All Apologies
Drum Cover + Notation
Artist: Nirvana
Album: In Utero
Video Release Date: June 10, 2022
Good for Practicing: Flam/Kick Fills, Quarter Note Grooves, Kick “Triples”
Why I chose this song…
All Apologies is a great tune for getting students comfortable with changing between grooves with different lead hand subdivisions. The “Drum Solo” sections also offer students the opportunity to feel the spotlight, featuring awesome flam and kick fills like the “Bucket O’ Fish” sweep.
Back In Black
Drums ONLY Cover + Notation
Artist: AC/DC
Album: Back In Black
Video Release Date: June 10, 2022
Good for Practicing: Flams, Syncopated Fill Patterns, “Sloshy” Hi-hat Control
Why I chose this song…
In my opinion, no song better features the classic “Boom Schmack” groove. Phil Rudd is a master at making simple grooves feel incredible. For my students this song is often an introduction to broken-up 16th note patterns, “over the bar” fills, and understanding the mechanics of controlling a “sloshy”, “chunky” hi-hat sound.
Basket Case
Drum Cover + Notation
Artist: Green Day
Album: Dookie
Video Release Date: June 10, 2022
Good for Practicing: Anticipations, Singles Fills, Speed Building
Why I chose this song…
This is not an easy tune when you consider the speed, however, I think teaching Basket Case is a great excuse to show students how to safely increase their groove and fill speed threshold. It is important for drummers to know which muscles to use and which to keep relaxed.
Can’t Stop
Drum Cover + Notation
Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album: By the Way
Video Release Date: June 10, 2022
Good for Practicing: Ghost Notes/Drags, Syncopated Groove Patterns, “Off-Beat” Accents
Why I chose this song…
I love using Can’t Stop as an introduction to teaching syncopated and funky ghost note-y grooves. This song is also a great excuse to talk about basic improvisation and musicality concepts. I usually begin with explaining how to simplify the sections before going into all of Chad’s variations as written.
Enter Sandman
Drum Cover + Notation
Artist: Metallica
Album: Metallica (The Black Album)
Video Release Date: June 10, 2022
Good for Practicing: Tom Grooves, Anticipations, Crash “Chokes”
Why I chose this song…
Lars haters need not apply. Enter Sandman offers an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about how to use their toms in interesting grooves and fills. This tune is groovy, heavy, and showcases popular musical ideas like anticipations, half-time grooves, and cymbal chokes.
Say It Ain’t So
Drum Cover + Notation
Artist: Weezer
Album: Weezer (Blue Album)
Video Release Date: June 10, 2022
Good for Practicing: Flam/Kick Fills, Kick “Triples”, The “Big Snare Fill”
Why I chose this song…
I honestly get a kick out of teaching this song to beginners because it seems so simple and easy on the first page before amping up on page two. The benefit of learning this early on is to build an understanding of how simple parts can be musically expanded into slightly more complex patterns.