One of the things I most like about your lessons is the fills (grooves, solos, etc.) you teach us are very MUSICAL. They are beats that an audience would identify as sounding cool. Audiences don't know what is hard or easy to play, they only know what sounds good. Many of the lessons online will teach fills that are challenging to play correctly, but I personally would never want to use them in a live setting. (Yes, I am a big fan, & I bought your Meinl cymbal set cause they sound great!)
Mike's system for learning linear patterns is absolutely excellent. So effective. Believe in this system, practice it, discipline your self to use a metronome and go slow! You'll have insane 'chops' before you can say HOOAHH!
Hey Mike...40 years old drummer here in Costa Rica...and feeling younger each time I find a new video from you buddy. Thanks a lot for sharing my friend...you simply rock!!!!
Brother Mike… dude to be completely honest I’ve only known about you for the past 3 years and absolutely fell in love with your teaching and just your all around character- such a down to earth awesome dude with such a sweet spirit… when I came across this old school video it just really validated your passion and your love for teaching- thanks for just being you…
I've had a lot of work on lately and have been neglecting my kit... this video made me pick up my sticks, dig out Linear Drumming, and remember why I love playing - so thank you for that!
Mike if everyone was as excited and genuine happy doing what ur doing the world would be a better place. Your not out to scam people, the first thing out of your mouth isn't "buy my book,DVD" . It's " this is awesome and will make u a better drummer. I really love what ur doing and I hope to meet u some day. Thanks Clayton Moore.
Mike, your videos and contributions to the musician community are incredible. I don't even play the drums (I'm a keyboard player) and I've learned so much from your videos. You truly have a talent for explaining things in a way that makes them relevant and easy to apply to real music. It's so refreshing to see someone so eager and excited to share what they know, and doing so in a very helpful and entertaining way. Keep being composed entirely of awesomesauce, Nick ^^
Like many of the people that have commented, I too have "borrowed" some of your licks lol. The paradiddledids between the hands, and feet is part of my warm up. The fake double bass lick is sweet in short bursts, or keeping 1/8ths with the left is brilliant! The one lick I need to work on is that linear 16th note trip lick going from 16ths. I have trouble transitioning w/out a click. You have a great attitude, great player, and thank you for posting. If I could have access to these lessons growing up........
Mike, you're such an amazing drummer. You and Tony Royster Jr. are like, 2 of my favorite drummers of all time!! Especially since you're wearing obey right now, i love it! These lessons you give inspire me so much! I got 5 years of drummer under my belt, and you bring me so much more " style freedom", i guess you can call it. Like, you give these awesome lessons that i try out and give me ideas when I have hit a plateau!
Mike, You are moving farther and farther into the spiritual way of the drums. My favorite drummer is Danny Carey because of his approach to drums and percussion (and also that he is a total badass) but you have become my very close second. The way you are helping us is a way that could only be possible as of the internet age anyway but the fact that you care to make us better is selfless and can never be repaid. I say this not to compare you to The Savior but to show impact you make(Drum Jesus.)
Wow, really like the flow of the rolls you are doing, sounds amazing, looks so Incredibly difficult, until you transcribe it for us, thanks Mike, your a natural teacher .
so, I use this fill ALLLLLLLL THE TIME!!!!!!!! in gospel music. I didnt know what it was called in the formal sense. but now I do. It's really the base of my drumming. great vid!
hey mike , i think that i'm one the few people that watched your lessons since 3- 4 years ago. you're doing a great job dude and i really getting ispiration from your lessons. keep the good vibes , and think about coming to ISRAEL for a clinic.. love your work , lior.
