There’s more to playing drums than banging on the kit as quickly and vehemently as you can. Some take years to grasp the basics while hitting a plateau is almost inevitable to the vast majority of drummers.
If you want to speed up the process and learn the drums accurately, and elegantly, I want to introduce you to some of the best online drum lessons in 2022.
What are the Best Online Drum Lessons?
Whether you want to play drums for rock, jazz, pop, or country music there’s something for everyone in this list of best drum lessons. So without further ado, here is my list of the top online drum lessons in 2022.
1. Drumeo
Overview
Drumeo is regarded as one of the most popular online drum lesson websites for a good reason. Dozens of high-tier professionals teaching everything from drumming fundamentals to the most intricate figures and techniques are just the start of what this website has to offer.
One of the most exciting features of this website is the “open doors” for veteran drummers to come and host a masterclass or two about techniques they have either developed or perfected themselves.
Students are free to choose the lessons they want to study, but they can also take the pre-built learning method comprised of 10 levels. Currently, there are over 2,500 lessons and more than 260 courses students can follow on Drumeo’s official website.
Key Features
- “Drumeo Method” is comprised of 471 lessons
- A database of over 3,100 songs to play along to
- Over 2,500 total lessons and more than 260 courses are available on Drumeo’s website
- Downloadable lessons
- Dozens of in-house and guest drum teachers, and professional musicians
- Weekly live lessons
- Gamified learning where you earn XP as you learn
- Q&A student sessions
Pricing
Drumeo’s annual subscription costs $20 per month ($240 per year). Additionally, a 30-day free trial is available for all students that make an account. Plus, they have a 90-day 100% money back guarantee.
What I Like / Dislike About Drumeo
I adore the fact that Drumeo hosts regular teaching sessions with guest drummers from all walks of life.
For metalheads, Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg will help you learn gravity blasts in a second. Want to learn more about fusion drumming? Cindy Blackman Santana’s got your back. Interested in how the best drum solos were composed? None other than The Journey’s Steve Smith will help you out.
The only thing I didn’t particularly like is the expensiveness of the Beginner’s Bundle. It costs exactly the same as more advanced lesson bundles, but compared to contemporary alternatives, I’d argue it doesn’t cost a fortune.
Who Is This For?
Drumeo is possibly the best online drum lessons website available. Everything about it is more flexible and versatile than average, from paying options, over coaches and instructors, to the actual lessons and bundles.
2. Artist Works Jazz Drums
Overview
Artist Works is a platform where various professionals offer their guidance to aspiring musicians. This Jazz Drums package in particular was made by Peter Erskine, who famously played in several world-class fusion and jazz acts, most notably Weather Report.
With a doctorate from Berklee College of Music and over four decades of experience in creating, performing, and curating music, Peter is more than qualified enough to host drumming masterclasses by himself.
This package features hundreds of drumming lessons, a music theory workshop, and a custom video exchange library. Students can loop videos or play them in slow motion, providing even complete beginners with the tools required to follow more complex lessons further on.
Key Features
- Created and curated by Peter Erskine of Weather Report
- Hundreds of drumming lessons across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels
- 30-day drumming challenge
- Music theory workshop
- Video exchange library
Pricing
Peter Erskine’s Jazz Drum Lessons feature three subscription options, including the 3-month plan at $105; the 6-month plan at $179, and the 12-month plan at $279.
What I Like / Dislike About Artist Works
Jazz and fusion are among the most complex and convoluted music genres as far as drumming is of concern, and I believe there aren’t many people as qualified to teach them as Peter Erskine.
The learning path is well-designed, and drummers of all skill levels can learn something from it. The only downside is that the “shortest” subscription term is 3 months.
Who Is This For?
Peter Erskine’s Jazz Drum Lessons are suitable for drummers of all skill and experience levels. I would recommend this package to drummers that have at least some background in jazz, even if it’s just a few weeks spent with pub bands.
3. MasterClass – Sheila E.
Overview
Not many people get to boast about playing with The Beatles’ very own Ringo Starr, or the Prince of Soul Marvin Gaye, but Sheila did. Sheila Escovedo, more popularly known as Sheila E. is a remarkably popular singer from the United States.
