From classic rock to jazz to modern pop, these songs showcase the versatility and power of the snare drum. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find something to love on this list. So grab your sticks and get ready to rock out to some of the most iconic snare drum songs in music history.

Led Zeppelin – When The Levee Breaks

If you are a fan of Led Zeppelin, you have probably heard the song “When The Levee Breaks” at least once. This classic track is one of the most iconic snare drum songs of all time, and for good reason.

The song’s snare drum beat is instantly recognizable from the beginning. John Bonham’s powerful and distinctive drumming is on full display, with a booming sound that perfectly complements the bluesy guitar riff. The snare drum’s unique sound was achieved by recording it in a stairwell, giving it a massive, booming quality.

The snare drum beat is the song’s backbone, driving the rhythm forward and giving it a sense of urgency. It’s a simple beat, but one that is incredibly effective. The song’s slow tempo allows the snare drum to really shine, with each hit feeling like a punch to the gut.

“When The Levee Breaks” has been covered by countless artists over the years, but none have been able to capture the raw power and energy of the original. It’s a testament to John Bonham’s incredible talent as a drummer and Led Zeppelin’s status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

If you’re looking for a snare drum song to get your blood pumping and your head banging, look no further than “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin.

The Rolling Stones – Angie

If you’re a classic rock fan, you’ve probably heard The Rolling Stones’ hit song “Angie.” Released in 1973, the song features a hauntingly beautiful melody and poignant lyrics that have stood the test of time.

One of the standout features of “Angie” is the snare drum. The song opens with a simple, yet powerful snare drum beat that sets the tone for the rest of the song. Throughout the song, the snare drum is used to punctuate the lyrics and add emphasis to certain parts of the melody.

In addition to the snare drum, “Angie” features a variety of other percussion instruments, including tambourine, maracas, and congas. These instruments add depth and texture to the song, creating a rich and complex sound that is characteristic of The Rolling Stones’ music.

Overall, “Angie” is a great example of how the snare drum can be used to enhance a song and add emotional depth. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock or appreciate great music, this song is a good song to know.

Steve Miller Band – Take The Money And Run

If you’re looking for a classic rock song with a snappy snare drum beat, Steve Miller Band’s “Take The Money And Run” is a great choice. The song was released in 1976 and has since become a staple of classic rock radio.

The song’s snare drum beat is simple yet effective, driving the song forward and giving it a sense of urgency. The beat is played on a standard snare drum with the snares engaged, giving it a crisp, sharp sound. The beat is also accented with a crash cymbal, adding to the song’s energy.

In addition to the snare drum beat, “Take The Money And Run” features a catchy guitar riff and memorable lyrics. The song tells the story of two young lovers who rob a bank and go on the run from the law. The lyrics are playful and lighthearted, making the song a fun listen.

Overall, “Take The Money And Run” is a great example of how a simple snare drum beat can add energy and excitement to a song. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock or just looking for a catchy tune to get stuck in your head, this song is worth a listen.

Queen – Another One Bites The Dust

If you’re a fan of rock music, you’ve probably heard Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust.” This song is a classic example of a snare drum being used to create a catchy and memorable beat.

The snare drum is the driving force behind the song’s rhythm, with a simple but effective pattern that is instantly recognizable. The snare is played on every other beat, with the bass drum and hi-hat filling in the gaps.

The song’s producer, John Deacon, originally wrote the bass line for the song, but Freddie Mercury suggested that it be played on the bass guitar instead. This decision allowed the snare drum to take center stage and create the iconic beat that we all know and love.

In addition to its catchy rhythm, “Another One Bites The Dust” also features some impressive snare drum fills. These fills are used to transition between different sections of the song, adding a dynamic element to the overall sound.

Overall, “Another One Bites The Dust” is a great example of how a simple snare drum beat can make a huge impact on a song. Whether you’re a drummer or just a fan of great music, this song is definitely worth listening to.

The Beatles – Come Together

If you’re looking for a classic rock song with a killer snare drum beat, look no further than The Beatles’ “Come Together.” This iconic tune, written by John Lennon, features a driving rhythm section that will get your head nodding and your feet tapping.

The song opens with a simple but effective snare drum pattern, played by Ringo Starr. The beat is steady and insistent, providing the perfect foundation for the rest of the band to build upon. As the song progresses, the snare drum continues to play a prominent role, driving the song forward and adding to its overall energy.

One of the things that makes “Come Together” such a great snare drum song is the way that Ringo Starr uses the drum to accentuate different parts of the song. For example, during the verses, he plays a simple backbeat that emphasizes the downbeat of each measure. But during the chorus, he switches things up and plays a more complex pattern that helps to build the song’s intensity.

Overall, “Come Together” is a fantastic example of how a great snare drum beat can help to elevate a song to new heights. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock or just looking for some inspiration for your own drumming, this song is worth checking out.

U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday

If you’re a fan of U2, then you probably know that “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is one of their most popular songs. This track was released in 1983 and is still a fan favorite today. The song is known for its powerful lyrics and driving beat, anchored by a snare drum played with incredible precision.

The snare drum in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is critical to the song’s overall sound. The drummer, Larry Mullen Jr., uses a marching band-style snare drum to create a powerful and precise sound. The snare drum is played with a marching band-style grip, which allows Mullen to create a crisp, sharp sound that cuts through the mix.

One of the most impressive things about the snare drum in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is the way that it interacts with the rest of the instruments. The snare drum is used to create a driving rhythm that propels the song forward, and it works in perfect harmony with the bass and guitar to create a powerful and melodic sound.

Overall, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is a fantastic example of how a snare drum can be used to create a powerful and memorable song. Whether you’re a fan of U2 or just a lover of great music, this track is worth checking out.

Dire Straits – Money For Nothing

If you’re looking for a classic rock song with an iconic snare drum beat, look no further than “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits. The song, released in 1985, features a driving drum beat that perfectly complements the catchy guitar riffs and clever lyrics.

The snare drum beat in “Money For Nothing” is instantly recognizable, thanks in part to the opening riff featuring a distinctive snare hit on each measure’s second and fourth beats. This beat sets the tone for the entire song, and is a perfect example of how a simple drum pattern can have a huge impact on the overall sound of a song.

Beyond the snare drum beat, “Money For Nothing” is also notable for its use of electronic drums, which were still a relatively new technology. The electronic drums add a futuristic sound to the song, and help to create a sense of energy and excitement that perfectly matches the lyrics.

Overall, “Money For Nothing” is a classic rock song that showcases the power of a well-crafted snare drum beat. Whether you’re a classic rock fan or appreciate a great drum groove, this song is worth listening to.

David Bowie – Let’s Dance

If you’re looking for a snare drum song to get you moving, look no further than David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” Released in 1983, this hit single features a driving beat that’s impossible to resist.

The song’s infectious rhythm is anchored by a steady, pulsing snare drum that keeps the beat throughout. The snare is crisp and clean, with a bright, punchy sound that cuts through the mix.

But “Let’s Dance” isn’t just about the snare drum – the song’s production is a masterclass in creating a catchy pop hit. From the funky guitar riffs to the soaring saxophone solos, every element of the song comes together to create a perfect dancefloor anthem.

One of the most memorable parts of “Let’s Dance” is the song’s iconic opening riff, which features a distinctive snare drum roll that builds anticipation before launching into the main groove. It’s a simple but effective trick that sets the tone for the entire song.

Overall, “Let’s Dance” is a perfect example of how a great snare drum can elevate a song to new heights. Whether you’re a fan of David Bowie or just looking for a fun, upbeat track to dance to, this classic hit will surely get your feet moving.

The Ronettes – Be My Baby

If you’re looking for a classic snare drum sound, look no further than The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby.” This song, released in 1963, features one of rock and roll’s most recognizable drum intros.

The song opens with a simple but powerful snare drum beat, played by Hal Blaine. The beat is so iconic that it has been sampled in countless songs and used in numerous commercials and films.

But “Be My Baby” is more than just a great snare drum intro. The song is a masterpiece of Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” production technique, with layers of instruments and vocals creating a lush and full sound.

The song’s lyrics, written by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, are a plea for love and affection. Lead singer Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector) delivers the vocals with a mix of vulnerability and strength, making the song a timeless classic.

So if you want to hear one of the best snare drum sounds in rock and roll history, give The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight

If you’re looking for a song with a powerful and memorable snare drum beat, then look no further than Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight”. This classic song from the early 1980s is known for its iconic drum fill, which has been imitated and sampled countless times in popular music.

From the song’s introduction, you’ll hear the distinctive sound of the snare drum, which sets the mood and builds anticipation for what’s to come. As the song progresses, the snare drum becomes more and more prominent, driving the rhythm and adding intensity to the music.

One of the most memorable moments in “In The Air Tonight” is the drum fill about three minutes into the song. This fill features a series of powerful snare hits that are played with increasing intensity, leading up to a dramatic pause before the song’s climactic finale. This moment has become one of the most iconic in rock music history, and it’s a testament to the power of the snare drum in creating unforgettable moments in music.

Overall, “In The Air Tonight” is a great example of how the snare drum can create a sense of drama and excitement in a song. Whether you’re a drummer looking to learn a classic beat, or just a fan of great music, this song is worth checking out.

Metallica – Enter Sandman

If you’re a fan of metal music, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Metallica. The band has been around since the early 1980s and is known for its heavy riffs, pounding drums, and aggressive vocals. One of their most iconic songs is “Enter Sandman,” released in 1991 on their self-titled album, also known as “The Black Album.”

The song starts with a haunting guitar riff that builds up to the first verse. The lyrics are about the fear of falling asleep and having nightmares, a common theme in horror movies. The chorus is catchy and memorable, with James Hetfield’s vocals soaring over the heavy guitar and drum parts.

The snare drum in “Enter Sandman” is particularly noteworthy. Lars Ulrich’s drumming is tight and precise, with a steady beat that drives the song forward. The snare drum is used heavily throughout the song, providing a sharp and aggressive sound that complements the guitar riffs perfectly.

“Enter Sandman” is a classic metal song that has stood the test of time. It’s been covered by countless bands and is still a staple of Metallica’s live shows. If you’re a fan of heavy music, you owe it to yourself to listen to this song.

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit

If you’re looking for a classic snare drum song, look no further than Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” This iconic grunge anthem features a driving drumbeat that’s impossible to ignore, with Dave Grohl’s snare drum leading the charge.

The song’s intro starts with a simple, yet instantly recognizable drum pattern that sets the tone for the rest of the song. As the song progresses, the snare drum becomes even more prominent, driving its energy forward and adding to its overall intensity.

One of the most interesting things about the snare drum in “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is its use of ghost notes. These notes are played very softly, almost as if they’re being whispered, adding a subtle layer of complexity to the drumbeat. If you listen closely, you can hear them throughout the song, adding to the overall texture of the drum part.

Overall, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a great example of how a snare drum can create a powerful and memorable drum part. Whether you’re a fan of grunge music or appreciate great drumming, this song is worth a listen.

Aerosmith – Walk This Way

If you’re looking for a classic rock song with a killer snare drum beat, look no further than Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” This song is a rock radio staple covered by countless artists.

The snare drum in “Walk This Way” is instantly recognizable, thanks to the iconic intro that sets the song’s tone. The beat is simple but effective, with a driving backbeat that propels the song forward.

As the song progresses, the snare drum plays a prominent role, providing a steady rhythm that keeps the song grounded. The drummer, Joey Kramer, shows off his skills with some impressive fills and accents throughout the song, but always keeps sight of the groove.

Overall, “Walk This Way” is a great example of how a simple snare drum beat can make a huge impact on a song. It’s a classic rock song that still sounds fresh and exciting today, and the snare drum is a big part of what makes it so memorable.

The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

If you’re a fan of rock music, you’ve probably heard “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. This iconic song features one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in modern music history, but it’s the snare drum that really drives the beat.

The snare drum in “Seven Nation Army” is simple but effective. It’s played with a steady, marching-like rhythm that gives the song a sense of urgency and momentum. The snare drum also creates tension and release throughout the song, with drummer Meg White adding fills and accents in all the right places.

One of the most interesting things about the snare drum in “Seven Nation Army” is that it’s played with brushes instead of sticks. This gives the snare drum a softer, more muted sound that blends in well with the rest of the instruments.

Overall, “Seven Nation Army” is a great example of how a simple snare drum beat can create a powerful and memorable song. Whether you’re a drummer looking to learn some new techniques or just a fan of great music, this song is worth checking out.

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine

Are you a fan of classic rock? Then you must have heard of Guns N’ Roses. Their song “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is one of the most iconic rock songs ever, featuring an unforgettable snare drum intro.

The song starts with a simple drum beat and gradually builds to the iconic snare drum riff. The snare drum is the song’s backbone, driving the rhythm and keeping the energy high. The snare drum is played with a distinctive, sharp sound, which adds to the song’s intensity.

The snare drum is not just prominent in the intro, but it also plays a crucial role in the song’s chorus. The chorus features a powerful drum fill that leads into the guitar solo. The snare drum helps to create a sense of anticipation and excitement, building up to the guitar solo’s climax.

“Sweet Child O’ Mine” is a classic rock song showcasing the snare drum’s power. The song’s iconic snare drum riff has been imitated and copied countless times, making it one of the most recognizable drum beats of all time..

Sting – Fields Of Gold

Are you looking for a snare drum song to make you feel nostalgic? Look no further than Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” This song features a simple yet powerful snare drum beat that perfectly complements the acoustic guitar and Sting’s smooth vocals.

The song’s intro first introduces the snare drum with a simple and steady beat. As the song progresses, the snare drum becomes more prominent, adding depth and emotion to the melody. The snare drum accentuates the chorus, creating a memorable and captivating sound.

One of the unique features of this song is the use of brushes on the snare drum. This creates a softer and more intimate sound, adding to the nostalgic and reflective tone of the song.

Overall, “Fields of Gold” is a beautiful and timeless snare drum song showcasing this instrument’s power and versatility. Whether you’re a fan of Sting or just looking for a new snare drum song to add to your playlist, this song is worth a listen.

AC/DC – Back In Black

If you’re looking for a snare drum song that will get your blood pumping, AC/DC’s “Back In Black” is a great choice. The song’s driving beat, courtesy of drummer Phil Rudd, is the perfect backdrop for Angus Young’s iconic guitar riffs and Brian Johnson’s powerful vocals.

One of the things that makes “Back In Black” such a great snare drum song is how Rudd uses the snare to create a sense of urgency and momentum. The song’s main riff is built around a simple but effective snare pattern that drives the song forward and gives it a sense of forward motion.

Another thing that makes “Back In Black” a great snare drum song is how Rudd uses the hi-hat and bass drum to create a sense of groove and swing. The song’s main riff is built around a simple but effective groove anchored by the hi-hat and bass drum, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the band to build on.

Overall, “Back In Black” is an excellent example of how a simple but effective snare drum pattern can help to drive a song forward and create a sense of urgency and momentum. Whether you’re a fan of AC/DC or just looking for a great snare drum song to add to your playlist, “Back In Black” is worth checking out.

Bruno Mars – Locked Out Of Heaven

Are you looking for a snare drum song that will make you want to dance? Look no further than Bruno Mars’s hit song “Locked Out Of Heaven.” This upbeat track features a driving rhythm section that will have you tapping your foot and nodding your head in no time.

The snare drum plays a crucial role in “Locked Out Of Heaven,” providing the backbone of the beat. The snare is used to accentuate the backbeat, which is a hallmark of many popular songs. The snare also adds a sharp, percussive sound to the mix, giving the song an added layer of complexity.

One of the most impressive aspects of the snare drum part in “Locked Out Of Heaven” is its simplicity. The beat is relatively straightforward, but it’s played with such precision and energy that it becomes infectious. The snare drum is mixed prominently in the song, so you can really hear the nuances of the part.

Overall, “Locked Out Of Heaven” is an excellent example of how the snare drum can create a catchy, danceable beat. Whether you’re a drummer looking for inspiration or just a fan of great music, this song is worth a listen.

R.E.M. – Losing My Religion

If you’re looking for a classic snare drum sound, look no further than R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion”. The song features a driving beat anchored by a crisp, snappy snare drum.

One of the things that makes the snare drum sound in “Losing My Religion” so distinctive is that it’s played with brushes instead of sticks. This gives the snare a softer, more delicate sound that perfectly complements the song’s melancholy vibe.

The snare drum is also used to great effect in the song’s chorus, which features a series of rapid-fire snare hits that add a sense of urgency and tension to the music.

Overall, “Losing My Religion” is a great example of how a simple, well-executed snare drum sound can elevate a song to new heights. Whether you’re a fan of R.E.M. or just a lover of great music, this song is worth a listen.

