I’m 60 an been drumming since 1978 and I can promise this man is the best teacher I’ve ever seen and I learn something from him every time I’m on his site. And I want to say thank you Mr Rob Brown. Much Respect 🙏✌️🙏 Jim. Hammond Louisiana
I'm 53 and have been playing off and on since 87 and couldn't agree more with you .we didn't have the tech that allows someone to be instructed the way you can today,if you were lucky you paid for lessons and went somewhere to learn,now I'm playing at home with electric drums with software to make them acoustic and having the privilege of having a talented musician like this gentleman help me become a better drummer than I believe I've ever been!!
Dude your videos have been such a huge help. Everything you present is right to the point and easy to comprehend and you embroider just enough to put your lessons into perspective. Your videos have been a huge help to me. Thanks so much for doing what you do.
I've never owned or used a metronome..... I have been drumming... All my life.... Oatmeal containers by Quaker oats and changing the pitch with sand inside of the containers...... But I have learned and figured some things out without a metronome.... But there's this internal strength that I'm working on as a drummer..... To be solid in my own beat.... My own truth..... I mean it's great to connect with the other band members.... And still be very very solid in my own....... Timing an space...... Thank you so much for sharing ... I really learned a lot today .... Master Brown all the way!!!!!
I'm a beginner drummer who's been scouring the Internet looking for help with keeping time. You put it in words and in a way that has been most helpful to me. I'm going to spend tonight watching all your videos. Thank you and keep the lessons coming!!
I'm 60 years old and playing since Day 1! ..these basics you hear is where it all starts..I'm still playing today and my wrist are like rubberbands!! ...go on Rob teaching the young bucks!!
I've been playing for 5.5 years now (self-taught) and my time-keeping is based solely around feel. It's crazy to me that the way you explained playing within quarter-notes is exactly how my mind has come to understand "keeping the time". I didn't have the words for it before but now that I do, I will be sure to practice in this revised context. Thanks Rob!
I forget what pro drummer I heard use the phrase "time feel", but it changed the way I thought about time as a drummer. Before the Western notation of time, time was communicated via rhythm as rhythm is defined as the space between notes.
Based on this video, I started practicing all the rudiments I can play competently in all of the subdivisions. It has greatly improved my internal clock, my time feel and my drumming. Especially my fills. Thank you Mr. Rob Brown!!! I agree that drums are more rhythmic than melodic by themselves but they're a musical instrument. Drummers can play melodically and make sound choices that support and/or enhance the music, Neil Peart was the first drummer I heard who made me aware of this. There's a video of him & the president of DW talking about tonal intervals between toms, timbre of different woods, lamination types, shell structure, etc. It's really interesting stuff. Sound is important.There's a reason why drum notes are put on a musical staff with notations for dynamics, crescendo/decrescendo and not just on a simple time grid. Each instrument produces different musical components such as pitch, timbre, attack/sustain. Melody by definition is "simply a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying." By definition, a melody could be played on a practice pad but it sounds a lot more musical on a drum set. If you showed up for an audition with a practice pad & sticks and said I'm going to subdivide time to your songs, you're not getting the gig.
Hey Rob, this is actually my first comment on youtube ever. I've been watching your videos for a while now and it has been one "Ah-ha" moment after the other, you are an amazing drummer and especially an amazing teacher. You make me want to be a better drummer. Thank you for all the great content. God bless you, brother!
Thanks Rob. I agree with you about subdivisions on the practice pad. I've been doing it a lot the last couple of months. I would consider myself a high begginer to low intermediate drummer. But without any drums at all and just the pad my timing has improved incredible 👌😁
RB always puts me in a good mood. Always positive about everything and straightforward . He does not over complicate what he's teaching. He TRULY understands the art of drumming.
Man I love your whole approach to great metering!! I was a playing musician until I had 5 back surgeries and a knee replacement. You have inspired me to try to get my chops back.. I don’t know if it’s possible by I’m thinking about dusting off my snare , kick and hat and see where I can take it. I haven’t been able to play for about 12 years now so I’ll be back at beginner level... I first fell in love with playing drums was around 11 years old and I asked my parents to let me join a drum and bugle Corp. I thought wow I’m going to be cool . They started me out on the bass drum and it was all about timing and as I graduated up from the bass drum to the snare line I didn’t realize how much it helped me in timing. It was a great experience for me and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to play drums or a horn!! I also learned latter when I played on a kit with a band a little phrase I lived by( When in doubt leave it out) and not to overplay and play drum solos throughout the entire song!! I’m also an owner of a professional Live Production Company and always give special attention to the drums and explain what I’m looking for in my mix:) I’m looking forward to seeing your videos in the future.. Thanks
...I really enjoy your drum instruction videos. I was wondering if you have another video showing more examples of how to practice further breaking down these sub-divisions. Thanks!
We've been playing with my band for 10 years on and off with almost no formal music education. We've been recording our first song lately and when I put my drum playing in a grid, I realized how much variation I really have even with metronome. Yeah I can edit it but that doesn't help me if we have live gigs. I don't have a kit at home but luckily a good practice pad. Thanks for the video, it really got to the core of drums.
Awesome lesson man. Too many drummers don't want to spend time doing these types of exercises and in the end they sound crappy. Once relative mastery of the subdivisions is attained, there is no going back! For an additional challenge, after 16th notes, try dividing a quarter note into a quintuplet. Then alternate every other quintuplet. You can use this to speed up your time by a factor of 2.5 against the quarter note pulse. Super challenging!
