Most free drum lessons on drum independence we’ve posted on DrumLessons.com focus almost exclusively on hi-hat foot independence and bass-drum foot independence. Working on hi-hat foot independence and bass drum independence is something you should definitely strive for, in order to acquire a higher level of drumming prowess. However, a certain level of hand independence needs to be developed for you to become a complete drum-set player. More »

Here at DrumLessons.com we have a huge collection of free drum lessons on linear drumming. The content from those free drum lessons is mostly written down in the form of various linear-pattern combinations. This is a very effective method for teaching linear drumming but lacks in improving your improvisational and musical skills within this drumming topic. In this free drum lessons, Jared Falk addresses those shortcomings by teaching a method for improving your improvisational skills and freeing up your body and mind when playing linear patterns. More »

The drag ruff is one of the 40 international drum rudiments. It’s also one of the seven essential drum rudiments, alongside the single stroke roll, the double stroke roll, the multiple bounce roll, the five stroke roll, the single paradiddle and the flam. It’s very important you become competent with at least these seven drum rudiments, since they’re heavily used in music and any other rudiment is based on them. In this lesson we’ll focus our attention on the drag ruff and how you can use it to spice up your drum fills. More »

The left foot, also known as the forgotten limb, is a limb many drummers don’t spend enough time practicing with. This results in poor left foot independence, limb interdependence, strength and control. It also hinders one’s ability to use it effectively as a time-keeper or when playing double bass. Being competent with only three of your four limbs limits your musical pallet and expressiveness. More »

The pataflafla is one of the drum rudiments that’s most frown upon. Many drum set players perceive it as useless and musically irrelevant outside the realm of snare drumming. If you’re one of them, we hope to change your mind through this free drum lesson. In it, you’ll find four good examples of how to use the pataflafla for coming up with cool sounding and creative drum fills. More »

Hi-hat barking is a type of open hi-hat technique where the open sound has a very short duration. Hi-hat barks are usually played as 16th notes, 16th note triplets or 32nd notes and are great for playing accents and shots with a band, as well as for ending songs. Hi-hat barking can be found in many different styles of music, but it’s in funk that it shines the most. In this free drum lesson Jared Falk teaches five drum beats that make use of this technique in very creative ways. More »

On the heels of a very successful Kickstarter project launch, the one and only Cobus Potgieter pays a visit to the DrumLessons.com studio to talk about The Cobus Method, his YouTube Band Project and to play some intense and creative drum solos and duets with Jared Falk. More »

Webster defines essential as something that’s of the utmost importance. Like any other art form, drumming has a big set of essentials one must grasp before working on their own voice on the instrument. It’s also imperative to learn them if you’re serious about gigging and playing professionally. In this free live drum lesson, Jared Falk teaches seven of the most essential drum beats you’ll ever encounter. These are patterns any drummer should know how to play. More »

Drum rudiments are nothing more than rhythmic patterns. You can play around with their note values, dynamics and orchestration. They’re killer for enhancing overall hand and foot technique and can be used quite effectively within drum beats, drum fills and drum solos. The problem most students face with drum rudiment apprenticeship is knowing what to with them. Sticking with a drum rudiment on a practice pad can get boring, redundant and old pretty fast. To get you motivated with drum rudiments, Jared Falk wrote this free drum lesson to show different ways in which you can use the five stroke roll – one of the 40 drum rudiments – within drum fills. More »

The flam accent was one of the 13 patterns chosen to take part in the first collection of essential drum rudiments. In 1936 it was included in the 26 American Drum Rudiments and in 1984 in the 40 International Drum Rudiments. Due to its relevance in the world of rudimental drumming and applicability around the drum set, Jared Falk created this free drum lesson to show you exactly how to use the flam accent creatively within drum fills. More »