Playlist: Aspirational Drumming

A new epic playlist of great drumming examples - songs where you can really hear the drumming, you can’t help but notice it. Good for students and fans at all levels.

From time to time I like to make, and share playlists. My nephew Harry is a beginner drummer, and he’s doing a great job so far. But, in talking to him over Christmas, I realised something I’ve long taken for granted: It’s good to listen to a great range of music and really listen for what the drums are doing, what they sound like, and how they’re recorded. The really great drummers - across genres - played not just with the sticks and with their feet, but with their hearts and minds; with their personality.

So, I wanted to make Harry a playlist of great, and interesting drum tracks - from the basic but brilliant (AC/DC’s Highway To Hell) to those head-scratching moments where you wonder how the hell Tony Williams or Buddy Rich or Max Roach or John Bonham is doing what they’re doing. Lots of jazz and rock here, but also some pop, and all sorts in between.

The idea is it’s “aspirational” for drummers, but it’s hopefully a good range of music for any music fan to want to hear. And if you’re not a drummer, maybe you’ll be on your way to becoming one if you start listening to this.