How does this dude have time to practice.. seriously everytime I watch a new video it honestly seems like he has managed to pursue his passion of teaching and also have the time to improve his talent.. Unbelievable knowledge and unbelievable person.. Thanks for all of your hard work Mike we really appreciate everything
Mike, I'm having trouble driving as a passenger...sorry I had to say something....your realy funny and down to earth...had a few bad angry teachers before..but your so down to earth and funny! thanks for being you Mike
You've also helped me so much with giving lessons! The kid that I'm teaching is only 10, but he's a fast learner! but he's still on basic stuff. Although, the way you say things and explain them is what helps me to communicate with him. So, thanks a bunch got taking your time to do this for us! Much love!
Adding mobile support for streaming live lessons is simply amazing! Thank you for pushing so hard to make this happen. I've been a live subscriber for about three months now, and I'm excited to have even more access to such an incredible resource. Most importantly, thank you for putting so much passion into what you do. Every time I've seen you make a big announcement like this, I can't help but feel the genuine emotion and excitement in your voice. Well done, Mike!
I noticed you mentioned 1 single kick, then double kick....then single kick..........I'm hearing (2 singles then 1 double kick)....I'm new trying to learn.........You are a really AWESOME drummer! I hope one day I can get these grooves as you have! Thanks for the lessons Mike!
Finally! I've been looking for this groove/fill my buddy told me about and taught me and now i've found its origin. Awesome man. this lick impresses anybody i throw it at.
This fill is simply excellent. Thank you for showing this off, I never would have thought of it myself lol. I think this will help me develop my tom grooves better. Thanks again!
Mike, your lessons have been instrumental (no pun intended) in getting me back playing again after several years away from the kit. Thanks for the inspiration!
Not sure if anyone has answered you but if you look at about 3:26 in the video, it shows the sticking pattern (two beats of it, repeated to fill the bar). The accent is on the second left of the series. Count it ONE-and-a-one-and-a-TWO-and-a-two-and-a-THREE-and etc. and the accent lands on beats two and four (in 4/4) to create the backbeat if you just use it as a groove.
Mike I know you hear it a lot but you're very inspirational on the drums and seem like a lovely genuine guy. I always have fun watching your RUclips posts and when I get to stop travelling for work I'll join your live lessons for sure. I'll take this and make it my own (in other words for me play it a lot slower and generally worse).
Mike, thanks for this lesson. Drumming is all about groove and time, but we all want to be able to unleash monster fills in appropriate places. I've worked through a number of groove based DVDs (like Tommy Igoe's) and when the groove is demonstrated a killer fill is usually played at some point with no explanation of how the Hell to execute it.
That is an awesome fill! I have been hitting a wall lately with my drumming lately and these are the kind of fills and grooves I've been wanting to learn! Thanks Mike!
Thanks for posting this mike...fabulous as these licks are they are all 'playable' all anyone has to do is to get the pattern off slow and keep doing it faster as they get used to it.Basic common sense but something a lot of drummers don't adhere to when trying to get something off. I haven;t played drums for years but after watching this I feel like setting the kit up and having a go again,,thanks again...from England.
Mike, my buddy Jesus Vega turned me onto you back in the myspace days. I stopped taking lessons almost 11 years ago. So thankful for your vids and your site. Greetings from Las Vegas. Hope all is well.
"Kick, right, left, kick, kick, right, left, right, left, kick, right, left... DONE!" Haha, love your pedagogy! This is great & inspiring and I just got to learn this! Thanks for the wonderful lessons!
that was really cool, i have this thing of my own, 12 strokes, f - f - r - L - f - f - r&L together - f - f - r - L - L much more foot action, but same concept. you the man mike!!
I'm sucked in, your lessons are great! On a side note, i'd like to learn more about your approach to gripping the drumsticks, this has been one of my major struggles for years. You're grip looks and feels pretty flawless!
I was a really good drummer 30 years ago, I stopped playing (never should have) had a stroke three years ago, and now am having to retrain myself all over again. Thanks to you and other online lessons you have made this transition so much easier since i have literally forgotten most of what i once knew.THANKS SO MUCH! Bill drummer of FLIPSWITCH! check out our stuff New Jam and demo 2 on you tube. we just started this band eight practices ago,
This video was almost instantly enough to convince me to buy your book (paperback). Can't wait for it to arrive and practise with this and similair stuff and get inspired! Keep up the good work Johnston!
