Free Drum Lessons from Tiger Bill

Whether you're a beginner or advanced drummer, you're sure to find something of value in this archive of Free Drum Lessons, courtesy of Tiger Bill Meligari.

Each lesson is organized under the appropriate topic heading and include music theory and drum charts, extreme speed drumming, Gladstone technique, Moeller method, double bass drum control, rudiments around the drumset and much more.

If you like these lessons and would like to learn more in person from Tiger Bill himself, send an email to lessons @ tigerbill.com and write "Web Lessons" in the subject link and you will receive detailed information on how to get started.

Music Theory: includes reading and interpreting drum charts

Tiger Reading 101
It's easy to learn how to read drum music. Here's how.

Tiger Reading 102
We continue with our lessons in reading drum music.

Tiger Reading 103
The conclusion of our lessons in reading drum music.

Chart and Listen
Learn how to easy it is to create your own drum charts and download a professional drum chart "blank" to use as a template.

Homemade Drum Charts
Learn how easy it is to create your own drum charts and download a professionally produced blank template for your own use.

 

Hand Technique: includes rudiments and developmental exercises

Building Monster Chops: Part 1
Learn to play drums the natural way using the Gladstone free stroke system and George Lawrence Stone's level system and benefit from increased speed, power, control, and endurance.

Building Monster Chops: Part 2
Learn more secrets of the Gladstone system and George Lawrence Stone's level system to help you build incredible monster chops of your own.

Building Monster Chops: Part 3
The third and final installment in a series of three lessons that teach you the incredible natural system of drumming with techniques from past masters Billy Gladstone and George Lawrence.

Dropping The Sticks
Here's a terrific exercise that shows you how to "drop the sticks" like a pro. Billy Gladstone would be proud.

Working the Weak Hand
Pro drumming tips, tricks, and techniques for developing your weak hand.

Drum Fun With Odd Note Groups
Incorporate odd note groups into your drumming for new sounds and fresh drum ideas.

Mastering Single Paradiddles
Master one of drummings most basic rudiments: The Single Paradiddle.

Rolls, Rolls, Rolls
The one rudiment that gives drummers the most trouble is, without a doubt, the drum roll. Learn how to develop clean single stroke, double stroke, and closed drum rolls.

Rudiments Around the Drums: Part 1
Learn how to apply the standard snare drum rudiments creatively around your drumset. This lesson covers Single Stroke Rolls, Double Stroke Rolls, and Single Paradiddles.

Rudiments Around the Drums: Part 2
Learn how to apply the standard snare drum rudiments creatively around your drumset. This lesson covers Double Paradiddles, Flams, and The Flam Tap.

Rudiments Around the Drums: Part 3
Learn how to apply the standard snare drum rudiments creatively around your drumset. This lesson covers Rolls from Five through Fifteen Stroke.

R udiments Around the Drums: Part 4
Learn how to apply the standard snare drum rudiments creatively around your drumset. This lesson covers Single and Double Ratamacues.

Rudiments Around the Drums: Part 5
Learn how to apply the standard snare drum rudiments creatively around your drumset. This lesson covers the Triple Ratamacues and includes examples of combining the various rudiments.

 

Tiger Bill's FREE Video Speed Drumming Lesson Series
This is Tiger Bill's Series of Drum Lessons that will help you increase the speed and endurance of your hands and feet! Each Free lesson includes Video and written music notation, courtessy of Tiger Bill and produced exclusively for the DRUM! Magazine Web site. Tiger Bill shows you how to apply his Tension Free Drumming system to extreme speed drumming to improve your chops for any musical style!

 

Foot Technique: includes extreme double bass drumming

Build Your Double Bass Chops: Part 1
Exercises guranteed to build up your double bass drumming chops and 4-way coodination.

Build Your Double Bass Chops: Part 2
Exercises guaranteed to build up your double bass drumming chops and 4-way coodination.

Getting Your Feet Up to Speed
How can you get your double bass foot chops up to the speed of your hands? I'm glad you asked.

