Learn To Play The Drums Podcast

40 Episodes
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By: Alan Chalkly

A structured program of exercises designed to improve your drum kit playing. This is a program of bite sized audio drum kit lessons.These lessons are designed to evaluate and elevate you’re playing skills. I built the programs for me but soon realised how useful they are.I wanted to share them so here they are.I have kept the lessons short.They can be fitted in even if you have only 15 minutes to practice. Each lesson builds on the one before. I have started by going back to basics then I built up from there as I worked throug...

LTPTD P01 L55
Yesterday at 3:00 PM

Program 01 Lesson 55

Groove, Industrial

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is \ limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 and 2  of the bar, the snare drum on the  3 and 4   of the bar, and the...


LTPTD P01 L54
Last Friday at 3:00 PM

Program 01 Lesson 54

Groove, basic reggae 

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is \ limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 3 of the bar, the cross stick snare drum on the 3  of the bar, a...


LTPTD P01 L53
Last Wednesday at 3:00 PM

Program 01 Lesson 53

Groove, 2 drop

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is \ limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 2 and 4 of the bar, the snare drum on the 2 and 4  of the bar, and t...


LTPTD P01 L52
07/08/2025

Program 01 Lesson 52

Groove, unswung jazz

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is \ limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand and the hi-hats with our left foot. 

We will be playing the feathered bass drum on the count of the bar, the hi-hats on the 2 and 4  of the bar...


LTPTD P01 L51
07/07/2025

Program 01 Lesson 51

Groove, laid back 4 on the floor

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is \ limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the count of the bar, the snare drum on the 3 of t...


LTPTD P01 L50
07/03/2025

Program 01 Lesson 50

Groove, 4 on the floor

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is \ limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the count of the bar, the snare drum on the 2 and 4  of the b...


LTPTD P01 L49
07/02/2025

Program 01 Lesson 49

Groove, slow rock 4

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand and the snare drum and floor tom with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 of the bar, the snar...


LTPTD P01 L48
07/01/2025

Program 01 Lesson 48

Groove, slow rock 3

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 and 4 of the bar, the snare drum on t...


LTPTD P01 L47
06/30/2025

Program 01 Lesson 47

Groove, slow rock 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 and 2 of the bar, the snare drum on t...


LTPTD P01 L46
06/26/2025

Program 01 Lesson 46

Groove, slow rock 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 of the bar, the snare drum on the...


LTPTD P01 L45
06/25/2025

Program 01 Lesson 45

Groove, Pop rock 3

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 and the 3 of the bar, a cross stick snar...


LTPTD P01 L44
06/24/2025

Program 01 Lesson 44

Groove, Pop rock 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum and floor tom with our left hand. We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 and the 3 of the bar, the snare dru...


LTPTD P01 L43
06/23/2025

Program 01 Lesson 43

Groove, Pop rock 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the hi-hats with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the bass drum on the 1 and the 3 of the bar, the snare drum on t...


LTPTD P01 L42
06/19/2025

Program 01 Lesson 42

Quarter notes, all limbs together exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise there is no lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand, the snare drum with our left hand and the hi-hats with our left foot.

We will be playing 4 bars of only the...


LTPTD P01 L41
06/18/2025

Program 01 Lesson 41

Quarter notes, all limbs together on the count, exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise there is no lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand, the snare drum with our left hand and the hi-hats with our left foot.

We will be playing the...


LTPTD P01 L40
06/17/2025

Program 01 Lesson 40

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, left foot right foot right hand exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hats with our left foot, the bass drum with our right foot and the ride cymbal with our right hand. 

We will be playing 4 bars...


LTPTD P01 L39
06/16/2025

Program 01 Lesson 39

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, left foot right foot right hand exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hats with our left foot, the bass drum with our right foot  and the ride cymbal with our right hand. 

We will be playing the c...


ltptd p01 l38
06/12/2025

Program 01 Lesson 38

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, left hand left foot right foot exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the snare drum with our left hand, the hi-hats with our left foot and the bass drum with our right foot. 

