Recommended practice songs for intermediate drummers: a collection of tracks to develop expressiveness and performance skills
Playing the drums gets really fun once you can hit a certain level, doesn’t it? Still, many people probably struggle—tripping up on songs with difficult phrases, or finding it hard to express groove and match the feel of the song even with simple patterns.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended practice songs for those who’ve just moved beyond the beginner stage or are aiming to level up further.
We’ve picked plenty of recent popular tracks too, so feel free to use this as a guide when choosing your practice songs.
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Recommended practice songs for intermediate drummers: A collection of tracks to develop expressiveness and performance skills (41–50)
This LoveMaroon 5
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.
Is that okay?RADWIMPS
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.
loveHoshino Gen
Singer-songwriter Gen Hoshino’s ninth single, which became widely known to listeners across generations thanks to the “Koi Dance” that turned into a social phenomenon.
Used as the theme song for the TV drama ‘We Married as a Job!,’ it’s a number that shines with contemporary lyrics and a catchy pop sensibility.
The ensemble puts the vocals front and center, so the drums are quite simple; however, because the role of the drums here relies on accents and dynamics rather than flashy technique, it could be considered a song suited for intermediate players.
Though not showy, it’s a pop tune that lets you feel the importance of drums in a band.
D.I.J.’s pistolBLANKEY JET CITY
BLANKEY JET CITY is a legendary three-piece rock band that has had a tremendous impact on countless artists and still commands a devoted fanbase today.
D.I.J.
no Pistol, included on their third album C.B.Jim, features an aggressive ensemble that evokes classic rock and really amps up the energy.
With lots of fills and the drums shaping the song’s transitions, the drummer carries a big responsibility when performing it as a band.
If the fills are too difficult, it’s fine to arrange them into easier patterns, but as practice, this is a rock tune you should aim to copy perfectly.
Gather round! Party people!Yabai T-shatsu Yasan
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.
SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
It’s a classic rock ballad that ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION can be proud of—by now, there’s probably no one who hasn’t heard it.
The A-melody, B-melody, and chorus each have a distinct vibe, so this song calls for playing styles that suit each part, making it perfect for developing expressive skills.
The phrases themselves aren’t particularly difficult, so it’s also recommended for beginners.
IdentitySakanakushon
When it comes to four-on-the-floor J-rock, Sakanaction is the go-to.
Their song Identity is very popular and packed with the fundamentals of four-on-the-floor drumming, making it a great choice for practice.
The bass drum plays steady quarter notes for most of the track, making it perfect for working on your tempo-keeping.