No one should ever over look the importance of being loose behind the drums. Not only for all the reasons mentioned in the video but also in terms of beat placement .Back, Middle ,on top. This gives you control and helps one feel and internalize the time better.Also in terms of widening out your beat it's absolutely imperative that you're fluid ,loose and relaxed if you choose. Spoken by one who originally came up studying with classical percussion teachers that never taught or approached playing time. Mainly snare drum etudes w/ an orchestral or parts concept similar to that of a tpt , clarinet or bassoon. Doesn't help much if you aspire to play drum set for a living but that's another topic for discussion... Great videos Rob!!
Great video man. There was a point in my career where I had shattered my kick drum leg from the knee down. 13 breaks including four screws in the ankle. Rather than canceling gigs, my band stripped down to an acoustic presentation. I played on a wooden tool box with bundle sticks (I made them out of Oak dowels, this was 1997). Had I not understood subdivision, that could not have worked. It did, and well. If you're not subdividing, you're struggling unnecessarily. I was laying bare the subdivision that was happening in my mind and how I used it. When I finally got back on a kit, the "click of the mind" was even stronger. When I work with artists now, we have this discussion. Yeah the click.. it's what you feel in between that really matters. Obvious? Not always. Drummers live in a special place. And, the slower the tempo, the more I subdivide.
One thing that you are bringing to the table is your self confidence. Don't ever underestimate that attribute. When James Gadson was asked about the what his definition of funky was, he said something like "everyone is funky if you listen to them" "being listened to is what makes you funky"well you are and we (my students and I) are listening. Its good of you to share your knowledge and experience.Hope you never stop.
This is the best instructional vid I have ever seen. The way you break everything down to the sub-divisions, it all just makes so much sense when you really explain what is important rather than just beating every drum around the set as fast as you can. Thank you, Rob
Hi Beatdown, I had the very fortunate experience of growing up near two different railway lines. Our house was about 250 feet from where the tracks crossed. All day and all night I heard the complex rhythmic sounds of steam powered trains at various speeds. I firmly believe that it not only influenced my interest in rhythmic practicing, but ultimately made me a better drummer. It has been 58 years and still practicing my subdividing skills. Great concept in this video. I absolutely agree with everything you taught here. Best wishes as you continue to give us the proper tools and understanding. Thank you!
Man....I've seen a lot of your vids. And just like how Peters Crane puts it, you just break it down to WHAT IT IS. So many times we, as people, can over think things waaaaaay too much. I'ts best be simple....cause this stuff really is. Thanks dude. Thank you so much.
you are so right about the click.. I know so many guys who play perfectly to a click and have terrible time without it! Very good video, as always. Thanks Rob!!
Rob since I’ve found your drum RUclips videos you’ve inspired me to start working on a lot of different aspects of my drumming needs, and I need a lot! I especially like your no nonsense right to the point approach without boring me to tears on how to and how not to play the DRUMS..your simplicity to tuning your drums or practicing certain rudiments or an approach to certain ideas are great and TO THE POINT! Love ya keep up the superb job you’re doin great.. Thanks a’lot I really appreciate it..✌️&❤️
Talk about hitting the Nail on the Head !! Perfect explanation of what our job is within an Ensemble. "The KIT just adds Color to our SUBDIVISIONS " AMEN !!!
I think this might be the most important drum tutorial video I’ve ever watched. And I’ve watched loads! A great lesson, intelligently taught and explained. Thanks, Rob!
Just started learning how to make beats using a DAW. Was looking all over RUclips for someone to clearly explain for me the relationship between beats and timing/metronome when making rhythm. Your explanation about subdivision is the the shortest and best explanation i found. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Sharing is caring!
Getting an answer on what an advanced drummer is thinking when playing is huge for the self taught drummers of the world. It's a nugget and I'll take it. Thanks Rob!
Thank you Rob for this video, and the Left Foot videos. I've been playing for decades. The advice you've given in the videos, which I watched yesterday night and have practised today, has transformed my timekeeping in one day. I can't believe it. Thank you so much dude.
Man, just love how simple you break things down Rob and it makes so much of sense especially in giving us beginners/intermediate drummers, hope and a life line to getting better! Keep up the awesome content and thank you so much for what you do!
Found your videos on how to tune everything up and Thank you for such straightforward lessons!! I'm slowly going through vid by vid learning more and more about how to use my drum set to the best of my abilities! You are a great dude and I thank you!!
Always extremely informative. I've gotten into drumming less than a year ago, and the amount of informations I've been able to learn from watching "beatdown" videos is just insane. You keep doing what you're doing Rob. I appreciate your work greatly.
Thanks Rob, I am just getting back into playing after while off where life pulled me away, its all good. Your videos have such a relaxed, fun, style that they make me want to just pick up the sticks. I am holding off on a kit for now and taking a few months to just get my hands going on a pad. I never took the time before to develop my hands, and I am having a blast with, and with out my metronome. Thanks for taking the time to share with us. You have a new fan. Keep up the great work.
Right at 7:35 seconds it started getting super helpful for me. thank you. I used to play in a band that was a lot heavier And louder and so it didn't seem to be as much of an issue but the band I've been playing in now is very Aware of volume on the stage. I have noticed recently that volume control and time keeping I've become more difficult than I thought it would be.