We will be playing 4 bars...


ltptd p01 l37
06/11/2025

Program 01 Lesson 37

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, left hand left foot right foot exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the snare drum with our left hand, the hi-hats with our left foot and the bass drum with our right foot. 

We will be playing the...


ltptd p01 l36
06/11/2025

Program 01 Lesson 36

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, right hand left hand left foot exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the ride cymbal with our right hand, the snare drum with our left hand and the hi-hats with our left foot. 

We will be playing 4 bars...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 35
06/09/2025

Program 01 Lesson 35

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, right hand left hand left foot exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the ride cymbal with our right hand, the snare drum with our left hand and the hi-hats with our left foot. 

We will be playing the...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 34
06/05/2025

Program 01 Lesson 34

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, right foot right hand left hand exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot the ride cymbal with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be play...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 33
06/04/2025

Program 01 Lesson 33

Quarter notes, limb trios on the count, right foot right hand left hand exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the bass drum with our right foot, the ride cymbal with our right hand and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be play...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 32
06/03/2025

Program 01 Lesson 32

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left foot left hand exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hats with our left foot and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 31
06/02/2025

Program 01 Lesson 31

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left foot left hand exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hat with our left foot and the snare drum with our left hand. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of t...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 30
05/29/2025

Program 01 Lesson 30

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left foot right hand exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hats with our left foot and the snare drum with our right hand. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 29
05/28/2025

Program 01 Lesson 29

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left foot right hand exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hat with our left foot and the snare drum with our right hand. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of t...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 28
05/27/2025

Program 01 Lesson 28

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left foot right foot exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hats with our left foot and the bass drum with our right foot. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 27
05/26/2025

Program 01 Lesson 27

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left foot right foot exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left foot is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the hi-hat with our left foot and the bass drum with our right foot. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of t...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 26
05/22/2025

Program 01 Lesson 26

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left hand left foot exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the small tom with our left hand and the hi-hats with our left foot. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 25
05/21/2025

Program 01 Lesson 25

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left hand left foot exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the small tom with our left hand and the hi-hats with our left foot. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of t...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 24
05/20/2025

Program 01 Lesson 24

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left hand right hand exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the small tom with our left hand and the small tom with our righthand. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 23
05/19/2025

Program 01 Lesson 23

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left hand right hand exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the small tom with our left hand and the small tom with our righthand. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of t...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 22
05/15/2025

Program 01 Lesson 22

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left hand right foot exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the small tom with our left hand and the bass drum with our right foot. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of o...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 21
05/14/2025

Program 01 Lesson 21

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, left hand right foot exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the left hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the small tom with our left hand and the bass drum with our right foot. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 20
05/13/2025

Program 01 Lesson 20

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, right hand left foot exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the medium tom with our right hand and the hi-hats with our left foot. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of only...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 19
05/12/2025

Program 01 Lesson 19

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, right hand left foot exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the medium tom with our right hand and the hi-hats with our left foot. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all of t...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 18
05/08/2025

Program 01 Lesson 18

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, right hand left hand exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the medium tom with our right hand and the medium tom with our left hand. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of o...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 17
05/07/2025

Program 01 Lesson 17

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, right hand left hand exercise 1

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the medium tom with our right hand and the medium tom with our left hand. 

We will be playing the count. The 1, the 2, the 3 and the 4 of all...


LTPTD Program 01 Lesson 16
05/06/2025

Program 01 Lesson 16

Quarter notes, limb pairs on the count, right hand right foot exercise 2

 

We will be playing at 60, 70 and 80 beats per minute.

We will be playing in 4/4, time signature.

We will be practicing over 16 bars. 

In this exercise the right hand is the lead or dominant limb. 

We will be playing the medium tom with our right hand and the bass drum with our right foot. 

We will be playing 4 bars of only the 1 count, then four bars of o...