This masterclass teaches a broad range of percussive patterns and shapes, drum solos, beats, and fills, but it also teaches what it means to be in a band, what it takes to be a bandleader, and how to succeed in the music industry of today.
This masterclass is, unlike most online drumming lesson websites on this list, quite short. It features only 15 video lessons. The lessons are designed for drummers of all skill levels, although beginners would get the most value out of them.
Key Features
- 15 video lessons featuring Sheila Escovedo
- The Family subscription supports up to 6 devices
- Downloadable content for offline viewing
- Content can be enjoyed on PCs, TVs, tablets, and compatible smartphones
- Bonus guides and lessons across all subscription plans
Pricing
Sheila Escovedo’s drumming lessons can be accessed by subscribing to one of the three MasterClass plans, including Individual, which costs $18 per month; Duo costing $24 per month, and Family, which costs $27.60 per month.
What I Like / Dislike About MasterClass
The best thing about MasterClass lessons is that you’ll have an opportunity to acquire the best-kept music secrets and techniques from the most experienced and skilled professionals to have ever walked.
The bad part is that masterclasses do not feature comprehensive learning paths; instead, this website offers bite-sized lessons and courses. The MasterClass website offers hundreds of similar opportunities, but it does not offer a curated experience like Drumeo or ArtistWorks.
Who Is This For?
I mainly recommend Sheila’s masterclass to her fans and beginner drummers. It is an excellent piece of learning material, but it mainly revolves around teaching core drumming techniques, so intermediate and expert-level drummers may want to continue browsing.
4. Udemy – Learn To Play The Drums
Overview
Udemy is one of the largest and fastest-growing online music academies, boasting hundreds of instructors and professional musicians that have transformed thousands of beginners and music enthusiasts into competent players and performers.
The “Learn to Play the Drums” package was created by a UK-based freelance drummer called Billy Baker. With an impeccable rating of 4.7 of 5 after 3,341 reviews and over 21,000 students, Billy has created and refined a unique learning system that teaches rhythm, grooves, fundamentals, and music theory.
This learning program encompasses 12 hours of on-demand video and 67 downloadable resources. It is primarily a beginner’s course, but it features several intermediate-level lessons, such as playing different drumming styles or playing along to various songs.
Key Features
- Course created by Billy Baker, a professional music instructor, and experienced drummer
- 67 downloadable lessons
- 12 hours of on-demand video
- Compatible with smartphones
- Students are granted a certificate of completion after reaching the final milestone
Pricing
Billy Baker’s “Learn to Play the Drums” normally costs $89.99 (one-time purchase). Given that it’s one of the best-selling products on Udemy’s platform, the price is often reduced to $18.99.
What I Like / Dislike About Udemy
I love that Udemy provides a certificate to students who complete certain courses. Drums are among the most complex instruments, and this certificate serves as a recognition of the effort put into mastering them.
Regarding “Learning to Play the Drums” specifically, it’s a brilliantly designed beginner’s boot camp that is very easy to follow.
Similar to Sheila’s Masterclass session, it’s not as comprehensive as ArtistWorks or Drumeo’s learning paths.
Who Is This For?
Udemy “Learn to Play the Drums” is ideal for people that have never played drums but want to learn. Immediate beginners, as well as somewhat experienced drummers, can find high value in this affordable course in drumming.
Overview
Skillshare is a vast network of artists, students, and resources designed to help beginners learn, skilled musicians grow, and professional instructors monetize their products.
Subscribing to this platform means that you can watch any lesson, take any course, or participate in any project that is open to its members.
“How to Play the Drum Set for Beginners” is a professional course for newbie drummers designed by an experienced Canadian drummer Larry Crowe.
Mr. Larry is a veteran drummer that has performed with a range of world-class artists, including Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds, Jesse Gress of Tony Levin’s band, Patti Austin, Ron Korb, and many others.
Larry Crowe has designed this course as an introduction to a much broader project called “Masterful Drumming”.
This course features 13 lessons ranging between 1 and 11 minutes in length. These bite-sized pieces of drum education are meant to teach the basics of music theory and practical drumming knowledge to immediate beginners.