Rhythm & Timing! Something I've been struggling with my entire drumming career! In my case, it's just the adrenalin rush that I get when performing live that causes me to speed up! Stopped by you channel Rob and as allways, you opened my mind to a unique and simple way to improve my timing!
Great lesson, Rob, on how to REALLY keep time. You do such a great job of keeping important, and sometimes difficult, concepts and techniques, simple and understandable. I'm not a pro but I've been playing drums a long time and what you teach and how you teach it, is not only helpful but usable. Many thanks.
Just found your channel and I've been playing untrained for 10 years now, this had been confirming alot of what I've noticed and explaining the why. Thanks for the practice tips
Eloquent, Rob! Your way of describing what playing time is makes it both real and useable. I refer other drummers to your site because of this approach, which is the best I've found anywhere. Cool!
When a drummer does great subdivision their fills and grooves sound so good. It’s hard at first to know the details of this. If you’re new to drumming, play say 8th notes, and record yourself in slow motion. It will reveal if you’re in time or the note are staggering a little too much. You want also the slow motion video to show a smooth pattern with even space between notes. Then your drum fills and grooves will take a huge leap towards greatness. Thanks for this lesson Rob, agree that time keeping is the most important thing to know as a drummer!
Man your videos is really something else then most other drum channels. You are covering, really indepth, on such extremely important topics - and delving straight into the heart of those. Oh and mean in general, not just this video. Biiig kudos from Norway.
Yessir! We even got the internet! Stuff like your general perspective to things, this video, the trad grip video, rudiments practice for dynamics (I tell you this one just dumped a giant omfg moment at me. The idea is simple, however I have for quite some time tried to control my sticks to land like a few mm above the head - but I notice with this dynamics exercise, that just happen totally automatically! Months of work just happend in 1h after watching that vid haha..!) +++ all godly on point and helpful to further push my drumming. Keep up the good work man!
Solid advice that’s exactly what I’ve been doing and Mann I’ve honestly been getting better at it especially when you go for that fill subdividing and still land on the one, it becomes a natural thing after a while.
I wish my first drum teachers had explained timing this clearly. One thing I discovered late in my playing was breathing. I found myself holding my breath during a fill or chorus. Once I was aware of it I learned to breath normally or regularly. That helped me a lot.
Weird, eh? I think we all do that instinctively. Like when people hold their breath when doing bench press or push-ups. Definitely something we have to unlearn. It helps you relax, too
this is exactly how i think of drumming... thanks so much for putting it eloquently into words!! it is true. fit the parts of ur drum kit any place anywhere but be intent in each of your stroke and make sure ur subdivisions fit within the base wiarter quarter notes in the right speed!
Hello and thank you for putting your thoughts out there for us all. I consider it an act of love because you care. Cool. I'm with you on this and you sound like me. You are saying what Ive been saying my whole career. If I may Id like to add here from this point so some places I have taken time keeping in my mind and playing right from where you have left off. On top of your message about subdividing and following the quarter note I have started to put my attention on 2 and 4. I noticed that Im able to make the crowd clap on 2 and 4 using 2 as a starting place in the measure and 4 to resolve. Along with subdividing the quarter notes I have started subdividing up to the half notes of 2 and 4. I feel like it opens a new pocket in the groove that is wider and creates a more open and loose environment for me to place rhythm and beat placements. Ultimately I feel that it makes people dance. My favorite accomplishment. Thank you. I look forward to learning more from you. You are great!!
Rob, you nailed it down mate, that's exactly what I think is the best approach to drumming for a beginner drummer like me. Now is time to look for exercises for improving that (thanks in advance to anyone that point me to videos/lessons). Many thanks for your video and your advice, you got my like.
Yes, yes, yes! It's all about timing, playing in the pocket and nailing every downbeat. It also helps to remind your bandmates to LISTEN to your hi-hat and ride cymbal to keep in time... so many musicians just don't listen to each other, which makes a song sound sloppy...
You really yhelp me with drumming i am beginner on drums but played guitar for many years, a lot i know but also a lot you explained to me Greetings from Poland!
This is very helpful, as always! Victor Wooten tells bass players to imagine a drummer in their head and play to that. He asserts that you will not imagine a drummer playing out of time. If that’s correct, if we imagine the pulse in our head - as you seem to suggest - then we have an imaginary time keeper who plays in time - a perfect internal click. Now, I don’t know it Wooten is correct that you can’t imagine an out of time drummer, but if that is true, it’s really amazing and something we can apply to what you’re teaching. Thanks again!!!
rob, thanks, this video makes so much sense, i usally have great time live, but lately bass player mentioned that i varied a tiny bit, probably being picky, yet it bothered me. ive watched a few of your vids, really gives me some re focus on tempo, thanks brother
Great concept! The reason to work with a click is that every day you "feel" time differently, so working with a click can help manage that aspect. Thanks for the video's! Very helpful :-)
Your advise here IS $$$$!!! I became too reliant on the click. I needed it. I couldn't even count off after using it too much. Metronome is very valuable, especially for practice, studio etc.... but a live show...it had me questioning if i was even cloes in time. It got scarey for a bit
I love it, man. Thank you very much, for your time etc. I've played a lot of gigs the last 17 years, and, I know my timing can be pretty elastic. And, I've been trying to look outside the box, to improve my internal metronome. & Without having a lot of musical knowledge, from paper, so to speak. This video really helps me out. Thank you, brother 👍🏼🎼🥁
Thank you so much for sharing this.... Totally validates my feeling about it.... And adding a whole new dimension that you are sharing... Truly appreciate your knowledge and the time you are taking to share..... I studied some African dance and drum... And I absolutely love the connections.... And the feeling that the and the continuity of the drum on beat.... Is is very uplifting and spiritual...... On time and breaking up the time....... Thank you so much you're video is so cool!!!!!
