WHAT KIND OF DRUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE?

As a drummer, your practice routine is key to improving.  Still, you need to develop another super important skill—your ears!  You must develop the ability to listen to music and hear musical cues in a song. Listening closely to music and paying attention to your favorite drummers will help you grow faster than you think.  It’s more than just hearing the beat.  Listen to the drummers in your favorite songs, and figure out the tempo, the time signature, and structure (e.g., intro, chorus, verse, bridge, etc.).  Try to pick out the drum, bass, guitar, and other instruments’ parts by ear.  The more you listen, the better you’ll understand what makes great drumming.  Plus, listening helps you find the style that inspires you the most.  So, what kind of drummer do you want to be?  Here are some different types of drummers to help you decide which style suits you best.

NOTE: Ensure that your parent(s) or guardian approves the music, material, or videos you choose to watch or listen to.

Pocket Drummer.  Focus: Groove, timing, and feel.  A pocket drummer is all about the groove. These drummers are not flashy or fancy, but they play with tight, steady timing that locks in perfectly with the rest of the band. Their goal is to make the music feel smooth and balanced so people can’t help but nod their heads, tap their feet, or dance to the music. If you love rock, pop, country, R&B, soul, or hip-hop, this could be your style.  Listen to: Steve Jordan (John Mayer Trio, The Rolling Stones); Questlove (The Roots); or Chris "Daddy" Dave (D'Angelo, Anderson .Paak).

Rock Drummer.  Focus: Power and energy.  Rock drummers hit hard and play with lots of energy. They create driving rhythms that push the song forward, often with big snare backbeats and crash cymbals. This is your style if you like loud, powerful music and want to get the crowd pumped.  Listen to: Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana); Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters); or Travis Barker (Blink-182).

Jazz Drummer.  Focus: Dynamics and improvisation.  Jazz drummers are known for their creativity and attention to detail. They play with lots of subtle changes in volume and rhythm, often improvising as they go. Jazz drummers listen closely to the other musicians and adapt their playing on the fly. If you enjoy complex rhythms and the freedom to experiment, jazz drumming might be your path.  Listen to: Brian Blade (Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, Wayne Shorter Quartet); Mark Guiliana (David Bowie, Brad Mehldau); or Antonio Sánchez (Pat Metheny, Birdman soundtrack).

Metal Drummer.  Focus: Speed and precision.  Metal drummers are known for playing fast and with extreme precision. Using double bass pedals and blast beats, they create complex, high-energy rhythms that drive the music. This style is for drummers who love fast, aggressive beats and pushing their limits.  Listen to: Chris Adler (Lamb of God); Mario Duplantier (Gojira); or Joey Jordison (Slipknot).

Session Drummer.  Focus: Versatility and professionalism.  Professional session drummers can play any style of music. They’re hired for recording sessions and live shows because they can quickly adapt to what the artist or producer wants. If you want to be the kind of drummer who can step into any situation and nail it, this could be the role for you.  Listen to: Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses); Matt Chamberlain (Tori Amos, David Bowie, Pearl Jam); or Aaron Sterling (John Mayer, Taylor Swift).

Funk Drummer.  Focus: Syncopation and groove.  Funk drummers are all about creating tight, syncopated rhythms that make people dance. They’re masters of groove, using accents, ghost notes, and dynamic hi-hat patterns to keep the music funky. If you love rhythm and groove, this style might be for you.  Listen to: Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters); Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown); or Stanton Moore (Galactic).

Prog/Technical Drummer.  Focus: Complex time signatures and technical skills.  Progressive rock (“prog”) drummers often play in odd time signatures and focus on complex rhythms. They mix rock, jazz, and metal elements to create technical and creative music. If you like challenges and pushing the boundaries of rhythm, this could be the right path.  Listen to: Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson); Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo); or Danny Carey (Tool).

Latin Drummer.  Focus: Rhythmic complexity and hand percussion.  Latin drummers incorporate rhythms from Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and other Latin styles. They often play hand percussion instruments like congas, bongos, and the drum set. This style is all about intricate, syncopated rhythms and lively beats.  Listen to: Horacio "El Negro" Hernández (Michel Camilo, Santana); Antonio Sánchez (Pat Metheny, Birdman soundtrack); or Alex Acuña (Weather Report, Paul McCartney).

Electronic Drummer.  Focus: Technology and sound design.  Electronic drummers create unique beats and sounds using drum machines, electronic drum kits, or a hybrid setup. They focus on using samples and loops to fit into electronic and pop music. This style might excite you if you love tech and experimenting with sounds.  Listen to: Travis Barker (Blink-182, Machine Gun Kelly – known for blending electronic elements); KJ Sawka (Pendulum, Destroid); or Jojo Mayer (Nerve).

Find Your Style!

As you develop your drumming skills, listen to drummers from different genres and pay attention to how they play.  Try to imitate their techniques and see which styles you enjoy the most.  The best drummers listen as much as they play, so figure out what’s happening in the music and find out what kind of drummer you want to be. 

- Ray Paul Santillano

Happy drumming!

P.S. I'm a pocket drummer focused on groove, timing, and feel. I avoid fancy or flashy techniques because I believe in the principle of "less is more" when it comes to serving a song or the band.