The list below is just my idea of drum legends that I know of, if you know someone not on the list who is in your opinion a drum legend, feel free to share!

In no order of preference…

Buddy rich
Louie bellson
Joe morello
Larry londin
Terry bozzio
Dave weckl
Steve smith
Steve gadd
Simon philip

I will add on to this list as I go along.

Feel free to share your drum legends

Loose cotton top, (you do sweat in class)

Pants or slack

Flat soles Shoes

Ear plugs

Try to avoid accessories as they may hinder your actions in class.

For female students:

Same as above.

Tie up hair if long

Avoid wearing bracelets if possible.

photo credit: Jiuck

One can learn anything as long as they want to, a teacher can teach anything when the student is ready to learn.

I have had students who turn up in class expecting the drumming knowledge that they want to be downloaded instantly into their mind.

Alas! Drumming is a skill, an art, like any subject matter, requires learning to know, and practice to master.

Find a teacher who is truly passionate to teach and have a proven system of teaching.

Remember, a teacher can teach, so must the student learn.

photo credit: AngelalalaChan

I just uploaded a new rudiments exercise.

Remember to play the exercises slowly and in time, use a metronome whenever possible.

Watch the stickings, repeat each exercise 4 – 8 times.

Only gradually increase your speed when you feel comfortable and ready and that your strokes are even.

Download Here.

Sheet 1

Sheet 2

Sheet 3

Sheet 4

Always remember to start slow and increase your speed gradually. Use a metronome whenever possible.

How to download? – Simply click on the above links.

Take a factory tour around one of the most popular drumsticks manufacturer in the world – Vic Firth. See how your pair of drumsticks first starts off as wooden strips and how it become the ultimate pair of drumsticks that you hold in your hands.

Enjoy!

Nothing is more important than being on time for lessons, usually your lessons are 30 mins to an hour long, so do not waste precious time by being late. Time, in this case is money because you paid for lessons.

2) Listen attentively

Your drum instructor is also your coach, besides sharing with you their experiences, they are also there to point out your mistakes and help correct it, so listen attentively instead of banging on the drums. You will learn alot more this way.

3) Ask questions

If you have any questions regarding your drumming techniques or drums information, feel free to ask, any great drum instructor will be more than willing to share with you!

4) See and follow

Imitation is a great way to learn fast, watch your drum instructor and let your drum instructor guide you with the various sticking and hand foot co-ordination exercises, follow and learn.

5) Read up as much as you can

If you are truly interested in drums, read widely about it! Get drum magazines, go visit a library, search the internet, watch drum videos on youtube.com, whatever. The more you know, the more you will want to know about drums and drumming!

6) Be excited about class

You can be sure that your drum instructor will be more willing to share more with you and teach you more techniques if you show huge interest in your lessons! So…

7) Don’t be shy

Go ahead and enjoy your drum lessons! Being bashful in drum class is quite useless as you will learn alot more if you are more willing to be inventive and experimental during class!

Make as much mistakes as possible

Better make mistakes in class than on stage isn’t it? Don’t feel bad when you make a mistake during lessons, you are there to learn anyway, so feel free to make mistakes and let your drum instructor correct you and lead you into refining your techniques and foundation.

9) Join a band

You are a drummer, why not find an opportunity to join a band? It will help you overcome your stage fright if you have any, besides, actual drum performance with a band will help you brush up your drum techniques as well as your drum smart!

10) Practice whenever you can

Do I need to explain this anymore? Practice makes perfect, so make time, don’t just find time, make time to practice! You will improve by leap and bound with each practice. Practice your rudiments, hand foot co-ordination and sight-reading.

The sheet music is available for download here.

Here are how the rhythms sound like as written in the sheet music. Enjoy!

r1.mp3

r2.mp3

r3.mp3

r4.mp3

r5.mp3

r6.mp3

r7.mp3

r8.mp3