Awesome pattern. Can't wait to start working on it. Thanks Mike! You are a great asset to the drum community and a great teacher. You can teach an old dog new tricks. I LOVE DRUMS!!
thanks so much mike i love watching your videos they're exactly what i want to learn, keep em coming. ill watch one of your videos and go play drums for hours with something new to do all off your short videos.
There is nothing wrong with learning by ear. I do both, the notes that are on the screen are very easy to read. On the top of each snare note there is an "R" or "L" for Right or Left. the notes on the bottom of the staff are kick drum. Hope this helps!
I stopped subscribing because I couldn't stream to my IPad... The only thing i could do was watch the archived videos (which although excellent I felt I was missing out from the live experience). I now have to rejoin.... Excellent work Sir!
"No no no, that's not how we practised it. That doesn't sound like hands and knees" ... hehe.. This has definately been a good injection of cool for my day and I will be learning it. Will be adding it into my practise when I have reassembled my kit after a gig. Seriously though, you have influenced my drumming and my practise routines in ways I cannot explain so thank you for all your videos on here and your site.
One of the things I most like about your lessons is the fills (grooves, solos, etc.) you teach us are very MUSICAL. They are beats that an audience would identify as sounding cool. Audiences don't know what is hard or easy to play, they only know what sounds good. Many of the lessons online will teach fills that are challenging to play correctly, but I personally would never want to use them in a live setting. (Yes, I am a big fan, & I bought your Meinl cymbal set cause they sound great!)
Mike's system for learning linear patterns is absolutely excellent. So effective.
Believe in this system, practice it, discipline your self to use a metronome and go slow! You'll have insane 'chops' before you can say HOOAHH!
I use these all the time thanks to mikeslessons! Go download the packages! So worth it
The way he taught that is exactly
the learning experience of anything (drumming wise),
summed up in 5 minutes! Thank you, great lesson Sir!
That was the first drum video that I watched on RUclips, and became my favorite drum fill for life
Hey Mike...40 years old drummer here in Costa Rica...and feeling younger each time I find a new video from you buddy. Thanks a lot for sharing my friend...you simply rock!!!!
Thank you for putting the tabs on the bottom of the video. Really helps me out!
Brother Mike… dude to be completely honest I’ve only known about you for the past 3 years and absolutely fell in love with your teaching and just your all around character- such a down to earth awesome dude with such a sweet spirit… when I came across this old school video it just really validated your passion and your love for teaching- thanks for just being you…
Love your 'inspired by' line at the end. Left me feeling capable and excited to get this down !
I've had a lot of work on lately and have been neglecting my kit... this video made me pick up my sticks, dig out Linear Drumming, and remember why I love playing - so thank you for that!
Mike Johnston... the way you brake things down is brilliant!
cool, thanks Mike, I saw it before but it's been on back burner until now, had some time and worked on it tonite...nice fill.
Mike, you're my inspiration. I order your book and i can't wait to start study your lessons!!! I hope you will come in Italy!!! Thank you Mike!!!
I'm a guitarist, but I really like watching these videos - Such Great drumming!!! Thank you Mr. Johnston!
Ahh, Mike's Lessons.... The good at the end of the day.... Thank you Mike for all of your (and your team's) hard work. Kudos
Can't wait for our clinic with Mike in Edinburgh on the 27th October 2014
Mike, thank you so much for teaching these crazy cool grooves and licks! My hats off to you, sir!
Sweet Video! I do believe im going to check out your book good sir.
Completely awesome! Great lesson, great playing. Thank you
you are such a beast! Thanks for helping me progress through these videos over the years man.
I'm finding it almost impossible to find a drummer is as inspiring as you, thank you Mike.
One of the most coolest, creative drum fill that i've seen! Insane stuff
Mike Thats really great!! I also love your cymbals!!! they are sweet!!!