Very cool Rob. I'm gonna try this more. But I've found in my years of playing.. first as a young drummer without a click I developed great sense of time and feel. Adding the click opened up a whole new world when getting on the country circuit. At first it was hard to lock in and still play with feel, but after about a month or so I had the best of both worlds.... Feel with Rock solid timing.. It's to the point now where, I can drift in and out of the click and it's always there to keep me solid.
Good advise, I've noticed the same thing, like playing a 16th note groove, it's more important to concentrate on keeping those 16ths solid, it's almost secondary whatever drums or cymbals you're hitting, as long as it keeps in time.
Thank you so much! Im just starting out and this has really help me start my journey right! my timing has improving so much now especially with fills! loved your lesson on drumeo!
Rob, as always thanks for millions. For aaaalll the druming videos around your's are the most enjoyable and helpfull to me. I also think that Copeland is the greatest ever, it felt like I new you as a friend when you make the heroes video of him.
"...just going for a fill and hoping to God it comes out on time." lol Yeah man, I teach as well. I like your approach. During real lessons with beginners, I'm sure you've got that sweet spot between providing necessary fundamentals and instant gratification.
This is golden Rob. I came up with a couple of exercises based off of this that I practice and put all my students through. Really digging your videos.
good video...just remember.. even if you're like a click track.. you are stil FU**** if the bass player and/or the band is all over the place because they forget to LISTEN!.. which sadly is often the case.. in that case.. be a little linient and follow the band.. better to groove and let the tempo go a little up and down.. than having perfect time, and having the music sound like /#¤"! I wish ALL musicians would work on time.. keeping time is a joined effort! Not JUST the drummer!
HR2635 I agree that we don't "own the tempo" but 95 percent of non drummers think we do. So we're kind of stuck with it. I think what Rob is saying is that we must play to the tempo "in between". Fills, rests, etc. all must happen in accord with the time signature.
HR2635 Agreed. More than once I've had to adjust to a singer/instrumentalist to save a performance. One of many benefits of having a live drummer, not a machine.
Totally agreed with that last statement!!! It's not the drummers job to keep good time. It's everyone's job to do that. It's the drummers job to be the pulse of the band... as well as the glue. I love the fact that Rob uses the word "pulse" in this way of developing time. Ever since I changed my perspective to being the pulse... it's changed me... Great thought on everything here Rob... totally agreed. The click is a guide to help you with where the time is... but nothing can take away the practice and knowledge/feel of where the subdivisions are. I practice 5s and 7s on top of the time and it helps on a deeper level to 'feel' where the standard time is... but you have to feel in control of the standard time first.
Agree, but there is one limitation. Some singers and especilally piano players have a tendency to speed up when they do certain phrases, fills etc. What happend to me was that I accommodated the singer and than was blamed that I was pushing too much.
"Just because you can tune your toms to play "Mary Had A Little Lamb" doesn't mean a thing. We have one job-----rhythm..." Now that is priceless!
That gem went straight into my back pocket. Can. not. wait to drop it lol.
instablaster.
"Goin' for a fill and hoping to God that comes out on time" - you got me there.
For real!!
Rob cuts a straight, no BS, laser beam path directly into the crux of the matter. Bravo.
I’m 60 an been drumming since 1978 and I can promise this man is the best teacher I’ve ever seen and I learn something from him every time I’m on his site. And I want to say thank you Mr Rob Brown. Much Respect 🙏✌️🙏 Jim. Hammond Louisiana
I'm 53 and have been playing off and on since 87 and couldn't agree more with you .we didn't have the tech that allows someone to be instructed the way you can today,if you were lucky you paid for lessons and went somewhere to learn,now I'm playing at home with electric drums with software to make them acoustic and having the privilege of having a talented musician like this gentleman help me become a better drummer than I believe I've ever been!!
Dude your videos have been such a huge help. Everything you present is right to the point and easy to comprehend and you embroider just enough to put your lessons into perspective. Your videos have been a huge help to me. Thanks so much for doing what you do.
I've never owned or used a metronome..... I have been drumming... All my life.... Oatmeal containers by Quaker oats and changing the pitch with sand inside of the containers...... But I have learned and figured some things out without a metronome.... But there's this internal strength that I'm working on as a drummer..... To be solid in my own beat.... My own truth..... I mean it's great to connect with the other band members.... And still be very very solid in my own....... Timing an space...... Thank you so much for sharing ... I really learned a lot today .... Master Brown all the way!!!!!
I'm a beginner drummer who's been scouring the Internet looking for help with keeping time. You put it in words and in a way that has been most helpful to me. I'm going to spend tonight watching all your videos. Thank you and keep the lessons coming!!
+Pete Kearns Niiice! Grab a cold beverage and enjoy 😊
I'm 60 years old and playing since Day 1! ..these basics you hear is where it all starts..I'm still playing today and my wrist are like rubberbands!! ...go on Rob teaching the young bucks!!
I've been playing for 5.5 years now (self-taught) and my time-keeping is based solely around feel. It's crazy to me that the way you explained playing within quarter-notes is exactly how my mind has come to understand "keeping the time". I didn't have the words for it before but now that I do, I will be sure to practice in this revised context. Thanks Rob!
