Different Styles of Drumming – What Every Drummer Should Explore
Drumming is more than just keeping time — it's about musical identity, creativity, and feel. Whether you're a beginner or intermediate drummer, exploring multiple styles will not only expand your skills, but also make you a more versatile and expressive musician.
Let’s take a look at some of the most influential drumming styles — and how you can start learning them.
🪨 1. Rock Drumming
Rock is where most beginner drummers start, and for good reason.
Key Traits: Loud, powerful grooves, backbeat on 2 and 4
Common Beats: Straight 8th note grooves, open hi-hats, crash on the 1
Famous Rock Drummers: John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Dave Grohl (Nirvana)
What You Learn: Control, energy, and how to lock in with bass and guitar
👉 Try my Beginner Drum Practice Routine to start developing your groove.
🎷 2. Jazz Drumming
Jazz teaches you the art of subtlety, improvisation, and listening.
Key Traits: Swing feel, ride cymbal focus, syncopation, brush work
Common Beats: Swing time on ride, comping on snare, feathered bass drum
Famous Jazz Drummers: Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Max Roach
What You Learn: Dynamics, improvisation, rhythmic vocabulary
🎧 Want to add creativity to your playing? See How to Practice Drum Improvisation
🎸 3. Funk Drumming
Funk is all about the groove — tight, syncopated, and loaded with feel.
Key Traits: Ghost notes, 16th note grooves, tight hi-hats, syncopated snare
Common Beats: James Brown-style grooves, displaced snares
Famous Funk Drummers: Clyde Stubblefield, David Garibaldi
What You Learn: Precision, control, groove layering
💡 Explore ghost notes further in How to Use Ghost Notes Creatively
🥁 4. Latin Drumming
Latin styles challenge your coordination and rhythmic independence.
Key Traits: Clave rhythms, cascara, cowbells, hand-percussion integration
Styles Include: Bossa Nova, Samba, Mambo, Songo
Famous Latin Drummers: Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Sheila E.
What You Learn: Polyrhythms, independence, layered rhythm
🎯 Pro Tip: Use Latin grooves to expand your time feel and apply rudiments musically.
🌍 5. World & Hybrid Styles
Drummers today are blending global rhythms with modern genres:
Afrobeat – layered grooves with percussion
Reggae – offbeat hi-hats and one-drop bass
Hip-Hop – groove-based, often sampled or minimal
Electronic – triggered pads, tight quantized beats
Each style deepens your ear and builds versatility.
📚 Learning Multiple Styles = Stronger Musicianship
Studying various styles helps you:
Play with more musicians
Understand music theory better
Create your own unique sound
Develop greater technical range
Whether you’re learning rudiments or working on your timing, applying those skills to different genres makes your practice more fun and valuable.
📍 In-Home Drum Lessons Available In:
Redondo Beach • Torrance • Gardena • Manhattan Beach • Palos Verdes
📞 Contact Info:
In-Home Drum Lessons by David Montoya
📞 310-502-4413
🌐 www.drumlessonsinhome.com
