Learn to play drums with play-along videos
Here you will find videos of over 50 patterns and fills that will help you learn to play the drums without lessons or knowledge of music. Get on the drums, turn on the video and play along.
Overview
Rhythms in PDF format for printing
Rock Rhythms
Rock Rhythm 1
Play the hi-hat (with the right hand) 4 times per bar – in quarter notes.
Alternate with the bass drum and the snare drum.
Bass drum on beats 1 and 3
Snare drum on beats 2 and 4
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 2
To the first rock rhythm, only the hi-hat changes, that you now have to play 8 times (in eighths) instead of 4 times per bar.
Alternate with the bass drum and snare drum.
Bass drum on beats 1 and 3
Snare drum on beats 2 and 4
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 3
An additional beat with the bass drum on 3+ is added to the second rock rhythm.
- Bass drum on counts 1, 3+ and 3
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4
- Hi-hat in equal eighths
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 4
Here again only the rhythm of the bass drum changes. Play the bass drum in this rock rhythm simultaneously in quarter notes. This is also called “four-on-the-floor”.
- Bass drum on counts 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4
- Hi-hat in equal eighth notes
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 5
The 5th rock rhythm also varies the rhythm of the bass drum. Play the bass drum on counts 1, 2u and 3+. Compare this rhythm with the rock rhythm 3!
- Bass drum on counts 1, 2u and 3+.
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4.
- Hi-Hat in equal eighths
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 6
In this groove, the bass drum has a lot to do. Play the bass drum (almost) whenever the snare drum pauses.
- Bass drum on counts 1, 1u, 2+, 3 and 3+.
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4.
- Hi-Hat in equal eighths
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Basis Rhythm 7
The rock rhythm 7 corresponds for the most part to the rhythm with the number 3.
In addition to the second beat, open the hi-hat (on beat 1+) and close it again on the next beat (beat 2).
- Bass drum on counts 1, 2+ and 2
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4
- Hi-Hat even in eighths, opened on count 1+
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 8
This rhythm is an extension of rock rhythm 7. The hi-hat is now opened on every second beat (always on “and”) and closed again on the following beat.
- Bass drum on counts 1, 2+ and 2.
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4
- Hi-hat in equal eighths, opened at +
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Basis Rhythm 9
This rhythm is similar to the previous rhythm. However, the hi-hat is opened on beats 1, 2, 3 and 4 and closed again on the “and” beat.
- Bass drum on counts 1, 2+ and 2.
- Snare drum on beats 2 and 4
- Hi-hat in equal eighths, open at 1, 2, 3 and 4, closed at “+”.
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 10
The hi-hat is also opened on the tenth rock rhythm. This time, however, only on the last beat (4+).
You can also use this effect only on every second or every fourth bar. In addition, opening the hi-hat on the last beat is suitable for a transition between verse and chorus.
- Bass drum on beats 1, 2+ and 2
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4
- Hi-hat in equal eighths, opened on the last beat (4+).
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 11
In this rhythm the hi-hat is opened not only on the last beat but also on the third last beat.
- Bass drum on counts 1, 2+ and 2
- Snare drum on counts 2 and 4
- Hi-hat equally in eighths, open on the last beat and the third last beat (3+ and 4+).
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
Rock Rhythm 12
This rhythm almost corresponds to the rock rhythm with no. 11. However, the bass drum only plays on counts 1 and 3.
The first beat on the snare drum comes at 2u, so a little later. You can also try this variation of the snare drum on the other rock rhythms.
- Bass drum on counts 1 and 3
- Snare drum on beats 2+ and 4
- Hi-hat equally in eighths, opened on the last and third last beat (3+ and 4+).
Click on the picture to start the play-along video!