Aside from “Learn To Play the Drum Set for Beginners”, the membership to Skillshare allows students to browse through thousands of other lessons, including the newest additions of courses and lessons.
Key Features
- Course created and curated by a renowned Canadian drumming teacher and performer Larry Crowe
- Features 13 lessons
- All subscribers to this program receive the first volume of the “Masterful Drumming” e-book authored by Larry Crowe
- Subscription to Skillshare allows students to take other lessons and courses, or participate in any project on the platform
Pricing
Skillshare’s subscription allows you to participate in any project, including “How to Play the Drum Set for Beginners.” Its pricing model is region-based. To find more about how much Skillshare membership costs where you live, you can create a free account and browse the provided options when prompted.
What I Like / Dislike About Skillshare
Skillshare is a slightly more versatile platform in comparison to Masterclass, which has its benefits and drawbacks. The good part is that you’ll have more options and opportunities to upgrade any skill. The drawback here is that not all of the projects on this platform revolve around music.
As far as How to Play the Drum Set for Beginners is of concern, I liked how Mr. Crowe designed the lessons to be easy to follow and revisit. There’s not a lot of content, though, and it’s mainly aimed toward helping beginners stand on their feet in terms of learning the very basics.
Who Is This For?
As its name implies, How to Play the Drum Set for Beginners is meant for people that have little or no experience playing drums.
6. Drum Ambition
Overview
Drum Ambition is an online music lesson website that specializes in drum and percussion courses. It is a streamlined platform designed to help beginner and intermediate-level drummers learn the basics, explore new drumming techniques, and improve their skills in the simplest way possible.
Unlike many contemporary online drumming lessons, Drum Ambition is helmed by a single instructor, Simon DasGupta. Simon is an experienced drummer, performer, and drum teacher that has created the entire content on this website.
Drum Ambition features six courses comprised of over a hundred lessons (including a section dedicated to answering the most frequently asked questions and special feature videos).
Students can take the courses in any order they see fit or follow them in sequence. Each course can be undertaken as many times as needed; Mr. Simon estimates that it would take around 17 hours and 30 minutes to complete all lessons once.
Key Features
- The entire content of Drum Ambition’s website is created by Simon DasGupta, a professional drummer and instructor with over 25 years of experience
- Over a hundred lessons spread across six comprehensive courses
- Covers essential drumming techniques and basic music theory
- Several lessons cover improvisational aspects of drumming
- Special feature videos
Pricing
Drum Ambition offers two subscription plans, including Monthly at $29 per month, and Annual at $199 per year. Both subscriptions grant full access to all courses and material on Drum Ambition’s website.
What I Like / Dislike About Drum Ambition
Since all courses are designed and filmed by Mr. Simon, beginners tend to have a more personal learning experience. I find it easier to follow instructions from someone that I’m familiar with, and that’s precisely what Drum Ambition offers.
On the other hand, the lack of diversity when it comes to instructors is a missed opportunity to learn the “secrets” of different teachers. The single-sided scope of lessons is not necessarily a bad thing, but it mainly benefits beginners with zero drumming experience.
Who Is This For?
Drum Ambition is best suited for beginners while offering dozens of intermediate-level lessons to somewhat experienced drummers. The subscription is cheap, and I recommend everyone to try it at least for a month.
7. Mike’s Lessons
Overview
Mike’s Lessons is an online drumming lesson website founded by Mike Johnston, who fans of rock may remember from the band Key to Arson (formerly Simon Says).
Mike has over four decades of playing experience and nearly half as much when it comes to teaching drums. What separates Mike’s Lessons from contemporary online lesson websites is a unique approach to interacting with its students.
The instructor gives assignments for his students, uploads weekly live streams, and hosts virtual shred sessions where students can engage in drum-offs with Mike, ask questions, and put what they’ve learned to practice.
Hundreds of lessons and courses are available at Mike’s Lessons, with dozens of new ones being uploaded weekly. Mike has developed a regimented routine for his website, keeping it fresh with brand-new content while keeping a database of past streams and lessons for his students.
