Music Theory for Drummers: Should Drummers Learn Music Theory?

Drummers—are you looking to take your skills to the next level? Then it’s time to break away from the pack and learn a little music theory. This might sound intimidating, but trust us, learning music theory can be an incredibly rewarding experience for drummers of all levels. 

Let’s explore why drummers should learn music theory.

Is There Music Theory for Drums?

Playing the drums is one of the most rhythmically challenging instruments. Here’s what you need to know about learning basic music theory for drummers:

• Musicians have to keep time with their entire body, and are actually creating a melody of drum sounds as opposed to playing one single note. 
• Many people assume that because drums aren’t melodic technologies, there isn’t any music theory involved. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. 
• Drummers will learn traditional music theory just like any other musician, with the exception of reading sheet music – since there is no written notation for drumming. 
• In addition, drummers also need to be proficient in recognizing beat combinations and rhythms, as well as develop an understanding of how different fills can add to a song’s overall sound. 

Whether you want to take up a career in touring or studio recording, having knowledge of music theory can only help strengthen your drumming and musical capabilities.

Ready to take your drumming skills to the next level? It’s time to sign up for music theory or drumming classes! Not only will you learn all the music theory you need in online music lessons, but you’ll learn other drumming skills, too, like the ones you see in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6R2QeM3fBA 

Do Drummers Need to Know Music Theory?

If you’re a drummer, does that mean you’re off the hook if you don’t want to learn music theory? Maybe you just want to rock out and learn some killer fills and wow the crowd with your solos. No need for modes, minor scales or the Circle of Fifths… right?

Think again. Learning music theory can be incredibly helpful to any musician, and excluding yourself from those Music Theory 101 classes is only holding you back. Sure, you may not need to memorize the pentatonic scales in order to master your rudiments, but with a little music theory knowledge, you’ll turn into the well-rounded professional you need to be if you’re looking at music for a career.

We’ve discussed how learning another instrument can help your musicianship, and learning theory goes hand-in-hand with that. And since you’re constantly working with other musicians, providing the backbone, understanding the why of what they’re playing will only benefit you as you collaborate and become a cohesive group.

Still not convinced? Here are some additional ways learning music theory can help any drummer:

Better contributions to music composition for your band

Understanding the basics of music theory helps drummers get inside the minds of other musicians in their band. This allows you to write better compositions that are interesting, creative and musically pleasing. 

You will understand how chords work together, which means you can come up with unique rhythms and patterns that enhance the overall sound of the song. Being able to read sheet music also helps when it comes time to transcribe parts or make changes on the fly during rehearsals or gigs. 

Open up your career options (trying out other instruments, teaching, etc.)

Learning music theory can open up your career options as a drummer. If you understand more than just drums—like other instruments, reading notation, chord progressions and more—you have more potential job opportunities in teaching or session work. Knowing multiple instruments makes you valuable in any musical situation as people tend to gravitate towards multi-instrumentalists who are flexible and knowledgeable about different musical styles and genres.

Sharpen your instinct for fills and dynamics when you understand the chord structures

When you understand chord structures and how they fit together, it is easier for drummers to understand when it’s appropriate to play fills or dynamics. Learning how chords interact with each other will give you an instinctive feel for what sounds good musically instead of randomly throwing in fills without any real purpose behind them. With this knowledge, drummers will be able to add some extra flavor into their playing without overplaying or getting into trouble with fellow band members!

Improve your ability to read notation, understand note values and count odd time signatures

Being able to read notation is essential if you want to become a professional drummer because not all songs are written out in tablature form (which is used by most amateur musicians). 

Knowing note values like quarter notes and eighth notes will help you become better at sight reading new material quickly so that rehearsals don’t drag on forever while everyone struggles through learning new tunes! Counting odd time signatures like 5/4 or 7/8 also becomes easier when one understands note values as well as basic rhythmic patterns like eighth notes triplets or 16th notes patterns.     

Helps you communicate with other musicians

If you want to collaborate with other musicians, then having a basic understanding of music theory is essential. Having the ability to communicate through musical language will make it easier for everyone involved in the creative process—especially if someone has a specific idea they want to convey or create.  

Lets you really get into the groove

Understanding what notes are being played by other musicians on stage can help you create a groove that works best for everyone involved. Knowing which chords are being used and what kind of scale is being played can help inform your decision-making in terms of which beats and rhythms you should play at any given moment in time—and this will ensure that everyone on stage sounds great together!