Level 1

This course contains all of the content at Level 1 of the Drummers Academy of Music syllabus, written by John Vooght. This course will get you set up ready to play the drums, and playing with the correct technique. It covers all the music theory and drumming skills needed to get you playing and understanding the basics of many styles of music.

This course gives an introduction to rhythm, technique, time, rudiments, independence, music theory, Rock, Pop, Funk, Musical Theatre, Reggae, World Music, Jazz, and Orchestral music; and also includes lessons on playing to songs, and all Trinity College London Initial and Grade 1 pieces.

Course Instructor

John Vooght John Vooght Author

John has been a professional drummer and educator since the age of eighteen, playing and teaching all styles of music. He has played and studied drums in Europe and America with world renowned drummers and instructors, gaining a wealth of knowledge in all drumming topics and styles of music.As the drummer of Indie Rock band, ‘The Filthy Youth’ in 2005-2010, John played sell out shows in both the UK and America, as well as having the bands music featured in a hit New York TV series.John has also played as a Session Drummer for Pop artists, Jazz and Jazz-Funk Fusion bands, Orchestras, Concert Bands and Theatre Bands.John is the owner of ‘UK Drummers’ and ‘Drummers Academy of Music’, and wrote the syllabus for the Academy, where he is head instructor, and also teaches the Online Drum Lessons.

 

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01. Getting Set Up

The Drums

Lesson Length: 7m09s

Drum Shells

Lesson Length: 06m19s

Drumheads

Lesson Length: 08m33s

Cymbals

Lesson Length: 01m20s

Cymbal Properties

Lesson Length: 08m05s

Hardware

Lesson Length: 03m18s

Full Drum Kit Setup

Lesson Length: 00m54s

Drumsticks

Lesson Length: 04m27s

Other Equipment

Lesson Length: 10m56s

Sound Reduction

Lesson Length: 2m53s

Setting Up A Drum Kit

Lesson Length: 32m43s

Positioning & Posture

Coming Soon

Installing Snare Wires

Lesson Length: 04m57s

Tuning a Drum Kit: Toms

Lesson Length: 45m28s

Tuning a Drum Kit: Bass Drum

Lesson Length: 15m14s

Tuning a Drum Kit: Snare

Lesson Length: 30m19s

02. The Fundamentals

How To Hold The Drumsticks

Lesson Length: 10m36s

The 5 Types Of Stick Strokes

Lesson Length: 11m10s

Bass Drum Foot Technique

Lesson Length: 21m03s

Foot Technique

Lesson Length: 02m11s

The Pulse & Beats In The Bar/Measure

Lesson Length: 07m44s

Bars & Barlines

Lesson Length: 00m44s

Crotchets/Quarter Notes

Lesson Length: 09m20s

Metronome

Lesson Length: 09m19s

The Repeat Sign

Lesson Length: 07m01s

Minims/Half Notes

Lesson Length: 04m16s

Semibreves/Whole Notes

Lesson Length: 04m28s

Rests

Lesson Length: 06m39s

Quavers/Eighth Notes

Lesson Length: 5m49s

The Stave / Staff

Lesson Length: 05m23s

The Basic Quarter Note and Eighth Note Grooves

Lesson Length: 11m02s

Fills

lesson Length: 20m31s

Single Strokes, Double Strokes, and Paradiddles

Lesson Length: 05m42s

Applying Rudiments to Fills

Lesson Length: 22m06s

Combining Rudiments On The Kit

Lesson Length: 07m52s

Using a Metronome (60bpm)

Lesson Length: 11m16s

Using a Metronome (50bpm)

Lesson Length: 05m54s

Using a Metronome (80bpm)

Lesson Length: 04m01s

Using a Metronome

Lesson Length: 02m20s

Developing A Practice Routine

Lesson Length: 10m34s

03. Rhythm, Independence & Time

The Downbeat & Upbeat

Lesson Length: 02m40s

An Eighth Note Rest on the Downbeat & An Eighth Note on the Upbeat

Lesson Length: 08m49s

An Eighth Note Rest on the Downbeat & an Eighth Note on The Upbeat (part 2)

Lesson Length 20m:33s

An Eighth Note Rest on the Downbeat & an Eighth Note on the Upbeat (part 3)

Lesson Length: 10m28s

An Eighth Note Rest on the Downbeat & an Eighth Note on the Upbeat (part 4)

Lesson Length: 17m10s

An Eighth Note Rest on the Downbeat & an Eighth Note on the Upbeat (part 5)

