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 to develop expressiveness and performance skills (51–60)
Fever Believer FeedbackHanumān
This song portrays the emotions of people who have fallen into gambling addiction.
It was included on the second mini-album “RE DISTORTION,” released in June 2010.
The track depicts scenes inside pachinko parlors and people consumed by gambling, singing with a mix of pathos and irony.
The drum part demands precise tempo control and rapid-fire phrasing.
Give it a try!
Come On !Toukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora
One track from Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.
The lively, uptempo groove meshes perfectly with the powerful drums.
The hi-hat work and fills aren’t exactly easy, but once you master them and can play the way you want, it feels great.
unde the sunDo As Infinity
Here’s a song by Do As Infinity.
The busy kick drum in the A section and the tight ensemble hits across the instruments in the B section are crucial—when they lock in cleanly, it sounds awesome.
Keeping a consistent pattern on the hi-hat or ride cymbal creates a sense of drive and suits the song’s vibe.
Misery BusinessParamore
Paramore became hugely popular as a rock band with an emotional musical style.
“Misery Business” is one of their signature songs, known for its intense rock beat.
The beat is complex, so it might be difficult for beginners, but it should be a good challenge for intermediate players and above.
Try playing it powerfully and with plenty of groove.
Recommended practice songs for intermediate drummers: A collection of tracks to develop expressiveness and performance skills (61–70)
Never EndSIAM SHADE
It’s in an odd meter from the intro—5/4 time.
I think it’s easier to grasp if you break it down like “1-2-3, 1-2.” I went through a phase of trying to copy it myself, but I never quite got used to it… (lol).
The chorus and the interlude switch to 4/4, so unlike the earlier sections, just play it simply and from the heart.
The CityThe 1975
Here’s “The City” by The 1975, a hugely popular rock band active worldwide.
In this track, the drums really take center stage alongside the vocals, which is a big part of its appeal.
The groove feels great, especially the interplay between the hi-hat and snare, and the powerful kick drum sound fits perfectly.
When you practice, don’t just focus on sticking—pay attention to accents as well, and you’ll bring out the groove of the song.
Beyond that10-FEET
Here’s a song by 10-FEET.
It stands out not because of fills, but because of its rhythm patterns.
Even if it looks very simple, making an impact with rhythm patterns is quite challenging.
First, listen to the track thoroughly, then try playing it with your own interpretation.