It’s always a great idea for beginners to learn different styles of drumming. It helps in their development as drummers and expands their horizons as musicians. At times, it also makes them get out of their comfort zones. When this is done they’ll be more open to experimenting with different drumming styles.
Each of the styles has its own kind of rhythm, which acts as a driving force. Experimenting with a genre that’s quite unfamiliar to them can truly enhance their knowledge. So, here are the most popular drumming styles that beginners must be familiar with:
1. Rock drumming
Rock music uses distorted electric guitars and simple melodic and harmonic structures. It is also characterized by straight 8th or 16th note grooves. They are are accompanied with strong backbeats played on the snare drum on 2nd and 4th beats. Initially, this genre attracted a younger audience owing to a sense of non-conformity and rebellion associated with it.
Drumming in rock music involves intense and loud drum grooves. Often big fills are used to make a statement. Some of the famous rock drummers include John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Randy Castillo, and Ginger Baker.
2. Heavy metal drumming
Power, precision, and drum speed are the three pillars of heavy metal drumming. This is why the drum kits used in heavy metal are larger in size. Growling vocals, a loud and aggressive performance, and emphatic rhythms are the major characteristics of heavy metal music. They are complemented with a dense guitar, drum sound, and bass. Heavy metal music is credited for the origin of two main features of drumming.
They are the cymbal choke and the double bass drums. Drumming in heavy metal demands an extremely high amount of co-ordination, endurance, speed, and precision. It is, therefore, advisable for beginners to start slow and develop a proper technique. Some of the incredible drummers in heavy metal genre are Lars Ulrich, Chris Adler, and Mike Portnoy.
3. Jazz drumming
Jazz music has been heavily influenced by the blues music. In order to construct aesthetic and stylistic developments in jazz, blues served as a base. It all started in Dixieland, when the practice of playing drum sets in jazz was introduced.
Later, this genre evolved into jazz fusion and Latin-jazz in the later part of the 20th century. ‘Swing’ is the most important feature of jazz music and it is the triplet subdivision which gives its feel. Drumming in jazz requires a method of playing percussion that’s easily adaptable.
Earlier, the drummers in jazz heavily relied on military rudiments and beats. Today, there are new techniques and better musicianship in this genre. Among the most influential drummers in jazz are Kenny Clarke, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, and Elvin Jones.
4. Electronic drumming
In recent times, one would come across many different styles of electronic music. They include trance, techno, drum, house, bass, and several others. Each of these styles has a rhythm unique to it. Certain styles like drum and bass use ‘breakbeat rhythms’ while many others may use ‘four on the floor’ rhythms.
Generally, electronic music producers use drum machines or digital audio workstations (DAWs) to lay down their drum tracks. However, drummers are often called in live performances for their sound and presence. Mike Healy, Rob Chafin, and Matt Harris are some of the famous electronic drummers.