Over the course of my career, I have had to learn many songs for gigs and often under a time constraint to learn songs on the drums fast. At this point, I can usually give a song or parts of it 1-2 listens and be able to decipher what the drums parts are in detail. Some of my students are often amazed when they see that it takes mere seconds for me to know exactly what to play. This is not because of any gift or talent. It’s simply because I’ve done it thousands of times and have honed my listening skills in the process.
The more songs you learn, the faster you become at putting the pieces of your favourite tune together. Your listening and analysis skills get stronger every time you learn a song too. If you want to know some tips on how to learn songs on the drums fast, then this article is for you. These are my best tips and strategies to help you learn songs on the drums fast. In this guide, we’ll explore simple yet effective strategies to help you learn songs on the drums fast.
Understanding The Basics
Before diving into learning songs, it’s crucial to understand the fundamentals of drumming. You will need to have learned some essential concepts such as rhythm, timing, beats and drum fills.
Rhythm is the foundation of drumming. You will need to know basic rhythms like 1/8th and 1/16th notes for example. If you aren’t great with theory, then you should at least know what they sound like. Knowing these rhythms will help you to make sense of what you’re hearing in the music.
Timing refers to playing drums in sync with the song’s tempo. To learn how to play songs fast on drums, you need to have decent timing and not speed up or slow down uncontrolably. Use a metronome often to practice keeping steady time, so that you can keep the tempo when you learn a song..
Drum beats and drum fills make up the bulk of the parts we learn in songs. They are essentially your vocabulary of drumming. All you need is a few simple beats and drum fills in your pocket to tackle learning a simple song.
Active Listening Techniques
When it comes to learning a song, you will need to identify the drum patterns, fills, and accents. Take note of any signature rhythms or beats that define the song’s groove. The more familiar you are with the parts, the easier it will be to replicate it on the drums. Start with the main groove pattern (or one of them) and listen to it closely. Try and separate each part of the drums. Listen for the Snare Drum. Is it being played on beats 2 and 4? Then listen for the Bass Drum and finally the cymbals.
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Breaking Down Song Structure
When learning a new song, start by breaking down its structure into manageable sections. Identify the verse, chorus, bridge, solos, breakdowns and any other parts. Focus on learning one section at a time, gradually piecing the song together. Breaking it down into smaller chunks will make the learning process less overwhelming and more achievable.
Don’t be in a rush to play the whole song right away. Practice each section individually until you can play it comfortably without and with the music. This will help you pay attention to details like variations and transitions and get to know the parts of the song on a deeper level. This is far more effective than trying to hack through the song in its entirety every time. Splitting the song up into sections and pieces is the best way to learn songs on the drums fast.
Practice Parts At Slower Tempos
Practicing at a slower tempo may seem counterintuitive when you’re eager to learn songs quickly, but it’s an invaluable technique for solidifying your understanding of intricate rhythms and patterns. By spending time practicing slow, you will actually commit the parts to memory and master them in less time.
Practice without the music. Slow down the tempo to a manageable speed and focus on playing each note accurately and evenly. As you become more comfortable with the parts, you can gradually increase the tempo until you reach the desired speed. Slow practice allows you to internalize the song’s nuances and develop muscle memory more effectively. Internalizing the drum parts happens in less time when you practice them slow and it’s a tool to help you learn songs on the drums fast.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Repetition is key to mastering songs on the drums. Sometimes we need to spend a chunk of time practicing a simple groove over and over to get it right. If a specific section of the song has many details and moments to catch, than it is far more effective to spend time practicing only that section again and again.
Practice each section of the song repeatedly until you can play it effortlessly every time. Focus on consistency and accuracy, gradually increasing the tempo as you improve. Repetition helps reinforce muscle memory and solidify your understanding of the song’s structure and dynamics.
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Seek Feedback
Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from experienced drummers or instructors. They can offer valuable insights, tips, and suggestions to help you improve your playing. Someone who has played a song many more times than you can easily spot areas where you’ve missed something or offer other helpful suggestions.
Take should also take advantage of online communities, forums, or local drumming groups to connect with fellow drummers and exchange ideas. Constructive feedback can correct and accelerate your learning and help you overcome any challenges you encounter and get the parts performance ready.
Use Cheat Sheets
For most performance situations we need to memorize the songs we play. If you encounter a situation where you need to learn many songs all at once, it might be wise to make some cheat sheets. This is especially effective if you have a new gig or start in a new band and want to play the music well without forgetting key parts.
Get a simple notepad and pencil. Write the name of the song and list any key sections that you need to remember. Next to “Bridge” for example, write down the notation for the beat, rhythm or drum filll that you need to remember. Keep it as simple as possible and don’t write down the entire section, just the important details.
Sometimes its the structure of the song that needs to be listed. This is especially true if there are any changes in time signature or lengths of a section. Here’s an example of a cheat sheet that lists the structure as well as key parts and details.
Utilize drum sheet music or tabs to learn specific parts of a song accurately. Websites and apps offer a vast library of drum sheets for various songs across different genres. Referencing sheet music or tabs can streamline the learning process and help you master songs faster.
Conclusion
Mastering drum songs quickly requires dedication, patience, and the right practice techniques and tips. By incorporating repetition with variation, breaking down songs into sections, practicing at a slow tempo and practicing with purpose, you can accelerate your learning process and improve your memorization skills. With consistent practice and a focused approach, you’ll be rocking out to your favourite drum songs in no time.
I hope these strategies help you to learn songs on the drums fast, effectively and grow your repertoire. Remember to enjoy the learning process and celebrate your achievements along the way. With time and perseverance, you’ll be rocking out to your favourite tunes with confidence and skill.
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