INTRODUCTION TO DRUMS

About the Rock Drummers’ Book  - most of the rhythms written out in this book come with sound examples.  Found at 2drum.com or use the CD in back of this book. There is also a MP3 Directory CD for transfer the sound examples to your mp3 player where you can loop the track in repeat mode. 

The ROCK Drummers’ Book is a repertoire of beats, including what I consider the 12 basic beats, essential to know as a drummer or percussionist.  This book also contains advanced rock beats and polyphonic rhythmic examples. Rock beats in half-time beats, quarter and sixteenth note beats and drum workout examples.

This Drummers’ Book is for the student who needs to know how Rock'n'Roll drums work, learn a few key beats that make up the backbeat for Rock’n’Roll, and develop their drum-set inter-independence and soloing skills along with their awareness of musical styles & rhythms.

I have been playing Rock'n'Roll drums for 35 years and there are probably a dozen or so basic rock beats that you will hear over and over again in some form or another:  some based in a blues shuffle, jazz ride, bossa nova, samba, cha-cha, funk/disco beats, maybe a waltz beats.   You need to be aware of all of these different types of rhythmic beats.

Including Rock Music, this book also looks at Jazz, Blues Latin/Disco, and Caribbean Influences, styles that are all part of Rock Music.

By understanding these musical rhythms and styles you can make up virtually a plethora of beats, because you understand what makes up the basics' of rhythms -- cool rhythms. Knowing this you can improvise a solid backbeat because you know where you are going with the band and how the beat needs to be played.

To be drumming literate you need to know the basics of rhythms and the 40 drum rudiments.
For example: the band will ask you to play a Samba beat, and then go into a backbeat like “Bonham - daze of our youth" or they’ll ask,  -- “Can you play the Phil Spector Beat?” (Daunt --- dun dun Daunt) like in "Be My Baby"? -- I say O. K. --- This is what I’m taking about.

Music appreciation is key. Also, understand, the same rock rhythms (beats) can be played and “felt” much differently depending on your dynamics and the pace at which you play that beat.  This is why a listening list of songs and music appreciation is important to your development as a musician. 

How-to-Practice.  As you practice this book like all books. Start out at a pace where you can hold down the beat and keep the time solid.   Repeat each line several times until you are comfortable with the beat. 

Learn the pattern(s); keep the time and rhythm solid. Then move on to the next rhythm. Practice until it is easy to play the beat(s), 20-30 minutes a day everyday. Consistency is what makes practice pay-off.

How much Practice?  Practice until you can play the rhythm in your sleep or, you drive your parents insane – which ever comes first. 

Endurance. Drumming is a very physical activity, whether if your carrying one in a marching band, or sitting down playing under hot lights on a stage. You gain endurance by building on it, by practicing consistently over time.

Think about it. When you practice it should be a workout. Doing reps with different rhythms slowly, and keeping the time solid, consistency, 20-30 minutes everyday then moving up your practice times.  This will help you develop your skills as a drummer.

Endurance Exercise - as you gain proficiency, practice this book by going through each page without stopping, following the repeats going through every line and don’t stop until you get to the end of the page.  Refer to the CD or 2drum.com for examples.

As you increase your endurance you gain strength and dexterity. Then your ability to play faster tempos well, becomes possible. Increase the need for speed only after you develop solid time and then endurance. Because, the time is essential - endurance is necessary - then speed and quick poppy beats are next.  It will take time to develop this skill.  It will be worth it.

TIME  - ENDURANCE  - SPEED

Holding down the time is most important thing the drummer does, after that; it is all fills and rudimental embellishments.  “The drummer can really make or break the band’s performance by keeping the time solid or not. The audience needs to feel the beat, and to do that you need to "rock the beat" - hold down the time and move the story along.   In Jazz you need to "Swing" and in Techno it's the "Pulse" or "Clock”.

Now go forth and rock. - - -

- Diesel