Let's start with the foundation. Hit the kick drum on every beat. Listen to the metronome and keep it steady. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Now, let's do the same with the snare drum. Hit the snare on every beat. 1, 2, 3, 4.

The kick drum often lands on the strong beats. Let's practice hitting it on beats 1 and 3.

The snare provides the backbeat in most popular music. Practice hitting it on beats 2 and 4.

The hi-hat is your timekeeper. Let's practice playing steady quarter notes on the hi-hat.

Combine everything. Kick on 1 & 3, Snare on 2 & 4, and Hi-hat on every beat.

Use the crash cymbal to mark the beginning of a phrase. Hit it right on beat 1.

Let's double the pace on the hi-hat. Play eighth notes: 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and.

Combine the steady eighth-note hi-hat with the kick drum on beats 1 and 3.

This is it! The most common rock beat. Eighth notes on hi-hat, kick on 1 & 3, snare on 2 & 4.

Let's play the same rock beat, but use the ride cymbal instead of the hi-hat. Notice how the sound changes.

Let's make the kick pattern more interesting. Add a kick on the "and" of beat 3.

Another common kick pattern. Kick on 1, "and" of 1, and 3.

A fill is a short transition. On beat 4, play Tom 1, Tom 2, then Tom 3.

Play a simple beat for 3 counts, then play a fill on the 4th count.

A classic dance beat. Kick drum on every quarter note, with snare and hi-hats.

A simple funk groove. Notice the syncopated kick drum pattern.

A rock beat with a busier kick drum pattern. Focus on the timing of the kicks.

This variation adds a snare hit on the "and" of 4 for a classic feel.

Let's go back to the ride cymbal with a new kick pattern. Keep the ride steady.

Instead of hi-hats, we'll use Tom 1 to keep time. This creates a powerful, driving feel.

A classic tom roll. Hit each tom twice, then end with a snare.

Let's try a faster 16th note fill across the toms.

Let's combine some previous ideas into a more complex beat. Keep the tempo steady!

Practice transitioning from a beat to a fill. Play the beat for 3 counts, then the fill on count 4.

A faster and more complex pattern to test your skills. Good luck!

Let's combine some previous ideas into a more complex beat. Keep the tempo steady!

Practice transitioning from a beat to a fill. Play the beat for 3 counts, then the fill on count 4.

A faster and more complex pattern to test your skills. Good luck!