I forget what pro drummer I heard use the phrase "time feel", but it changed the way I thought about time as a drummer. Before the Western notation of time, time was communicated via rhythm as rhythm is defined as the space between notes.
@@mcsequoia5107 Peter Erskine?
Rob conveyed his message well... This guy is a master
I play bass, and I love this.
Thanks man. Yea, this applies to everything from drums to left handed accordion
Same here!
Based on this video, I started practicing all the rudiments I can play competently in all of the subdivisions. It has greatly improved my internal clock, my time feel and my drumming. Especially my fills. Thank you Mr. Rob Brown!!!
I agree that drums are more rhythmic than melodic by themselves but they're a musical instrument. Drummers can play melodically and make sound choices that support and/or enhance the music, Neil Peart was the first drummer I heard who made me aware of this. There's a video of him & the president of DW talking about tonal intervals between toms, timbre of different woods, lamination types, shell structure, etc. It's really interesting stuff.
Sound is important.There's a reason why drum notes are put on a musical staff with notations for dynamics, crescendo/decrescendo and not just on a simple time grid. Each instrument produces different musical components such as pitch, timbre, attack/sustain. Melody by definition is "simply a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying."
By definition, a melody could be played on a practice pad but it sounds a lot more musical on a drum set. If you showed up for an audition with a practice pad & sticks and said I'm going to subdivide time to your songs, you're not getting the gig.
Hey Rob, this is actually my first comment on youtube ever. I've been watching your videos for a while now and it has been one "Ah-ha" moment after the other, you are an amazing drummer and especially an amazing teacher. You make me want to be a better drummer. Thank you for all the great content. God bless you, brother!
You know you're a good drummer when time-keeping is one of your favorite topics
Thanks a lot. Here is my practice plan:
1. Quarters | 4
2. Quater Triplets | 6
3. 8ths | 8
4. 8th note Triplets | 12
5. 16ths | 16
6. 16th note Triplets | 24
7. 32nds | 32
Thanks Rob. I agree with you about subdivisions on the practice pad. I've been doing it a lot the last couple of months. I would consider myself a high begginer to low intermediate drummer. But without any drums at all and just the pad my timing has improved incredible 👌😁
Spent the last year getting this into my playing. That idea at 12:01 about subdivisions. Thanks for opening my ears to it
RB always puts me in a good mood. Always positive about everything and straightforward . He does not over complicate what he's teaching. He TRULY understands the art of drumming.
Ive been playing forever and this has got to be the best drum lesson I've ever had in my life. Thank you
Man I love your whole approach to great metering!! I was a playing musician until I had 5 back surgeries and a knee replacement. You have inspired me to try to get my chops back.. I don’t know if it’s possible by I’m thinking about dusting off my snare , kick and hat and see where I can take it. I haven’t been able to play for about 12 years now so I’ll be back at beginner level... I first fell in love with playing drums was around 11 years old and I asked my parents to let me join a drum and bugle Corp. I thought wow I’m going to be cool . They started me out on the bass drum and it was all about timing and as I graduated up from the bass drum to the snare line I didn’t realize how much it helped me in timing. It was a great experience for me and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to play drums or a horn!! I also learned latter when I played on a kit with a band a little phrase I lived by( When in doubt leave it out) and not to overplay and play drum solos throughout the entire song!! I’m also an owner of a professional Live Production Company and always give special attention to the drums and explain what I’m looking for in my mix:) I’m looking forward to seeing your videos in the future.. Thanks
...I really enjoy your drum instruction videos. I was wondering if you have another video showing more examples of how to practice further breaking down these sub-divisions. Thanks!
We've been playing with my band for 10 years on and off with almost no formal music education. We've been recording our first song lately and when I put my drum playing in a grid, I realized how much variation I really have even with metronome. Yeah I can edit it but that doesn't help me if we have live gigs. I don't have a kit at home but luckily a good practice pad. Thanks for the video, it really got to the core of drums.
5:29 even his eyes keep time
Bram Naus hahaha for real!
Nah bro he’s rushing hahaha
Bram Naus lol
Awesome lesson man. Too many drummers don't want to spend time doing these types of exercises and in the end they sound crappy. Once relative mastery of the subdivisions is attained, there is no going back! For an additional challenge, after 16th notes, try dividing a quarter note into a quintuplet. Then alternate every other quintuplet. You can use this to speed up your time by a factor of 2.5 against the quarter note pulse. Super challenging!
No one should ever over look the importance of being loose behind the drums. Not only for all the reasons mentioned in the video but also in terms of beat placement .Back, Middle ,on top. This gives you control and helps one feel and internalize the time better.Also in terms of widening out your beat it's absolutely imperative that you're fluid ,loose and relaxed if you choose. Spoken by one who originally came up studying with classical percussion teachers that never taught or approached playing time. Mainly snare drum etudes w/ an orchestral or parts concept similar to that of a tpt , clarinet or bassoon. Doesn't help much if you aspire to play drum set for a living but that's another topic for discussion... Great videos Rob!!
