Dmdrums Co / Lessons
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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I love making lo-fi drum beats on the SP-404 because it forces me to be creative within limits. The unit's tactile workflow, immediate effects, and resampling capabilities make it perfect for...
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Getting a locked-in pocket for funk and neo-soul isn’t about adding more notes — it’s about making the notes you play breathe, sit with the groove, and serve the song. Below I share five...
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Keeping a steady tempo is one of those skills that separates "plays the song" from "owns the song." Over the years as a teacher and session player I've found that raw metronome practice only gets you...
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