It’s well-known that learning a musical instrument can enhance creativity, coordination, and overall happiness. The drums are a popular choice for their rhythmic sound and the tempo they give to group music.
But while it might be nice to be able to play like Keith Moon from “The Who” right away, you’re going to need to practice first in order to learn how to play the drums that well!
If you’re just beginning, one of the best ways to establish a foundation is to learn songs that are good for practicing beginner drum techniques. Learning the easy drum songs for beginners on this list will help you master some rudiments and get used to song structure!
What Songs Should Every Drummer Know?
So what are some easy songs to learn on drums?There’s no easy answer to this question, since every drummer is different, but four easy drum songs that are perfect for beginners are:
- Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
- Beverly Hills – Weezer
- Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
- Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock
The best way to get the hang of these easy songson drums? Get yourself a drumming teacher! They’ll teach you everything you need to know to rock each easy drum song, plus what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwKF7LiXW3I
4 Easy Drum Songs for Beginners
Drumming is a fun and rewarding way to get active and make music. If you’re just starting out, it can be tough to know where to start. These four easy drum songs are perfect for beginners!
They’re simple enough that you can learn them quickly, but still challenging enough to keep things interesting.
So grab your sticks and let’s get started!
1. “Run to the Hills” – Iron Maiden
The speed of Clive Burr’s epic drums might make you think that this is a hard song to learn.
However, while learning to play as fast as the great Clive Burr can take time, “Run to the Hills” is quite simple to play because it features the rudiment that every beginner should first learn: the single stroke roll. This is one of the best easy songs to play on drums.
To play this sticking pattern, alternate strokes between the left and right drumsticks. Start out slowly, then go faster once you start to get the hang of it. Use a metronome to help with your tempo.
Relax your shoulders and wrists. Learning this is fun, because you’ll sweat as you try to speed up and perfect your single stroke roll.
2. “Beverly Hills” – Weezer
Weezer’s “Beverly Hills” features simple patterns and slow-paced drumming, making it a great song for new drummers who love alternative rock.
This hit from 2005 is a wonderful song for applying another important rudiment, the double stroke roll (especially on the hi-hat for this song), which consists of alternating double strokes with the right and left hand.
While learning this song start out at a manageable speed, and make sure to watch your stick height. When practicing the double stroke, you may find that having an instructor’s guidance is the best way to polish your technique and increase your speed.
3. “Teenage Dream” – Katy Perry
The Katy Perry hit “Teenage Dream” is another one of the best easy drum songs to learn because of its simple pattern. This song is great for practicing the flam on the snare drum, which is yet another rudiment to know. It’s used to thicken the notes by adding a grace note.
To do this, place one drumstick a few inches higher than the drum and the other one eight to ten inches higher. When you play, these two strokes should be nearly simultaneous.
The higher drum stick thickens the note when it hits. Once you can play the drum flam right, you’ll feel like a true pop star as you jam to this song!
4. “Cantaloupe Island” – Herbie Hancock
One of Herbie Hancock’s all-time best songs, “Cantaloupe Island” maintains a slow and groovy tempo throughout much of the song, which makes it a manageable piece for beginners.
Any jazz aficionado knows about Herbie Hancock’s truly exceptional drummer, Tony Williams. If you want to be a jazz drummer and play like Williams, there are few better songs to learn than “Cantaloupe Island”.
With an easy tempo, “Cantaloupe Island” won’t feel like it’s too fast after some practice. This iconic jazz song calls beginners to learn the buzz roll, something that’s very popular in big band and jazz music.
This multiple bounce technique is great for crescendos and is best played at a smooth, medium-paced tempo. It’s important that the sound stays even between the two drumsticks. While playing buzz rolls, alternate hands after roughly three strokes and keep the drumsticks very low.
More Easy Drum Songs for Beginners
As a beginner drummer, it can be difficult to find songs that are easy to play but still sound impressive.
However, there are a number of well-known songs that use only a few simple drum beats, making them perfect for those just starting out.
The classic rock song “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones is a great example of a simple but effective drumbeat.
Another example is the reggae classic “Buffalo Soldier” by Bob Marley.
Both of these songs make use of a backbeat, which is one of the simplest and most commonly used drum rhythms.
With a little practice, any beginner drummer can quickly learn to play these songs. In no time at all, you’ll be impressing your friends and family with your newly acquired skills.
Easy Rock Songs on Drums
As any drummer knows, the key to nailing a rock song is maintaining a steady beat. This can be difficult, especially when the song is fast-paced. However, with a little practice, even beginners can play some of rock’s most iconic songs.
One easy song to start with is “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett. The chorus features a simple four-beat pattern that can be easily memorized.
Another easy song is “We Will Rock You” by Queen. This song features a repeating two-beat pattern that is perfect for beginners.
“Eight Days a Week” by The Beatles is another good option if you are looking for easy beginner drum songs. This song has a similar 4/4 beat to “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” However, it is slightly faster, so it may be more challenging for some beginners.
With a little practice, even drummers with no experience can master these easy rock songs.
Easy Heavy Metal Drum Songs
For many drummers, the appeal of playing heavy metal is the opportunity to let loose and unleash their power.
However, nailing the perfect heavy metal drum performance requires more than just brute force. It takes precision, timing, and most importantly, the ability to play with feeling.
If you’re looking for some easy heavy metal drum songs to help you hone your skills, here are three great options:
- Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” is a classic example of heavy metal drumming at its finest. From the opening riff to Lars Ulrich’s signature double bass assault, this song is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.
- Slayer’s “Angel of Death” is another perfect example of how to utilize double bass in a heavy metal context. Drummer Dave Lombardo lays down a relentless and ferocious groove that propels the song forward.
- Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction” is a perfect showcase for drummer Shawn Drover’s precision and power. The song features a number of complex rhythms and syncopations that will test your coordination and stamina.
What is the Easiest Song to Play on Drums?
For a beginner drummer, the easiest song to play on drums depends on a few factors. The first is the style of music. If you’re a fan of rock or pop music, there are plenty of easy drum beats that you can learn.
For instance, the 4/4 beat is one of the most basic and straightforward rhythms. It’s often used in ballads and pop songs, and it’s easy to get the hang of with a little practice. Another genre that tends to have simple drum beats (and therefore, plenty of easy drumming songs) is country music.
Country songs often use a shuffle beat, which consists of alternating between the snare and bass drum. Once you’ve mastered this basic rhythm, you’ll be able to play along with many popular country songs.
Finally, if you’re looking for an easy song to play on drums that will impress your friends, try learning a classic rock song like “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones or “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin. These songs may be difficult to play at first, but they’ll sound great once you get the hang of them.
Are you ready to pick up the drum sticks now? The key is to first study the rudiments and get a basic grasp of them, as these are the building blocks for playing drums. Once you start getting some rhythm, you’ll be hooked on playing the drums and improving your skills.
How can you build these skills? It’s simple – sign up for drumming lessons! This is one of the best ways to learn the ropes.
Looking for a few more things to play? Check out our ultimate list of drum songs!
Photo By: j.sutt
Suzy S.