Great video man. There was a point in my career where I had shattered my kick drum leg from the knee down. 13 breaks including four screws in the ankle. Rather than canceling gigs, my band stripped down to an acoustic presentation. I played on a wooden tool box with bundle sticks (I made them out of Oak dowels, this was 1997). Had I not understood subdivision, that could not have worked. It did, and well. If you're not subdividing, you're struggling unnecessarily. I was laying bare the subdivision that was happening in my mind and how I used it. When I finally got back on a kit, the "click of the mind" was even stronger. When I work with artists now, we have this discussion. Yeah the click.. it's what you feel in between that really matters. Obvious? Not always. Drummers live in a special place. And, the slower the tempo, the more I subdivide.
Love it! You explain everything in a way that's very easy to digest. This one brought back memories of my old marching days.
One thing that you are bringing to the table is your self confidence. Don't ever underestimate that attribute.
When James Gadson was asked about the what his definition of funky was, he said something like "everyone is funky if you listen to them" "being listened to is what makes you funky"well you are and we (my students and I) are listening. Its good of you to share your knowledge and experience.Hope you never stop.
This is the best instructional vid I have ever seen. The way you break everything down to the sub-divisions, it all just makes so much sense when you really explain what is important rather than just beating every drum around the set as fast as you can. Thank you, Rob
Hi Beatdown,
I had the very fortunate experience of growing up near two different railway lines. Our house was about 250 feet from where the tracks crossed. All day and all night I heard the complex rhythmic sounds of steam powered trains at various speeds. I firmly believe that it not only influenced my interest in rhythmic practicing, but ultimately made me a better drummer.
It has been 58 years and still practicing my subdividing skills. Great concept in this video. I absolutely agree with everything you taught here. Best wishes as you continue to give us the proper tools and understanding.
Thank you!
Man....I've seen a lot of your vids. And just like how Peters Crane puts it, you just break it down to WHAT IT IS. So many times we, as people, can over think things waaaaaay too much. I'ts best be simple....cause this stuff really is. Thanks dude. Thank you so much.
you are so right about the click.. I know so many guys who play perfectly to a click and have terrible time without it! Very good video, as always. Thanks Rob!!
why are your exercises so simple yet more effective then most guys on RUclips?!? this is so good👍🏾👍🏾
Rob since I’ve found your drum RUclips videos you’ve inspired me to start working on a lot of different aspects of my drumming needs, and I need a lot! I especially like your no nonsense right to the point approach without boring me to tears on how to and how not to play the DRUMS..your simplicity to tuning your drums or practicing certain rudiments or an approach to certain ideas are great and TO THE POINT! Love ya keep up the superb job you’re doin great.. Thanks a’lot I really appreciate it..✌️&❤️
Thanks a lot, man 🙂👊🏽 Very encouraging
Talk about hitting the Nail on the Head !! Perfect explanation of what our job is within an Ensemble. "The KIT just adds Color to our SUBDIVISIONS " AMEN !!!
Thanks!
I think this might be the most important drum tutorial video I’ve ever watched. And I’ve watched loads! A great lesson, intelligently taught and explained. Thanks, Rob!
"This things got one job and that's rhythm!' Awesome line!
This makes perfect sense Rob. Love your videos.
Just started learning how to make beats using a DAW. Was looking all over RUclips for someone to clearly explain for me the relationship between beats and timing/metronome when making rhythm. Your explanation about subdivision is the the shortest and best explanation i found. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Sharing is caring!
Getting an answer on what an advanced drummer is thinking when playing is huge for the self taught drummers of the world. It's a nugget and I'll take it. Thanks Rob!
Thank you Rob for this video, and the Left Foot videos. I've been playing for decades. The advice you've given in the videos, which I watched yesterday night and have practised today, has transformed my timekeeping in one day. I can't believe it. Thank you so much dude.
This is pure genius love the way you put everything, removes a lot of intimidation factor from big picture concepts
Love your movements. So crisp and intentional
Great lesson - as always! Thanks Rob for your constant high quality output in every way! Keep it up and big drummer hug from Germany! 👍🏼
Mr. Brown, you are a fantastic teacher & of course drummer. Thank you for sharing your gifts. - All the Best!
Man, just love how simple you break things down Rob and it makes so much of sense especially in giving us beginners/intermediate drummers, hope and a life line to getting better! Keep up the awesome content and thank you so much for what you do!
Found your videos on how to tune everything up and Thank you for such straightforward lessons!! I'm slowly going through vid by vid learning more and more about how to use my drum set to the best of my abilities! You are a great dude and I thank you!!
Always extremely informative. I've gotten into drumming less than a year ago, and the amount of informations I've been able to learn from watching "beatdown" videos is just insane. You keep doing what you're doing Rob. I appreciate your work greatly.
"Take it or leave it"? I'll take it Rob, thanks!
Thanks Rob,
I am just getting back into playing after while off where life pulled me away, its all good.
Your videos have such a relaxed, fun, style that they make me want to just pick up the sticks. I am holding off on a kit for now and taking a few months to just get my hands going on a pad. I never took the time before to develop my hands, and I am having a blast with, and with out my metronome.
Thanks for taking the time to share with us. You have a new fan.
Keep up the great work.
Felt the passion for how huge this truly is. I sometimes rush the first rim shot after a fill especially on very slow songs. Great lesson Rob, truly~!
Right at 7:35 seconds it started getting super helpful for me. thank you. I used to play in a band that was a lot heavier And louder and so it didn't seem to be as much of an issue but the band I've been playing in now is very Aware of volume on the stage. I have noticed recently that volume control and time keeping I've become more difficult than I thought it would be.
