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Step 1
Pick a rhythm. The 4/4 rhythm, four quarter notes to a beat, is among the most common, but it's by no means the only one. You can choose from any number of tempos and rhythms. Take, for example, the 7/8, popularized by Pink Floyd's "Money". In any case, if you want to drum effectively, find your rhythm and stick to it.
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Step 2
Assign a drum to a beat. A lot of drummers, particularly beginners, cultivate this habit to know what they're going to be playing. Count out your beat and see that you are consistently playing the same drum bar, not just winging it with every bar.
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Step 3
Practice playing on-beat. Keep counting and listening to how your snare or bass drum beats come down on the count. Try different variations of the bass and snare to see what sounds best to you.
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Step 4
Use the snare for accent. A lot of drum players like to put the snare on a beat that gets attention, They'll use the bass for the standard beat and the snare to mark emphasis. Try this style or listen to rock albums to hear it used.
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Step 5
Try syncopation. Another way to use snares for emphasis and accent is with syncopated beats. This is where you literally play between the beats. In the previous steps, you were taking care to play on beat, but with syncopation, you'll play at the interval between two beats. Practice this until you get comfortable with it, then work it into your routine as needed.
