How to play drums - Dixieland Jazz

This beginner drum lesson introduces the beat most common to jazz music, and in particular Dixieland Jazz. You see the beat written out, counted out-loud, and played on a drum set. The beat is broken down so that anyone can learn it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• drum sticks, drum set (or several things to hit with drum sticks)

1. 
   the drum set

   Early Jazz music includes Dixieland Jazz, like the song "Oh, When the Saints"... The beat used is the most common jazz drum beat. We play at a slow march tempo. If you are right handed, play either the ride cymbal or the hi-hat with your right hand. If you are left-handed, switch all the right and left hand references. When playing the hi-hat, open on the count of "one" as an accent.

2. 
   the beat written out

   The beat is counted "one,two,a,three,four,a,one"... and is written like the caption. The top line represents the right hand. Start with the right hand only, very slowly, counting out-loud if you can. The note values for the right hand rhythm are: quarter, dotted eighth, sixteenth, quarter, dotted eighth, sixteenth.

3. 
   practice with 2 limbs, then add the 3rd

   Add the right foot (bass drum) on the count of "one" and "three", the left hand (snare drum) on the count of "two" and "four". Play the snare and bass only - bass, snare, bass, snare, etc., while counting "one, two, three, four, etc." When you feel comfortable, add the cymbal (right hand). If you have trouble, start with the cymbal and bass drum only, and when comfortable add the snare. Next try the cymbal and snare only, and when comfortable add the bass.

Tips & Warnings

• practicing 15-30 minutes each day will re-wire your brain and playing will get easier and easier!
• warning: drumming may be addictive!