Lesson Length: 13m23s

Groove Exercises

Lesson Length: 11m25s

Syncopation

Lesson Length: 02m26s

Time Training (70bpm)

Lesson Length: 12m34s

Time Training (50bpm)

Lesson Length: 07m27s

Time Training (100bpm)

Lesson Length: 04m41s

04. Rock & Pop

Rock & Pop

Lesson Length: 13m46s

Eighth Note Grooves (Bass Drum Variations)

Lesson Length: 27m03s

Eighth Note Grooves (Bass Drum Variations, Part 2)

Lesson Length: 20m49s

Eighth Note Grooves (Bass Drum Variations, Part 3)

Lesson Length: 28m03s

Eighth Note Grooves (Bass Drum Variations) Application To Music

Lesson Length: 13m30s

Eighth Note Grooves (Kick & Snare Variations)

Lesson Length: 33m17s

Eighth Note Rock & Pop Grooves Summary

Lesson Length: 02m05s

One-Bar Fills

Lesson Length: 54m44s

Quarter Note Grooves (Exercises)

Lesson Length: 32m13s

Quarter Note Grooves

Lesson Length: 23m27s

Quarter Note Grooves (part 2)

Lesson Length: 27m37s

Quarter Note Grooves (Application To Music)

Lesson Length: 11m03s

05. Music Theory

Dynamic Marks

11m53s

Dynamics

Lesson Length: 04m29s

Tempo Marks

Lesson Length: 3m23s

Expression Marks

Lesson Length: 4m16s

Articulation Marks

Lesson Length: 01m06s

Performance Marks (Summary)

Lesson Length 01m29s

More Symbols & Articulations

Lesson Length: 9m32s

Slash Notation

Lesson Length: 03m47s

Song Form

Lesson Length: 2m13s

Anacrusis/Pick-Up Bar

Lesson Length: 3m53s

Reading Sheet Music (Example 1)

Lesson Length: 16m51s

Reading Sheet Music (Example 2)

Lesson Length: 18m52s

PLAY MUSIC

Baby It’s You – The Beatles

Lesson Length: 25m31s

Grade 1: ‘Fever’ – The Black Keys (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 32m01s

Grade 1: ‘Seven Nation Army’ – The White Stripes (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 26m04s

Grade 1: ‘The Weight’ – The Band (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 33m41s

Initial: ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ – Arctic Monkeys (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 31m25s

Initial: ‘Gold Lion’ – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 23m59s

Initial: ‘Hold On’ – Alabama Shakes (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 13m39s

Initial: ‘Island In The Sun’ – Weezer (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 26m28s

Initial: ‘We Will Rock You’ – Queen (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 26m29s

Initial: Coldplay – ‘Yellow’ (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 34m24s

06. Rhythm

Sixteenth Notes on the Downbeat and an Eighth Note on the Upbeat

Lesson Length: 06m42s

Sixteenth Notes on the Downbeat and an Eighth Note on the Upbeat & Quarter Notes

Lesson Length: 21m50s

Sixteenth Notes on the Downbeat and an Eighth Note on the Upbeat & Eighth Notes

Lesson Length: 18m05s

Sixteenth Notes on the Downbeat and an Eighth Note on the Upbeat & Sixteenth Notes

Lesson Length: 18m06s

An Eighth Note On The Downbeat & Sixteenth Notes On The Upbeat

Lesson Length: 04m15s

An Eighth Note On The Downbeat & Sixteenth Notes On The Upbeat & Quarter Notes

Lesson Length: 20m24s

An Eighth Note On The Downbeat & Sixteenth Notes On The Upbeat & Eighth Notes

Lesson Length: 18m27s

An Eighth Note On The Downbeat & Sixteenth Notes On The Upbeat & Sixteenth Notes

Lesson Length: 19m49s

1-Beat Figures (Review)

Lesson Length: 14m45s

07. Rock & Pop (continued)

Rock & Pop Fills

Lesson Length: 34m18s

Rock & Pop Fills (part 2)

Lesson Length: 13m04s

Rock & Pop Fills (part 3)

Lesson Length: 25m39s

PLAY MUSIC

Grade 1: ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ – Queen (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 32m05s

Grade 1: ‘Billie Jean’ – Michael Jackson (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 25m57s

Grade 1: ‘Float On’ – Modest Mouse (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 42m54s

08. Rhythm & Blues (R&B) 

The Genre & The Drumming Greats

Coming Soon

Motown Grooves

Lesson Length: 26m48s

Motown Grooves (part 2)