Toto – Rosanna

If you’re looking for a classic snare drum song, Toto’s “Rosanna” is worth a listen. This song was released in 1982 on their “Toto IV” album and has become one of their most popular hits.

The song features a driving beat with a prominent snare drum rhythm that stands out. Jeff Porcaro, the drummer for Toto, was known for his precise and powerful playing, and “Rosanna” is a great example of his skills.

In addition to the snare drum, “Rosanna” also features some great guitar work and catchy lyrics, making it a fun and memorable song. Other artists have covered the song over the years, and it remains a favorite among fans of classic rock.

Overall, if you’re a fan of snare drum-heavy songs, “Rosanna” is one to add to your playlist. Its infectious beat and catchy lyrics will surely get you tapping your foot and singing along.

Prince – Kiss

If you’re looking for a song with a snare drum that packs a punch, look no further than Prince’s “Kiss”. This 1986 hit features a snare drum that is crisp, tight, and perfectly in sync with the funky bassline. The snare drum is played with a quick, staccato rhythm that grooves the song.

As soon as the song starts, you’ll tap your foot and nod your head to the beat. The snare drum is so infectious that you won’t be able to resist it. The song is a masterclass in minimalist funk, with every element of the arrangement playing a crucial role in creating the overall sound.

The snare drum in “Kiss” is essential to the rhythm section and plays a key role in the song’s melody. The snare drum hits on the backbeat, creating a syncopated, catchy, and danceable rhythm. It’s a perfect example of how a simple drum pattern can elevate a song.

Overall, “Kiss” is a fantastic example of how a snare drum can create a distinctive sound and groove. Prince’s use of the snare drum in this song is a testament to his incredible musicianship and ability to craft memorable and timeless songs.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop

If you’re looking for a song with a killer snare drum beat, you can’t go wrong with “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This song features a driving rhythm that will get your head nodding and your feet tapping.

The snare drum in “Can’t Stop” is particularly noteworthy because it is played with precision and intensity. The drummer, Chad Smith, is known for his powerful style and shines on this track.

One of the things that makes the snare drum in “Can’t Stop” so compelling is the way it is mixed into the song. The snare is placed front and center in the mix, giving it much presence and power. This is especially true during the chorus, where the snare drives the song forward.

Overall, “Can’t Stop” is a great example of how a well-played snare drum can elevate a song to the next level. If you’re a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or just looking for some great snare drum beats to listen to, then be sure to check out “Can’t Stop.”

The Police – Every Breath You Take

If you’re looking for a classic snare drum sound, you can’t go wrong with The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” This song, released in 1983, features a simple yet iconic drum pattern that has become a staple of modern music.

The song opens with a snare drum hit followed by a hi-hat, creating a driving rhythm that propels the song forward. The snare drum is the backbone of the song, providing a steady, powerful and precise beat.

Stewart Copeland, the drummer for The Police, is known for his unique style and innovative use of percussion. In “Every Breath You Take,” he uses the snare drum to create a sense of urgency and tension, building to a dramatic climax in the chorus.

The song’s simplicity is part of its appeal, and the snare drum is a key component of that simplicity. It’s a perfect example of how a well-placed snare hit can elevate a song to new heights.

Whether you’re a fan of The Police or appreciate great drumming, “Every Breath You Take” is a must-listen. So turn up the volume and let the snare drum take you away.

Sly And The Family Stone – Family Affair

If you’re looking for a song that features a snare drum with a unique sound, then “Family Affair” by Sly and the Family Stone is a must-listen. This song was released in 1971 and quickly hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The snare drum in “Family Affair” has a distinctive sound that is achieved by using a combination of techniques. The drummer, Greg Errico, played the snare drum with brushes, which helped to create a softer and more muted sound. The snare drum was also dampened, reducing the volume and creating a more muffled sound.

In addition to the snare drum, “Family Affair” features a variety of other percussion instruments, including a tambourine and a conga drum. These instruments work together to create a unique and memorable rhythm that perfectly complements the soulful vocals of Sly Stone.

Overall, “Family Affair” is a great example of how a snare drum can be used to create a distinctive sound that adds to the overall feel of a song. If you’re a fan of soulful music with a unique rhythm, then this song is worth adding to your playlist.

Michael Jackson – Billie Jean

If you’re looking for one of the most iconic snare drum intros ever, look no further than Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” The song’s opening drumbeat is instantly recognizable and has been sampled countless times since its release in 1983.

The snare drum in “Billie Jean” is played with a tight, crisp sound that cuts through the mix and provides the backbone for the song’s groove. The beat is deceptively simple, with a steady backbeat on beats two and four, but the subtle variations and ghost notes give the drum part its unique flavor.

One of the most exciting aspects of the snare drum in “Billie Jean” is the use of reverb. The drum sound is drenched in a large, spacious reverb that gives it a sense of depth and power. This effect was achieved by recording the snare drum in a large room with high ceilings, which allowed the sound to reverberate and create a natural sense of space.

Overall, “Billie Jean” is a classic example of how a simple snare drum part can have a huge impact on a song. The beat is instantly recognizable and has become a staple of pop music drumming. Studying the snare drum part in “Billie Jean” is a great place to start if you want to improve your drumming skills.

You May Also Like:

• 25 Best Jazz Drum Songs (With Tabs + Videos)
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• The 25 Best Drum Songs of All Time 
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Whether you prefer the smooth stylings of Duke Ellington or the classic jazz of John Coltrane, there’s something from all the biggest names in jazz on this list. Check it out!

1. “Take Five” by the Dave Brubeck Quartet

When Dave Brubeck of the eponymous Dave Brubeck Quartet came up with the inspiration for “Take Five,” he did so because he thought jazz at the time wasn’t as adventurous or rhythmically challenging anymore. 

Well, he sure solved that problem with the creation of this song! This track on the 1959 album Time Out really showcases musical excellence. The drum fills here don’t follow the main rhythm of the song, venturing off on their own to lend the tune a distinct sound that surely matched Brubeck’s vision. 

2. “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman

“Sing, Sing, Sing” is one of the best-known jazz songs, as it’s appeared in films such as 1936’s After the Thin Man, 1995’s Casino, 2003’s Bright Young Things, 2015’s The Wedding Ringer, and 2022’s Don’t Worry Darling. Combining elements of swing and jazz, it’s one of the most iconic songs ever recorded.

It also has some pervasive, pounding drums that lend the song its entire electric atmosphere. The 112-beat-per-minute pace of the tune sounds slower than what your ears hear but keeps the track just danceable enough. 

3. “Caravan” by Duke Ellington 

The beloved jazz classic hit “Caravan” by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol has a variety of styles intermingling into one supersonic adventure. The drums, originally played by Sonny Greer, have a pulsating feel that punctuates the slick brass section.

The song switches between smooth jazz and elements of swing, vacillating between the two with such ease that it only seems right that this is an Ellington song, as he’s a jazz master. It’s an adventure to listen to on the drums and just as fun to play. 

4. “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane

A Love Supreme is a John Coltrane record with a song of the same name. It’s a unique one because it’s split into four parts. Part 1, “Acknowledgement,” is nearly eight minutes long, while Part 2, “Resolution,” is seven and a half minutes long.

The third part, “Pursuance,” is combined with Part 4, “Psalm,” and is altogether nearly 18 minutes. As you get lost in the immersive, lengthy listening experience, one can’t neglect praising the incredible drum work of Elvin Jones, who also handled timpani and gong duties on the track.

The sheer stamina of Jones to play for 30 minutes across four distinct tracks is amazing! 

5. “Moanin’” by Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers 

Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers deserve a spot on this list for the soulful, jazzy tune “Moanin,’” released in 1959 off the eponymous album. The nearly 10-minute song follows a call-and-response format while the drums hold steady so the brass instruments can shine. 

The attractive drum rhythm, although it’s mostly simple, holds this song together and allows each instrument to venture out and respond to one another so you can enjoy the sonic symphony inspired by Charles Mingus and Horace Silver. 

6. “Spain” by Chick Corea

The track “Spain” is off Chick Corea’s award-winning album Light as a Feather, which received two Grammy noms (for Best Instrument Performance by a Group and Best Instrumental Arrangement) and one Grammy win for Best Instrumental Arrangement. 

The almost 10-minute track starts off slow and picks up. It’s around the three-minute mark where the drums kick in, invoking more drama and pacing to the tune and grounding it. It’s easy to lose yourself in the entire rhythm of the song, which is smoothly augmented by the drums but never dominated by them.

Even when the song has more hi-hats than gentle drum pattering, the drums blend in smoothly and keep the track chugging along. 

7. “Straight, No Chaser” by Thelonious Monk 

Next, we have “Straight, No Chaser,” the first of several Thelonious Monk songs that will appear on this list of the best jazz drum songs. Released off the album of the same name, “Straight, No Chaser” is a 10-minute, twelve-bar song with jazz and blues stylings in a beautiful marriage.

The chromatic melody is a Monk staple. Although it’s a shorter song, clocking in at under three minutes, it’s got jaunty drums in a light tip-tap ambiance that entreats the true spirit of jazz. It’s not a challenging song to sit behind the kit and play if you’re interested in learning! 

8. “Giant Steps” by John Coltrane

“Giant Steps” by John Coltrane, released on the 1960 album of the same name, is a near-five-minute track that follows a cyclic chord pattern that later became characterized as one of several Coltrane changes, which are shifts in harmonic progression.

The song is a speedy one, achieving 300 BPM, and switches keys three times, going from B major to G major and later, E♭ major. It was once called “the most feared song in jazz” because it’s so technically challenging even though it’s so nice to listen to.  

9. “In a Silent Way” by Miles Davis

The Miles Davis hit, “In a Silent Way,” undoubtedly must be on this list. The 20-minute avant-garde jazz number, released on an album of the same name, was part of Davis’s electric phase. The song begins with ambient guitar and really wakes up around the four-minute mark.

It’s then that the jazz flavor shines deliciously. The song slows down, picks up again, and slows down some more. Every instrumentalist on the track deserves acclaim for playing expertly across 20 minutes, but we quite admire the drums, which have a beautiful rhythm that acts as this song’s glue.

10. “Blue Train” by John Coltrane

Another jazz drum classic from Coltrane comes courtesy of the 1958 album Blue Train and the eponymous song. This jazz standard combines both minor and major qualities by using the minor and major third simultaneously. It’s another wise musical move by a man that made many of them. 

Besides the unique qualities of the song, there’s also the length, which is nearly 11 minutes. It’s for both those reasons that we declare this one of the best jazz drum songs in existence. Turn it on and let yourself drift away to a simpler time through this everlasting hit. 

11. “All Blues” by Miles Davis

We must give another nod to the all-time blues great Miles Davis with the inclusion of the song “All Blues.” This track from Kind of Blue features twelve-bar blues in 6/8. This track is also a mixolydian.

Jimmy Cobb played the drums on this track, a member of the First Great Sextet with Davis. This 11-minute track shows off his instrumental mastery and command over the sticks. The drums are as smooth as butter, a soft, inclusive sound across the duration of the song and part of what makes “All Blues” so enduringly great.

12. “Afro Blue” by John Coltrane

“Afro Blue” is a song originally recorded by Mongo Santamaria in 1959 as part of the Cal Tjader Sextet. There was another version that same year with vocals written by Oscar Brown and recorded by Abbey Lincoln. Then there’s the Coltrane version in 1963, which features his trusty drummer Elvin Jones.

Jones decided to try the song on drums differently from how Santamaria had done it. He superimposed dual cross-beats over the ¾ waltz measures. In other words, Jones and Coltrane took the metric hierarchy of the original version and reversed it. Pretty smart stuff! 

13. “Bemsha Swing” by Thelonious Monk  

Thelonious Monk’s collaboration with Denzil Best, a jazz composer and percussionist, resulted in “Bemsha Swing,” sometimes spelled “Bimsha Swing.” The alternate name refers to Bimshire or Barbados, where Best’s family hails from. 

The sixteen-bar track follows AABA form. One section, the A-section, uses four bars and adds tones used in parallel minor C scales but transposed to add a B section. The swinging, jazzy song is a true masterpiece of the genre, with a catchy rhythm and plenty of hi-hats that sound great.

14. “Naima” by John Coltrane

Another track from John Coltrane’s Giant Steps album that deserves a spot as one of the best jazz drum songs of all time is “Naima.” The track is named after Juanita Naima Grubbs, Coltrane’s wife at the time. It’s one of the best-known songs in his vast catalog.

The original track expands over four-and-a-half minutes, a smooth, melodic ride with drums keeping pace at 171 BPM. Coltrane has recorded “Naima” many a time, again in 1961, 1966, 1977, 1997, and as recently as 2019. The song gets better every time! 

15. “My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane 

Arguably one of the most enduring jazz songs–actually, one of the most enduring songs, period–is “My Favorite Things.” The Coltrane version doesn’t talk about whiskers on kittens or cream-colored ponies, but expands upon the original, as this track is 14 minutes.

Coltrane plays in an E minor. The drums back up this song and help it achieve jazz supremacy, so of course we had to spotlight it here. By the way, if you’re wondering when the song became a Christmas tune, that appears to have happened in the 1960s.

16. “So What” by Miles Davis 

Another Jimmy Cobb and Miles Davis masterpiece is “So What” from the critically acclaimed 1959 record Kind of Blue. The first track on the album, this nine-minute tune sets the mood for what’s to come. Following the Dorian mode of modal jazz, the song uses sixteen bars first of D Dorian, then eight bars of E♭ Dorian, then another eight of the original D Dorian.

The intro starts heavily with bass and piano before transitioning into the other instruments, including that sweet drumming by Cobb. The original recording has a mild 134 BPM tempo, but if you ever listen to this track live, you’ll notice that Davis and his backing band sped up the tempo considerably. 

17. “The Sidewinder” by Lee Morgan

The jazz standard “The Sidewinder” by Lee Morgan comes from one of the biggest names in hard bop from the 1960s. The album of the same year from 1963 starts with this 10-minute track, which Morgan named after television villains more than he did the snake.

The jazz tune with its bouncy drums switches to a minor chord between bars 17 and 18. Billy Higgins plays drums on the commercially viable tune. He’s worked with many jazz greats, from Gene Ammons to Gary Bartz, Donald Byrd, and Don Cherry. 

18. “West Coast Blues” by Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery was godlike on jazz guitar, which explains why he named the album on which “West Coast Blues” appears The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery. While we love a good jazz guitar as much as any other music fan, the drums deserve their share of the spotlight on this track.

Albert Heath plays drums on this seven-and-a-half-minute track as he does on the entire album. Nicknamed Tootie, Heath specializes in hard jazz bops, which comes through loud and clear on his superb jazz drumming work in “West Coast Blues.” 

19. “C-Jam Blues” by Duke Ellington 

Whether you’ve heard Ellington’s original or the endless stream of covers from other artists over the years (from Charles Mingus to Oscar Peterson), “C-Jam Blues” is an Ellington original released in the early 1940s. The C in “C-Jam Blues” likely comes from the C note that’s prominently featured throughout. The other note that comprises the melody is G.

Although the recorded version is nice to listen to, when playing it live, Ellington and his crew often used the solos as a chance for improv. It was there that you would hear the drums and other instruments shine their brightest! 

20. “Blues March” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

The original version of the regal, urgent-sounding “Blues March” is credited to Benny Golson for a Blue Mitchell album. The jazz standard got put on the map by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, so even though theirs isn’t the first, some argue it’s the best. You’ll have to listen for yourself to decide! 

The song follows 4/4 time, switching from meter form to regular time in line with the marching bands from New Orleans that inspired the creation of the tune. The separation between the various sections of the harmony allows for improv when played live, and the song invokes the period in which it emerged.

21. “St. Thomas” by Sonny Rollins

Sonny Rollins is a tenor saxophonist whose top tune also happens to be one of the best examples of jazz drumming, “St. Thomas.” The 1950s jazz song is inspired by “The Lincolnshire Poacher,” an English song, and “Sponger Money,” a Bahamas folksong. The former song was a nursery song Rollins heard as a child.

This upbeat track at 111 BPM is led by saxophone solos and steady percussion throughout that drives the song forward and gives it momentum. About midway through the nearly seven-minute track has a drum solo. Yes, you read that right, a drum solo! 

22. “Killer Joe” by Quincy Jones

The sly track “Killer Joe” by Quincy Jones is next on our list. Grady Tate played drums on this track (although not the rest of the tunes on the album in which “Killer Joe” appears, the 1969 album Walking in Space). Tate specialized in jazz and soul jazz and recorded a lot of music as a leader.

The five-minute song is pure jazz perfection. The drumming follows with the chill bassline, keeping in time. The smooth vocals pull you in even further, making this song a truly delightful listening experience and a good track if you’re looking to get into drums and want to play jazz standards. 

