Ghost Notes and Dynamic Control – Add Feel to Your Drumming (Part 17)

Want to sound more professional behind the kit? One of the biggest differences between beginner and advanced drummers is dynamics — knowing when to play loud, when to play soft, and how to use ghost notes for groove and texture.

In this 17th installment of the Drum Practice Routine Series, you’ll learn how to practice ghost notes and volume control so your playing has depth, feel, and musicality.

At Drum Lessons In Home, I guide students to go beyond just hitting the drums — we learn how to shape sound through intentional touch and control.

👻 What Are Ghost Notes?

Ghost notes are very soft snare hits usually played between main backbeats (like on 2 and 4). They add groove and texture without overpowering the beat.

Pair that with volume control between your limbs, and you start to play music — not just beats.

🕒 30-Minute Dynamics & Ghost Notes Practice Routine

1. Volume Ladder Warm-Up (5 min)

Using a metronome at 70 bpm:

• Play single strokes (RLRL)

• Start very soft, increase volume slowly every 4 bars

• Then decrease volume gradually

• Do this with sticks on snare and practice pad

🎯 Focus on consistency and control — don’t rush the dynamic changes

2. Groove with Ghost Notes (10 min)

Play a standard rock beat:
Hi-hat 8ths | Snare on 2 and 4 | Kick on 1 and 3

Add ghost notes on the snare:

• Between hi-hat strokes (ex: “e” and “a” of beats)

• Stay super soft with ghosted hits

• Keep strong backbeat accents

🔗 Builds directly on Part 14: Limb Independence

3. Volume Shaping with Fills (10 min)

Play groove for 3 bars → fill on 4th bar:

• Use 8th or 16th note fills

• Start with low volume → finish loud

• Then reverse: start loud → end quiet

🎯 This trains your hands to respond musically — like phrasing a sentence

4. Ghost Note Improvisation (5 min)

Improvise grooves with ghosted notes and small dynamics:

• Use alternating accents and quiet notes

• Mix in open hi-hats, side stick, or rim clicks

• Aim to create a musical, textured groove

💡 Teaching Tip:

Ghost notes and dynamics are feel-based, not just technical. Listen to drummers like Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, or Nate Smith — they speak through dynamics.

📍 In-Home Drum Lessons Available In:

• Redondo Beach

• Torrance

• Gardena

• Manhattan Beach

• Palos Verdes

Book a personalized lesson to improve your technique, feel, and groove control.

📞 Contact Info:

In-Home Drum Lessons by David Montoya
📞 310-502-4413
🌐 www.drumlessonsinhome.com