10 Ways To Tell If You're a Good Drummer 

Subscribe or I will steal your cymbals: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb I can't TELL you how many times I asked myself early on in my drumming "am I a good drummer?". How do we know if we're good drummers? How do we know if we're "bad" drummers? Is there a checklist for drummers? Through my years of teaching thousands of drum lessons to thousands of drummers around the world, I have come up with some very solid criteria for what makes a "good" drummer. Let's face it, everyone deserves to feel good about their drumming. If you're putting in the work, you should get some satisfaction out of that work. So here are 10 things that I look at in a student to judge where they are on the accomplished drummer scale. If they have all of these, does that mean they should stop working so hard? Absolutely not! These items will simply give you the satisfaction of knowing (especially on those rough practice days) that in fact you ARE a "good" drummer...you're just a good drummer having a bad day. And that's an ok thing. Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts on what you feel classifies a good drummer!

I feel personally attacked every time you play the "incorrect" parts

Crash course: 1 - Can you play with consistent time? 2 - Are your transitions solid? 3 - Can you play with articulation? 4 - Does what you play groove? 5 - Do you play with authority? 6 - Can you play with dynamics? 7 - Can you flow with your playing? 8 - Do you understand songflow? 9 - Do you play well with others? 10 - Are you an unselfish player?

2:24 1 - Can you play with consistent time? 4:30 2 - Are your transitions solid? 8:25 3 - Can you play with articulation? 12:30 4 - Does what you play groove? 14:20 5 - Do you play with authority? 16:14 6 - Can you play with dynamics? 19:35 7 - Can you flow with your playing? 21:35 8 - Do you understand songflow? 22:50 9 - Do you play well with others? 24:49 10 - Are you an unselfish player? Big thanks to Jared Jacknow for starting this Crash Course

When I started playing, I was 10 years old. I didn’t give a flip about it till I saw Ringio playing with the Beatles in 1962, and he is who got me started. That gives you some idea of my age. I came from a family of very modest income and there was no way they could afford to buy me drums. So I set out hardback books on my bed in the places that the various drums and cymbals would be, saved up my allowance and bought a pair of sticks, pulled a kitchen chair up to my bed, and that became my first drums. I had a little transistor radio that I would turn on and play to and I just literally beat the covers off of book after book as my way of learning to play. They certainly didn’t have the feel nor response of a nicely tuned set, and my pedals were just me tapping my feet on the floor, (which drove the people downstairs crazy) but it did give me the training of timing as I taught myself how to play. In those early days I hung around the lucky kids I knew who did have drums and jumped at the chance to play their sets whenever I could. My first “drums” were a set that came in one box and were made of cardboard. They were basically just toys, with rubber bands for hoop tighteners, but to me, they were everything! They replaced the books and I can tell you I beat those things into pieces- literally. I put the bass drum from that set on an old TV cart and it became the floor tom on the first real set of a snare, bass, one bass tom and one cymbal. No hi-hat yet. And with that junk i got into one of my first bands and i have played ever since. i remember seeing Buddy Rich play on the Tonite Show once way back then and that showed me what a drummer could actually do. All of that of course was a long time ago, and for the last 40 or so years I have played and sang lead vocals in and out of more bands then I can even remember, even a church choir for a few years...that is until i started to get sick. i crushed my left ankle in a construction accident, but that did not stop me from playing. But catching Hepititis from a blood transfusion I received during the surgeries finally did, because unbeknown to me, it was eating up all of my internal organs. So finally I had to sell my set to help pay bills, and meanwhile I had a liver transplant and right now I am on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. But in all honesty, I just can’t wait any longer to be at it again- especially after seeing Neil Peart play- it really- reignited the fire in me to pick up my sticks again and get back into it. Believe it or not, I am 67 years old, but neither age nor sickness has put out that fire to play like I thought it would. So now I am looking for another set and I guess I will be starting all over again. I thought perhaps you might appreciate this story of how much a man can love being behind that trap set. I just saw some of your videos here on RU-vid, and I appreciate what you are doing for the percussionist community.