23. “Now’s the Time” by Charlie Parker 

The Charlie Parker composition “Now’s the Time” from the mid-1940s is admittedly a simpler song for Parker, who wanted to dig deep into his jazz roots from his home of Kansas City. The man nicknamed “Yardbird” kept the tune bluesy, jazzy, and riff-heavy with some bebop, especially between bars five and six.

The song features Max Roach on drums, whose work comes into play at around the two-and-a-half-minute mark with a small but impactful drum solo. It’s a great ending note for the song, which only goes on for about three minutes, and sticks in your brain as the highlight of the track. 

24. “Watermelon Man” by Herbie Hancock

The jazz composition “Watermelon Man” is from Herbie Hancock’s debut Takin’ Off, released in 1962. This hard bopper features legendary jazz drummer Billy Higgins on percussion. The song rose to the top of the blues charts upon its release, so we’re not the only ones who think the drumming (and the rest of the instrumentation, of course) is top-notch!

The sixteen-bar song has influences of blues and jazz interlaced and is named after Chicago’s watermelon men wheeling around a wagon on cobblestone streets. The rhythm of wheels on cobblestones inspired the song. A version by Mongo Santamaria with Latin influences was later released. 

25. “Manteca” by Dizzy Gillespie 

To wrap up our list, we have “Manteca” by Dizzy Gillespie. This song was co-written by Gillespie with Gil Fuller and Chano Pozo in 1947. A great example (and one of the earliest) of Afro-Cuban jazz, the jazz standard has so much life and bounce to it that it’s a delight to listen to again and again.

Across six minutes, the percussion blasts while the brass instrumentation glides. The eight-bar trumpet bridge is all Gillespie while Pozo added the ingenious drum patterns. The result is an iconic song that appeared on an album that The Village Voice once called one of the most important in the US. 

The following 25 songs are utter masterpieces because they let the guy behind the sticks get some time in the limelight. Here’s our list of the best songs with drum solos. Let’s get started!

1. “Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin

“Moby Dick” is the first of several Zeppelin songs we’ll look at today. John Bonham is one of the most legendary drummers in the history of percussion, so it makes sense that he was given so many drum solos across Zep’s awesome and timeless discography.

The drum solo on “Moby Dick” kicks in about a minute into the song and is atmospheric, pulsating, and just plain impressive. It’s sort of like closing your eyes while fireworks are exploding and just listening. Bonham’s drum solo really makes this one of Zep’s best tunes!

If you want to play a drum solo of your own, check out the drum tabs to “Moby Dick” here. 

2. “Toad” by Cream

“Toad” is an instrumental from Cream on the band’s debut album Fresh Cream, which came out in 1966. The five-minute track relents to the drums about a minute in, offering Ginger Baker the chance to do his thing. That’s exactly what he proceeds to do for the next three and a half minutes. 

That’s right, almost the entirety of “Toad” is a drum solo. Sure, the other instruments come in toward the end to bring the song to its ultimate crescendo, but really, it’s an ode to Baker and his sterling percussion work. 

3. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly

Iron Butterfly’s breed of psychedelic rock left a lot of room for experimentation. Just take the track “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” which means “the garden of life.” The track is 17 minutes long and talks about the biblical meeting of Adam and Eve. With such a sprawling track length, there’s indeed room for a drum solo.

Ron Bushy shows off his percussion chops for four minutes of the 17-minute track, so he definitely gets his time. His solo was so well received that Ringo Starr’s drum solo on “The End” was inspired by “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” 

Although it’s not an easy song to play by any means between the drum solo and the sheer length, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” sure is a rewarding one. Check out the tabs here. 

4. “The End” by The Beatles

The connection between “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” and “The End” is quite interesting, wouldn’t you say? Here’s another interesting fact: this was the last tune the Beatles recorded together, which makes the name that much more poignant.

Unlike “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” which had a long enough track length to have room for a drum solo, “The End” is only two-and-a-half minutes. Nevertheless, Ringo Starr gets his share of the spotlight. The drum solo might not be four minutes, but it’s distinct enough that it makes this historic track all the better.

Learn to play along by following the drum tabs here. 

5. “YYZ” by Rush

Rush is a rock band known for its drum solos, as several tunes in the band’s discography feature isolated percussion moments from famous drummer Neil Peart. One of those is in “YYZ,” a heavy-hitting instrumental track.

The four-and-a-half-minute track features some of Peart’s best work. We know we’re focusing on drums in this article, but the sharp instrumentation from Geddy Lee has also been called among his best, so altogether, this song is just an in-your-face sonic assault, but in the best way possible, of course.

Check out the drum tabs here if you’re up for a real challenge! 

6. “Wipe Out” by The Surfaris

In the category of songs everyone knows, there’s “Wipe Out” by the Surfaris. This surf rock classic is the audio equivalent of the sensation of riding the crest of the tallest wave, and it’s all due to the amazing percussion heard throughout this short but incredible tune. 

The best moment for drum fans is around the one-minute, eight-second mark when that impeccable drum solo begins. The pace goes up a notch, the guitar riffs shorten, and for maybe 20 or 25 seconds or so, the drums are the star of the show. Then it all happens again no fewer than 30 seconds later.

You’ll get your daily workout in learning to play “Wipe Out,” but here are the tabs. 

7. “Aja” by Steely Dan

Is it fair to say that Steve Gadd changed the shape of the musical landscape with his drum solo on the Steely Dan song “Aja” from the eponymous album? Yes, we think so! This eight-minute, jazz-inspired song features an insane drum solo that you have to hear to believe.

Gadd did the solo in two takes that were edited together into one impressive solo. However, he didn’t have a part, per se. He was asked to come up with one on the fly, and after being told to “play like hell,” Gadd more than did his duty. 

8. “Dance of Eternity” by Dream Theater

Known in full as “Scene Seven: 1. The Dance of Eternity,” the Dream Theater track better known as “Dance of Eternity” features utter magic by drummer Mike Portnoy. The song is already amazing enough considering it has 108 time signature shifts across six minutes and 14 seconds.

Then you get to the drum solo. This instrumental song gets taken to new heights due to Portnoy’s pounding solo, which demands your attention and makes this song much more impactful for spotlighting the percussion. 

We’ve got the drum tabs here if you think you can keep up with this complex song! 

9. “Soul Sacrifice” by Santana

Of course, we have to include some Santana on this list, namely “Soul Sacrifice,” an instrumental that goes down in history as one of the best parts of the 1969 Woodstock festival. Santana is an amazing guitarist, truly one of the greats, so it takes a lot to keep up with him, but that’s exactly what percussionist Michael Shrieve does.

This song is essentially one giant drum solo. Sure, it features other instruments across six and a half minutes, but there’s really only one you’re thinking about the entire time you’re listening, and that’s the drums. 

You can perform your own Woodstock-worthy rendition of “Soul Sacrifice” by following along to the drum tabs here. 

10. “La Villa Strangiato” by Rush

Here’s another Rush track with a drum solo, “La Villa Strangiato” from the 1978 album Hemispheres. This song, which is 10 minutes and an instrumental, has 12 segments or parts. Neil Peart contributed to writing the music, which is perhaps why he ended up with the drum solo. Either way, we’re glad he did!

The solo starts at around the six-and-a-half-minute mark and is truly the stuff that prog rock dreams are made of. The guitar and bass ease back so Peart’s drumming prowess can show off to the fullest extent. 

You can learn the drum solo with the tabs here. 

11. “Keep Yourself Alive” by Queen

Queen has so many incredible songs in its discography, but for drum lovers, “Keep Yourself Alive” is one of the best. This track from the self-titled album Queen is a hard, aurally pleasing adventure across four minutes, but we’re talking about it because of the drum solo, so let’s dive in.

The solo starts at around the two-minute, 20-second mark, and although it’s not the longest thing, it’s a great interlude into the second half of this rock classic. You can learn to play like the greats with the drum tab for “Keep Yourself Alive” right here.

12. “Whiplash” by Metallica

We’re spotlighting “Whiplash” by Metallica from the rock masterpiece Kill ‘Em All because of its incredibly crazy, impressive percussion. Lars Ulrich has a lot of amazing songs on his resume, but this might be one of the top. The nonstop, blistering pace of the song, when combined with the moments of drum solo-age, creates a song that will give you, well whiplash.

The solos are blink-and-you’ll-miss-them moments where the sonic wall of instrumentation relents, but they’re impactful moments, nevertheless. They give the chorus that oomph and grab your ear, not letting go until the song concludes after four minutes.

You can learn how to play this metal classic by reviewing the tabs here. 

13. “One Word” by Mahavishnu Orchestra 

The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a 1970s group from New York City. Billy Cobman was the man behind the kits during the release of “One Word,” a sprawling, 10-minute track with a pretty killer drum solo, if we say! The solo kicks in at about six minutes.

The drums tip and tap as though creating a military cadence, then pick up the pace, eventually matching the top tempo of this tune, which is 118 beats per minute. The drums get nearly three minutes of solo time, and you can bet that Billy Cobman uses every second. If you’ve never heard this drum solo, go ahead and treat yourself today! 

14. “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman

One of the most cherished jazz songs that has prevailed to modern times and is still just as beloved today is the Benny Goodman classic “Sing, Sing, Sing.” You might not recognize it by the title alone, but as soon as you hear a few seconds of it, you’ll instantly know it. 

This thumping song is punctuated by a heavy drum solo about midway through the five-minute track. The drums shine on this entire track with their pulsing feel, but the addition of the drum solo really gives this instrument its rightful place to shine. 

Although it’s not tonally the same as the other songs on this list, we had to include it because of its amazing percussion! 

15. “Eruption” by Van Halen

Perhaps the shortest song on our list of the best drum solos is “Eruption” by Van Halen. This instrumental comes in at just shy of two minutes long. You might wonder where there’s room for a drum solo in a track that short, but don’t worry, it’s there.

This song also has a supersonic guitar solo, so there are a lot of solos to love in such a short track. That solo is regarded as one of the best of all time, which is typical of guitar solos, but is just another reason to check out this track.

If you’d rather play instead of listen, you won’t want to miss the drum tab right here. 

16. “New World Man” by Rush

The hit single “New World Man” from Rush’s album Signals ended up topping the Canadian charts (where the band is from) yet was added impromptu to lengthen the album. Its massive popularity might have to do with the inclusion of a drum solo.

Interestingly, the synths get a lot of love on this track too, as they’re credited as being part of what made this song so appealing to the masses. We still think it’s the drum solo and Neil Peart’s awesome skills on the kit even when he’s not receiving the spotlight. 

You can practice along to “New World Man” with these tabs.  

17. “The Rover” by Led Zeppelin

Exceptionally heavy-hitting, here’s another Zep song that made room for John Bonham (in what we must say is quite a smart decision), “The Rover” from the 1975 smash hit album Physical Graffiti. 

The prominent pulsating of the drums is the standout on “The Rover,” along with Jimmy Page’s incredible guitar. The song has never been played live in its entirety, so the only way to relive the classic percussion on this track is to spin a record or stream it. It’s always worth it to hear those spectacular drums. 

You can also recreate the song yourself with these tabs. 

18. “Apache” by The Shadows

The familiar riffage of “Apache” by The Shadows pulls you in, and the percussive mastery of Brian Bennett keeps you there. This English group shows its stuff on the track, especially Bennett around the one-minute, 35-second mark. 

That’s when you can hear the riling drum solo. Combined with the jangly guitars that invoke the feelings of a John Wayne western, this is one of those songs you’ll play again and again. It’s the band’s biggest hit for a reason! 

Here are the tabs so you can play like a pro. 

19. “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon

Paul Simon’s hit “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” from 1975’s Still Crazy After All These Years is an upbeat-sounding song about a very somber topic: divorce. The melody swings into a drum solo quite naturally around the one-minute, 50-second mark of this track. 

For a few blissful moments, it’s just Simon’s vocals and the drums, which jangle along with the vocals. The understated approach drives home that this isn’t the world’s happiest song despite what it sounds like. Then the song resumes its cheery chorus, and all is right. 

20. “Tom Sawyer” by Rush

The last Rush song we’ll look at is “Tom Sawyer,” which is the best-known track from the legendary Canadian prog rock band. This song has some five-star drum fills, but it’s the solo we can’t stop oohing and aahing about. It makes what is already a very good song an absolutely unforgettable one. 

Peart received a poem called “Louis the Lawyer” that inspired the lyrical story of Tom Sawyer featured in the eponymous song, so Peart was more than a drum machine, but a vital part of making the song happen. Us music fans are eternally grateful! 

You can bang along on the kit to “Tom Sawyer” with these drum tabs. 

21. “In My Time of Dying” by Led Zeppelin

One of the more serious songs in the Led Zeppelin catalog (at least lyrically) is undoubtedly “In My Time of Dying,” another hit track from Physical Graffiti. It’s an expanded tune that stretches across 10 minutes. In between the Jimmy Page guitar solos, there are a few John Bonham solos. 

The song may be a cover (of a song also known as “Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed”), but Zeppelin works magic on this original gospel track, making it a rock-and-roller with solos galore. Bonham’s drums sound that much more impactful because of the reverb effect on the kit. 

You can learn how to drum to “In My Time of Dying” with the tabs here. 

22. “Fool in the Rain” by Led Zeppelin

Continuing our list of Led Zeppelin songs with the best drum solos, next is “Fool in the Rain” from In Through the Out Door. This song becomes a full-on mambo at around the two-minute, 30-second mark, which is quite an interesting inclusion, even for Zeppelin. 

John Bonham’s ultra-powerful drums pound and hammer to the whistles and fast pace of the mambo beat. Then, about a minute later, it’s back to business as usual as the song’s main riff kicks in. This versatility proves just how good Zeppelin–and especially Bonham–were and are! 

Of course we’ve got drum tabs if you’re interested in playing this song! 

23. “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin

One of the most distinct songs on Led Zeppelin I is “Good Times Bad Times.” It’s classic Zep at its finest across an accessible three-minute track. Each member of the band shines like a diamond, but we have to give it to John Bonham specifically for his work on this tune. 

His pulsing drum solo interlaid with Jimmy Page’s guitar work gives this song a hard edge that will never go out of style. You can learn to play this tune behind the kit by following along with this drum tab.  

24. “The Lemon Song” by Led Zeppelin

Okay, we’ve got one more Led Zeppelin song with a drum solo, and that’s “The Lemon Song” from Led Zeppelin II. This song with its sexually supercharged lyrics has some incredible drumming by John Bonham, especially the small solos that make this song an even more enjoyable listen. 

Here’s another fun fact: John Bonham’s kit had a gong, and you can hear it at the start of the song. He liked to include a gong for so-called theatrical value. Check out the drum tabs to this Zeppelin classic right here. 

25. “Rosanna” by Toto 

We’ve got one more song on our list of tunes with the best drum solos, and it’s “Rosanna” by Toto. This classic ‘80s song features some of drummer Jeff Pocaro’s best percussion, especially the solo that mingles with the synths in the middle of this song. 

Here’s a fun fact: Pocaro didn’t only contribute the drums to this song, but he worked with fellow bandmate David Paich to interlay those strong keyboard synths, so Pocaro is playing over his own synth work. That’s pretty awesome!

Play along to “Rosanna” with the drum tabs here. 

The drum fills these songs are known for make them rather than break them. Join us as we take you on a supersonic journey across 25 iconic tunes beloved for their drum work. 

1. “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin

Starting our list is the Led Zeppelin classic, “When the Levee Breaks,” released on the band’s hit album Led Zeppelin IV. The long instrumentation that leads this drawling, impassioned track wouldn’t have the same emotional impact without the steady percussion provided by John Bonham. 

Even when vocalist Robert Plant adds lush harmonica atop the sonic soundscape of the seven-minute track, that unwavering drumbeat keeps the song tethered so it’s free to explore, something Zeppelin always excelled at doing. 

Play along here with tabs. This song’s consistent beat will make you feel like a drum pro in no time. 

2. “Wipe Out” by the Surfaris 

Everyone knows the guitar riff of the Surfaris’ classic early ‘60s tune “Wipe Out,” but when you stop and think about it, it’s the drum rhythm that gives this song the pulsing, high-octane feel it’s so beloved for. 

Those drums match the frenetic energy that one feels when riding the crest of a tall wave and then surfing it to completion. Or, you know, wiping out, hence the name of the song. At times, the drums take on a tribal feel with their pounding, relentless beat, mimicking the race of your heart as you listen along. 

Here are the tabs so you can sharpen your skills on the sticks. 

3. “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins

Don’t let the soft rock genre fool you. When “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins takes off, it truly takes off. 