Mike, you have inspired me today! After being in a rutt this has opened up a whole new world of creative possibility's! Thank you!
Mike if everyone was as excited and genuine happy doing what ur doing the world would be a better place. Your not out to scam people, the first thing out of your mouth isn't "buy my book,DVD" . It's " this is awesome and will make u a better drummer. I really love what ur doing and I hope to meet u some day. Thanks Clayton Moore.
cool exercise, I was doing this for a few minutes & found that it actually works
your left hand quite nicely!! thx Mike!!!
great advice "Here's what I do with it" in order to make it our own. as well as using other patterns that we like.
Mike, your videos and contributions to the musician community are incredible. I don't even play the drums (I'm a keyboard player) and I've learned so much from your videos. You truly have a talent for explaining things in a way that makes them relevant and easy to apply to real music. It's so refreshing to see someone so eager and excited to share what they know, and doing so in a very helpful and entertaining way.
Keep being composed entirely of awesomesauce,
Nick ^^
Like many of the people that have commented, I too have "borrowed" some of your licks lol. The paradiddledids between the hands, and feet is part of my warm up. The fake double bass lick is sweet in short bursts, or keeping 1/8ths with the left is brilliant! The one lick I need to work on is that linear 16th note trip lick going from 16ths. I have trouble transitioning w/out a click. You have a great attitude, great player, and thank you for posting. If I could have access to these lessons growing up........
I'm from Brazil-São Paulo
Muito bom, adoro esse tipo de virada, massa mesmo. Valeu.
Mike, you're such an amazing drummer. You and Tony Royster Jr. are like, 2 of my favorite drummers of all time!! Especially since you're wearing obey right now, i love it! These lessons you give inspire me so much! I got 5 years of drummer under my belt, and you bring me so much more " style freedom", i guess you can call it. Like, you give these awesome lessons that i try out and give me ideas when I have hit a plateau!
awesome fill! I learnt it and now teaching my students! you are a brilliant drummer and an even better teacher!
Mike, You are moving farther and farther into the spiritual way of the drums. My favorite drummer is Danny Carey because of his approach to drums and percussion (and also that he is a total badass) but you have become my very close second. The way you are helping us is a way that could only be possible as of the internet age anyway but the fact that you care to make us better is selfless and can never be repaid. I say this not to compare you to The Savior but to show impact you make(Drum Jesus.)
this sounds like a great foundation to build gospel chops, which is what i'm trying to work on now, so this is great. many thanks!
And that´s the way you get a new follower man!!! Thanks for the lesson. You hooked me.
Wow, really like the flow of the rolls you are doing, sounds amazing, looks so Incredibly difficult, until you transcribe it for us, thanks Mike, your a natural teacher .
great fill, will use it for sure, thanks Mike !
so, I use this fill ALLLLLLLL THE TIME!!!!!!!! in gospel music. I didnt know what it was called in the formal sense. but now I do. It's really the base of my drumming. great vid!
hey mike , i think that i'm one the few people that watched your lessons since 3- 4 years ago.
you're doing a great job dude and i really getting ispiration from your lessons.
keep the good vibes , and think about coming to ISRAEL for a clinic..
love your work , lior.
How does this dude have time to practice.. seriously everytime I watch a new video it honestly seems like he has managed to pursue his passion of teaching and also have the time to improve his talent.. Unbelievable knowledge and unbelievable person.. Thanks for all of your hard work Mike we really appreciate everything
Dude..... that fill just opened my mind up to so many possibilities
Mike, I'm having trouble driving as a passenger...sorry I had to say something....your realy funny and down to earth...had a few bad angry teachers before..but your so down to earth and funny! thanks for being you Mike
You've also helped me so much with giving lessons! The kid that I'm teaching is only 10, but he's a fast learner! but he's still on basic stuff. Although, the way you say things and explain them is what helps me to communicate with him. So, thanks a bunch got taking your time to do this for us! Much love!