Been a drummer my whole life. As musicians we are our worst enemy. I finally know that I am definitely a good drummer. What I can say to new or other drummers; don't get discouraged with all the talent out there. There will ALWAYS be someone better than you. Don't worry about that. Focus on being solid with all of these things Stephen pointed out.

Even when Stephen is pretending to play bad... it still sounds pretty good lol

All those examples you gave at the beginning is what I call "Odd time signatures"

I love how genuine and down-to-earth you are, man. It's really refreshing.

11) Am I serving the song 12) Am I following gig/rehearsal etiquette (arrive on time, know the parts, know how to tune the kit and work with a sound guy etc.)

Dude! I take my hat off to you. It's SOOO hard to play that out of time on purpose 😂 good job!

I once had a really good friend who played lead guitar in a funk band. I ended up playing congas and singing for the band even though I’m a drummer. After the drummer quit it was a natural progression (I thought) for me to step up to the drums, but my friend just wasn’t having it as I was trained mostly in rock music. Long story short, I took huge offense to this thinking I was just a really bad drummer even though I had played live for years. It’s about a year later now and looking back on it, he was right. I just simply didn’t have the funk chops on lock to jump into this awesome band. Thankfully I’ve spent many hours behind the kit ironing out my funk so now I have my own funk rock band

I like how Everytime he says "quantize" the X-Files theme played.

The bit about authority is so true. When I changed my drum teacher the first thing he asked was to simply play. And after that he just fixed some really simple thing like how I hit the kick with my foot, how I played ghostnotes, etc... But the thing that really stood out was when he said: "Hit that Hi-Hat harder man. It looks like you're scared of hitting it". And then you realise how much barriers that guy broke for you.

I was accused of speeding up on my breaks. I denied it. I thought for sure the Lead Guitar was trying to kick me out of the band and take it over. In the end, I realized there was some truth to his accusation. I've learned that it is better to 'lay back' both on the difficulty with your breaks AND the speed of them. If you delay your break and finish strong on the beat Usually 1, that you are back in on after the break - the band and the audience will love you for it. The FEEL will be better for all.

My strength is 'grooving', no matter what style I'm playing...I need work/confidence with 'closing', getting past that annoying mental block...also, am not a stick-twirling, throwing, fancy drummer; therefore, if going by great time-keeping, I'm 'golden' :D I also sing while I'm playing in a show and other places/events here in Branson, MO and out of town...am very lyric(what we're singing about/emotion of lyric) /dynamics/Keyboard, Bass,(try to be 'twins' with Bassist on my kickdrum ), Rhythm Guitar, other instrument patterns...

50 years of being hired never fired always striving to improve, understanding that LESS really is MORE, being easy to work with, checking my ego at the door, earning enough to live and raise a family and a whole lot more lead me to boast that I was a drummer and percussionist of an acceptable standard.

Truly a Great teacher that can articulate his wisdom thru words as well as showing you on a kit. Thank you !

i'll get there someday 😁 Still working on and learning to be consistent with time. Transition for me is very important, specially that I mostly drum at church and still learning though. This is kind of a reminder ❤️ I love these kinds of tips and lessons. I still have a lot to learn.

I like the simple way in which Steve expresses drumming constructs. This was a good watch as I had never had anyone articulate the key metrics of a "good player". Well done.

The x files "quantize" thing 😂 Very helpful video though, thank you!

11: When you’re in the groove, does your head fall down so you just sit there and stear at the floor behind the HiHat, or is your head up so you can register what’s going on around you and comunicate with the rest of the band in a live setting?

This video really helps you find your weaknesses. First part of fixing a problem, is admitting you have one. My biggest weaknesses: Are your transitions solid? Now I know what to work on. Great video.

I've been following you for a while now, and let me tell you, my playing as massively improved. Not only, is the content good and helpful but also, your teaching makes it really easy to absorb! Keep up the good work! And thank you!