The slow, pulsing drum beat throughout most of the song acts as a subtle accompaniment, mostly unnoticeable, really. So then why did we place this song on our list of the greatest drum songs of all time? 

It’s due to that iconic moment around the three-minute, 15-second mark where the drums fill your ears with pulsing, pounding drama. This song simply wouldn’t be the same without those heavy drums in the rest of the song, heightening the emotions and augmenting the listening experience. 

Practice along with the tabs here.  

4. “We Will Rock You” by Queen 

In a similar vein to the Phil Collins smash hit “In the Air Tonight,” next on our list is Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” What both songs share is that without those drum fills, they wouldn’t be as impactful and fondly remembered as they are today.

While sure, you can clap the simple but effectual rhythm of “We Will Rock You” by hand, you can also sit behind the kit and bang it out. It feels a lot better and gives the song that much more oomph. 

If you want to learn the drum part, check out this link. This song is pretty easy to learn considering everyone knows the main beat. It’s one of those songs that’s transcended generations. 

5. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana 

Long before Dave Grohl led his own band, the Foo Fighters–who today fill arenas worldwide–he was Nirvana’s drummer. The band’s top hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” is on this list not for that crunchy, filthy guitar riff but for Grohl’s astounding drum work.

The song wouldn’t have that heavy-hitting edge if not for the pounding drums that accompany the main riff and chorus. The drums back off during the verses to let the sludgy bassline shine, then pick right back up, appealing to the disaffected youth that Seattle’s early ‘90s music so richly attracted.

You can play along with the drum tab if you’re ready for a workout. 

6. “Back in Black” by AC/DC 

Would that leading guitar riff of “Back in Black” by AC/DC have grabbed listeners’ ears by the millions if it wasn’t backed by the drum work of Phil Rudd? Probably not, which is why we had to include this classic tune on our list. 

Even as great as the guitar is, the drums sound so clean and distinct yet complement the other instruments so well. They never stop their relentless pounding, punctuating the high-energy verses and complementing the chorus. 

Do you want to play like one of the greats? Try practicing with the tabs here. 

7. “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin

It should come as no surprise to see more Led Zeppelin on this list, what with the unit being described by many as the greatest rock band of all time. This time, we’ll look at something slightly earlier from the band’s catalog, the 1969 song “Good Times Bad Times” from the eponymous album.

A short song by Zeppelin standards (it clocks in at under three minutes), it’s a hard-edged, moderate-paced song led by heavy drums from John Bonham. 

If you really want to appreciate the extent of Bonham’s work on this Zeppelin tune, check out this video, as it features the drums isolated from the rest of the track. He truly was a drumming wizard.

Now that you’re in a playing mood, you can drum along to the tabs here. 

8. “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen 

Hard rock pioneers Van Halen have many hallmark songs, another of which we’ll look at a little bit later on this list. For now, let’s focus on “Hot for Teacher,” a fast-paced school anthem led by frenzied guitars and backed by a solid, heartbeat-mimicking drum beat by band co-founder Alex Van Halen. 

But we can’t truly discuss this song without delving into the intro. It almost sounds like a motorcycle engine starting up, and you wouldn’t be remiss to think it’s some sort of sound effect, but nope! It’s drums.

You can learn how to play the intro (and the rest of the song) here.

9. “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith

Whether you prefer the original Aerosmith version from 1975’s Toys in the Attic or you appreciate the cover version (with Aerosmith) from Run D.M.C. from the mid-1980s, one thing is for sure, “Walk This Way” is quite a powerhouse of a song!

It also helped bring back Aerosmith’s career, but of course, that’s not why we’re discussing it today. Fun fact: Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler came up with the heavy-hitting drum line, which rocks you the moment you press “play” on this track. 

The drums keep the tune steady even though the guitar riff gets all the credit. You’ll be ready to play like an expert no time with these drum tabs. 

10. “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac 

A softer, more emotive song, “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac is bolstered by the simple but powerful drums throughout. They sound like roaring thunder in the chorus, giving the echoing vocals more conviction. 

The twang of the guitar bows down to this powerful drum beat, which maintains a consistent pace (making it easy to learn to play) but acts as the song’s backbone, in which without it, it wouldn’t be as good. 

11. “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder

Not every song with the greatest drums of all time necessarily needs to be rock or metal! The Stevie Wonder tune “Superstition” rightfully gets a place on this list because it’s so drum-heavy. The first thing you hear is a slick drum intro, follow by some Moog bass to give the tune its funky feel.

Although the song gains more instrumentation as it goes along, including the addition of a trumpet and a tenor saxophone, it’s the drums that carry this song through its tremendous conclusion. 

Here’s a fun fact: Wonder played all the instruments himself save for the trumpet and tenor sax. He was quite the drummer, we’d say!

If you want to play like the greats, here’s the drum tab to “Superstition.” 

12. “Fool in the Rain” by Led Zeppelin 

“Fool in the Rain” from the 1979 Led Zeppelin album In Through the Out Door might not be one of the group’s most famous hits, but it is exceptionally memorable due to John Bonham’s trademark drum sound. 

The upbeat-sounding riff is what most casual listeners hear, but if you pay more attention to the drum line, you’ll realize Bonham is hard at work throughout this entire tune. 

That’s most evident at around the two-minute, 56-second mark when the instrumentation tacks on a new dimension, including awesome drum fills from Bonham. 

You can appreciate the drum work best here; that link will take you to a video where you can listen to the track’s isolated drums. You’ll need some tabs to play along, and you’ll find those here. 

13. “Rosanna” by Toto

Many music listeners know Toto for the group’s hit song “Africa,” but the tune “Rosanna”–named after actress Rosanna Arquette–deserves acclaim for its incredible drumming. It was also a hit in its own right!

The song’s drumming isn’t complicated, per se, but consistent and punchy. The lush sonic wall that builds up during this song’s chorus is reinforced by the strong drumming, and the synth solo gets to roam with the drums calling it back. 

You can play along here.  

14. “Come Together” by The Beatles

The Beatles have such a vast catalog, but when thinking of which tunes of their exemplify drum excellency, it has to be “Come Together.” This rock classic showcases the drum work of Ringo Starr fantastically well.

During the verses, the drums intertwine with the bass to create a strong sound. In the chorus, the drums support the twangy guitar that makes this song such a beloved tune more than 30 years after its original release. 

The tabs to play the song are available here so you can show off your drumming chops!  

15. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor 

There’s a reason that “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor has been the go-to track for every fight montage in film since it was released in 1982. It has that big fight feel! It’s impossible not to get amped up listening to this spirited track, and the drums definitely deserve their share of the limelight.

The drums add pressure to the piano, which wouldn’t come across nearly as tough without the drums pulsing with the bass. The drumming in the chorus also makes this song the masterpiece that it is. 

Here are the tabs if you’re interested in adding this one to your repertoire. 

16. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

Although lots of covers have slowed down the pace, the original “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson is a speedy track in line with the rest of Jackson’s very danceable discography. The R&B stylings allow the drumming to shine.

The drums immediately establish the atmosphere of this song, which has happy-sounding music but depressive lyrics. They carry on throughout the song at a fast pace, always there even when the danceable beat becomes more prominent.

You can play along with the tabs here.

17. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson 

Off the critically acclaimed album Thriller, “Beat It” might not be the biggest hit from that album, but it’s certainly one of the most popular tunes in Michael Jackson’s broad discography. After all, this is the song that made Jackson a pop icon!

The music video is about uniting rival gangs, but the song wouldn’t have that much ability, nor Jackson so much star power, if not for the strong drum line throughout. Just watch the video above featuring one of Jackson’s drummers, Jonathan Moffett, performing the tune. It’s not easy! 

If you think you have what it takes to follow along, check out these drums tabs and get ready to sweat. 

18. “Jump” by Van Halen  

The second Van Halen single on our list is “Jump,” one of the band’s most-known tunes. The synth that dominates that unforgettable intro isn’t the only instrument worth talking about. You know where we’re going with this – the drums!

The guitar solo is where the drums get the most interesting. The next time you listen to this all-time great tune, give the drums your ear, and you’ll hear the immense talent of band namesake Alex Van Halen. 

Then you’re ready to play along following these tabs. 

19. “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi 

It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t heard the Bon Jovi mega-hit “Livin’ on a Prayer.” It’s a rock anthem all this time later, frequently sung along loud in sports arenas and bars. 

When the song was first released on the album Slippery When Wet, it made an immediate splash. The drums drive forward the sense of urgency between the two lovers who are trying to get through their troubles with a little bit of love.

The drums punctuating Bon Jovi’s lyrics before the final chorus explodes is a moment that will give you goosebumps again and again. Recreate it by learning the tabs. 

20. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses 

The incredible guitar work of Guns N’ Roses’ Slash can dominate your ears, and rightfully so, but there’s so much tonal depth to “Sweet Child O’ Mine that drummer Steven Adler deserves major credit. 

It’s once the other instruments fill in the opulent guitar work of Slash is when this song really takes off. Although it sounds like it has a relaxed pace, the drumbeat reaches a crazy 144 beats per minute! 

After the solo, when the song expands into its explosive finish, the beauty of the drum work is especially apparent. Recreate it for yourself with some drum tabs. 

21. “Money” by Pink Floyd 

Combining elements of hard rock, blues rock, and progressive rock, when the intro of “Money” by Pink Floyd really takes off, it’s the drums you have to thank for it. Nick Mason, the drummer, also contributes some to the tape effects that start the song. 

The drums place nicely with the bass-driven riff, the sweet, smooth tenor saxophone played by Dick Parry, and the Wurlitzer electric piano. As the song changes tempos and time signatures several times across six and a half minutes, Mason keeps up effortlessly, delivering a piece of classic rock history.

You can learn to play like Mason courtesy of these tabs.  

22. “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin 

One of the most beloved Zeppelin tunes, “Kashmir” has cemented its place on this list without a doubt. The main riff receives augmentation from the drums, but what’s most impressive is that John Bonham never misses a beat despite that this song goes on for nearly nine minutes long.

The tune ebbs and flows, with the drums acting almost as a buoy, keeping the song anchored to itself. It’s no wonder that “Kashmir” has been declared the penultimate Led Zeppelin song, best encapsulating the band’s sound. 

You can learn to play it with some drum tabs here.  

23. “The Ocean” by Led Zeppelin 

About the same pace as “Kashmir” despite being released several years earlier is “The Ocean,” the last Zeppelin song on our list. The odd rhythm of this song from Jimmy Page’s guitar never feels out of sorts thanks to John Bonham’s reliably strong drumming. 

This song feels like several in one, with a pause midway through before the song dramatically comes back. The unconventional pacing, transformative nature, and odd riffs in this song make it one of the best drum tracks we’ve ever heard!

If you need another Zeppelin song to add to your repertoire, here are the drum tabs. 

24. “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne

Lee Kerslake is a god behind the kit on Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” which gets that pulsating intro in part from the drums. That’s only the beginning. The verses and chorus of this song pick up the pace in a major way, with a top tempo of 160 BPM. 

Drum fills between Osbourne’s vocals add to the frenzied emotion of the song, especially as it builds to its chorus. The unrelenting solo has pounding drum accompaniment to make “Crazy Train” one of the most popular songs in its genre, even to this day. 

You can find the tabs to play the Ozzy song right here. 

25. “Tom Sawyer” by Rush 

Why not end our list with one of the most difficult-to-play but awesome drum songs of all time, “Tom Sawyer” by Rush? It’s that the song is so challenging that it’s incredibly memorable. 

This tune might sound easy to replicate, but you must remember that Rush’s members were all trained music experts, so they knew a thing or two about professional playing. They favored the 7/8 time signature in “Tom Sawyer” and other songs in the discog.

The drums race throughout the near-five-minute track, lending the spacy accompaniment a stuttering sound that fits just right. Here is the drum tab.  

This is a question many drummers have had, which inspired us to put together this guide. We’ve handpicked the best songs in the history of music to present 35 easy drumming songs for beginners.

These tunes range from classics to contemporaries, so there’s sure to be something on this list that you’re eager to play today! 

1. “We Will Rock You” by Queen

We start the list with a truly iconic track, “We Will Rock You” by Queen. While almost every track in the Queen catalog is a classic, we picked this one because it’s simple for any drummer to pick up and play.

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard this song, probably many times. You don’t even necessarily need to be a Queen fan to know it; “We Will Rock You” is simply that pervasive. The main riff doesn’t take too much finessing on drums to bang it out, and the song is short to boot.

Here’s the drum tab so you can learn the song today! 

2. “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple

A classic song with an easy enough tempo that beginners shouldn’t feel too intimidated by is the track “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple. This is another one of those highly pervasive tunes that most people know even if they don’t own a single Deep Purple record. 

Although the guitar riff gets all the acclaim, this song really comes to life due to the inclusion of the drums. The steady pacing of the drums throughout should be simple enough to match, even without a lot of experience. 

That said, you might need some extended practice to get those fills right! Start learning with these drum tabs. 

3. “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath

You’ll impress all your friends and fellow music aficionados when you begin hammering out “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath on the drums. This is another one of those classic rock tunes that sounds harder than it is, but that’s the guitar part. 

You’re not even required to drum throughout the whole song, so if you’re having a hard time building up your stamina behind the kit, the breaks in this song will be much appreciated. You’ll have the energy required for the fills and will be eager to hit the hi-hats with aplomb.

Check out the drum tab for “Iron Man” here. 

4. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd 

The fast pace and complex guitar work of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” might make you think this song is best saved for the drumming pros, but beginners can totally play it too! The drum part isn’t hard, just fast.

Consistent practice will help you get through this tune because it’s also a bit longer at almost five minutes. It’s okay to take the song part by part, learning it in one-minute or two-minute increments until you can play it in full. 

Why don’t you begin today by following along with the tabs here? 

5. “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC

The first of two AC/DC tracks we recommend for all you classic rock lovers out there, “Highway to Hell” is even more fun to bang along to on the sticks than it is to listen to on a pair of headphones! You can truly let your inner drummer shine. 

The moderate tempo of this song does require some good stamina, so practice with a few slower songs on our list before you graduate to this one. You can also slow down the pace until you master it, then pick the tempo back up.

Here are the drum tabs so you can begin learning “Highway to Hell” right away. 

6. “Back in Black” by AC/DC

Once you’ve gotten comfortable playing “Highway to Hell,” it’s time to add another AC/DC track to your repertoire, “Back in Black.” You can even start with this one since it’s somewhat slower-paced than “Highway to Hell.” 

You’ll get the opportunity to play some truly pounding, booming drums on this track, which is fun and rewarding. They just don’t make rock songs like this anymore, so learning with the classics is truly the best way to expand on your drum skills.

If you want drum tabs, you know we got ‘em. Here’s the link for you. 

7. “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes

Do you always feel like your drum work gets outshined by the other instruments on a track? If so, then you need to try learning “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes. This song is all drums (okay, and bass, too), so you’ll finally have your chance to stand out and be heard!

“Seven Nation Army” is another of those tunes that, despite a lot newer than the other songs we’ve had on the list so far, is widely known. Your friends will recognize it the moment you begin hitting away at the drums. 

You can follow along with the drum tabs here. 

8. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band 

How about a softer, melodic tune to cut your teeth to? The Steve Miller Band song “The Joker” keeps a tempo no faster than 82 beats per minute, so even if you’re brand-spankin new to drumming, you shouldn’t struggle to keep up.

This classic song is under four minutes long, so it’s a good one for building up your stamina. It also doesn’t go too wild when the solo starts, so you can expect a consistent pace all the way through. It truly is a beginner-friendly tune that sounds so impressive once you master it.

If you’re ready to begin playing “The Joker” today, this drum tab will help you learn it. 

9. “Wipeout” by The Surfaris

One of those songs that everybody knows, “Wipeout” by The Surfaris has pounding tribal drums that convey the sense of urgency throughout the song. Now you can get behind the kit and convey that same sense of urgency with your drumming!

This tune requires a lot of smacking on the drums, and although you should do so with finesse, as you’re just getting a feel for the instrument, whatever you can do is fine. We would suggest playing at a slower tempo at first, as this song is as fast as it is short (which is to say very!).

The drum fills are especially killer, so don’t beat yourself up if you can’t play them right away. Keep at it and you’ll get there! In the meantime, start with these drum tabs.

10. “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival 

The pinnacle of classic rock, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” is a song you’ve probably always wanted to play but assumed it was too hard. The guitar parts might be complex, but the steady drumming throughout isn’t so bad. You can learn it if you practice!

Although the drumming is consistent and fast, the song clocks in at under two and a half minutes long. It’s the perfect tune for building up your drumming stamina so you can sit behind the kit and hold a beat for minutes and minutes at a time.