Lesson Length: 25m56s

Motown Fills

Lesson Length: 31m54s

PLAY MUSIC

Grade 1: ‘Mustang Sally’ – Wilson Pickett (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 18m10s

09. Rhythm & Music Theory

Dotted Half Notes

Lesson Length: 10m08s

Dotted Quarter Notes

Lesson Length: 11m20s

Ties

Lesson Length: 18m57s

Fills with Ties

Lesson Length: 21m15s

Time Signatures

Coming Soon

Playing in 3/4

Lesson Length: 13m48s

10. Funk

The Genre & The Drumming Greats

Coming Soon

Eighth Note Funk Grooves

Lesson Length: 24m36s

Funk Fills

Lesson Length: 23m01s

Quarter Note Funk Grooves

Lesson Length: 12m52a

PLAY MUSIC

Grade 1 Group A: ‘Gunning For Funk’ – Mike Osborn (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson length: 36m57s

Grade 1 Group B: ‘Three Wise Monkeys’ – Chris Burgess (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 36m43s

Grade 1: ‘Uptown Funk’ – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 36m18s

Initial: ‘Hot Pants’ – James Brown (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 14m46s

Initial Group A: ‘On The Right Foot’ – Chris Burgess (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 26m21s

Initial Group B: ‘Grunk Funk’ – Mike Osborn (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 28m21s

11. Musical Theatre

The Genre

Coming Soon

PLAY MUSIC

Grade 1 Group A: ‘Broadway Bounce’ – Chris Burgess (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 18m41s

Initial Group A: ‘Act One Beginners’ – Chris Burgess (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 23m43s

12. Independence & Dynamics

Linear Fills

Lesson Length: 15m26s

Linear Grooves

Lesson Length: 05m16s

Accented Fills

Lesson Length: 04m49s

Left Foot Technique

Lesson Length: 02m40s

4-Way Independence

Lesson Length: 04m39s

Initial Exercises

Lesson Length: 00m22s

Initial: ‘Exercise 1’ – Dave Odart (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 05m57s

Initial: ‘Exercise 2’ – Dave Odart (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson length: 05m16s

Initial: ‘Exercise 3’ – Dave Odart (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 05m45s

Grade 1 Exercises

Lesson Length: 00m21s

Grade 1: ‘Exercise 1’ – Dave Odart (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 07m59s

Grade 1: ‘Exercise 2’ – Dave Odart (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 05m51s

Grade 1: ‘Exercise 3’ – Dave Odart (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 06m03s

13. World

The Genre

Coming Soon

Cha-Cha-Chá

Lesson Length: 15m14s

Baião

Lesson Length: 13m06s

PLAY MUSIC

Grade 1 Group A – ‘In Seine’ – Mike Osborn (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 32m44s

14. Rhythm & Music Theory (continued)

Swinging a Rhythm

Lesson Length: 08m03s

15. Jazz

The Genre & The Drumming Greats

Coming Soon

Swing Time & Fills

Lesson Length: 30m48s

PLAY MUSIC

Grade1 Group A: ‘Soul Babes’ – Clark Tracey (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 41m24s

Grade 1 Group B: ‘Count Me In’ – Clark Tracey (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 46m48s

Initial Group A: ‘Blues for Inclusion’ – Clark Tracey (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 41m32s

Initial Group A: ‘Caribbean Sunset’ – Mike Osborn (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 30m50s

Initial Group B: ‘About Time’ – Clark Tracey (Trinity College London Drum Kit 2020-2023)

Lesson Length: 16m24s

16. Rhythm & Music Theory (continued)

Half Time

Lesson Length: 22m20s

17. Reggae

The Genre & The Drumming Greats

Coming Soon

One Drop Grooves

Lesson Length: 26m09s

Fills

Lesson Length: 32m54s

PLAY MUSIC

Initial: ‘Three Little Birds’ – Bob Marley & The Wailers (Trinity Rock & Pop Drums)

Lesson Length: 20m00s

18. Orchestral

The Genre

Coming Soon

Orchestral Figures

Lesson Length: 20m33s

PLAY MUSIC

Grade 1: Rudimental Study (Trinity College London Snare Drum)

Lesson Length: 34m41s

Grade 1: Austrian Dance (Trinity College London Snare Drum)

Lesson Length: 13m50s

Grade 1: Accent Patrol (Trinity College London Snare Drum)

Lesson Length: 36m07s

Grade 1: Stepping Out (Trinity College London Snare Drum)

Lesson Length: 20m09s