Help me Learn How to Program Rock Drums

August 31, 2010 3:59 PM

What's the easier way for me to learn the conventions of rock drumming from my bed?

I like to lie around, slothfully, and compose songs via Ableton, singing over the midi instruments, and sometimes live guitar. Where my arrangements are terribly lacking is in the drum department. The Ableton midi drum sounds stink. I have a drum machine I could plug into my audio interface and play that instead, but the basic problem, really, is that I don't know how to play the drums.

I've been listening to videos on You Tube, including little instruction videos, but I'm not really getting what I need.

I need a book or something that will show me when you hit the hit hat and when you hit the bass and when you need a snare etc. and how to put that all together into 16 measures that will sound like a real drum part.

Any suggestions?

posted by DMelanogaster to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Probably not exactly what you're looking for... but you might want to look into the Pro levels/settings on the new version of Rock Band (which doesn't come out until the end of October). It purports to actually teach you how to drum...
posted by brainmouse at 4:01 PM on August 31, 2010

Best answer: For technique, I'd consider getting a book or video on drum rudiments. That'll teach you the basic patterns and stick work. I'd also practice doing double and single stroke rolls.

Youtube is covered with a ton of "Learn to play drums" videos you might try, and maybe look to see if you can find drum tabs or sheet music for songs you like?
posted by BZArcher at 4:07 PM on August 31, 2010

Wii Music has drum kit lessons if you have a fitness board. Just learning some of the basic patterns really increased my awareness of drums while listening to music.
posted by parkerjackson at 4:10 PM on August 31, 2010

On review, the 16 measure standard drum pattern is EXACTLY what Wii Music teaches you.
posted by parkerjackson at 4:11 PM on August 31, 2010

Why not go the other way? Rumor has it that Adrian Belew was initially a drummer who taught himself guitar (of which he is an utter god) during a long hospital convalescence.
posted by digitalprimate at 5:49 PM on August 31, 2010

There was an old Sound on Sound series about this.

Probably worth a read.
posted by pompomtom at 9:32 PM on August 31, 2010

Response by poster: Well I found this great guy on You Tube. Here's his first lesson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RRBeHwslLE&feature=related

I have already programmed his basic rock beat into an ableton song I am working on.

And now I am onto the basic "fills" section.

The Sound on Sound suggestion was helpful. Sadly the links weren't live for some reason, though.

I don't have a Wii and don't know how I would get that 16-measure drum instruction thing. It sounds great.

But I am on my way. Thank you for the inspiration.
posted by DMelanogaster at 1:14 PM on September 2, 2010