Francis' Drumming Blog

The third episode of this series focuses on ghost notes in an 8th-note shuffle groove. The workout features 4 shuffle grooves: Rock Shuffle (including two ghost-note variants inspired by Jeff Porcaro’s drum beats on Toto’s “Child’s Anthem” and Boz Scaggs’ “Lido Shuffle”), Texas Shuffle, and Linear Shuffle. We’ll use these grooves … More Grooving with Ghost Notes – Part 3

The live version of “Poinciana” by Ahmad Jamal from At the Pershing: But Not for Me (1958) stands as a masterclass for its elegant arrangement, expressive dynamics, and irresistible groove. More than six decades later, this performance continues to inspire drummers and musicians alike. This blog post takes a deep dive into … More Ahmad Jamal – Poinciana (Live At The Pershing) – Full Drum Transcription

"Grapevine Fires" is a song from Death Cab for Cutie's album Narrow Stairs (2008). The track is a remarkable example of the band's signature blend of introspective lyrics and expressive melodies. Its rich, evocative sound is anchored by the refined drumming of Jason McGerr, whose lightly syncopated patterns and subtle touches … More Jason McGerr: Death Cab for Cutie – Grapevine Fires (Full Drum Transcription)

In this new episode, we’ll explore 5-note groupings around the drumset, opening up new possibilities for grooves and fills. These 72 combinations cover snare-bass drum, hi-hat, and tom patterns, giving you endless ideas to explore. As always, an essential aspect to consider is the sticking, which is alternated for all these patterns … More Rhythmic Patterns: 5-Note Combinations

In this new episode of Drum Shorts, we delve into the legend of the Amen break, a six-second drum moment that turned an obscure 1969 B-side into a cornerstone of modern music. Originating from the Winstons’ song “Amen, Brother,” the Amen break is now credited as the most sampled drum part in history. It appears in over 2,000 recordings … More Drum Shorts: The Winstons – Amen, Brother (Drum Break Transcription)

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers' “Are You Real” is a Benny Golson composition from the landmark album Moanin' (1959), showcasing the drummer’s unmatched energy, precision, and conversational approach to rhythm. Blakey turns the drum kit into a dynamic voice, especially during the trading fours section … More Art Blakey – Are You Real (Trading Fours Drum Transcription)

The drum fill in this new episode is based on Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed, commonly known as Syncopation. This book remains one of the most versatile and widely used resources in drum education. The keyword to master this lesson is interpretation. … More A Fill for Every Season #10

The second part of this series of exercises focuses on ghost notes within a one-handed 16th-note groove. The workout consists of 4 ghost-note combinations, reading and playing 16 bass drum patterns. First of all, the hi-hat should be played alternating accented and unaccented notes. Accents should be played with … More Grooving with Ghost Notes – Part 2

Few drum parts are as instantly recognizable as "Africa" by Toto, and much of that magic comes from Jeff Porcaro’s unique ability to blend precision, feel, and musical restraint. Released in 1982 as part of the acclaimed album Toto IV, the song features one of the most studied grooves in pop and rock history … More Drum Shorts: Toto – Africa (Drum Fill Analysis) + Free Full Transcription