Rhythm & Timing! Something I've been struggling with my entire drumming career! In my case, it's just the adrenalin rush that I get when performing live that causes me to speed up! Stopped by you channel Rob and as allways, you opened my mind to a unique and simple way to improve my timing!
Great lesson, Rob, on how to REALLY keep time. You do such a great job of keeping important, and sometimes difficult, concepts and techniques, simple and understandable. I'm not a pro but I've been playing drums a long time and what you teach and how you teach it, is not only helpful but usable. Many thanks.
great video on the concept. for the newbies, rob is talking about the table of time. excellent demonstration and rob knows his stuff about this.
This information was so on point. Thank you Rob. I love your content
Just found your channel and I've been playing untrained for 10 years now, this had been confirming alot of what I've noticed and explaining the why.
Thanks for the practice tips
Eloquent, Rob! Your way of describing what playing time is makes it both real and useable. I refer
other drummers to your site because of this approach, which is the best I've found anywhere. Cool!
When a drummer does great subdivision their fills and grooves sound so good. It’s hard at first to know the details of this. If you’re new to drumming, play say 8th notes, and record yourself in slow motion. It will reveal if you’re in time or the note are staggering a little too much. You want also the slow motion video to show a smooth pattern with even space between notes. Then your drum fills and grooves will take a huge leap towards greatness. Thanks for this lesson Rob, agree that time keeping is the most important thing to know as a drummer!
Very well said buddy. Knowing your ability and knowing where you should add fills or not is a huge part of me keeping better time. Thanks for the vid!
Every drummer should watch this video and learn. Thank you RB.
New to the channel, but your style is fantastic. So chill, and it feels like you're really talking to the viewer directly. Thumbs up!
Man your videos is really something else then most other drum channels. You are covering, really indepth, on such extremely important topics - and delving straight into the heart of those. Oh and mean in general, not just this video. Biiig kudos from Norway.
NORWAY 🇳🇴 in the house 🙂👊🏽 Nice. Shout out from Canada 🇨🇦
Yessir! We even got the internet! Stuff like your general perspective to things, this video, the trad grip video, rudiments practice for dynamics (I tell you this one just dumped a giant omfg moment at me. The idea is simple, however I have for quite some time tried to control my sticks to land like a few mm above the head - but I notice with this dynamics exercise, that just happen totally automatically! Months of work just happend in 1h after watching that vid haha..!) +++ all godly on point and helpful to further push my drumming. Keep up the good work man!
you are a great teacher.....you break things in the kit to a level where learning is achieveble....
Solid advice that’s exactly what I’ve been doing and Mann I’ve honestly been getting better at it especially when you go for that fill subdividing and still land on the one, it becomes a natural thing after a while.
I wish my first drum teachers had explained timing this clearly.
One thing I discovered late in my playing was breathing. I found myself holding
my breath during a fill or chorus. Once I was aware of it I learned to breath normally
or regularly. That helped me a lot.
Weird, eh? I think we all do that instinctively. Like when people hold their breath when doing bench press or push-ups. Definitely something we have to unlearn. It helps you relax, too
Great lesson, love who you can simplify explanations of things people overly complicate!
Thanks your videos have been helping me get out of a plateau and a rut :) It means a lot that you spend your time on this content
Going for the low down as per usual! Absolute pearl of wisdom straight up. Thanks mate!
ive been playing drums almost 10 years.. but this is the best explanation ive got.. thanks sir..
Pulse centered playing? more like mind blown! Mike you bring so much into perspective! Thanks for the lesson.
Aced it! This was HUGE! Thanks for putting this out Rex. Have been teaching this concept to my students for a while now.
this is exactly how i think of drumming... thanks so much for putting it eloquently into words!! it is true. fit the parts of ur drum kit any place anywhere but be intent in each of your stroke and make sure ur subdivisions fit within the base wiarter quarter notes in the right speed!
Hello and thank you for putting your thoughts out there for us all. I consider it an act of love because you care. Cool.
I'm with you on this and you sound like me. You are saying what Ive been saying my whole career. If I may Id like to add here from this point so some places I have taken time keeping in my mind and playing right from where you have left off.
On top of your message about subdividing and following the quarter note I have started to put my attention on 2 and 4.
I noticed that Im able to make the crowd clap on 2 and 4 using 2 as a starting place in the measure and 4 to resolve. Along with subdividing the quarter notes I have started subdividing up to the half notes of 2 and 4. I feel like it opens a new pocket in the groove that is wider and creates a more open and loose environment for me to place rhythm and beat placements. Ultimately I feel that it makes people dance. My favorite accomplishment. Thank you. I look forward to learning more from you. You are great!!
Rob, you nailed it down mate, that's exactly what I think is the best approach to drumming for a beginner drummer like me. Now is time to look for exercises for improving that (thanks in advance to anyone that point me to videos/lessons).
Many thanks for your video and your advice, you got my like.
Yes, yes, yes! It's all about timing, playing in the pocket and nailing every downbeat. It also helps to remind your bandmates to LISTEN to your hi-hat and ride cymbal to keep in time... so many musicians just don't listen to each other, which makes a song sound sloppy...
You really yhelp me with drumming i am beginner on drums but played guitar for many years, a lot i know but also a lot you explained to me
Greetings from Poland!