Key Features
- All lessons are created and filmed by Mike Johnston, a highly experienced drummer and teacher
- Hundreds of lessons and dozens of newly uploaded ones available to all students
- Weekly virtual shred sessions and live streams
- Homework assignments
- Drumset questions and answers
Pricing
Mike’s Lessons offers three subscription plans, including Monthly at $29,99 per month; Biannual at $149,95 per six months, and Yearly at $269,90 per year.
What I Like / Dislike About Mike’s Lessons
I love the commitment Mike has to keep the website vibrant with new content. Aside from the abundance of present content, he uploads weekly live streams and sessions to entertain his students.
In my humble opinion, this is one of the most entertaining and engaging online lesson websites, if not the best online drum lessons on the market.
The only drawback is that it’s a bit more expensive than average, although the price is more than right for the value it offers.
Who Is This For?
Mike’s Lessons is perfect for late bloomers and fast learners, beginners, and intermediate-level drummers. It’s an excellent website for people that learn the best while interacting with their teacher.
8. Stephen’s Drum Shed
Overview
Stephen’s Drum Shed is one of the most popular online drumming lesson websites, which is endorsed by several high-profile drum gear manufacturers, including Zildjian, Vic Firth, Aquarian, and Alclair.
This platform and the majority of its content are designed and created by Stephen Taylor, a veteran drummer, and a highly experienced drumming instructor. Stephen’s Drum Shed features Stephen as its main teacher while the SDS team comprises Grant Jenkins and Tim Buell.
Hundreds of video lessons and downloadable sheet music are available on this platform, but its main product is the “Drum Better Daily” system. This system revolves around teaching beginners the basics of drumming and improving core drumming skills simultaneously.
Aside from lessons and the unique learning method, Stephen’s Drum Shed also organizes regular drum camps that students can participate in to interact with their teacher in person and receive exclusive lessons.
Key Features
- The bulk of the content is created by Stephen Taylor, a highly experienced drummer, and music instructor
- Three veteran teachers
- Hundreds of video lessons and downloadable sheet music
- Exclusive drum camps
- Drum Better Daily learning system
Pricing
Stephen’s Drum Shed offers two subscription options, including Monthly at $29,99 and Yearly at $259.
What I Like / Dislike About Stephen’s Drum Shed
What I loved about SDS the most is the Drum Better Daily system. The founder of this website has found a way to put beginners and intermediate-level drummers into the same group and teach them how to improve their skills quickly and reliably.
The only thing I didn’t like as much is the lack of utility features, such as video looping, or slow motion.
Who Is This For?
Stephen’s Drum Shed is an excellent website for new drummers and those with some experience. If you feel like joining a budding community of drummers that frequently meet and grow in a real-life environment, this may be what you’re after.
9. Drum Channel
Overview
Drum Channel is a massive network where expert drumming instructors teach masterclasses, hold lessons, and upload comprehensive drumming courses.
This platform provides its students with progress tracking tools and offers thousands of online lessons and exclusive masterclasses to drummers of all skill levels.
Aside from the abundance of regular content, this platform allows you to learn from Chad Wackerman, Thomas Lang, Gregg Bissonette, Terry Bozzio, and other world-renowned drummers.
Key Features
- Over 1,000 lessons and more than 900 academy videos
- Exclusive masterclasses
- Hundreds of comprehensive drum courses
- A large database of songs to drum along to
- Multiple instructors
Pricing
Drum Channel offers two subscription plans, including Monthly at $25 per month, and Yearly at $16.42 per month.
What I Like / Dislike About Drum Channel
There’s no shortage of learning material on Drum Channel. It would take a year to go through the website’s content once, which would be a bold feat for even the fastest-learning intermediate drummers.
There are no major drawbacks to this website. The fact that there are so many lessons, courses, and masterclasses may be a bit overwhelming to newcomers, though.
Who Is This For?
Drum Channel is a perfect solution for drummers that are eager to learn as much as they can about their instrument of choice. The subscription is quite affordable, and this platform features one of the most comprehensive databases out there.
Wrapping up
The term “best online drum lessons” is largely subjective. Some people prefer slow-paced content filmed by the same instructor they were greeted with, others don’t mind leaving their comfort zone to grow as quickly as they can.
Whichever the case for you may be, I think you’ll find at least one of the platforms that I’ve recommended above as the best online drum lessons.
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