The drum fill for this episode incorporates a 16th-note linear idea between the hi-hat, bass drum, snare, and toms. Unlike most drum fills, this one is conceived over two bars, starting on the fourth beat of the first bar and developing on the second bar. The key to mastering this idea is memorizing the sticking … More A Fill for Every Season #5
We moved from jazz to classic rock, soul/funk, Latin, and Brazilian music; this time I’ll talk about something different. Well-known as the drummer of Blink-182, Travis Barker is one of the most influential musicians on the Rock scene today, who inspired a whole generation of drummers. His hyperactive and energetic drumming can be heard on … More Travis Barker: Box Car Racer – And I (Full Drum Transcription)
The Afro-Cuban 6/8 rhythm embodies the heartbeat of a rich and diverse cultural heritage, transcending the boundaries of geography and time. Its incorporation on the drumset opens doors for new rhythms involving coordination, independence, and polyrhythms. In the following two videos, I show you some ideas: Check out my previous articles to know more and … More Exploring Afro-Cuban 6/8 Rhythms
In the endless world of rhythmic possibilities, few beats present the density of Latin grooves. In this article, we delve into a multi-use Latin groove that serves as a rhythmic foundation for an array of musical contexts. To facilitate your learning process, we’ve included the drum notation, allowing you to master its intricate rhythms with … More Multi-Use Latin Groove + Notation
Brazilian music is renowned for its vibrant rhythms, irresistible melodies, and rich cultural heritage. For drummers who want to explore the exciting world of Brazilian music, mastering the rhythmic styles of genres like samba, partido alto, and bossa nova is a must. In this article, we present a collection of 50 Brazilian songs that every … More Drum Practice Playlist: Brazilian Songs Collection (Samba, Partido Alto, Bossa Nova)
In this article, I showcase 5 of my favorite drum grooves. This is my tribute to the drummers who made these grooves legendary, from the classic Rosanna half-time shuffle to the infectious Bill Withers’ Use Me drum beat. Funky, soul, and half-time shuffle; these are drum beats I never get tired of playing during every … More My Top 5 Drum Grooves + Notation
Cheryl Lynn’s “Got To Be Real” is a timeless disco anthem that has captivated audiences since its release in 1978. It was co-written with David Paich of Toto and David Foster. The song earned a Grammy nomination in 1979, and in 2005 it was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. The powerful vocals, … More James Gadson: Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real (Full Drum Transcription)
In my latest article, I discussed Bernard Purdie’s drumming on “Babylon Sisters” by Steely Dan, analyzing his playing and presenting the complete drum transcription. Today I want to share a collection of 10 legendary Bernard Purdie grooves, performed and recorded between 1967 and 1995, with artists such as Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Joe … More Bernard Purdie Grooves Collection
In this fourth episode, I introduce a new drum fill I developed. The drum fill is based on sextuplets, starting with two notes on the bass drum and moving with an alternate sticking between the floor tom and rack tom. We start off playing the drum fill slowly to memorize the orchestration. Once comfortable, we … More A Fill for Every Season #4
As a drummer and music enthusiast, I always search for resources to help you improve your drumming. Recently I was contacted by Kevin Mendes, the owner of simpledrummer.com, an interactive membership-based website that offers online lesson content geared towards beginner/intermediate drummers. Let me introduce this complete resource. Simpledrummer is an online platform that offers interactive … More Simpledrummer – Review
Francis' Drumming Blog 