I’ve been playing for 7 years, so I feel like I’m an experienced, or “good” player. But I’m definitely going to go over some of these points in my next practice. Thanks for the video!

5:19 "I'm not waking up any family," said the drummer 😂😂

Hi, Stephen. I´m from Argentina. Sorry for my French. Absolutly brillant. All of your videos but best of all, your concepts. I´m a huge fan of your way of express, the simplicity to get to us. Every time i´m in conflict with my way of playing drums, i come here and listen to you. I get calmed and back to confidence. Thanks for that. Would like to see you playing in my country sometime. Abrazo de rock (hug of rock)

I begin to feel more confident and consistent about my playing now. You are such a great teacher! I've finally began to realise that being a good drummer isn't always trying to pull off the most impressive or fastest drum solo without light or shade, but to sometimes tone it down and allow the music to breathe.

This needs a part 2 focused on writing drum parts. Great video!

I want a T-shirt that says, "Buzzing some and diddling others."

This video is great! I'm proud to say that I already kept these thing in mind before watching this video (and of course, I agree 100%). I also noticed these points you make can be applied to any instrument, not just only drums. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us and keep it up! These are the videos people need :)

Thanks for a great lesson. As a beginner. I don’t know what I don’t know. I now know that I don’t know how to articulate well. So massive thanks for that. It’s great to be able to ‘quantify’ where I am :)

Great video. I am going to keep these principles in the back of my mind as I continue on my drumming journey.

Excellent video! Great examples! I hope every aspiring drummer watches it many times. I would add 2 things that others who have done similar videos have missed. 1. Stick control. Most of the things you talk about such as basic time keeping, articulation, dynamics, transitions are all predicated on having good control of the drum stick. 2. Understanding of time signatures and note subdivision. How do you keep good time, if you don't know what 4/4 time is? How can you be good at transitions if you can't move between fluidly between quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes?

A good drummer holds the pocket - time. That means consistency throughout the song. That's it! Everything else is a bonus. Lots of drummers can't even do that.

Thank you mr. Stephen...all of your teaches about this topic,it helps me a lot and also improves my drumming transitions and dynamics..because before i was drumming at the church..i played not so clean...but now when i see this video..my drumming style was changed....you're right mr. Stephen even if your not the best drummer but..i believe that you are one of the great teachers that i have been known in drumming..God bless to you mr. Stephen..i love this video..and im expecting for your new video again to upload about drumming techniques,style,and procedure. -from philippines

Hey man I just started doing the drums and your videos been really useful for me thanks for everything.

I still struggle with transitions. I'm always coming in soft in the back of the beat because I'm focused on the fill and not nailing that hard One.

Thanks so much Stephen for this video. It really IS a great checklist that I found myself asking the same questions. It's a very in depth and very relevant subject. Nick

Im going on 23 this year and been playing since i was 10-11 years old. What an amazing journey music and Percussion has been and will continue to be.

I play with "real musicians" who regularly have me second guessing my skills. I am definitely not a "great drummer". I know this and I don't care. But, I do want to be a "Good Drummer". After watching your video, I realized I am a good drummer. F*** those guys!

Since i started playing, about 18 years ago, i always wondered if i was really any good. And, since my band members never tend to say "Hey that sounded awesome.", i never really knew. But this video definitely helped me know for sure that, at the very least, im solid.

So good to have all this in one place and easily articulated. Thank you for all the helpful content

Thank you so much for breaking down this lesson into different steps. This will help me focus on one specific aspect at a time.