This is very helpful, as always! Victor Wooten tells bass players to imagine a drummer in their head and play to that. He asserts that you will not imagine a drummer playing out of time. If that’s correct, if we imagine the pulse in our head - as you seem to suggest - then we have an imaginary time keeper who plays in time - a perfect internal click. Now, I don’t know it Wooten is correct that you can’t imagine an out of time drummer, but if that is true, it’s really amazing and something we can apply to what you’re teaching. Thanks again!!!
thanks Rob, yes a big challenge, keeping time is difficult, I'll definitely work on subdivisions around the quarter note!
rob, thanks, this video makes so much sense, i usally have great time live, but lately bass player mentioned that i varied a tiny bit, probably being picky, yet it bothered me. ive watched a few of your vids, really gives me some re focus on tempo, thanks brother
Great concept! The reason to work with a click is that every day you "feel" time differently, so working with a click can help manage that aspect. Thanks for the video's! Very helpful :-)
You have a gift for teaching, sir. Keep up the great work! This was one of your best lessons, IMHO.
Your advise here IS $$$$!!! I became too reliant on the click. I needed it. I couldn't even count off after using it too much. Metronome is very valuable, especially for practice, studio etc.... but a live show...it had me questioning if i was even cloes in time. It got scarey for a bit
ROB BROWN. You have helped me alot. From Tuning to keeping time.....you the man!!!
mlaugh3 Thanks, dude 🙂👊🏽
I love it, man. Thank you very much, for your time etc. I've played a lot of gigs the last 17 years, and, I know my timing can be pretty elastic.
And, I've been trying to look outside the box, to improve my internal metronome.
& Without having a lot of musical knowledge, from paper, so to speak. This video really helps me out. Thank you, brother 👍🏼🎼🥁
Thank you so much for sharing this.... Totally validates my feeling about it.... And adding a whole new dimension that you are sharing... Truly appreciate your knowledge and the time you are taking to share..... I studied some African dance and drum... And I absolutely love the connections.... And the feeling that the and the continuity of the drum on beat.... Is is very uplifting and spiritual...... On time and breaking up the time....... Thank you so much you're video is so cool!!!!!
Great stuff as usual. No matter how creative you get, it all needs to "make sense" (music) inside the time signature "box".
Very cool Rob. I'm gonna try this more. But I've found in my years of playing.. first as a young drummer without a click I developed great sense of time and feel. Adding the click opened up a whole new world when getting on the country circuit. At first it was hard to lock in and still play with feel, but after about a month or so I had the best of both worlds.... Feel with Rock solid timing.. It's to the point now where, I can drift in and out of the click and it's always there to keep me solid.
More great tips and to make logical sense to timing👍🏻🥁
Good advise, I've noticed the same thing, like playing a 16th note groove, it's more important to concentrate on keeping those 16ths solid, it's almost secondary whatever drums or cymbals you're hitting, as long as it keeps in time.
This is hugely important for drummers. Great stuff, Rob.
Thank you so much! Im just starting out and this has really help me start my journey right! my timing has improving so much now especially with fills! loved your lesson on drumeo!
Rob, as always thanks for millions. For aaaalll the druming videos around your's are the most enjoyable and helpfull to me. I also think that Copeland is the greatest ever, it felt like I new you as a friend when you make the heroes video of him.
Beautifully explained. So grateful to be able to hear your wisdom. Peace brother.
"...just going for a fill and hoping to God it comes out on time." lol
Yeah man, I teach as well. I like your approach. During real lessons with beginners, I'm sure you've got that sweet spot between providing necessary fundamentals and instant gratification.
Great, great advise!! Always learning with you, my man. What you say just makes sense!
Prefectly put. As 18 years on bass before drums this was my first goal to hit subdivisions correctly. Too many drummers that can't :/
Good shout.
Thanks,you really beat it into me how importante the subdivivions are.Going out now to practice this.Gracias.
This is golden Rob. I came up with a couple of exercises based off of this that I practice and put all my students through. Really digging your videos.
Wicked. Glad it was able to help you out, man 🙂👊🏽
good video...just remember.. even if you're like a click track.. you are stil FU**** if the bass player and/or the band is all over the place because they forget to LISTEN!.. which sadly is often the case.. in that case.. be a little linient and follow the band.. better to groove and let the tempo go a little up and down.. than having perfect time, and having the music sound like /#¤"!
I wish ALL musicians would work on time.. keeping time is a joined effort! Not JUST the drummer!
HR2635 I agree that we don't "own the tempo" but 95 percent of non drummers think we do. So we're kind of stuck with it. I think what Rob is saying is that we must play to the tempo "in between". Fills, rests, etc. all must happen in accord with the time signature.
HR2635 Agreed. More than once I've had to adjust to a singer/instrumentalist to save a performance. One of many benefits of having a live drummer, not a machine.
Totally agreed with that last statement!!! It's not the drummers job to keep good time. It's everyone's job to do that. It's the drummers job to be the pulse of the band... as well as the glue. I love the fact that Rob uses the word "pulse" in this way of developing time. Ever since I changed my perspective to being the pulse... it's changed me...
Great thought on everything here Rob... totally agreed. The click is a guide to help you with where the time is... but nothing can take away the practice and knowledge/feel of where the subdivisions are. I practice 5s and 7s on top of the time and it helps on a deeper level to 'feel' where the standard time is... but you have to feel in control of the standard time first.
Agree, but there is one limitation. Some singers and especilally piano players have a tendency to speed up when they do certain phrases, fills etc. What happend to me was that I accommodated the singer and than was blamed that I was pushing too much.
Oh man, GREAT comment!!! I'll quit a band that can't keep time. Recently have.