Adding mobile support for streaming live lessons is simply amazing! Thank you for pushing so hard to make this happen. I've been a live subscriber for about three months now, and I'm excited to have even more access to such an incredible resource. Most importantly, thank you for putting so much passion into what you do. Every time I've seen you make a big announcement like this, I can't help but feel the genuine emotion and excitement in your voice. Well done, Mike!
I noticed you mentioned 1 single kick, then double kick....then single kick..........I'm hearing (2 singles then 1 double kick)....I'm new trying to learn.........You are a really AWESOME drummer! I hope one day I can get these grooves as you have! Thanks for the lessons Mike!
You are more than welcome, thanks so much for the kind words.
Mike Johnston
MIKESLESSONS COM
Mike is now my favorite online teacher! He is the bomb
That kit sounds amazing.
Mike's drumset always sounds soooo SWEET!!
Finally! I've been looking for this groove/fill my buddy told me about and taught me and now i've found its origin. Awesome man. this lick impresses anybody i throw it at.
This fill is simply excellent. Thank you for showing this off, I never would have thought of it myself lol. I think this will help me develop my tom grooves better. Thanks again!
Mike, your lessons have been instrumental (no pun intended) in getting me back playing again after several years away from the kit. Thanks for the inspiration!
Dear Mike,
As a teenager without a job, once I save enough money to get the book, I WILL have the Linear Fills book. Tasty stuff right there.
Not sure if anyone has answered you but if you look at about 3:26 in the video, it shows the sticking pattern (two beats of it, repeated to fill the bar). The accent is on the second left of the series. Count it ONE-and-a-one-and-a-TWO-and-a-two-and-a-THREE-and etc. and the accent lands on beats two and four (in 4/4) to create the backbeat if you just use it as a groove.
GOT to try this when I get home. Thanks!
Mike I know you hear it a lot but you're very inspirational on the drums and seem like a lovely genuine guy. I always have fun watching your RUclips posts and when I get to stop travelling for work I'll join your live lessons for sure. I'll take this and make it my own (in other words for me play it a lot slower and generally worse).
Love that lick man! Also the cymbol on your right (the one with holes in) sounds sick.
REALLY COOL STUFF !!!! I'll HAVE to try out an practice for hours.
Thanks a lot for those inspiring moments !!!!!
Mike, thanks for this lesson. Drumming is all about groove and time, but we all want to be able to unleash monster fills in appropriate places. I've worked through a number of groove based DVDs (like Tommy Igoe's) and when the groove is demonstrated a killer fill is usually played at some point with no explanation of how the Hell to execute it.
That is an awesome fill! I have been hitting a wall lately with my drumming lately and these are the kind of fills and grooves I've been wanting to learn! Thanks Mike!
Thanks for posting this mike...fabulous as these licks are they are all 'playable' all anyone has to do is to get the pattern off slow and keep doing it faster as they get used to it.Basic common sense but something a lot of drummers don't adhere to when trying to get something off. I haven;t played drums for years but after watching this I feel like setting the kit up and having a go again,,thanks again...from England.
Thanks Mike. I was one of the people asking for the fill and here it is. Awesome.
Mike, my buddy Jesus Vega turned me onto you back in the myspace days. I stopped taking lessons almost 11 years ago. So thankful for your vids and your site. Greetings from Las Vegas. Hope all is well.
Thanks for sharing us the pattern, its cool! you sounded good too!
HI Mike i bouth your book about 8 month and is realy good, Im from Santiago CHILE, Thanks for opening my mind with those great ideas, Carlos Menares
I'm having a heck of a time getting the triplet feel on this.
"Kick, right, left, kick, kick, right, left, right, left, kick, right, left... DONE!"
Haha, love your pedagogy! This is great & inspiring and I just got to learn this!
Thanks for the wonderful lessons!
Another subscriber here. Thanks sir your lessons are crystal clear and motivational.