Listen you yourself in a recording!!! VERY important, and good way to hear how you actually sound vs how you THINK you sound. You may find that the microphone can be quite cruel. When I was much younger, I used to think I was playing a lot better than I really was, but when I'd hear myself played back, I'd think "WHAT??" I'd thought I'd done it pretty well, but something just doesn't sound right. Here's the thing: If you play to a metronome beat, you should not be able to actually hear the metronome, because each of your synchronized beats should be at the EXACT SAME instance as the metronome, and should therefore drown it out. The metronome should be loud enough that you can hear it when your beat is off by, say, a 500th of a second or so. So if, let's say, your playing the ride cymbal- tick, tick, tick, tick. If you'r just SLIGHTLY off the metronome, you'll hear chick, chick, chick, chick, instead. It may seem difficult at first to get this perfect, but the human nervous system has an innate ability to produce metronome-like precision (think heart beat- but, with this in mind, also be aware of the effect of adrenaline. Adrenaline is your enemy when playing drums, but it can be controlled with concentration and practice).

I try and practice humility as well. Serving the song.

I’ve been playing since I was a kid..I’m 47 yrs old now and have always played by ear..I want to teach my grandson how to play but don’t know how to explain it to him..except.....do it like this!..lol..so you’re video was awesome and will not only help me teach him..but myself as well...thanks bro!

Man you speak (and thence play) the truth. Wish I had that sum up a long time ago and not having to understand EVERY BLOODY POINT over time at my own expense. Thank you, truly.

I had a moment about a week ago, even if I check these boxes off myself in practice, I struggle through jams with other musicians. Really humbling experience there, but mostly embarrassing

Love the Dynamics!!!

Another video of great service to the online drum community! Thank you Stephen!

I love the little (X Files) snippet @ 12:36! Had to sell my kit back in those days so my little sons could have a decent Christmas!, but got some new Premiers a few years later, '94 APKs...still got 'em & still playing 'em! STILL LOVE 'EM TOO!

You're a DAMN GOOD drummer

Great video! What are your thoughts on this. I am a late beginner, started on 31. I enjoy playing in a band. I am focused on being consistent. It is a challenge not to slowly speeding up during the song. Sometimes we play faster at the end of the song. When I check with the members they say it felt fine, but in my opinion not consistent. Am I to hard in myself? Do you regonize this? Greetz from the Netherlands

I really enjoyed this video. Song structure was always extremely important to me as I had somewhat rushed playing drums (only started because no one local around my age played and we needed someone to do it) in live settings and the amount of issues I ran into early on at venues was that you won’t always be able to hear what the rest of the band is doing. 10 years later, I may not be the flashiest drummer but I am better for learning the songs and practicing them by myself. I actually generally get thrown off more regularly when I can hear everyone else now!

Love the video. This falls firmly in the "How you anything is how you do everything." Patience? Unselfishness? Being a good listener? Oh we're well beyond just being a "good drummer" attributes.

You are an excellent teacher and player. We have a friend in common, Henrique De Almedia. Love your videos

Can I Play With Madness? As long as you have a cowbell. 🤘 Thanx for the vids. Always helpful. Cheers

Been playing/performing for nearly 35 years and listened to many other drummers at band auditions and this is so true. Keeping the groove is THE most important thing. But it is a form of art also. You’re always gonna have opinions and those that love it or hate it. Rock out and pump up your fills while jamming with headphones. Just show up at gigs to help the band sound good by playing solid. Keep your head unlike the egos we know gotta be showboats out front. Foremost...Have fun man!! Love a George Strait quote when asked about if he still gets nervous performing. He said” Of course I do. When I lose that rush coming on stage, it’s time for me to quit.”

Hello Steve, I liked this video. I play in church band, where we arrive 30 mins before service starts and only get to know 3 -5 songs before service. Basically, one half run through of each song as the pianist and guitar and vocalists try and catch on to the songs. These songs are setup for us by the pastor that morning, or sometimes we are told the previous night when they are emailed to each. Now as a drummer, I stepped up to play only a few months ago, so you can basically say that a new to all this. However, previous two decades ago I played as a professional guitar on tour for five years.. so I have good grounding in music.. I understand all ten avenues of what your conveying. My difficulty is I don’t own a drum kit, so I only get to play pre and service times each week. I did buy a practice pad and few sets of sticks. My living quarters precludes me from have kind of music playing ( forget drums.. I got it from the owner..just playing my 335 ( no amp) in my room. Anyway, I am enjoying your videos, and I enjoy my time while playing drums. Music has always been a big part of my life, so playing now at 72 and learning the drums has been truly a fun and enjoyable experience. I get great solace from praising God playing drums. People seem to like it. So I believe this is my journey for now. Hand independence is my big thing right now on my pad out in the park area. I am learning 13 most popular rudiments. I will continue to watch and learn from your videos. Thank you .. God bless your efforts in teaching.