Practice along with the tabs here. 

11. “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry 

The happy-sounding “Johnny B. Goode” from Chuck Berry is the oldest song on our list and one of the most beloved for certain. Now you too can go back to the roots of the rock genre by learning to play this song on drums.

It’s truly simpler than you would have imagined. This guitar-led song gets its punch from the drums, so you’ll contribute an important ingredient if you’re working on this one with a cover band to play live.

Check out the drum tabs right here.  

12. “Rock and Roll All Nite” by KISS 

Do you dream of playing rock songs on drums that will get the people on their feet and cheering up a storm? That’s just the kind of vibe “Rock and Roll All Nite” by KISS delivers. This song, like a few others on the list, sounds more complex on drums than it is. 

You will have to learn some drum fills, but they’re not overly tough. The more endurance you have on the kit, the easier you’ll find it to give this song the high-energy delivery it requires. Feel free to break the tune into chunks or play it at a slower tempo as you get started.

This tab will help you master “Rock and Roll All Nite” in no time! 

13. “All the Small Things” by Blink-182

How about a more modern tune, like 1999’s Blink-182 smash hit, “All the Small Things?” You can show off your punk side with this boisterous tune, which really relies on drums to drive that punk flavor home. 

It’s a faster song at 149 BPM, but the drums aren’t too complex. You’ll vacillate between a tribal beat and pounding punk drums, so the tune stays interesting from the first second your part kicks until the very end. 

The mid-paced break in the middle will help gear you up for the high-octane conclusion, so the song has good pacing. Get your sticks and begin playing today with these drum tabs. 

14. “Basket Case” by Green Day

Continue leaning into your punk side with some Green Day! “Basket Case” is a great tune for beginners, even though you probably wouldn’t think so. The reason? The song has a big break so you’re not drumming the whole time. 

You’ll sit out the whole first verse for the most part, with your part only roaring to life come the chorus. Then it’s all you for the rest of the song, which doesn’t go so long that you’ll be panting out of breath by the time it’s over. 

Learn the song here with some handy tabs. 

15. “When I Come Around” by Green Day 

If you’re looking for a Green Day tune that’s a little easier to play, try “When I Come Around.” It’s much slower than “Basket Case” by comparison, but you’ll still get the chance to do some pretty seriously impressive drum work ala Tre Cool. 

This upbeat-sounding tune is best learned by taking it in pieces and then putting it all together to comprise a song. You’ll master each part and feel confident whether you’re playing this ‘90s tune in your garage or on a stage. 

Of course, it all begins with the right knowledge. We’ve got the drum tabs for you right here so you can play along with the greats. 

16. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana 

Arguably the penultimate ‘90s rock song, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is a tune that’s endured to this day. It’s fuzzy, filthy, and the true definition of what grunge rock was at the time, so who wouldn’t want to learn how to play it?

Dave Grohl is a drum god, but once you get behind the kit and follow in his footsteps, you’ll realize that playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” isn’t as difficult as you had originally anticipated. You have to put a lot of oomph behind the song to make it sound convincing, and you’ll have to build up endurance to play a nearly five-minute song in one go.

The above video of Grohl smashing along to the drums in this song over 20 years later is cool to watch. You can then emulate his playing with these tabs. 

17. “Come As You Are” by Nirvana 

Next in our assortment of Nirvana drum songs that are beginner-friendly is “Come As You Are.” This song might not push as hard as a track like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” but the drums never take a break.

Unlike “Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are” has a chill, consistent pace. You’ll get to pound out some drum fills during the chorus, and you’ll alternate between maintaining the beat and dominating it, but that’s part of what makes this song so incredibly fun and rewarding to play. 

This drum tab will help you get started. Get ready to play your best! 

18. “In Bloom” by Nirvana

Continue to expand your music chops and your catalog by adding another Nirvana song to the list, “In Bloom.” This melancholy tune sounds deceptively simple since it’s not as blisteringly paced as other Nirvana songs, but like most Nirvana songs, it relies a lot on the drums.

The video tutorial above will show you how to slow it down, break the tune down into manageable chunks (since it’s almost five minutes long), and learn it one bit at a time. Before you know it, you’ll have no problem getting through this song!

Play along with the drum tab here and watch your skills improve. 

19. “Lithium” by Nirvana 

Let’s wrap up this selection of Nirvana songs to play on drums with “Lithium,” another ultra-popular song in Nirvana’s catalog that’s worth sitting down and learning to play. You can harken back to the ‘90s and feel like a rock star when you get behind the kit and replicate Dave Grohl’s signature sound. 

The up-and-down style of the drums that lightens during the verses and then picks up like mad when the chorus hits make this song fun to learn and will keep you on your toes as you practice. It will be such an amazing feeling once you master it!

You can get started with the drum tabs here. 

20. “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit 

Moving away from Nirvana now, “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit is a fun song to play whether you just want to get better at drums, form a cover band, or even evolve into writing your own material someday. 

This song sounds fast, but the BPM of the drums isn’t too terribly speedy, especially if you’ve already practiced along with the other songs on this list so far. The upbeat feeling of the song will have you eager to practice this one again and again until you can play it in your sleep.

You can begin learning it by following along with these handy drum tabs. 

21. “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World 

When Jimmy Eat World released “The Middle” in 2001, it took the world by storm. All these years later and it’s still fondly remembered as an affirmative song about self-acceptance. Well, for that and it’s phenomenal drum work, which you can replicate even if you’re very new to drums. Yes, we mean it!

The 162 BPM pace might seem intimidating, but the drum rhythm isn’t overly challenging. You can focus on keeping up with the pace of the song and varying your playing during the choruses to keep yourself entertained and expand your skills.

We’ve got the drum tabs for you right here. 

22. “I Will Follow” by U2

How about some U2? Regarded by many as the best rock band of the last 40 years if not all time, U2 has an assorted discography. Many of their songs aren’t too tricky to play on drums either, including the band’s top hit, “I Will Follow.”

Once you take away the sped-up guitar, you’ll realize you have a drum part that’s consistent, yes, but hard to play? Not particularly. If you learn how to play drums by banging along to U2 tunes, you may just find that your skills are a cut above. 

This drum tab will make it easy to figure out how this song is done. 

23. “Vertigo” by U2 

Fast-forwarding a bit into U2’s catalog, “Vertigo” is an excellent song to learn on drums. You’ll show off to everyone you know whenever you play it, you’ll develop inimitable skills, and you’ll get to learn one of the best songs U2 has ever made. It’s a win-win-win!

To play like Larry Mullen Jr., practice, practice, practice. You’ll realize that once you strip away the rest of the instrumentation, the drums of this song are challenging but not impossible to play by any means. 

Once you get familiar with this one, you’ll want to play it all the time. Get started by learning the drum tabs. 

24. “Where The Streets Have No Name” by U2

Now it’s time for some classic U2. “Where The Streets Have No Name” shows off the shimmering instrumentation that U2 became known for. The drums keep up with the smooth guitar riffs and keep pounding along to Bono’s impassioned vocals during the verses before picking up more during the chorus.

As a whole, the drums are fast but consistent, so once you’ve learned to play a bit of the song, you can pretty much drum along to the entire thing. Practice it in bits and pieces so you can build your stamina more and more before you finally sit down to triumphantly play “Where the Streets Have No Name.”

Learn with these drum tabs. 

25. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2

The last U2 song we recommend for beginner drummers is one of the tunes that put the band on the map, “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” It has the slowest pacing of all the U2 songs we’ve looked at, which might surprise you given its lively tone.

The drums are fun to play, as you’ll get into a cool rhythm that belies the seriousness and solemnity of this tune. With the mostly understated guitar, your drums will have a chance to shine as they guide the song across nearly five minutes.

Get ready to play with these drum tabs. 

26. “Clocks” by Coldplay 

Let’s go more modern still with a band that’s paved the way for today’s music, Coldplay. The band’s hit single (and arguably most popular song) “Clocks” has lush piano that captures the ear, but the drums are in the mix too, and they’re not that difficult to learn. 

Your drum work will stand out a lot in the verses when the piano disappears. The drums give the song more beauty and keep it marching forward. The consistent pacing of the drums means you can learn this song today (or in a few days or weeks) despite its pacing of 131 BPM. 

First, you’ll need the tabs here. 

27. “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay 

The mid-tempo “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay with its riches-to-rags lyrics and triumphant-sounding music is another great song to add to your list as you learn the drums. It has a high tempo, but you’re drumming sparingly for the first bit of the song so you can save your energy for when it’s needed. 

The lively, consistent drum line comes booming during the chorus but doesn’t change up so much that you’ll get confused learning it. That makes this song attainable for newbies even though it’s certainly long.

Check out the drum tabs for “Viva La Vida” right here. 

28. “Yellow” by Coldplay 

No list of Coldplay songs would be complete without discussing “Yellow,” as it’s one of the group’s most popular tunes. However, that’s not why we’re including the track here. Instead, we’re mentioning it because it’s easy to play on drums, which might contribute to its popularity! 

Although this song doesn’t go nearly as hard as many of the others we’ve discussed so far (and have yet to talk about!), it does get surprisingly heavy during the intro. You’ll continue to enjoy yourself as you play the moderate verses and kick things back up a notch during the chorus. 

Start practicing right away with drum tabs here. 

29. “Paradise” by Coldplay 

The electronic stylings of the Coldplay song “Paradise” shows how much the group grew its musical influence over the years. Don’t worry though, the drumming is about as straightforward as can be, which is why this tune earned a rightful spot on this list. You should be able to figure this one out quickly.

You get some drum fills too, proving that although some Coldplay songs sound simple on the surface, there’s a lot more depth going on behind the scenes. You’ll have a rewarding challenge in front of you should you choose to learn these songs, which makes the satisfaction of mastering the tune that much sweeter.

If you’re ready to get playing, here are the drum tabs for “Paradise.” 

30. “Fix You” by Coldplay 

The somber-sounding, slow-paced “Fix You” is the last Coldplay song we’ll look at on this list. You will spend a lot of time sitting on your hands (but not literally, as you’re going to need them), as your part doesn’t come in until the two-minute, 30-second mark of this four-and-a-half-minute song.

You’ll have to follow along and be ready to jump right in, as your drum part is instrumental in transitioning the song to its more optimistic-sounding conclusion. It’s not a hard drum part, but it is impactful, and you should have a blast experimenting with the subtle-to-loud dynamic. 

Get started with these drum tabs. 

31. “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers 

How about a tonal shift as we move onto a more alternative group, The Killers? The band’s classic hit “Somebody Told Me” from debut album Hot Fuss is part of what introduced this great group to the masses, and now you can play it on drums! 

This song wouldn’t be the same without the pulsating drums. Once you sit down on the kit and get started, you’ll realize this song has a fast-paced drum rhythm but one that beginners can play with some practice and dedication. 

These tabs will set you on the right path to mastering “Somebody Told Me.” 

32. “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers

Once you learn how to play “Somebody Told Me,” you can graduate to the next Killers song on this list, “Mr. Brightside,” also off 2004’s Hot Fuss. This song is faster-paced and requires moderately more skill while still being geared toward beginners. 

If you find that the 148-BPM pace of the song is too fast for you, you know what to do. Slow the song down, understand what you’re playing, and then practice gradually picking up the pace until you can play the tune at the correct tempo.

If you’re looking for drum tabs, we’ve got ‘em right here. 

33. “When You Were Young” by The Killers

How about one more Killers song? “When You Were Young” is the slowest of the three but has some real oomph to it when you get to sit behind the kit. If you’ve practiced with the other two Killers songs we’ve recommended, this one will come easily to you.

Even if it’s the first of the three you play from this alternative rock band, you shouldn’t find it too challenging. You’ll put your stamina to the test as you play nonstop for nearly four minutes, but that will become easier the more you do it. You just have to keep at it!

We have tabs here so you can master the song in no time. 

34. “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon 

It was impossible to be around in the late 2000s and not hear “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon, whether that was on the radio, in television shows, online, or just about anywhere, really. Now that it’s been a while, why not revisit this instant classic by learning to play it on drums?

The song has a pure rock drum line that will ignite your spirits. The tempo is fast, so you can always split the song by verses and choruses, practicing bit by bit, or reduce the tempo and learn to play it slower. When you’re ready, you can speed it up.

The tabs are available here so you can get learning. 

35. “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon 

The last song we recommend drummers learn to master their craft also comes from Kings of Leon, this time “Use Somebody.” If you found “Sex on Fire” a little too fast to start with, this equally popular ballad should be up your alley.

It has a slower pace, and the drummer gets significant breaks, as the drums kick in during the verses to underscore the drama and passion of the song. You won’t need a master’s stamina right out of the gate so you can take your time developing your endurance on the kit.

We’ve got tabs for you right here. 

Moisture is the biggest enemy for wooden drums. But unless there’s also high humidity or abnormal or fast temperature changes, I wouldn’t worry about cold temperatures. Try to keep the garage dry. Cold & dampness can damage the drum wrap and make your heads go out of tune quicker.

Let’s go ahead and check out some further details and measures that can be taken to prevent any damages.

The Effects of Cold on Your Drum Kit

Most people don’t have the space to store their drums in their house, or don’t have a separate room for it. The most popular space for storing the drums would be the garage. Because it doesn’t seal as well against the outside weather conditions, it will become very cold in the winter or very hot in the summer. However, I will focus on the cold conditions in this article, as already mentioned.

The important thing is the moisture of the air there. The drier it is, the less it will be a problem.

Apart from the moisture thing, it wouldn’t be a problem to keep the temperature low consistently. In the end, you would have to sit and play in that environment, so I guess most people would prefer to have the temperature set to a comfortable level. And if

keeping it consistently cold and dry would be ok, but bad for you obviously. The drums don’t mind the cold if its a gradual change, but if you are heating it up in there every day or few days the shells are going to get a bit irritated

A buddy of mine left his old Premier kit setup in a damp garage. Unfortunately, it destroyed the chrome on it and started to make the inside of the shells look pretty bad as well.

Drumheads

Depending on the quality of the drums, the effects of storing your drum heads in the cold can vary. While it’s still ideal to store your drums at room temperature if your drum heads are higher quality, then you shouldn’t have too much of an issue storing them in the cold, provided the space is dry.

As for lower quality drumsets, you could experience some warping or cracking if you store them at extremely cold temperatures for a long period of time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you store your drumheads in a cold space for an extended period of time, it can cause them to go out of tune more quickly. Not the biggest deal, but definitely worth mentioning.

Shells

Like others said as long as the humidity is low it shouldn’t be a problem. I would say if it drops below freezing you may want to relocate to somewhere warmer…you’d hate to split your grain because of moisture in the wood expanding when it freezes.

I stored a kit (in soft cases) in a garage for about 18 months and although the shells remained in round, the bass drum hoops got really warped. I’d avoid it if at all possible.

Wrap! I think a wrap would fare worse actually. It could separate. Lacquer might check, but it hasn’t happened to my kit. I think the checking happens when the temp changes too quickly

Cymbals

Also, don’t only consider your drums…what about your cymbals. If you are a hard hitter, playing in the cold is a big no-no. My brother has shattered a cymbal in the cold before! ouch!

Make sure that you’re cymbals aren’t ice cold when you start playing. I’d say put your heater on for at least a few minutes before you start playing. If you hit a freezing cold cymbal for any amount of time it’s probably going to crack.

Yeah same with cymbals. I think the temperature doesn’t matter but if they’re really cold you gotta let them acclimatize to room temperature before playing them or they crack easily. Guess the same applies to a wooden snare

Why Is Moisture so Bad?

I’ve explained what cold is doing. But WHY? What’s the explanation behind those outcomes?

Storing your drum set in a moist area for an extended period of time can cause significant warping and cracking.

This is especially the case if your drums are stored in an environment that constantly fluctuates between dry and moist.

How to Make Your Garage a Safer Place

Tipps what you can do to make the garage a better AND SAFER place

• insulate garage door to keep all the heat from escaping and have some sort of heater inside. and pay attention to have dry air
• the only way I can be sure if my drum-shed is truly dry is by regulating the temperature with a small heater so that I know any moisture is evaporated.
• keeping any draughts out
• You can buy small heaters with timers that will operate every half hour or so… if electricity costs aren’t too much of an issue and your garage isn’t too big.
• Personally I’d be uneasy letting a set of high-quality drums sit in a cold garage. I did it with my export, not with my DW’s, and I certainly won’t be doing it with my Ref’s.
• I would make sure that the drums are kept with waterproof sheeting around them at all times (a tarpaulin would do it). Although it is not humid, a dehumidifier would be a good idea to absorb some of the water. Keeping a close eye on things is probably the best bet, and some sort of gentle heating would help.

