Recommended practice songs for intermediate drummers: a collection of tracks to develop expressiveness and performance skills

Sculpturekinoko teikoku

Kinoko Teikoku “Sculpture” drum cover

This is a highly recommended song for those who aren’t used to playing drums in 3/4 time.

It features stylish, simple fills sprinkled throughout, and I think it will be helpful for anyone who hasn’t tried a song in triple meter before.

The structure is simple and easy to memorize, and it helps you realize things like, “Oh, it’s okay to put the snare here,” while also getting you accustomed to how to move your arms.

Gather round! Party people!Yabai T-shatsu Yasan

Yabai T-Shirts Yasan – “Gather Around! Party People” Music Video [Major Version]

A signature song by Yabai T-Shirts Yasan that gets crowds hyped at festivals all over.

The groove is basically a dance beat with offbeat hi-hat, so once you can play that at the original tempo, you’ve pretty much got the song down! Next, tackle the fills that appear between each section.

Because the tempo is fast, switching from beat to fill and from fill back to beat can be tricky.

If repeated practice doesn’t do the trick, one option is to consult a drummer you know and have them arrange the fills into phrases with fewer notes.

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Hane Keisuke

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This LoveMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – This Love

This Maroon 5 song is simple and recommended if you’re just “tracing the notes as they are on the recording,” but their tracks have a loose rhythm and a unique groove! If you try playing along while listening through earphones, I think you’ll really feel that groove.

That’s why it’s perfect for intermediate players to take on.

Since the beats and fills are simple, focus on expressing the groove of the song.

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Hane Keisuke

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JitterbugELLEGARDEN

Jitterbug [MUSIC VIDEO Live ver]

Apart from the lead guitar, the arrangement is simple, and since it’s an extremely popular band, it really hypes up the crowd live—making this a great song for beginner to intermediate bands! Plus, it’s packed with beats you’ll encounter again and again as you continue with drums, so it’s also recommended as a first step toward improving.

Of course there’s a straight 4-beat, and the groove where you hit the hi-hat and snare together in quarter notes is commonly used in many songs.

And the one thing I absolutely want you to master in this song is the chorus beat.

It uses syncopation, meaning the cymbal accents come slightly ahead.

It’s essential for capturing the feel of this track, and you’ll run into this beat in many other songs too, so start slowly and practice while checking each sticking step by step!

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Hane Keisuke

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Yuki-chan’s GenesMōmō Rurugyaban

Mow Mowl Lu Gaban – Yuki-chan’s Genes

This is a popular song by MowMow LuLu Gyaban.

It’s a great practice piece for anyone who wants to try drum vocals.

Keeping the offbeat rhythm steady while singing the lead instead of backing vocals seems easy but is actually quite difficult.

If you think you can’t stand out on drums, definitely give this a try.

Is that okay?RADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Is It Okay? [Official Music Video]

With its bouncy “takka-takka” feel, this song is perfect as an introduction to shuffle.

Shuffle beats can be quite tricky until you get used to them, but what you’re doing throughout the song is simple, so once you can settle into the groove and play it relaxed and comfortably, it’s guaranteed to be fun.

I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu

Spitz / I Should Be Able to Fly in the Sky

A mid-tempo 8-beat ballad.

You can play almost the entire song using just an 8-beat.

In fact, even the fills are basically 8-beat phrases placed in different spots, so I think it’s a great song for beginners to learn from.

It’s a must-know if you’re going to play vocal music.