson. Truly an unreal drummer, song writer, producer and all around nice guy.