Heating tips:

• you could buy a gas powered unit heater to heat the garage. you can set it up w/ a thermostat to keep a certain temp so it does not run all day
• (it’s more efficient to heat the place all the time than to heat it up and let it cool, etc)– don’t know if you’re a renter or a homeowner, but this is something maybe the average joe does not know about

Tips for the Future

ideal Storage Temperature – Drum manufacturer DW stated the following in their drum F.A.Q.:

“A general consensus among drum manufacturers has been that drums are safe and comfortable when they are stored in an environment in which you are comfortable in.”

In a closed car, after 1 hour at 85°F / 29°C heat, the temperature will likely exceed 130°F / 54°C. That’s pretty uncomfortable.

Here is my advice when you don’t have a well-temperated room available to store your drums.

1. Storing in the car: Put sun shades in the front and rear windows and park the car in a secure parking garage or in the shade with the windows or sunroof cracked.
2. Put the drums in bags or cases.
3. Cover the drums with dense fabric like blankets.
4. Playing in the sun: Try to keep your kit in the shade and cover it when not playing.
5. Use a dehumidifier to keep your practice space (not climate-controlled) to around 50-55% humidity.
6. If you live in dry conditions (central heating or desert), add some humidity to the air.
7. Rent a kit for a distant gig before risking heat exposure.
8. Look for a trusted friend or family member that will let you store your kit at their place.
9. The drums could be placed around the house and used as furniture (e.g., a lampstand, a basket to store the blankets for the couch, decoration on a bookshelf (for smaller toms)). Do whatever you need to do in order to prevent them from the weather and still get them out of the way!

Note: Drums in good cases will do better as the casing slows down the pace of change & provides good protection against significant humidity changes. But also watch out with drum cases as they are not a guaranteed protection against heat. After some time, they too reach their limits.

After getting your drums out of the hot place, don’t re-tune until after they cooled down! The wood needs to slowly re-adjust to the new temperature again.

Let them acclimatize to the room before you play them whenever possible.

While not perfect, storing drums in the cold will probably affect you way before it affects your drum set. Just remember to keep some of these in mind before storing for long periods of time and you should be set.

Drum Kit Looks Damaged – What to Do?

I Left My Kit in the Heat – HELP!

Hold on for a second before you think it’s over. Take a breath and evaluate the situation:

What’s the value of the drums, and do you love those drums? If they’re valuable and you want to play them again, with as minimal changes as possible, put them in a well-climatized room and let them re-adjust to the temperature. Observe how the shells, glue, and drumheads are doing. Is there anything that is coming off, are the shells looking good and with the drumheads sounding fine?

Examine how bad it is. If only the drumheads sound a little deeper, you can tighten the lugs and adjust the pitch. In extreme cases, the drumheads are so warped that even tightening the lugs will not make the sound any better. You will have to buy a new set of heads.

If it’s really worse, it depends how valuable the set is to you. You can take it to a well-trusted drum shop and let them see what can be repaired. Otherwise, I’d sell it and maybe wait until you have the room and time and buy again in the future.

The best free drum VST plugins, such as Sennheiser DrumMic’a, offer a large number of samples. Others – like the MT Power DrumKit – provide excellent ease of use. If you’re looking for natural-sounding drums and are into hip-hop, Spitfire LABS Drums plugin is the go-to option.

Keep on reading if you’re looking for high-quality, reliable drum VST plugins that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. No matter what your needs are, you’ll find something on this list that meets them. 

Sennheiser DrumMic’a

There’s a reason Sennheiser is a household name among audiophiles the world over. Their gear is top-notch, and their brand is synonymous with quality. The Sennheiser DrumMic’a drum plugin is no exception to this rule.

With the DrumMic’a, Sennheiser has created a phenomenal plugin that sounds natural, offers excellent flexibility, and is compatible with most DAWs. Incredibly, Sennheiser is also giving away the DrumMic’a drum plugin for free!

The DrumMic’a plugin comes with 13,000 samples recorded by professional musicians in a studio, ensuring that the sound you get from this VST plugin is natural and as close to real drums as you can get. This feature is not very common among free virtual drums, so getting DrumMic’a is like hitting a musical jackpot.

What’s more, within your DAW, you can adjust other fine details – like microphone positions, for instance – to make your drums sound distinct and lifelike. Such rich features allow you to fine-tune your sound and give you control over your recording, just like an engineer recording real drums in a studio. 

The DrumMic’a’s mixer allows an even greater degree of customizability. Here, you can tweak the volume of every channel you record and get the exact mix you wish to hear. You can also change MIDI mapping and velocity performance. 

The plugin also comes with pre-made grooves, which you can combine in any way you want and create unique drum tracks more easily. 

The only downside to this plugin is that it requires you to register and use the code the company gives you to activate the product. Don’t let this dissuade you; we can assure you that this wonderful product is really available for free. 

The Sennheiser DrumMic’a drum plugin works on both Windows and Mac, so you’ll be able to use it no matter what operating system you use. 

MT Power DrumKit 2

The MT Power DrumKit 2 plugin looks and feels like much more high-end and expensive products, such as EZ Drummer. It’s effortless to use, very versatile and sounds exceptionally good for a free drum plugin. It’s also a particularly good choice for beginners just starting to create drum beats on their computers. 

Some users have complained that it sounds a bit synthetic, which is a common problem with drum plugins, particularly the free ones. However, this problem can be solved by careful mixing and adding a few effects to enhance the sound. 

The software relies on simple drag-and-drop methods to string grooves and fills together, making it very convenient to use for novices. It is also powerfully customizable, so you can always change and edit your beats to make them sound exactly the way you want. 

The MT Power DrumKit 2 also allows you to use a MIDI keyboard to play your drums, giving you finer control over your playing and allowing greater freedom of creative expression. 

The plugin is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac, which makes it very versatile. It can be used with most DAWs, including the most popular options such as Reaper or Fruity Loops. 

This drumkit is best used for rock and metal, as it was made to emulate the drums you can typically find in such music. However, you could probably make it work for other genres with some careful tweaking. 

Spitfire LABS Drums

Spitfire LABS is an excellent choice if you’re looking for natural-sounding drum samples that were professionally recorded and offer a lot of variety. Spitfire LABS comes with loads of great drum samples, and when you download it, you get access to additional sound libraries that can help you in your music journey. 

Spitfire’s drums have a slightly lo-fi sound, making them excellent choices for hip-hop and alternative music producers. The bass drum sounds thick, the toms are roomy, and the snare has a crisp, chunky sound. 

The interface is very simplistic, stylish, and easy to use. The plugin is compatible with windows and mac, but it doesn’t work on Linux, unfortunately. 

The downside of Spitfire LABS is that there isn’t much customizability. What you see is what you get, and you have to work with it. You can customize the sound once you mix the drums in your DAW, but the range of options is still somewhat limited. 

It’s compatible with all the major DAWs, so you don’t have to worry about that. You’ll get an excellent drum sound, even if you can’t do much to tweak it. 

Steven Slate Drums

Steven Slate Drums is another excellent VST drum plugin. It’s characterized by professionally recorded drum samples that sound natural and closely mimic the sound of real drums. It has a plethora of options for customizing, so you can simulate a lot of the controls you have in a studio when recording your drums. 

Steven Slate Drums allows you to customize almost every component of a drum kit: cymbal size, microphone placement, and drum tuning; the options are endless. This makes it one of the most versatile drum plugins in existence. 

The Steven Slate Drums plugin can be connected to electronic drums to make it even more versatile. This option allows you to make your electronic drums sound like any drum kit you can think of.  

The plugin is compatible with Windows and Mac but not with Linux. You can use it with pretty much any DAW. 

The biggest downside to Steven Slate Drums is that the plugin is only available on a “freemium” basis. The basic version is free, but there are additional options that you have to pay for. However, even the basic option offers a lot, especially if you’re just starting out on your recording journey. 

Line of Legends

The Line of Legends drum plugin looks extremely basic at first glance but offers much more control than you’d expect. The plugin comes with high-quality samples and offers fantastic customizability, allowing you to get precisely the sound you want. 

Its interface includes eight output channels and 47 different sounds. You can also use release, attack, and punch knobs to shape these sounds, allowing you to create a realistic drum sound easily and quickly. 

While there aren’t as many sample sounds as in some of the other plugins on this list, they’re all usable and can be found within seconds, which speeds up the production process and makes it effortless. Plus, the range of sounds is adequate for most enthusiasts, despite their low number. 

The Line of Legends sound particularly favors hip-hop sounds, offering a good selection of tools producers working in the genre might need. Its main downside is that it has a clunky interface is quite clunky. However, don’t let that put you off; with a little practice, you’ll be making amazing grooves in no time. 

Beat DRMR

Beat DRMR is a beast of a drum plugin for anyone looking to create smashing drum tracks for electronic music. There are 178 drum kits in the plugin, and they cover everything from techno to minimal. 

There are also 2,000 sounds you can play with, expanding your creative range. It also offers a lot of customizability, with 12 pads and controls for each drum sound. Using these, you can further customize pan, volume, attack, and decay settings on your recordings.

The Beat DRMR interface and controls are user-friendly and logical, so it’s an excellent choice for beginners or more experienced users who want to use something simple but efficient. 

The biggest drawback of this plugin is that many of the free samples that come with it are mediocre and not particularly useful. So you may end up scrolling through dozens of boring samples until you find something that works for you. 

EXD-80 Drum Synthesizer

The EXD-80 Drum Synthesizer is a great vintage drum synthesizer that offers a lot of flexibility and customizability. It has excellent analog drums and lots of percussion sounds, so you can really get a lot out of this drum synth once you get used to it. 

The EXD-80 Synthesizer includes the following instrument sounds: 

• A Kick drum
• Snare drums
• Closed and open hats
• And five other percussion instruments

Its recording environment also allows for four separate stereo pairs and other special stereo effects. These include the Granulator and Waveshaper, which are fun to play with if you enjoy working with unusual sounds. You can also choose to define MIDI key mappings for greater customizability or use the available presets to make things easier. 

The biggest downside to the EXD-80 Drum Synthesizer is that it has quite a distinctive sound, so you can’t use it for all kinds of productions. It’s also only available for Windows, so if you’re a Mac user, you’ll have to choose something else.

Synsonic Instruments BD-808

The Synsonic Instruments BD-808 drum plugin was designed to emulate the sound of the legendary 808 bass drum on Roland drum machines. This makes it particularly handy when working on hip-hop and trap tracks that require a heavy bass drum sound. 

The Synsonic Instruments BD-808 has a simple but attractive and easy-to-use GUI, which makes it very easy to work with. It also has many controls which allow you to customize your sound and mold it the way you want. 

In addition to the sounds you’d expect to hear from an 808 emulator, there are some additional sounds that you can pepper on your tracks and give them a unique twist.

One drawback of the Synsonic Instruments BD-808 is that it does not come with distortion or saturation units, making it less customizable than some other drum plugins. 

Sampleson SUB Free Analog Drums

The Sampleson SUB Free Analog Drums synthesizer is designed to mimic vintage analog drum machines. Using it, you can record many of the vintage sounds you’d expect from an old-school drum machine, including 808 sounds. 

The Sampleson interface is quite simple. It has 18 different sounds, volume and pan knobs, and many other controls, giving you more freedom than you’d expect. The plugin is very lightweight, which means it can be used even on computers that aren’t fitted with expensive hardware. 

The graphic interface also looks great, making the plugin quite pleasant. Overall, if you’re looking for simplicity and ease of use or if you’re a lover of vintage drum machine sounds, this is the right plugin for you. 

Sean Pandy Drums

Sean Pandy Drums is a rompler plugin specifically designed for heavier genres. It includes a kick, snare, four toms, and a sub-blower, each of which comes with six velocity layers and up to ten samples. 

It can be used in two modes: stereo or multi-channel. Multi-channel outputs individually recorded tracks to separate channels, while the stereo option plays everything through channels one and two. However, only the multi-channel option includes reverb and master controls, making it the more flexible and customizable of the two. 

The output you get from the Sean Pandy Drums plugin can sound a little synthetic. You’ll have to mix it carefully and add some effects in the final mix to make it sound more natural. Despite that, it’s a good option if you’re looking for a simple rompler. 

Junn JM-1

The Junn JM-1 emulates the sound of the LinnDrum, a legendary drum machine from the 80s that defined the electronic music of that era. It’s another great choice if you’re looking to emulate the sound of a vintage drum machine and recreate music styles from decades ago. 

The plugin comes with lots of sample sounds, each with its volume and pan controls. It doesn’t allow much flexibility, but it’s a good option if you want something simple and easy to use. 

You’ll either love or hate the user interface. It looks a lot like a vintage video game, so if you’re more into sleek modern interfaces, you will not be a fan. 

The sound of the Junn JM-1 is not very natural, but it’s not intended to sound like a real kit either. So the Junn JM-1 is not a good fit for rock or metal production, but if you’re into electronic music, it can be a valuable addition to your arsenal. 

Max Project T. Rex 606 

The Max Project T. Rex 606 plugin was created to emulate the sound of one of the most iconic drum machines – the Roland 606. It was designed to be user-friendly and allow everyone to create incredible drum tracks in no time, making its simplicity its main attractive feature. 

It comes with seven classic sounds you’d get from a 606 drum machine. Once again, these sounds are not meant to sound like a genuine drum kit, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this might not be the right choice for you. 

The plugin comes with just two controls. You can tweak the master volume and reverb to add a bit of depth and life to your drum tracks. With a touch of creativity, that’s all you will need to create impressive tracks for your electronic music projects. 

Organic Calfskin Kit

As its name suggests, the Organic Calfskin Kit drum plugin emulates the sound of a calfskin drum kit. However, you can also download other drum kits along with it. 

The plugin is uniquely versatile and allows you to play with features typically unavailable with most other affordable drum plugins. For example, you can use brushes or mallets instead of typical drumsticks. 

Apart from other controls, it also includes a weirdness knob that modulates the pitch of your recording in unusual ways. The interface is also very user-friendly and easy to use, so you’ll get used to it in no time. 

Studio Linked Drum Pro

Studio Linked Drum Pro is another good plugin for those working on hip-hop and electronic drum tracks. The samples you get with the plugin don’t sound realistic, so they’re not a good fit for rock or metal projects. However, you can update its sound library to get more versatility from this plugin. 

The interface of the Studio Linked Drum Pro plugin looks terrific. It’s intuitive, easy to use, and doesn’t take long to get familiar with. While the plugin doesn’t offer as much flexibility as other options on this list, it’s a great choice if you’re looking to create drum tracks quickly. 

Djinndrum 

Djinndrum, the final plugin on our list, is another vintage drum machine emulator. It emulates the iconic Linn LM-1, made famous by legends like Michael Jackson. Original Linn LM-1 drum machines are tough to come by today, so using a free plugin is much simpler and cheaper. 

The Djinndrum is a very faithful recreation that emulates the sound of the Linn LM-1 very closely. Sadly, it has no crash or ride sounds, which limits your creativity and the plugin’s versatility. 

Rubber drum pads are cheaper and easier to find, while their mesh counterparts produce a more natural feeling. Mesh’s heads are also quieter and easier on the player’s arms. They are equally durable, although it’s a bit easier to damage a mesh drum head.

If you’re in the market for a new electronic drum kit and are unsure what to pick, we’ve got you covered. This article will explain the pros and cons of both types of drum heads, so you’ll easily know what the best choice is for you. 

Mesh Drum Heads: Pros and Cons

Until recently, mesh drum heads were exclusive to high-end Roland electronic drum kits. After a while, the exclusivity waned steadily, and an increasing number of e-drum manufacturers started creating their version of electronic drums with mesh heads. 

They have become quite popular, and there are always new drummers who switch from acoustic to electronic drums because mesh drum heads allow them to practice quietly without changing much in their technique. 

There are several reasons why this is happening, so let’s examine what mesh drum heads offer. We’ll also check out what their drawbacks are so you can get the full picture. 

Mesh Drum Heads Feel Great

The biggest advantage of mesh drum heads is that they closely mimic how acoustic drum skins behave and feel. Their rebound is rather similar to the one you can find on acoustic drums, and the pads are in different sizes, which makes them more similar to the acoustic ones.

This size similarity is not just there for aesthetics. Since the pads are not all the same size, you won’t have to change your technique to adapt to the new drum kit. You’d be able to play more or less the same way you usually do. 

Thus, you could jump right into playing your favorite songs without missing the pads or hitting them on the wrong part. 

The rebound these heads offer is similar to what you’d get from an acoustic drum set. The mesh is not hard like plastic or rubber. It is more elastic, much like real drum skins, which means it will behave similarly. This also means less fatigue and pain in your forearms, allowing you to keep playing for much longer. 

