Dmdrums Co / Lessons
I’ve spent countless gigs and sessions refining pad setups so I can move between songs without thinking about which pad holds that vocal chop or which bank has the rim click sample I need. Mapping...
Read more... →
I used to get frustrated when my ride-hand phrasing felt like it belonged to another drummer than my left hand and feet. Ghost notes would either disappear or sit awkwardly behind the pulse, and no...
Read more... →
I often get asked how I make a hybrid kick — a sampled or synthesized low-end layered with an acoustic beater — sound like a single cohesive instrument rather than two tracks fighting for space....
Read more... →
When a kick drum on a recording lacks weight, the instinct is often to reach for a big compressor or an EQ boost. I prefer a different, more musical approach: blend in a sampled kick to reinforce the...
Read more... →
I’ve spent years chasing that elusive neo-soul pocket: a warm, behind-the-beat feel laced with whispery ghost notes that sit perfectly under the singer or keys. This week-long plan is what I use...
Read more... →
I built this nine-step metronome routine after years of teaching students who could click with a metronome in isolation but then fall apart the moment a bass player or guitarist entered the room. The...
Read more... →
I want to talk about the pocket — that sweet place where time feels effortless, the band breathes together and your groove becomes undeniable. Over the years I’ve found that a focused, short...
Read more... →
I often find myself trying to get the best of both worlds: the natural thump and resonance of an acoustic kick, plus the consistent attack, texture or punch of a sampled sound I’ve crafted on the...
Read more... →
I travel a lot for teaching, gigs and studio work, and over the years I’ve tuned my practice routine to be as portable and productive as possible. Building a compact setup that focuses on timing,...
Read more... →
I remember the first time a student asked me, "How do I get hands and feet to do different things?" That question is at the heart of drum independence, and it's one of the most common blockers for...
Read more... →