Everything you need to learn to play the drums

Whatever your age and whatever music you're into, when you can sit down behind a kit and play what you want to play, it's a great feeling. Getting there needs the right teacher, the right technique and a little, ok a lot, of the right kind of practice. This course has been created to get you to the point where you can confidently play a groove and hold your own behind the kit. And if you put in the practice hours you'll get there pretty quick. You don't need any prior experience to take this course, it will start you from the very beginning in clear, straightforward language. Equally if you've played before and want to make sure your technique is as good as it can be and that you've got the right routines to really improve, then there's plenty here for you too.
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Video

Everything you need to get set up

Start as you mean to go on

Getting your first kit can seem daunting. Whether on line or in a drum shop, the ranges are enormous, the choice endless, and that’s just talking about the sticks! This course will take all the mystery out of getting yourself set up, ensuring you buy gear that will sound great, last, and support you as you begin your drumming journey. it also gives you the fundamentals of a really solid

Getting it right

mastering technique

Technique, when you get it right, really is just another word for freedom. Without effective technique, we’re always struggling to play what we want to play and express ourselves fully. The technique covered in this course will enable you to access a vast range of drum grooves and stickings, the building blocks of songs, with a minimum amount of effort whilst ensuring you care for your physical wellbeing and avoid any of the pitfalls that can affect drummers, such as RSI.

Groove and Musicality

making it feel good

Groove is the word when it comes to good drumming. It makes no difference how fast you can play and how many fancy things you can do if you can’t groove. Good grooving is a combination of consistency, solid time keeping, and listening. This course covers all of those things to enable you to groove with the best drummers out there and make everyone who hears you want to get up and dance.

"This course is great!

When you said it was everything I needed, you weren't kidding. Great course, brilliantly put together and easy to follow. I just need to get on and practice now then ;)"

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Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Welcome to the Course
    • Getting the most out of this Course
    • The Importance of Practice
  • 2

    Getting Started - The Fundamentals

    • Welcome to the Fundamentals
    • Setting up the Drum Kit
    • The Anatomy of your Drum Kit
    • The Anatomy of your Drum Kit - recap
    • Which Drum Kit ? - Acoustic
    • Which Drum Kit? - Electric
    • Ear Protection
    • Sound Proofing your Space
    • Reading Music
  • 3

    Technique

    • Welcome to Technique - before you begin
    • Hand Technique 1
    • Foot Technique 1 Bass Drum
    • Hand Technique 2 - doubles
    • Foot Technique - doubles
    • Hi-Hat Technique
    • Hand Technique 3 strokes
    • Practice Technique
    • A Word to Left Handed Drummers
  • 4

    Groove

    • Welcome to Groove - the most important thing you'll ever learn
    • The basic groove - 8th note variations (fatbacks)
    • Practicing the basic groove - 8th note variations (fatbacks)
    • The basic groove - 16th note variations
    • Practicing the basic groove - 16th note variations (fatbacks)
    • Hi-Hat Exercises
  • 5

    Sticking

    • Welcome to Sticking
    • Classic Fills
    • Rudiments
    • Paradiddle
    • Flam
    • 6 Stroke Roll
    • Paradiddle-diddle
    • 5 Stroke Roll
    • Sticking Practice pdf
  • 6

    Practice Makes Perfect

    • Welcome to Practice
    • Practice Log
    • 10 Minutes per day
    • 20 minutes per day
    • 40 minutes per day
    • 60 minutes per day
  • 7

    The Musical Drummer

    • Welcome to the Musical Drummer
    • Choosing the Right Groove
    • Groove Examples
    • Using Fills
    • Fill Examples
    • Creating Fills
    • Welcome to Dynamics
    • Building Dynamics with Cymbals
  • 8

    Where Next

    • Drumming Legends
    • Tracks to get you started
    • Practice
    • Thanks and Good Luck

"I can't believe it took me so long to finally get started on the drums, 3 months in and I actually sound pretty decent...wish I'd started years ago"

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What it costs

We're glad to be able to offer this course at a special rate for lockdown. Usual Price £149

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long will I be able to access the content?

    Whilst we are still running AMS online courses on Thinkific, this course will be available to you. We have no plans at present to discontinue the course so consider it 'lifetime' access (unless anything drastic happens to Thinkific that is.)

  • If the course isn't right for me can I get my money back?

    We're pretty sure you'll love the course and really hope it's the start of a long love affair with the drums, but of course if it's not quite what you expected and you let us know within 14 days of purchase, we are happy to cancel your access and refund your money.

  • Do I have to be able to read music to take this course?

    Great question, no. You don't have to have any prior knowledge of music to take this course. There's a lesson on reading drum music included so you can get to grips with what you need to make the most of your practice routines.

  • Is this course suitable for children?

    Yes absolutely. Although it's been primarily created with the older student in mind (11+), there's no minimum age to start playing the drums, although if you have a youngster that can't yet read they might need a little help interpreting the lessons. My five year old uses most of the stickings and rudiments taught in the course and is already playing along with his favourite tunes. You're never too young to start.