Mesh drum pads are also tensionable, just like acoustic drum heads. This means you can tweak the tension to make it even closer to what you’re used to on acoustic drums.

The material and the customizability mean that you’ll have an easy time switching from acoustic drums to electronic drums. However, the opposite is also true. If you’re learning how to play on an electronic set with mesh heads, you’ll have a much easier time when you finally sit behind an acoustic set. 

Mesh Drum Heads Aren’t Noisy

Even though electronic drums don’t produce any drum sound when they’re not plugged in or when you’re using headphones, there is always some acoustic sound. After all, you’re hitting the pads with sticks, and you can’t do that without making a sound. 

Mesh drum heads are full of tiny holes that diffuse vibrations and thus produce less acoustic sound. This diffusion of vibrations also means fewer vibrations will travel to the rooms around you, meaning less noise for your roommates or family members. 

If you aim to practice drums with as little noise as possible, you should go for mesh drum heads. You’re not very likely to disturb anyone with your playing if you use these, and you’ll be able to play them anywhere there’s space, even in a dorm room or another similar place where you’re not allowed to make noise.

They Make You Feel Less Tired

Since mesh drum heads diffuse vibrations, fewer of them will travel through your fingers and forearms. This is a huge benefit if you hit the pads hard because you might feel those vibrations in your bones as pain after a while. 

Drummers generally report that they feel less pain and fatigue when they use mesh drum heads. If you’re into marathon practice sessions, they might give you an edge and allow you to play longer. 

While you won’t exactly get permanent damage from playing other types of electronic drum heads, making your playing as comfortable as possible should always be a goal for you. For that reason, opting for mesh heads is a good option. 

Mesh Drum Heads are More Durable

The mesh material these drum heads are made of is relatively soft. However, that doesn’t mean that it is not durable. It can get pierced with a stick if you go ham on it, but that almost never happens. Even if it happens, you can easily replace the drum head and continue playing like nothing happened.

There Is Less Crosstalk With Mesh Drum Heads

Crosstalk occurs when a pad misfires because it reacts to outside noise or vibrations from another pad. This is not always a bad thing. There’s always some crosstalk when using an acoustic drum kit, and you want your electronic drums to behave similarly to your acoustic drums. However, when crosstalk starts to hinder your playing, you have to do something to prevent it.

Using a mesh drum head is a good choice for minimizing or eliminating crosstalk. Since mesh heads dampen the vibrations, fewer of them will travel to the other pads and cause crosstalk. You can also change the gain, sensitivity, and crosstalk settings, but a mesh drum head will ensure that you don’t have to tinker much with that. 

Mesh Drum Heads Are Expensive

Even though this type of drum head is not as exclusive as it once was, it’s still high-end technology. They will closely mirror acoustic drums and give you an amazing sound. The material they’re made of is not very easy to produce. This all inflates the price and makes them a less affordable option. 

Even when it comes to relatively inexpensive mesh drum heads, they cost roughly twice as much as e-drums with rubber heads. If you’re looking for a high-end electronic drum kit with mesh heads, you’ll probably spend three or four times as much compared to a kit with rubber pads.

If you’re looking for an affordable option, mesh drum heads are not for you. They have many amazing benefits, but those benefits have to come at a very high price, so they are not for everyone. 

These Drum Kits Take Up More Space

E-drum kits with mesh heads have pads that are similar in size to actual snares and toms. While this adds to the realism and makes you feel more like you’re playing an acoustic drum kit, it also means that they take up almost as much space. 

If you want a drum kit that has a very small footprint because you lack space, a kit with mesh heads probably isn’t for you. While it’s not huge, it’s not easy to squeeze it into any room, either, so you’ll need a few extra inches of space to accommodate it. 

Rubber Drum Pads: Pros and Cons

Rubber pads have been around much longer than mesh heads. Even though this is an older technology, seemingly inferior to mesh heads, it is still very widely used by drummers who use e-drums, and some prefer these pads to mesh heads. 

Let’s check out the pros and cons of rubber pads and see if they’re worthy of their good reputation and long use. 

Rubber Drum Pads Are Affordable

Rubber pads have been around for a long time, they’re not difficult to produce, and there is an abundance of them. In addition, they are not some kind of high-end technology; they’re quite basic in their designs for today’s standards.

All these factors make e-drum kits with rubber pads a very affordable option. This makes them a great choice for beginners and inexperienced players, but also for those who mainly play acoustic drums and only need electronic drums on specific occasions. 

You can find a great set of electronic drums with rubber pads for around $400 to $500. If you only want something basic that suits the needs of a total beginner, you can get away with spending even less than that. 

While the prices for super high-end rubber pad drum kits go much higher than the range mentioned above, they’re still much more affordable than their mesh head counterparts. Their affordability is a huge part of their continued use and popularity today. 

Rubber Pad Electronic Drums Are Very Compact

Rubber pads are usually very slim and take up very little space. All the pads are much smaller than the drum components they represent, which means that these drum kits have really small footprints. 

An e-drum set with rubber pads is an excellent choice if you live in a studio apartment or have a very small room. You can squeeze them pretty much anywhere, especially if it is a minimalistic kit. 

Another great benefit of their small size is that they can be easily stored somewhere if you don’t want them to take up precious space in your room. When they’re taken apart, they can be easily left in a closet without taking too much space in it.

If you have to commute to your band practice, having a rubber pad kit is again an advantage. You can easily put it in your trunk and still have enough space to squeeze in other things if necessary. Unless you drive a teeny-tiny car, in which case you might want to upgrade. 

Rubber Drum Pads Are Extremely Durable

We’ve mentioned that mesh heads are durable and difficult to destroy. However, rubber pads take that durability up a notch. They’re almost indestructible, and unless you stab them with a knife or a very sharp broken stick, it’s almost impossible to damage or destroy them. 

Since this situation is probably extremely unlikely, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to use rubber pads for quite a long time. After a while, they might get some traces of use, but that won’t affect their functionality. You can use a rubber cleaning solution to protect them and give them a fresh look.

However, there is one big downside here. If the playing surface of your rubber pad gets damaged, it’s cheaper and more effective to buy a whole new pad. This can be a bit wasteful, and you have to put in more effort, but it’s not very likely to happen. 

Rubber Drum Pads Are Good for Bass Drums

Rubber bass drum pads have a spongy feel and are made from a layered material that gives less rebound and absorbs the beater’s hits much better than the mesh counterpart. Many drummers prefer this feel.

On the other hand, rubber bass drum pads are relatively tall and thin, so there’s always a chance they’ll wobble, move side to side, or fall over. You can always make them more stable by propping them up against something, but they’d be much better if this was unnecessary.

These Pads Are Great for Synthetic Sounds

Mesh heads can provide you with a more natural feel than rubber pads, hands down. However, you might not always want to emulate the sound and feel of acoustic drums, in which case, rubber pads are the better option.

For example, if your electronic drums are hooked up to a module or sample pad with the goal of creating synthetic, obviously electronic sounds, a rubber pad might give you a better feel. Since you’re explicitly aiming to create a synthetic sound, having a pad that doesn’t feel like a real drum might be a better fit. 

If you want to use a pad as a functional switch, a mesh head would be absolutely overkill. It would just be a waste of an expensive head. Plus, using a rubber pad, in that case, might help you differentiate between the pad used as a functional switch and the pads used to produce drum sounds. 

Rubber Pads Can Be Noisy

Rubber pads produce much more acoustic noise than their mesh counterparts. The rubber surface does not diffuse the vibrations as well as a mesh surface, so the sound of your sticks hitting the surface of the pads will be much more audible. 

This might make them less suitable for situations in which you have to be silent. Even if you plug in your headphones, thwacking the pads with the sticks will be heard. This sound can also be a bother if you can hear it while playing. 

Hearing that noise alongside the actual drum sounds can break your and your bandmates’ concentration and spoil the mood a bit. You can eliminate this problem by increasing the volume, but that’s not an option if you want to raise very little noise. 

For these reasons, an electronic drum kit with rubber pads is not the best choice if you’re looking for a silent drum kit. However, rubber pads will do just fine if noise is not an issue. 

Rubber Drum Pads Don’t Absorb Vibrations Well Enough

Mesh heads feature many little holes that absorb and diffuse vibrations. Unlike them, rubber pads are firm pieces of rubber with no holes that can efficiently deal with vibrations. Apart from making them noisier, this may cause some other problems. 

Firstly, this may make you more tired and feel more pain in your forearms, especially when you get wild during practice. Since a bigger part of the vibrations will go through your bones, you’ll feel them much more, and you might eventually feel some pain. You won’t get carpal tunnel syndrome from this, but it might make you feel discomfort or shorten your sessions. 

In addition to that, the excess vibrations might create more crosstalk. As crosstalk is caused by the pads reacting to vibrations they shouldn’t react to, more vibrations equal more crosstalk. This doesn’t mean that your entire kit will go crazy, but you might be annoyed more than you would usually be. 

However, these vibration problems might not be noticeable. If you have good control over how hard you hit the pads, you’re likely to avoid these problems altogether. 

Final Thoughts

Mesh drum heads can offer you a superior sound and feel. They’re much closer to acoustic drums, and they’re a perfect choice for situations in which you have to practice silently as they don’t produce much acoustic sound. However, they’re quite costly, so it might not always be a good idea to invest in them. 

Rubber pads are much cheaper and take up less space. They’re a great choice if you’re looking for a budget option or if you lack space. However, they’re not great if you need to be silent, and you might have more sound problems with them.

Electronic drums differ from acoustic drums in that they consist of rubber, plastic, and mesh, while acoustic drums use wood and metal. Electric kits use sensors to create sound via a drum module, while acoustic drum sets’ sound is the natural consequence of the drumstick hitting the drumhead. 

While some musicians are traditionalists and prefer the feel of an acoustic kit, many professional drummers are turning to electronic drum kits as their first choice. This article will explain the main differences between these two types of drums, so you can choose the one that’ll benefit you the most.

How Are Electronic and Acoustic Drums Different?

Electronic and acoustic drums are different in composition and functions. Electric kits use rubber or mesh pads, which make a minimal sound while playing unless you plug them into an output such as earphones, DAW, or amplifier. Acoustic drums produce sound naturally. 

Acoustic drums are what we think of first when we hear “drum set”; they consist of cymbals, a bass, and a snare drum. The sound comes from striking these instruments with a drumstick, unlike with an electric drum. The electronic set uses speakers to produce sound after the pad sensors detect that you’ve hit them.

Both of these drum types have various benefits and downsides. Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

Electronic Drums

Pros

• You can unplug them for less noisy practice.
• It takes up less space.
• You can program specific sound samples to each drum pad.
• It doesn’t need tuning.
• It doesn’t need maintenance.

Cons

• It can become outdated quickly with advances in technology.
• It can create bad habits in drumming beginners.
• You need to find a set that doesn’t have too many limitations.
• It requires an outlet to run.

Acoustic Drums

Pros

• It works wonderfully with any acoustic music style.
• Better for beginners to develop their skills.
• You learn how to control the volume of your strikes.
• You learn how to take care of a drum kit properly.
• It takes less secondary equipment to use.

Cons

• It can be too loud if you have close neighbors.
• It takes up a lot of space.
• Acoustic drum kits often need parts replaced.
• Acoustic drums require frequent tuning.

Electronic Drums vs. Acoustic: Sound Creation

The fundamental difference between an acoustic and electronic drum kit is how they produce sound. So how exactly do these two kits produce sound?

Electronic Drum Sound

Electronic drums produce sound through single or multiple sensors underneath the mesh head or rubber pad. When you strike the pad, an electric signal travels through a cable to the drum module, which converts the strike into audible sound through your synthesizer, amplifier, or your DAW. 

Acoustic Drum Sound

When a player strikes at a drum head, the air is compressed and expands on either side of the drumhead producing a vibration. The frequency of this vibration determines the sound of the player’s strike, with larger surfaces producing slow vibrations at a lower pitch. 

Do Electronic Drums Feel Like Acoustic Ones?

Electronic drums feel like acoustic ones, but they’re never 100% the same since they consist of different materials. Many drummers say that they feel similar to play, although you can choose to have them make very different sounds. 

For instance, you can choose from various sounds on an electric drum set. You don’t have to make it sound like an acoustic drum either- you can pick any sounds you want. As you practice, you’ll feel more in control with acoustic drums because how hard you hit the set directly impacts the sound it makes. 

Modern electronic drums feel much more like acoustic sets than in the past. Although, it’s unlikely that manufacturers will be able to make them feel identical. 

What Are the Benefits of Electronic Drums?

The benefits of electronic drums include the ability to reduce noise, easier recording, and built-in features. You can also practice wherever you want since you may easily take an electric drum kit with you when you travel.

Electronic drum sets are trendy today because of their versatility. Plus, the technology these kits use is continually improving. Let’s break down these benefits in more detail. 

You Can Reduce Noise

The limited amount of noise electronic drums produce is essential for most people. If you live in an apartment, you won’t be able to practice at home with acoustic drums—they’ll probably be too loud for your neighbors. 

Electronic drum kits don’t make much noise when you strike the rubber with a drumstick. You have the choice of connecting your drums to speakers or headphones, and you can also control the volume with the turn of a dial. All these features allow you to control the volume completely. 

So, if you have close neighbors, they’ll never be able to hear you practicing. This feature is also great if you need to practice during the night. 

It’s Simple To Record Music

It’s easier to record music using electronic drum kits than acoustic ones. You won’t need to soundproof your playing space, and the kit should come with a place to plug in your recording equipment. 

Electric drums can even connect with your computer quickly, so you can mix and record without delay. Many drummers enjoy the convenience of being able to record their music at home.

You Get Built-In Features

Electronic drums also come with more features than acoustic ones. They can include tools such as metronomes, aux input, and even built-in learning tools to help you improve your drumming skills. 

However, every electronic drum set comes with different features. You’ll want to think about what you want most in your drum set, then try to find one that covers the features you want the most.

Overall, beginners should get drum sets that come with learning tools. Services like Melodics connect with many electric MIDI drums and allow you to build your own practice routine. You’ll want to consider using something like this with your electric drum set to enhance your practice sessions. 

It’s More Compact

You can take your drum kit with you wherever you need to go. The set isn’t nearly as bulky as acoustic ones. You can fold them and store the drums in a few travel cases, making them extremely easy to transport.

It’s much harder to bring an acoustic drum set with you, although it’s not impossible. However, choosing a compact electronic kit can make traveling with your drums easier.

Electronic drum sets also don’t take up nearly as much space, so you won’t need as large of a room to practice. Plus, you can always fold the set and store it when you finish practicing to get the space in your room back. Practicing in a dorm, apartment, or condo is much more convenient with these types of drums.

If you know you’ll need to take your drum kit with you everywhere, it’s usually better that you choose an electronic set. Some acoustic drum sets require more than one person to move them efficiently.

What Are the Benefits of Acoustic Drums?

The benefits of acoustic drums include learning drumming techniques, dynamic control, and feeling how the instrument responds to you. You also learn to take care of the drum and tune it, which are skills electronic-only drummers don’t get immediately.

You’ll learn much more from acoustic drum sets than electronic ones since they provide you with experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have. Electronic drums can’t wholly recreate realistic drumming sounds, so you’ll have a wider sound range as you learn all the techniques.

You Learn Drum Techniques

Learning all drum techniques is the most crucial benefit of using an acoustic set. Since you can play using touch, you can also control how the drum stick hits the set. Electronic pads only sense that you have hit them—but not always how.

That means, with acoustic drums, you can use all of these techniques:

• Drum rolls
• Buzz rolls
• Cymbal and crash rolls.

While electronic drums can also recreate these sounds, they don’t usually sound as realistic. Plus, you’ll learn how to perform these sounds with your sticks, which you can’t always do when using electric drum pads.

Many drum instructors recommend using acoustic drums to learn all these techniques. You’ll learn much faster when you can “feel” how to make and control the sounds.

You Learn To Maintain the Set

Next, you also gain experience in maintaining the set. Beginners who start with an electronic drum kit don’t need to learn how to take care of acoustic drums, which can cause problems later if they ever get a set.

An acoustic set will last longer than an electronic one, although you need to put more effort into taking care of it. Some beginners don’t realize that they need to change the skin on the drum head about every six months. If you don’t, the sound starts to change.

Learning to maintain your set now will help it last you many years. It would be best if you weren’t careless with your instrument.

You’ll Feel the Drums Respond

Acoustic drums allow you to easily see and feel how the drum responds to you when you strike it. That means you’ll learn how hard to hit the drums to get the sound level you want. You understand this faster when you can experiment with it in person.

