Basic Drumming and Locomotor Skills

Practice the basic drumming skills and movements by following the illustrations below. Learn and practice each of them until you are comfortable before teaching a Drums Alive^® class.

Basic Drumming – Positions

Basic Drumming Skills

Cognitive Drumming

Set class up in Large Circle. Stand or sit behind the ball. Begin by beating Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming Pattern I, then Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming Pattern II, and then combine the two patterns.

Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming, Pattern I

8 x DB (double beats) “right-side-ball” (RSB)

8 x DB MB,( middle of own ball)

8 x DB “left-side-ball” (LSB),

8 x DB MB

Repeat this Rhythmical Pattern a few times. Cut this pattern in half

4 x DB RSB

4 x DB MB,

4 x DB LSB,

4 x DB MB

Repeat this Rhythmical Pattern a few times. Cut this pattern in half.

2 x DB RSB

2 x DB MB,

2 x DB LSB,

2 x DB MB

Repeat this rhythmical pattern a few times. Cut this pattern in half

1 x DB RSB

1 x DB MB,

1 x DB LSB,

1 x DB MB

The video below demonstrates Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming, Pattern I (also known as Brain Beats 1).

Please note–the video demonstrates an “advanced challenge” that is not a part of the Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming, Pattern 1, but you’re welcomed to try it for fun!

Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming Pattern II

8 x Side Beats

8 x DB MB

8 x Overhead Clicks

8 x DB MB

Repeat this Rhythmical Pattern a few times.

Repeat in 4 (4 side beats, 4 DB MB, etc.)

Repeat in 2

Repeat 1

The video below demonstrates Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming, Pattern II (also known as Brain Beats II).

Please note–the video demonstrates an “advanced challenge” that is not a part of the Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming, Pattern 2, but you’re welcomed to try it for fun!

Combine Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming Pattern I and Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming Pattern II. Practice the combination a few times until you’ve memorized the patterns.

Partner Practice

Partners share a ball. Practice Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming Pattern I, then Cognitive Rhythmical Drumming Pattern II, then a combination of the two patterns. You can also create patterns clicking safely with a neighbor as shown below.

Add: Clicking R sticks together 2x, DB MB 2x, Repeat L