Spent all day learning patterns from this book :D
You know you've been taught by Mike for a while when you can automatically break down the lick before he does in the video. Great stuff Mike!
Joel
I just can't get how good you are dude... such an inspiration Mike!!
that was really cool, i have this thing of my own, 12 strokes,
f - f - r - L - f - f - r&L together - f - f - r - L - L much more foot action, but same concept.
you the man mike!!
I'm sucked in, your lessons are great! On a side note, i'd like to learn more about your approach to gripping the drumsticks, this has been one of my major struggles for years. You're grip looks and feels pretty flawless!
I was a really good drummer 30 years ago, I stopped playing (never should have) had a stroke three years ago, and now am having to retrain myself all over again. Thanks to you and other online lessons you have made this transition so much easier since i have literally forgotten most of what i once knew.THANKS SO MUCH! Bill drummer of FLIPSWITCH! check out our stuff New Jam and demo 2 on you tube. we just started this band eight practices ago,
In love with your cymbal sounds, man! Great colors! Cool licks too!
Love, Love...Freaking LOVE the Lessons Mike!
thank you, Mike...that was very inspiring indeed.
This video was almost instantly enough to convince me to buy your book (paperback). Can't wait for it to arrive and practise with this and similair stuff and get inspired!
Keep up the good work Johnston!
Just bought the book! Can't wait to get cracking on some of these fills and patterns!
Awesome pattern. Can't wait to start working on it. Thanks Mike! You are a great asset to the drum community and a great teacher. You can teach an old dog new tricks. I LOVE DRUMS!!
man I love the lessons you give, you've advanced so much since those first few vids you uploaded lol
thanks so much mike i love watching your videos they're exactly what i want to learn, keep em coming. ill watch one of your videos and go play drums for hours with something new to do all off your short videos.
hay im from brasil , and im a teacher here for more than 18 years, a love your work and a i subscrive for more lessons
Wow, a drummer who plays this good?
Guys don't be fooled...he's clearly a machine ;)
yes he is love his playing and teaching
Really? dude much love you came a long way I wish you blessing and happiness you are a true on the board teacher God Bless!
If there's something that is worth spending money on, believe me guys it's that drumming book. it's fu**ing awesome.
There is nothing wrong with learning by ear. I do both, the notes that are on the screen are very easy to read. On the top of each snare note there is an "R" or "L" for Right or Left. the notes on the bottom of the staff are kick drum. Hope this helps!
Good lesson man. Great fill - reminded me of a gospel chop :)
Love it love it love it! Every time these come on I just go "Oooooh! Mike's explaining awesome sauce again! Now I can be more awesome!" Thanks Mike!
Stopped by because of the Drum! Mag cover. I'll be stopping by often. Thanks for all the freebees!
Nice, after 10-20 minutes of playing you really feel the muscle memory doing it's work :D
Keep up the good work!
I stopped subscribing because I couldn't stream to my IPad... The only thing i could do was watch the archived videos (which although excellent I felt I was missing out from the live experience). I now have to rejoin.... Excellent work Sir!
"No no no, that's not how we practised it. That doesn't sound like hands and knees" ... hehe.. This has definately been a good injection of cool for my day and I will be learning it. Will be adding it into my practise when I have reassembled my kit after a gig. Seriously though, you have influenced my drumming and my practise routines in ways I cannot explain so thank you for all your videos on here and your site.
"Driving down the street AS A PASSENGER.." haha, Mike Johnston promotes not only a hard work ethic, but safety as well....Great lesson as usual man!
i totally agree! He has a great attitude, makes it all the better!!
Been asking about ths lick for so long, sooooo worth it! Thank you!
Thank you for this lesson,this fill is really awesome! :)
nice I love the sound of your toms
Any linear fill sounds like a fill Matt would use. Matt is a monster when it comes to linears.
I'm guitarist and not even a drummer but your lessons are great and make me want to start playing drums! :)