Latest videos

Short lessons from the practice room, one every Saturday: beats, fills and how to practise.

5 videos

Nov 5
A rock groove you can play by tonight
One bass drum, one snare, one hi-hat and a slow count of four.
Nov 4
Counting out loud while you play
Why saying the beat aloud fixes most timing problems, with a chart to follow.
Nov 3
Ten minutes on a practice pad
A short daily routine for a pad and a pair of sticks, no kit needed.
Nov 2
How to hold the sticks without a sore wrist
Where to grip, how loose to be and what a good rebound feels like.
Nov 1
Reading a rhythm chart from left to right
Quarter notes, eighth notes and rests, one bar at a time.

4 videos

Oct 24
Three fills that work in any song
Short fills for the end of a four-bar phrase, slow first and then up to speed.
Oct 17
Setting up a drum kit for your own height
Stool, snare, hi-hat and pedals, adjusted so you can play for an hour.
Oct 10
Playing quietly when somebody is home
Pads, soft sticks and a few habits for practising without a complaint.
Oct 3
Keeping time with a metronome
Setting a slow click, playing on it and finding out where you drift.

1 video

Sep 26
Your first lesson, start to finish
Sit down, learn the parts of the kit and play one simple beat by the end.

Practice Notes

A short letter every Thursday from the practice room: one groove to learn, one habit to fix and one thing to try this week.