Music Theory Basics: Understanding Note Values
In this lesson we will learn about note values. Understanding how to interpret note values will help you read through music notation, keep better time, and will make you a better musician!
Quick & Easy Drum Fills: Lesson One
In this video I will introduce you to an impressive sounding fill that’s actually quite simple to play. This fill is based on a 16th note triplet pattern that descends around the toms. I hope you enjoy using it! Please refer to the notation on the transcription page.
Grooves Series: Bending Time with Slow Motion & Fast Forward Grooves
Fast Forward Grooves



Example: Resuming the Original Groove Abruptly![]()
Example: Resuming the Original Groove at the Beginning of the Next Measure
Once you get the hang of it you can extend the slow motion groove for as long as you want or you can start and stop them as you wish.
Slow Motion Grooves

Example: Resuming the Original Groove Abruptly![]()
Example: Resuming the Original Groove at the Beginning of the Next Measure
Once you get the hang of it you can extend the slow motion groove for as long as you want.
Combining Fast Forward and Slow Motion Grooves
Example: Combining Fast Forward and Slow Motion Grooves




Foot Rudiments: How to Play Double Strokes with Your Feet
I got my first double bass drum pedal when I was a teenager. When I first started using it, I could barely string together a few sixteenth notes. But, the option to use both feet to play the bass drum opened up a lot of new possibilities and I soon began playing around with any ideas I could think of.
One such idea was practicing the rudiments with my feet. Up to that point, I had practiced them with my hands only, but having a double bass pedal meant that I could give them a try with my feet, too. I wanted my feet to be as proficient as my hands – and I still do.
Meshuggah – Born in Dissonance Drum Cover and Transcription
I love Meshuggah and Tomas Haake. So as soon as I heard this song, I told myself I had to cover it. In order to cover a song this complicated, I have to transcribe it first so I understand what’s going on. Lucky for you, you can now find that transcription on my transcriptions page! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one. It’s quite the toughie, but it’s a lot of fun to play. This is my first Meshuggah cover, so now that I’ve broken the ice I definitely plan to begin doing more.
For this recording, I’m using a set of CAD Touring 7 tom and overhead mics as well as an Audix D6 on the bass drum and an Audix D5 on the snare. I’m not using a trigger on the kick, so you may hear me get a bit ahead or behind the beat on some of the long double bass sections. I’m using a custom drum set made of Keller drum shells and Pearl lugs and rims. I worked with the maestros at Columbus Pro Percussion in Columbus, Ohio to build this set. For cymbals, I’m using pair of 14″ Meinl Byzance Dark Hats on my left, a Meinl 16″ Byzance Medium Crash on my left, a Meinl 18″ Benny Greb Signature Byzance Sand Medium Crash on my right, a pair of 13″ Meinl Byzance Brillant Fast Hats on my right, and an 18″ Paiste Signature Thin China on my right.
Lesson: The Faceless – The Spiraling Void
Please follow along with the notation, available on the Transcriptions page.
VIDEO INDEX:
1:07 – Section A
1:32 – Section A Example
2:03 – Sections B & C
2:44 – Sections B & C Example
3:36 – Section D
3:53 – Section D Example
4:25 – Sections H & I
5:37 – Sections H & I Example
6:29 – Section J
7:01 – Section J Example
7:46 – Section K
8:27 – Section K Example
9:16 – Conclusion
If you have questions about this song or have requests for future lessons, please say so in the comment section.
Thanks!
Geoff
The Faceless – The Spiraling Void Drum Cover
I love The Faceless. In fact, this is the second time I have covered one of their songs. Not only does this song have some tricky timing, the tempo is ridiculous. I haven’t played double bass this fast in a while (if ever), so I really had to keep after it. I worked up quite a sweat, so at the halfway point you’ll see me ripping off a blister that developed while playing!
For this recording, I’m using a set of CAD Touring 7 tom and overhead mics as well as an Audix D6 on the bass drum and an Audix D5 on the snare. I’m not using a trigger on the kick, so you may hear me get a bit ahead or behind the beat on some of the long double bass sections. I’m using a custom drum set made of Keller drum shells and Pearl lugs and rims. I worked with the maestros at Columbus Pro Percussion in Columbus, Ohio to build this set. For cymbals, I’m using pair of 14″ Meinl Byzance Dark Hats on my left, a Meinl 16″ Byzance Medium Crash on my left, a Meinl 18″ Benny Greb Signature Byzance Sand Medium Crash on my right, a pair of 13″ Meinl Byzance Brillant Fast Hats on my right, a 20″ Meinl B20 Heavy Ride on my right, and an 18″ Paiste Signature Thin China on my right. I love Meinls, but I have had this Paiste china forever and I love it.
Check out my free notation for “The Spiraling Void” on my Transcriptions page: http://gattsdrums.com/transcriptions/
Ellie Goulding – Aftertaste Drum Cover
The Black Keys – Strange Times Drum Cover
This is a cover of the song “Strange Times” from The Black Keys’ 2008 album Attack & Release. You can grab the notation for this song on my Transcriptions page.
I love The Black Keys, so this song was a lot of fun to cover! In this song I’m using CAD Touring 7 drum mics on the toms and for overheads; I’m using an Audix D6 on the bass drum and an Audix D5 on the snare.