The Beat Beginner
Lessons
Songs Beats & Fills Technique Rudiments Drummers Gear

Play Music, Not Rudiments

John Wooton  /  UPDATED Aug 23, 2022

Try Drumeo Today! »
Download the Sheet Music »

In this practical lesson, world-renowned marching percussionist John Wooton teaches you how to use rudiments musically around the drum set. This includes learning several variations of common rudiments, rudiments for articulation purposes, as well as how to use snare drum solos to help you hone your technique and musicality at the same time.

John will also discuss the four “real” rudiments. Can you guess what they are?

Lesson Index:
0:06 – “Crazy Army” snare solo
1:30 – Introduction
3:35 – Play music, not rudiments
10:50 – Paradiddles
14:21 – Musical demo
17:47 – Six stroke roll
25:53 – Flam tap and inverted flam tap
31:11 – Ratamacue and paradiddle-diddle
34:47 – Six, nine, and ten stroke rolls
36:56 – Musical demo
41:41 – Sextuplet six stroke roll
46:30 – Swiss army triplets
53:17 – Question from Pat Petrillo
57:51 – Snare drum etude

About John:
John Wooton is a world renowned marching percussion clinician. He’s been associated with five P.A.S.I.C. Marching Percussion Forum champions. He’s won several individual snare drum titles including the Percussive Arts Society National Championship and the Drum Corps Midwest Championship. John is currently the Director of Percussion Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi. He’s released many books including “Dr. Throwdown’s Rudimental Remedies”, “The Drummer’s Rudimental Reference Book”, and others. John has performed clinics and recitals for Days of Percussion and marching percussion all over the United States, Canada, England, Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico.

John Plays:
Pearl Drums
Sabian Cymbals
Vic Firth Drumsticks
Remo Drumheads

Follow John:
Instagram
Facebook


John Wooton blends theory with the application of drum rudiments. An experienced educator who holds a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Iowa, he is also a decorated drum corps snare drummer who has garnered national recognition for his talents.

Improve your speed on the drums with El Estepario Siberiano’s FREE course.
Enter your email to get all 10 exercises sent to your inbox.

By signing up you’ll also receive our ongoing free lessons and special offers. Don’t worry, we value your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.