When I drum, it sounds like 2 raccoons fighting in sewage water... Edit: thank you for liking my comment Stephen!!!😃😃

Being an unselfish player is so underrated as a valuable skill as a musician

you are my main source of drumming education together with drumeo, i really enjoy your videos

I have been playing for 20 plus years and its crazy how getting back to basics can always help me learn new things. Always Love your videos. Great stuff!

I'm good enough to play with musicians and keep the beat and energy of the song

Getting back after a 10 year hiatus. Bought a Pearl Midtown, some cheap cymbals, and an Alesis Nitro Max. Trying to plau some serious catch up. I found this video at the right time.

Great video. Great advice. I drum for my church and I think this advice is great. Staying humble/unselfish is so important

Sonovabitch, I just became a better drummer. Best 30 minutes I've spent this month. *Thank you Stephen* for explaining and demoing this so clearly. (I "knew" all this stuff, but there's something in the way you structure and demo this that hits on a deeper level.)

1 Way To Tell If You're a Good Drummer: Ask your bass player. Saved you half an hour. You're welcome.

7:26 hilarious...you knew I was laughing before you even said anything! 😆 spot on!

That was great. I can reach flow only when I'm overdubbing the drums in my own studio. A gig still stifles me in a way that i can reach groove, but not flow. My band members have even bigger stage fright (we're a power trio)

Good drummers never talk about how good at the drums they are. Good drummers are also never going to show up to a gig and have animosity towards other drummers

If one of the steps is having a beer and then I'm sorry I feel that miserably. I can't grow a beard to save my life.

i was looking for good info about being a good drummer and you help me a lot , im gonna give a class here in mexico online because of the pandemia we are living in , thank you stephen , keep spreading knowledge

thanks for the valuable lessons. I've learned a lot from you. This video was a great checklist for what you should work on.

I think the word you were looking for was quantify 😂

I wish I’d seen this video 10 years ago! I used to be very focused on “that cool lick” or being able to play 7/16 at 400 bpm, or some other inapplicable skill that I’d never be able to use in a song. When I started realizing that it’s a lot more valuable to be able to keep solid time, or play with authority (etc), I stopped comparing myself to every drummer I came across and really started becoming more comfortable with who I am on a kit. Ironically, this has also helped me appreciate what others bring to the instrument, which has inspired me to discover my own craft even more. Thanks for this!

You're a great drummer and an even better teacher. This is my first time watching one of your videos. Just subscribed. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

I'm starting to play drums again after a long hiatus and every bit of this is a perfect ground work for getting 'The Chops' back.

Can't say that i'm anythere higher than begginer

I'm surprised you were able to quantize all of this information into a single video!

I'm saving up for a new kit and I know when I 1st go sit down on it, I will play more careful and respect my set, and definitely I will focus on all his 10 steps. I'm older now but I used to play fast but now I'm a big old truck driver I'm fat and overweight but I still love to hit those heads.

Excellent points, Stephen; as always. Thanks for taking the time to itemize the essentials of being a drummer.

If ur a real drummer, u don’t need this video. You only need your ego

You are NOT a good drummer... Your a GREAT drummer...