 

Tiger Bill's F REE Video Speed Drumming Lesson Series
Learn Tiger Bill's favorite basic foot techniques in these free Video Speed Drumming lessons, exclusively for DRUM! Magazine.

 

Four-Way Coordination

Secret to Four-Way Coordination
Here's an easy method you can apply when learning any four-way coordination drumming pattern.

Secret to Four-Way Coordination II
Our easy method of four-way coordination concludes with the application of the 15 steps to the drums.

Four-Way Coordination Made Easy
Here's how to retrain your brain to make it easy to play four-way coordination on the drums.

Four-Way Jazz Drum Chops: Lesson 1
Easy exercises to help you develop four-way coordination against the basic jazz ride cymbal pattern on the drums.

Four-Way Jazz Drum Chops: Lesson 2
More advanced exercises to get your four-way coordination going in the jazz drumming vein.

Four-Way Rock Drum Chops: Lesson 1
Here are easy exercises to help build up your four-way coordination in the rock drumming vein.

Four-Way Rock Drum Chops: Lesson 2
Advanced exercises to help you gain control over your four-way rock drumset coordination.

 

Drumset Patterns and Grooves

Disco Drumming Can Be Fun, With a Touch of Creativity
Disco drumming doesn't have to be boring to play. Learn how to spice it up with a little C&C: That is, creativity and coordination!

Polka Fun
Playing Polkas can be a real drag on the drumset unless you get creative . Click the link to learn how.

There's Gold in Them Thar' Rhythms
Regardless of the musical style you prefer to play, mastering all of the basic dance rhythm drumbeats can improve your playing and your profits.

 

Tiger Bill's Free Video Speed Drumming Lesson Series
Learn how to play Heavy Metal style Blast Beats with single and double bass chops and apply these techniques to any musical style. Courtestur Heavy Metal chops together, exclusively for DRUM! Magazine.

 

Drum Pro Tips and Tricks

All's Well That Begins Well
Learn the tricks used by drum pros to count off a band and make sure everyone starts together.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?
Here's how to protect your most valuable resource as a drummer: Your hearing!

Developing Dynamite Dynamics: Part 1
Control of dynamics often separates the beginner drummer from the pro. Learn how the pros develop their drumming dynamics.

Developing Dynamite Dynamics: Part 2
Continue your studies in dynamics as you learn the tricks of drumming whisper soft and dynamite loud and how to apply your musical ears every time you play.

Drumming: What's Your Favorite Flavor?
There are lots of jobs out there for those who love drums and percussion. Learn what drumming job would be best for you.

Eight Essentials of the Artist Drummer
Are you a Banger or a true Artist Drummer? If you're not sure, learn what it takes to become the best drummer you can be.

First-Aid Kit for Gig Survival
Learn how to prepare for dealing with any on the gig drumming emergency, bar none!

Free Music Minus One for Everyone
Learn how to get cool music minus one tunes to practice your drumming to, for free!

Great Drumset Instructors Are Rare
This article will arm you with the information you need to find a great drum instructor.

Making It In Music, At Any Age
Are you ever too "old" to make it in music? No Way! Providing you follow these simple steps.

Practice to Prepare for Anything
You may be in great shape one second and have a broken hand the next! Drummers need to practice to prepare to play under ALL adverse conditions!

Pro Secrets: Buddy's Bag – Part 1
Learn the secret to playing one of Buddy Rich's favorite drum techniques: Bass Drum Substitutions.

Pro Secrets: Buddy's Bag – Part 2
More of Buddy Rich's favorite drum techniques revealed: Triplet Fill-ins.

Time In - Time Out
Here's the correct way to use a metronome to develop rock solid drumming.

My Worst Nightmare Gig
There are valuable lessons to be learned in the mistakes of others. You can learn a lot from this one!

Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't... You're Right!
There is nothing you can't do when you have the proper mindset whether it be drumming or anything else you really want!

Take the Monster Chops Challenge!
If you think you're ready for some real drumming challenges, click the above link for some real drumming workouts!