Those who solely play electronic drums don’t need to practice how hard to hit the drum since they control the volume in other ways. 

Lastly, you’ll form much better drum habits when you can feel the drum. You won’t hit it too hard, and you’ll have cleaner strikes. Acoustic drums are much better for practicing when you want to ensure that you don’t form bad habits.

They Sound Great With Other Acoustics

Acoustic drums sound wonderful with other acoustic instruments. You can also use them in various genres, so you’re sure to play them with others. Many musicians feel acoustic drums are great for group play in-person, while electronic drums make music production with groups over the internet go more smoothly.

If you love acoustic instruments, you can pair your drum with any of them. While electronic drums still sound great, many people prefer the sound of real drums over them.

You Only Need the Drums

You only need an acoustic set if you intend to practice learning the drums without recording anything. You can hear yourself playing easily, so you can note how you’re progressing.

Acoustic drum sets don’t require any special equipment to run. You don’t need to plug these drums into a power source or connect them with a speaker system. Many people appreciate sitting and playing whenever they want, without having to set up an extensive array of electronic equipment.

Plus, if you’re anxious to start learning, you only need to buy the drum kit. You won’t need to research and purchase sound equipment to be able to hear yourself playing. You can get to practicing and worry about buying other equipment later.

What Are Electronic Drums Made Of?

Electronic drums are usually made of plastic or metal. They have a shallow drum shell with a rubber or silicon material stretched over the surface. Inside the drum are sensors that let the equipment know when you’ve hit it with your sticks.

Electronic drum kits have many more parts than acoustic drums since a ton of sound equipment is involved. Unfortunately, any of these parts can break just like an acoustic drum. However, When something goes wrong, it can impact other electronic system parts.

The material that stretches over the drum shell needs to be tight enough to provide you with some stick rebound, making it feel closer to playing an acoustic drum. You can find different material options, although mesh, rubber, and silicone are the most common. The rest of the drum is usually metal or plastic.

You can expect an electronic drum set to last between five and ten years. Internal components slowly wear down as you strike the drum pad over and over, so you’ll want to ensure you get a durable set.

What Are Acoustic Drums Made Of?

Acoustic drums can be made of various materials, including wood, metal, polyester, or mylar. Often they consist of birch and maple wood, although hickory can provide better sound quality. 

Traditionally, acoustic drums had animal skins, although that’s usually not the case anymore. The new skins are Mylar (a plastic film) and other synthetic materials, which sound good and last much longer than animal skins.

Metal drum kits can make use of several different materials, including:

• Steel
• Brass
• Bronze
• Aluminum.

Some materials are much more expensive, and pricier kits sound much better than cheaper ones. You’ll want to consider this when deciding what set you want to buy.

Overall, you can find acoustic drum kits in all kinds of styles and materials. It’s not uncommon for professional drummers to have different sets since they produce varying sounds depending on how the manufacturer made them.

Why Are Electric Drums More Expensive?

Electric drums are more expensive than many entry-level acoustic drums because they cost more to produce. They use more parts and need electronic wiring. Plus, they often feature digital tools, and the technology takes more research to make the sounds accurate.

If you need a budget drum set, you can often find used acoustic ones for cheaper than electronic sets. You also will want to buy a new electronic drum kit over a used one.

However, electric drum kits being more expensive doesn’t mean you’re getting ripped off; you’re mostly paying for more features. Electronic drums need to have a system of sensors and a sound module that sends noise to your speakers. These systems aren’t cheap to make, so you have to cover that cost.

Plus, you need a lot of secondary equipment with electronic sets. If you don’t have speakers or headphones, you won’t be able to listen to yourself playing the drums.

Acoustic drums don’t require any other equipment. So, you can play them without as much setup. It’s a lot faster to begin a practice session too.

Electric drums almost always have a heavier price tag than an acoustic set. 

Are Electric or Acoustic Drums Better?

Electric drums are better for portability, noise reduction, and recording purposes. Acoustic drums are better for learning dynamic control, live play, and the versatility of drum techniques. Ultimately, which kit suits you best depends on how you intend to use them. 

For instance, electric drums will better suit someone recording digital music in an apartment. This person could quietly perform and record music while wearing headphones, so they don’t disturb those around them. They’d get much more from an electric kit than an acoustic one.

However, a person performing in a band with other acoustic instruments might want to use traditional drums, so their sound doesn’t stand out too much.

In short, neither one of these instruments is better than the other—it all depends on what you want from the drum kit. You’re sure to appreciate one type more, depending on your situation. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t use both.

Conclusion

Electronic drums are easy to transport and have ports that make recording simple. On the other hand, acoustic drums are usually more affordable and help beginners learn correct techniques.

To summarize, there are many differences between electric and acoustic drums. When you learn one, you can usually switch to the other easily. However, you’ll want to buy a set that best suits your situation.

Fifteen of the best female drummers include Viola Smith and Karen Carpenter. They paved the way for women who have chosen to go behind the kits like Anika Nilles and Nikki Glaspie. 

Female drummers may not be as common as their male counterparts, but they are no less inspiring and talented. Read on to learn more about the fifteen best female drummers. Who knows: You might be inspired to follow in their footsteps (whether you’re a woman, a man, or somewhere in between).

1. Viola Smith

Viola Smith was — and arguably still is — the epitome of girl power in the percussion world. Born in 1912, her family introduced her to the music scene, and she very quickly developed a keen ear for music, particularly the drums. Her decades-long career included stints on Broadway, playing as one of the few professional female drummers of her time until 1975. 

Dubbed the fastest girl drummer in the world, Smith began her musical journey with her sisters in the Schmitz Sisters Family Orchestra. Afterward, she moved into swing music, starting another band with her siblings called The Coquettes. In the 1970s, Smith retired from music and lived until the ripe old age of 107. 

Smith was an ardent champion for female musicians, famously penning a manifesto with the tagline “Think it over, boys!” Considering her stellar resume as a percussionist, she was definitely the perfect person to carve out a feminist space in the drumming world during her time. 

Here’s a YouTube video of Viola Smith working her magic behind the kits in 1966:

2. Dottie Dodgion

Dottie Dodgion is another noteworthy female drummer of the mid-1900s who overcame much adversity to make a name for herself in jazz music. Although she was a victim of kidnapping and sexual assault at a young age, she managed to rise from the ashes and make her mark in the music world.

Under the tutelage of her father and his bandmates, Dottie played for several famous jazz bands in the fifties and sixties. She only stopped drumming in 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions forced the closure of the hotel she performed at. 

Dottie wrote a memoir about her experiences as a female drummer in the jazz scene titled The Lady Swings: Memoirs of a Jazz Drummer (available on Amazon.com). She died in 2021 at 91 years old. She spent the better portion of her life pursuing her passion and encouraging other women to do the same.

3. Meg White

Meg White was an influential drummer that formed half of the classic duo The Whitestripes before they broke up in 2011. To date, White is still alive, but she no longer makes music with the second half of The Whitestripes, Jack. For unknown reasons, Meg White stepped out of the spotlight and chose not to pursue music as a career. 

Her drumming was characterized by its lack of fancy tricks and techniques. The simplicity of her playing wasn’t a handicap, though: During her stint with The Whitestripes, she was responsible for the creation of classic songs such as Seven Nation Army, Icky Thump, and You Don’t Know What Love Is. Consistency is part of what makes an epic drummer, and Meg White was as consistent as they came. 

Her straightforward playing can be seen in the YouTube video below, where the Whitestripes performed Fell In Love With A Girl on the Letterman Show in 2007.

4. Karen Carpenter

Karen Carpenter is a well-known name, making up one half of the brother-sister duo The Carpenters, which formed in the late 1960s. Although Karen eventually took over vocals in the band, she started out on the drums in her high school years, developing quick hands and a lively persona that initially led her to the drum kit.

Carpenter died prematurely due to a long-term battle with anorexia at the young age of thirty-two. Reports suggest that Carpenter struggled immensely with self-esteem issues. Despite receiving treatment, she eventually succumbed to the eating disorder in 1983. 

Nonetheless, Karen Carpenter left a lasting mark on the musical world, with various prominent artists (including Paul McCartney no less) praising her work. 

Watch her perform a drum solo in 1976 in the YouTube video below:

5. Honey Lantree

Honey Lantree is yet another female drummer who is no longer with us — the only woman in a mostly male rock band called The Honeycombs. Her real name was Anne Margot Lantree, and she first started playing in England in 1963. 

Unlike most of the drummers on the list so far, Honey wasn’t born into a world of music. Instead, she discovered the drums by chance: During her work at a hair salon, Lantree had a client who introduced her to percussion, and the rest is history. Since then, Lantree became one of a small handful of female drummers in the 1900s. 

The Honeycombs broke up only a few short years after the band began playing together. Still, Lantree kept on playing the drums for years to come, returning to the kit from 1980 to 2005 to make music not unlike what The Honeycombs produced. 

In 2005, one of her bandmates passed away, which is what ultimately forced Lantree to stop playing. Thirteen years later, in December of 2018, Lantree followed her bandmate — but not without leaving a legacy of her own in the drumming world.

You can see a sample of Honey Lantree’s playing in the YouTube video below:

6. Anika Nilles

Drummers like Viola Smith and Karen Carpenter took to the stage so that the women who came after them could work their magic behind the kit without discrimination or gender stereotypes hindering their success. 

One of the most noteworthy female drummers post-2010 is the vivid, high-energy percussionist Anika Nilles. Anika is a German-born musician who didn’t sit behind the kit until later in life but has since blown up in popularity with her hit songs Alter Ego and Wild Boy. 

Nilles’ songs are a delicious mix of pop and rock, with fast, unique beats on the kit. There are few vocals in this drummer’s music, and watching her rock out on the percussion is a genuine treat. 

Check out her drumming for the song “Alter Ego” below:

7. Taylor ‘The Pocket Queen’ Gordon

Taylor Gordon, also known as the Pocket Queen, started playing the drums for her New Orleans church choir at the age of seven and has yet to stop. She is also the first black female drummer featured on this list. 

The Pocket Queen has performed with prominent pop musicians like Fifth Harmony, Beyonce, and even Stevie Wonder. She has an eclectic style and certainly gives off the impression that she has the most fun behind the drums, grinning from ear-to-ear as she jams to funky tracks like Din Da Da.

Gordon is nicknamed ‘The Pocket Queen’ after the drumming phrase “in the pocket,” which basically refers to how a song is played in its very best version — that is, perfectly in sync with the other instruments. Gordon plays all of her music so groovily, so she’s always “in the pocket.” 

Watch her perform “This Is America” in the YouTube video below:

8. Nikki Glaspie

Nikki Glaspie is another pop-rock drummer who has performed with Beyonce for five years in Suga Mama, as well as other big names like Jay-Z and Kanye West. Like Taylor Gordon, Nikki Glaspie attended Berklee College of Music and graduated in 2005 — six years before the Pocket Queen. 

Glaspie’s three-person R&B band, The Nth Power, was formed in 2012, one year after she stopped playing for Beyonce. She also plays in various other bands in New Orleans and looks wicked cool doing it. 

Picking up the drum sticks at two years old, Glaspie was influenced by Sheila E. The latter was a percussionist who lived in the same era as Viola Smith and learned how to play the drums by listening to her church band. Considering Sheila E’s influence, plus the impact of her pianist mother, Glaspie is unsurprisingly a natural behind the drum kit.

Here’s Nikki Glaspie performing live at the UK Drum Show 2019:

9. Mercedes Lander

Mercedes Lander is a Canadian metal drummer who formed her first band in 6th grade, calling it “Kittie.” Mercedes and Kittie created and released various albums, with the last one released in 2011. Since then, Kittie hasn’t put out anything new, but the band hasn’t formally dissolved, so there’s always a possibility of hearing Lander lay it down on the drums again.

Also, Lander started a second band in 2016 (White Swan), which is still active to this day. Lander brings a hardcore style of drumming in both Kittie and White Swan. Through her music, she provides the explosive energy necessary for playing the best heavy metal music.

Here’s Mercedes Lander rocking out behind the kit in 40 seconds:

10. Sarah Thawer

Like Mercedes Lander, Sarah Thawer is a Canadian-born musician who learned to play the drums at a young age. Coming from a musical family, Thawer was inspired to go behind the kit by the Indian music her parents would play at home. She would go on to create countless Indian and Latin-inspired drum beats as she grew up and transformed into a musician.

Also nicknamed the Drum Guru, Thawer’s identity is a massive part of her career as a drummer. In fact, it’s what differentiates Thawer from all the rest, showing how music can transcend time and space to reach people all over the world.

Sarah has played with various incredible artists, including Jon Batiste (the creator of the Disney/Pixar movie ‘Soul’ soundtrack) and sister duo Tegan and Sara. She also creates video lessons for Indian percussion and posts them on Drumeo.

Here’s a YouTube video of Sarah Thawer making a big bang (pun intended):

11. Nandi Bushell 

An up-and-coming drummer, Nandi Bushell has already performed in front of thousands alongside The Foo Fighters as a guest drummer. Before that, she made incredible drum covers and posted them on her YouTube channel, which her parents manage. 

Nandi’s friendship with The Foo Fighters lead guitarist Dave Grohl has blossomed over the years, with the two purportedly planning on writing a song together. Grohl isn’t this young drummer’s only fan, though: Stars like Lenny Kravitz and Roger Taylor have also jammed with her and loved every second of it.

Watch her jam live with The Foo Fighters in the YouTube video below:

12. Meytal Cohen

Meytal Cohen is another up-and-coming drummer who co-founded the heavy metal band Meytal. Before that, she played and toured in a band called Metaphor. 

Born in Israel from a family of nine, Meytal Cohen first gained recognition through the drum covers she posted on YouTube. In 2015, the band released their first album titled “Alchemy.”  Interestingly, Alchemy was funded on Kickstarter before Cohen released the album herself. 

When she was younger, Cohen’s father was killed in a drunk driving accident, and she was raised (along with her seven siblings) by her mother. When Cohen graduated high school, she had to join the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) for a mandatory two-year service before moving to Los Angeles to pursue music. 

Cohen’s school career was abruptly interrupted when she got into a car accident that broke her back, but not even this stopped her. Once she was back on her feet, she returned to school, graduated, and continued her drumming career. 

Here’s a YouTube video of Cohen covering Rush’s “Tom Sawyer”:

13. Anastasia Sereda

Anastasia Sereda was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2001. Like many other up-and-coming artists, she rose to fame via YouTube and TikTok for her wicked drum covers. She later joined a Ukrainian band called O. Torvald. 

In 2016, she took on the lead drummer position in the Russian heavy metal band Invertor and continues to play and tour with them to date. She also regularly updates her YouTube channel and other social media accounts with colorful videos of herself banging on the drums. 

She looks totally seamless behind the kit as if jamming on the drums was an easy skill to master. Sereda’s band Invertor released an album in 2020 that’s currently available on Spotify and Apple Music. You can also find Invertor’s music here. 

Also, check out a sample of Sereda’s drum playthrough below:

14. Domino Santantonio

Domino Santantonio is an energetic female drummer born and raised in Montreal, Canada. Her father played the drums when she was younger, inspiring her to pick up her own set of drumsticks in her teen years. 

Santantonio toured with several French bands and worked in recording studios before her Hips Don’t Lie drum cover went viral in 2020. (Yes, the song by Shakira!). Most of her covers are of the pop-rock variety and are undoubtedly catchy. 

Still, Santantonio claims her most considerable influence is Travis Barker. The drummer also toured with Roxane Bruneau in 2017. (Bruneau is a French Canadian singer).  

To date, Domino Santantonio works as a drum instructor on Drumeo and continues to make content for her social media accounts.

If you thought you’ve heard every possible cover of Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life,” wait until you hear Santantonio’s take on it:

15. Valerie Franco

Last but not least, there’s Valerie Franco, an independent, non-binary musician specializing in drums. (I’m only including them here because they were assigned female at birth, but I will refer to them with they/their/them pronouns from here on out. Also, I believe they are worth recognizing regardless of the gender they choose to identify with.)

Born in California, Franco studied at the Los Angeles College of Music. Their taste in music was heavily influenced by their father, who often listened to Rush when Franco was young. (As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, Neil Peart is the drummer for Rush).

Franco first played with an electronic band called Halo Circus in 2012 and 2013. Now, they play with Hayley Kiyoko, an artist-slash-actress. Additionally, they work as a session drummer, meaning when a band’s original drummer can’t play for whatever reason, Franco is sometimes called to step in. 

As a result, Franco has played with various different bands, like the 8G Band. They have made several appearances on the Late Night Show with Seth Meyers. 

Listen to their cover of “Blood Pressure” by Mutemath below: