I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide : Recent Episodes
Marc Rollins
A podcast series setup to guide you through the book "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide". An introductory drum lesson syllabus designed to take the beginner drummer to a Grade 1-2 standard.
This is an instructional course to go alongside the book, which can be purchased at:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RPW3JQ5 Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1614428958 Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/i-hit-drums-a-beginner-s-guide
In this episode you'll learn how to add accents to triplet patterns and I'll explain how you can then take these ideas and put them around the kit to make melodic phrases.
Download the exercises from this episode here so you can play along. More exercises like this are in my book "Intermediate 1" available from my website.
Please leave a rating and review if you're finding the podcast helpful, as this helps other drummers like yourself find the podcast.
Enjoy!
In this episode you'll start using triplets around the kit and look at three different sticking patterns to help you move around comfortably, depending on the fill.
Download the exercises from this episode here so you can play along. More exercises like this are in my book "Intermediate 1" available from my website.
Please leave a rating and review if you're finding the podcast helpful, as this helps other drummers like yourself find the podcast.
Enjoy!
In this episode you'll start learning about triplets:
- How to count them
- How to play them
- How to change between triplets and other note values
Download the exercises from this episode here so you can play along, or for these and more exercises like this you can buy the book "Intermediate 1" from my website.
Please leave a rating and review if you're finding the podcast helpful, as this helps other drummers like yourself find the podcast.
Enjoy!
In this episode you'll continue to develop your Hi-hat foot independence, only this time you'll get used to playing the four Hi-hat foot patterns from the last episode, with four different fills. You'll also get a first listen of the next song in the book: "Club Hi-hat Foot".
Download the exercises from this episode here so you can play along, or for these and more exercises like this you can buy the book "Intermediate 1" from my website.
The Jimmy Chamberlain Video
The Keith Carlock Video
Please leave a rating and review if you're finding the podcast helpful, as this helps other drummers like yourself find the podcast.
Enjoy!
In this episode you'll start learning how to use the Hi-hat foot independently, within grooves. After an initial warm-up exercise, this will then be broken down into four different foot patterns you can apply to a variety of grooves.
Download the exercises from this episode here so you can play along, or to work on these and many other exercises like this, you can buy the book "Intermediate 1" in ether Paperback or eBook formats from my website.
Please leave a rating and review if you're finding this podcast helpful, as this helps other drummers like yourself find the podcast.
Enjoy!
In this episode we'll continue working with Hi-hat accents, only this time we'll be adding them to 16th note grooves before having a listen to the next song in the book: "No Accents, No Cry".
Download the exercises here so you can play along, or if you haven't already, you can get the book in ebook or paperback formats from my website.
If you're enjoying the podcast so far, please subscribe and give it a rating, as this helps other new drummers find it.
Enjoy!
In this episode we begin working on Lesson Chapter 4 of the book "Intermediate - 1". The exercises in this episode can be downloaded here.
In this episode you'll learn how to add accented (loud) strikes to simple grooves in order to give them a new feel and even change the pulse of the groove and you'll learn how a change in movement rather than controlling physical force can get you these results.
Be sure to download the exercises so you can play along, or if you haven't already, you can get the book in ebook or paperback formats from my website.
If you're enjoying the podcast so far, please subscribe and give it a rating, as this helps other new drummers find it.
Enjoy!
Download the exercises for this episode here.
In this episode we're going to explore adding snare drum hits to the "e" and "a" counts. Up to this point, most of your snare drum hits will probably fall with a Hi-hat strike but now we're going to start adding hits in between these to form a new kind of groove!
We'll also combine the elements of the last episode with this new snare drum positions, within the next song in the book "Nothing but an E/A Thing"
This episode has a lot of play-along opportunities so you're going to need to download the exercises or get the book "Intermediate - 1", available in both eBook and Paperback formats from my website.
If you're enjoying the podcast so far, please subscribe and give us a rating, as this helps other new drummers find it.
Enjoy!
You can download the exercises from today's episode here.
In this week's episode we're going to strengthen your knowledge of note values so that you can not only play patterns confidently when there isn't a Hi-hat or Ride part but also show you how you can start with a simple idea and gradually build upon it in steps until you have a far more impressive sounding part. This is a really simple way of developing your own fill and drum solo ideas!!
This episode has a lot of play-along opportunities so you're going to need to download the exercises or get the book "Intermediate - 1", available in both eBook and Paperback formats from my website.
If you're enjoying the podcast so far, please subscribe and give us a rating, as this helps other new drummers find it.
Enjoy!
In this episode we'll be taking your 16th Note Hi-hat skills a step further by exploring what the addition of open hi-hats does to the grooves and the different scenarios you'll come across.
We'll also move on to the next song in the book "The GeeBees" and take a look at some key area of the written music before having a listen to the piece.
Download the exercises discussed in this episode here.
To get your copy of Intermediate - 1 in eBook or Paperback formats, visit my website.
Enjoy!
Get started with learning the basic mechanics involved in playing 16th note hi-hat grooves, as we move into Lesson 2 of the book "Intermediate - 1", a book written to help you learn the different elements of Grade 3 drumming.
As well as helping you follow along with the written exercises in the book, you'll also hear a few examples to help ensure you're playing the exercises correctly. If you don't yet have the book, you'll be able to view a few of the example exercises on the YouTube version of this podcast, which will come out a couple of days after this podcast episode goes live.
You can get the book in both eBook and Paperback via my website. If you're a total beginner, you can also get your first drum lesson for FREE by signing up to the mailing list on my wesbite.
Let me know how you get on in the comments! Happy to help.
Enjoy!
Continuing the first lesson chapter of "Intermediate - 1" we'll be taking Flams a step further and moving them around the kit and figuring out if it matters whether or not you play a right hand flam or a left hand flam.
Once you're feeling comfortable with these exercises we'll go through a few Key Grooves for the first song in the book, "Flamming Licks" which you'll hear at near the end of this episode.
All of the exercises can be found in the book Intermediate - 1, which is available on my website as en eBook or paperback. Some of the examples will also be included in the YouTube version of this podcast.
Let me know how you get on in the comments section or if there's anything you're struggling with.
Enjoy!
Welcome back to another episode of the podcast. This week we'll get you started with playing Flams and learning the details required to play them correctly.
This is the first new element featured in the book "Intermediate - 1" and a really cool and easy way to add some new flavour into your drumming. The lesson will make a whole lot more sense with the book, which you can find on my website but I'll also be adding episodes to my YouTube channel and some of the exercises will be displayed there.
If you're brand new to the drums you can get access to a FREE Groove starter pack, which will get you playing some drum beats in no time.
Leave a comment and let me know how you're finding Flams so far. Can you think of any songs that use flams??
It's here! Series 2 of the I Hit Drums podcast begins April 1st 2025 and I'll be adding new episodes every two weeks.
Just like Series 1, which helped you work through "A Beginner's Guide", series 2 will provide an audio lesson, that helps guide you through the material within my new book "Intermediate - 1". This book contains new elements at a Grade 3 level, along with 8 new songs, helping you take your drumming up a level and introduce you to whole new world of things you can do at the kit!
You can find all of my books on my website and if you're completely new to the drums, you can get a FREE groove starter pack to help you get started.
Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. I'll also be adding episodes to my YouTube channel with some of the exercises included too!
Leave a comment and let me know how you're getting on or if you have any questions.
Enjoy!
The next book in the I Hit Drums series will be released 1st November 2024. Here's a little lowdown of what to expect!
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 18th and final episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast series, we cover the remainder of the book, where we'll set out the next steps involved in completing "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide". These include:
- 6 Steps When Learning a New Song
- The Remaining 6 songs
- Certification and Free Choice Usage
If you've gotten this far in the series, THANK YOU! I hope everything we've covered so far will help guide you through the remaining pieces. Subscribe or follow my channels to be the first to hear about the next book in the Syllabus, which is currently being written.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
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In the 17th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 76-78 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Identifying Loud Strikes in Notation
- Quarter Note Dynamic Exercises
- 8th Note Dynamic Exercises
The purpose of this lesson is to get the player used to controlling how hard a drum is hit. It's rare you'll hear grooves where every drum stays at a consistent volume throughout. Learning to control loud and quiet strikes, is learning to develop your own sound.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
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In the 16th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 70-75 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Knowledge Checkpoint!
- Quarter Note Grooves
- "Where's the Sand From?" - Key Grooves and Play-along
The purpose of this lesson is to get the player used to playing only quarter notes on the hi-hats or cymbal, rather than 8th notes, whilst still maintaining 8th note patterns between the Bass and Snare Drums.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 15th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 65-69 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Closing the Hi-hats with a Snare Drum
- Opening the Hi-hats with a Snare Drum
- "Bang the Plank" Play-along pointers
The purpose of this lesson is to continue involving the 4th limb, in controlling the opening and closing of the Hi-hat cymbals whilst playing grooves and then putting this to use with the song "Bang the Plank"
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 14th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 62-64 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Identifying Open and Closed Hi-hats
- Closing the Hi-hats with a Bass drum
- Opening the Hi-Hats with a Bass drum
The purpose of this lesson is to start involving the 4th limb a little more and use it to control the opening and closing of the Hi-hat cymbals whilst playing grooves.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 13th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 58-61 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Ride Cymbal Identification
- "Savannah" Key Grooves on the Ride Cymbal
- "Oh Yeah" Key Grooves on the Ride Cymbal
- "Forget It" Play-along
The purpose of this lesson is to take what was learned in previous Hi-hat grooves and apply the Ride Cymbal to those patterns. This, along with what was learned in Lesson 8 should put you in a good position to try the next piece in the book "Forget It".
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 12th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 54-57 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- "Tomorrow" Key Grooves
- "Tomorrow" song run through
The purpose of this lesson is to take what was learned in exercise 8.1 and put that understanding of toms and fills into a song format and get you playing music!
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 11th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 52 and 53 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Learning the note placements for the High, Mid and Floor Toms
- 8th and 16th Note Fills around the kit
- Playing grooves into fills
The purpose of this lesson is to get your hands used to playing around the kit. The rhythms have already been learned in previous lessons, on the snare drum. Now we move these rhythms to different parts of the kit.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 10th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 47-51 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- 8th Note Sticking Combinations
- 16th Note Sticking Combinations
- 8th and 16th Note Sticking Combinations
- Adding the Feet
The purpose of this lesson is to create flow between the hands through different sticking patterns. Many of these combinations are really good, pre-show warm ups. Once again, adding the feet will further develop your independence.
If you've got this far, WELL DONE! You've handled a lot of different techniques! Going forwards we'll be looking at a lot more songs and playing MUSIC!
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 9th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 42-45 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Paradiddles - 1/4 notes / 8th notes / 16th notes
- Paradiddles along with the Feet
The purpose of this lesson is to advance your hand technique a little further by essentially combining single and double sticking. The addition of the feet will further strengthen your independence on the kit.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 8th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 37-41 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- 8th Note Grooves with Rests
- "Oh Yeah" Key Grooves
- "Oh Yeah" Play-along
The purpose of this lesson is to help you understand how rests can be used within different grooves to change the feel of the pattern. This is then put into practice in the form of the song "Oh Yeah".
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 7th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 31-36 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Rest Values
- Note Values within 16th Note Variations
- Checkpoint!
The purpose of this lesson is to help you understand the lengths of different rest values in relation to notes. We also look into how notes and rests can be combined to make longer notes.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 6th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 28-30 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- 16th Note Variations
- How a Metronome can help with 16ths
- The "Rule" of Four
The purpose of this lesson is to help you understand the different rhythms that can be played within a group of four 16th notes and how a specific sticking pattern can help make things easier in the long run.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 5th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 26 and 27 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Double Sticking at different note values (Adding the Feet)
- Moving between different note values with Double Sticking (Adding the Feet)
In Double Sticking, all of the exercises should be played R,R,L,L instead of the previously learned single sticking R,L,R,L
The purpose of this lesson is to get your hands working alongside the feet, despite playing different patterns and therefore strengthening your independence.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 4th episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 24 and 25 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Double Sticking at different note values (Quarter Notes, 8th Notes and 16th Notes)
- Moving between different note values with Double Sticking
In Double Sticking, all of the exercises should be played R,R,L,L instead of the previously learned single sticking R,L,R,L
The purpose of this lesson is to get your hands used to hitting a drum or surface for two consecutive hits, instead of moving from one hand to the next.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 3rd episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 18-23 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- 8th Note Beats
- Learning the Key Grooves of your first song "Savannah"
- Savannah play-along
The purpose of this lesson is to get your hands and feet working together, in response to written notes on the page, with the addition of an audible backing track.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the 2nd episode of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 13-16 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Moving between different note values (Quarter Notes, 8th Notes and 16th Notes)
- Adding the Feet
All of the exercises are based around single sticking, which means Right, Left, R,L,R,L etc.
The purpose of this lesson is to get your hands used to switching between different note values, at a fixed tempo and to then add the feet to begin developing your 3-way and 4-way independence.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS
In the first lesson of the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" podcast, we cover pages 7-12 of the book, where you'll work though the following:
- Understanding Bars
- Using A Metronome
- Note Values - inc. Quarter Notes, 8th Notes and 16th Notes
All of the exercises are based around single sticking, which means Right, Left, R,L,R,L etc.
The purpose of these first exercises is to get your hands used to working together rhythmically and to also translate notes on the page into actual rhythms. Pages 1-6 cover Drum Kit identification and Setup, along with a notation key and with a variety of stick holding grips to try out, so be sure to read through these first pages.
If you haven't already got your copy of "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" it can be purchased in the following places:
Amazon - Paperback and eBook (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books - eBook
Kobo - eBook
Get in Touch
Instagram @ihitdrums
Facebook /ihitdrumsuk
FREE WEEKLY DRUM LESSONS - STARTS 10th Jan 2023
Welcome to the "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" Podcast. This aim of this series is to guide you through the exercises and pieces within the book "I Hit Drums - A Beginner's Guide" and help you get started on your drumming journey! Episodes will be released on a weekly basis and along the way you can get in touch with me for further guidance and instruction. Details on how to do this can be found within the episodes and show notes.
The first book in the I Hit Drums syllabus is designed to take you from a complete beginner, up to a Grade 1-2 standard.
This book can be purchased at:
Amazon (other countries URL may differ from UK)
Apple Books
Kobo
Best of luck with the material and I look forward to hearing from you. Marc.