In this video, Jared Falk plays through a very mellow and relaxed shuffle based drum play-along. This drum play-along has a very cool structure to it. Not only can you take advantage of it for practicing shuffle drum beats, but also for practicing some solo ideas and drum fills to setup “shots”. This free drum lesson comes with three MP3s that you can download and use to play along or study with – one with the drum tracks removed, an alternate version with a metronome added in, and a full band track that you can use for further studying Jared’s licks or for enjoying the music.
Start by watching Jared jam along to this half-time shuffle drum play-along, so you can have an overall idea of the drum play-along’s structure and feel. After watching the video, take the drum play-alongs to your drum set and see what you can come up with. If you’re a beginner drummer, start by jamming along to the version with a metronome added in. This will help you keep basic time while learning how to play along to this song. When you’re able to keep a steady tempo, start jamming along to the version that doesn’t include a metronome. If you don’t know what drum beats or drum fills to play, steal some of the ideas Jared demonstrates in the video or learn to play essential shuffle patterns and the “Rossana Shuffle.”
What if we told you this drum play-along can be used to improve your internal clock; hand, foot and showmanship techniques; odd-time drumming, beats and fills? Intrigued?! Watch the free drum lesson “Practicing With Play-Alongs” to learn more about this.
Drum fills can be used as “setups” for “shots” or “hits”. Shots are accented notes that have to be played by the drummer at the exact same time as the other members of the band. Setups are the drum fills used to prepare the band to play shots. The bridge section on this drum play-along allows you to practice these type of drum fills as well as some solo ideas. This drum play-along is a lot of fun and lets you practice a lot of different aspects of your drumming. Have fun!