Considering my age and the huge amount of educational content available online, I don’t have much more to offer as far as drum lessons go. Instead, I’ll share with you some of my favorite and most influential drummers along with some words of advice from my perspective. The videos below closely sum up many of the concepts that allowed me to have a decades-long career. I hope you find inspiration from them and as well as your own go-to drummer(s) from which to learn and find inspiration.
My advice: Listen closely to your band mates and play with the confidence that lead you to becoming a drummer. Keep it simple while embracing your role as a vital part of the collective sound. Prioritize keeping solid time over chasing complexity. Simplicity is the foundation; mastery of the basics creates the space for innovation. Relax, be patient, and approach the craft intentionally. Progress comes with practice—play to your favorite songs, master achievable beats, and let the finer details fall into place as your skills improve. It’s easy to over complicate things with this instrument, but restraint is key. Play with the group, not over it, and the invitations to return will keep coming. That’s the secret to getting better—and staying in demand.
It helps to be confident, not meek. Competent, but not arrogant. Thanks to the talent of my band mates I got over any fears or anxiety I had about being on stage pretty quickly. While I knew I was not entirely proficient, I was definitely passionate. I was always prepared. I knew the sound I wanted from my instrument and I worked with intent to get it. Like Charlie Watts, I love the drums for the part they play within the band and the music. So, with that goal always in mind I played what I instinctively felt the music dictated. Always thoughtful. Never random or indecisive. It wasn’t always perfect, but it worked. Don’t take my word for it, listen to these guys.
Todd Sucherman
Todd was my go-to coach on Drumeo for 4 years. He’s also the drummer for Styx, one of my all-time favorite bands. Discovering his unparalleled passion for coaching helped to reignite my love of the drums following my stroke in 2009 and heart surgery in 2012. I had also grown extremely tired of certain attitudes within the music industry itself and Todd’s easygoing personality brought me back to earth.
Early on in Todd’s Rock Drumming Master Class he described a list of attributes that made for being a good drummer. I was nearly brought to tears as what he described was exactly what I had done from the beginning. Things like; be on time (be early), know the material, make sure your gear is in working order and that you have everything you need (and spare parts). He goes on to say to listen to the music. Listen for the feeling and what it’s expressing and play to it. Play with confidence. Play with passion. Leave your band mates with a feeling of joy that you were there. Do these things and you will always get a call back.
Here’s a world-renowned drummer expressing to me that I had done more things right in my career than I had ever known. Certainly more than I gave myself credit for. Luckily I had the natural talent to, um… “fake” my way through actually playing the drums without having taken a single lesson. (I’m not proud of that, btw) All those years of playing along to the radio took me a long, long way. Maybe as far as I can or will ever go. Now it’s time to look back, tell my story, take stock and, out of respect for the God-given-gift itself, take some darn lessons!
https://toddsucherman.com/
Simon Phillips
I had no idea how much influence Simon Phillips had on me until just recently. I’m not a fan of drum solos (at all), but in my opinion his are unique. I stumbled across one that lead me down a rabbit hole of research. Simon has worked with many rock bands and artists including Jeff Beck, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, Mike Oldfield, Judas Priest, Mike Rutherford, Tears for Fears, 10cc and The Who. After Jeff Porcaro’s death in 1992, he became part of the world-famous rock band Toto. Toto happens to be one of my all-time favorite bands and one I learned to play the drums to. While the late, great Jeff Porcaro will forever be remembered as one of the greatest, more innovative drummers of all time, Toto could not have had a more notable replacement than Simon Phillips.
To me, Simon played to Toto’s intricate melodies better than any drummer I’ve ever heard. After all these years I know now that it was Simon Phillips I was learning from.
Listen to some of Simon’s numerous other YouTube videos and I think you’ll discover what makes him stand out.
https://www.simon-phillips.com/
Charlie Watts
Other than his move into jazz, Charlie describes a very similar experience and belief when it comes to drumming.
He didn’t take lessons, but says he should have. He likes the drums and drummers in a band, but not a fan of solos. Doesn’t take them. Doesn’t listen to them. Amen.
Rock & Roll is 4 on the floor, straight forward dance music. It should swing and bounce. It’s a feel. I’d add that if the girls can’t dance to it, the drummer isn’t getting the job done. It’s how we make a living.
He knows there will always be guys out there that are better. It’s frustrating. That’s for sure.
“I’ll never, ever, ever get there.”
~ Charlie Watts
“Better than most, Charlie. Better than most by a lot.”
~ Mike
https://www.facebook.com/thisischarliewatts/
https://www.youtube.com/@CharlieWattsOfficial
Stewart Copeland
I was definitely a fan of “The Police” and awestruck by their amazing drummer, Stewart Copeland. It wasn’t until just recently that I came across some of his content on YouTube and learned that I truly like him as a person. It’s this kind of personal interest that inspires me to learn not only who he is, but how he does what he does. Once I get to that point, I start to think I just might be able to play drums a little bit like him. Now that’s something to get excited about. Especially at my age.
Aug, 29, 2024 – Stewart had a live session on Drumeo that blew me away. The guy is a mad genius. He’s also kind of an ass and I can relate. It seems to run in drummers. It’s not a bad thing. It’s a good thing. It will make you laugh… if you’re not too sensitive.
The Stewart Copeland interview, along with my own experiences inspired this quote.
“There’s a lot that goes on in the world of bands and making music. It’s most often a collaborative work of art, yet sometimes dreadful. The idea of being in a band seems at first mysterious and naturally glamorous. And then one day you learn how the sausage is actually made. It’s not at all pretty. But, wow can it ever taste amazing!“
~ Mike