Practice tips for drum breaks
With
Max SedgleyMax Sedgley shares how he practises the drum breaks in this course - playing freestyle, locking in to a click track, and working them at different speeds.
What's in the course
19 lessons (0h 56m) · 2 free
01. Practice tips for drum breaks
You are here3:49
02. The Isley Brothers - Footsteps in the Dark
Free lesson4:33
03. The Isley Brothers - Footsteps in the Dark (top view)
0:55
04. Barry White - I'm Gonna Love You A Little Bit More
4:19
05. Barry White - I'm Gonna Love You A Little Bit More (top view)
0:55
06. Skull Snaps - It's A New Day
2:57
07. Skull Snaps - It's A New Day (top view)
0:54
08. Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution
7:16
09. Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution (top view)
0:54
10. The Winstons - Amen, Brother
6:06
11. The Winstons - Amen, Brother (top view)
1:20
12. Banbarra - Shack Up
4:17
13. Banbarra - Shack Up (top view)
1:10
14. Marva Whitney - Unwind Yourself
5:06
15. Marva Whitney - Unwind Yourself (top view)
0:50
16. Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - Ashley's Roachclip
3:28
17. Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - Ashley's Roachclip (top view)
1:19
18. Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run
5:28
19. Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run (top view)
0:56
Lesson transcript
Practicing Music Breaks: Techniques and Tips
In this segment, we're going to discuss ways you can practice the breaks that we've been listening to and learning. Here are some effective methods to enhance your skills:
1. Freestyle Practice
- Play the breaks at your own pace.
- Ensure everything is coming in at the right place.
- Make sure you're happy with what you're hitting and when you're hitting it.
2. Use a Click Track
- Try playing along to a click or a click track through headphones.
- This will help you get used to playing at a set speed.
- Remember, you can speed it up or slow it down according to where you want to start.
3. Speed Variations
- Many of the breaks have aspects that are great for your technique.
- Speeding up the break faster than you hear it on the song itself can help you grasp these techniques.
- Focus on:
- Double stroke rolls
- Single hits
- Moving around the kit with fills
4. Drop Out Parts
- Practice dropping out various parts of the breaks.
- For example, keep the beat going, then bring the missing part back in.
- This method helps you understand what your different limbs are doing at different times.
5. Isolate Difficult Sections
- If you're struggling with a specific section, take that part and slow it down until you get it right.
- Once mastered, try to snap it back onto what went before it.
6. Repetition is Key
- Practice makes perfect! If you find a bit challenging, repeat it over and over.
- This repetition helps your muscles get used to playing that particular lick or riff.
- As you become comfortable, it will be easier to integrate it into the beat.
7. Play Along with the Whole Song
- A lot of these breaks kick off the song and run throughout it.
- Playing along with the entire song helps you get a feel for the original drumming.
- Listen and pick out interesting bits the drummer does, and see if you can play those as well.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best way to learn is to listen and play along. Make sure to have fun while practicing, and enjoy the process! That's what I'd recommend.
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Max Sedgley is a British producer, drummer and DJ with a degree in classical music. His compositions have featured on numerous TV programmes and adverts, including the series Six Feet Under, and he was the drummer for drum & bass producer Roni Size. He also records under the name Cadien.
In his courses he teaches drumming from the ground up - sticking, core grooves and the eight-note rock pattern - and the iconic 60s and 70s drum breaks that have been sampled into countless modern records.