I totally agree with how you qualify a "good drummer". I'm 32 and I am building a set up for the first time in some years. I always had a real hard time with #9, playing well with others because I always practiced in the woods by myself or with one other drummer and didn't even realize I had become a selfish player, #10, and now because of your video I am back to #8, needing to know song structure better to become a better player. I like your lessons, I took 1 on 1 lessons 2 times weekly for almost 3 years when I first started, and learned a lot but I am still learning from you now, 20 years later, for free ( I think your lessons stay free anyway). And it makes me happy that I can keep getting better as I de-rustafy my drumming and get some of my drum theory more well defined with a set that I've been thinking about for years. very exited, thank you! -Maxwell West of Santa Cruz

Thanks Stephen for that video! I agree with all you said 100%! Especially the last point, that's the thing for what I get booked most!

I'm very proud that I've been complimented on my time from a few local drummer...not saying I'm perfect or anything but It makes me feel good about myself because of how important it is

This is the greatest video on the internet. You created your own metronome with Hi Hat. Amazing stuff. 17:00

Been playing for many years and kept finding myself returning to the same musical rut your ideas helped me remember to try different ideas to stay out of the rut thanks

I am only to the articulation part of the video, but I had to stop it and say I love the Articulation part! makes the drum beat soooo interesting and you get so many different ....colors?

I think a big part of this is being very honest with yourself while maintaing positivity, and understanding that if you don't have a few of these things checked off yet, you can always improve. Also, in order to really get better, we have to tackle our weaknesses. Honesty, consistency, practice, practice, and practice. Great video as always Stephen!

i think i have a solid foundation but where i may drag or rush is when i don't know the music and winging it on the fly. if i know the music i do play with authority/ confidence

I really enjoyed this. When I am drumming especially at gigs I always try and envision there is a really good drummer in the crowd and at the end of the night he will give me feedback. So I always try to do my best and play with class and musicianship.

Thankyou Stephen. This is a fantastic lesson and a great check list on this topic. I love all of them and I was put in a situation this past 3 weeks being offered a gig and only having 2 rehearsals without the bass player and one rehearsal with the bass player doing 28 covers and then trial by fire. All of these 10 items came into play for me that night and we rocked the house. Lucky I guess but they were all important items to our success that night. Thanks Stephen. These 10 ways are a great way for all drummers to keep themselves accountable for their drumming and musicality playing with others. Rock On..........

At nine minutes got some fast singles there bro. Amazing, just so important content for drummers of any level beginner intermediate advanced ETC. I play professionally as well as teach and any student of yours should be extremely thankful that they are working with the best great job

Drumming is something I took up very late in life, so it's only ever going to be basic and fun for me, I have some of the points in place, and will keep working on it all, even though I'll never get to where I could have if I'd started when I was young BUT... thank you so much for identifying so clearly stuff that so many musicians I play with don't seem to know. All this applies to all musicians, because I have been playing my core instrument, violin, for 64 years, no problems with timing, dynamics, groove, feel, authority and so on there, so I know what you are saying is really intelligent but not everyone is taught this way. I feel like making everyone, in the different bands I'm in watch this, even if they are playing folk mandolin or rock bass!

Great presentation, as always. I love your lessons, Stephen! ! ! I would only add an 11th point: "Do I know what I can do well and what I cannot do well?". This is very important to me, because it might be the starting point to true improvement and, perhaps more crucial, to true self-consciousness that can keep me from arrogance both as a person and as a musician.

Like so many of your viewers I am returning to drumming and music after many years off to be a rent and more recently mortgage slave. I have 3 guitars and a full drum kit packed into my 3rd (top) floor of my strata condo. lol. The ability to control the volume dynamics is key for me. There is no way I can play full volume at home but I am getting some quality jazz swings going and a very muted 'one drop' groove because I have learned to control dynamics. Very grateful for that. I do need to find a van or shed to get to the next level but for now some of the tips in this video are key to surviving in an apartment with a kit. :D Huge fan of your content Stephen. Thanks!! Bamboo hot shots to the rescue!

One of my set backs are playing the music. Sometimes I get too much in my head and decide what should I do this time that's different that will spice things up when really all I need to do is just sit back and keep a backbeat and play the same groove everytime for this song.