3 Steps To Practicing Drums Without a Drum-Set

Get the Cobus Method: www.CobusMethod...
Tons of people are in the same situation, so I thought I'd share some of my tips and tricks to keep your game up in those days/weeks/months where you don't have access to a kit. Let me know what you think! And PLEASE add your own suggestions/

[@jlaturno]

Step 1. Walk into guitar center. Step 2. Find a cool drum set. Step 3. Practice for like 2 hours. Step 4. Get kicked out. Step 5. Cry.

[@theoturner1282]

jlaturno step 5 is the one I practice the most...

[@angel77t91]

Hahah that happen to me recently

[@nurshahananurulain7181]

That's awesome LOL

[@frankbrazil7918]

this guys fuckin nuts lol. he pawns his kit then makes a video on how to play the air drums.. he should have made a video trying to get the kit back

[@icio9001]

Step 6. Drive to another Guitar center :D

[@wilsonyeungaudio143]

AIR DRUMS this is what I did when i'm on the subway although people think that i'm a mad man

[@wilsonyeungaudio143]

GHOST NOTES ARE AWESOME

[@Astronomynatureandmusic]

I like that. Actually I love that. You make me laugh. Could you launch an airdrumming championship?

[@tommybelgum8504]

Still a sounds better than my drumming

[@derekrodriguez2818]

I've been doing air drumming lot since I don't have access to kits. I've been doing it for years ever since I started or even before I came across a drum set. I call it "shadow drumming" like shadow boxing. Makes it sound cooler.

[@lifesoldier]

shadow drumming, that's genius

[@sagan1976]

What i like about your videos is that you seem like a pretty humble guy and that gets you connected to people. Way to go. Great covers, by the way. And great lessons as well.

[@katerichka1]

A man can also practise on their gf's bum! My bf once tried to do it! It hurts a little bit, but it's a very effective anti-cellulite program! Lol ;)

[@EternalListener]

Kate Savva Where can i buy one of that girlfriend you say?

[@BoredRandomCraptv]

EternalListener LOLLL

[@Tom5thousand]

EternalListener theyre very expensive. you might be better off just investing in a kit to be honest.

[@xDaesongRose]

Tom L Yea, they are hard to get. Go for the easy ones.

[@yittmashups]

i 'practiced' for years and years without a kit, playing the steering wheel in my car to the car stereo. only 3 fingers doing only bass and snare. its only when you get back on some drums that you realize how helpful all that steering wheel drumming was. its a great feeling to hear yourself play something, and make the connection when you realize that it was that sound you were doing on the steering wheel

[@allersfera]

me, all of the time. I wonder how good I will be when I actually start to play. Lol

[@greatjblnut]

Reminds me of being back in school when I would play on the desks and tables in the class rooms - and drive everybody nuts in the process! Keep up the good work!

[@TwistedlyBriliant]

I really appreciate this lesson, ever since i moved away to my university i have been missing the drums painfully!

[@Enrage101]

That second tip seems to have a massive inspiration from Stomp. A whole show based around exactly that idea. Well worth a watch.

[@DrockDrummer1]

There have been many a period in my life when my chops survived on makeshift drum kits. I find using pillows as pads a great way to build speed and strength. Fun stuff. Keep me comin

[@TheSleepyImsomniac]

I spent about 3 years wanting to play drums, but I couldn't afford a kit (I was about 10-13), so what I would do was I would put on a live DVD of my favorite band and airdrum to them. When I finally got a kit when I was 14, I would play all the songs from the DVDs straight up. I'm 18 now and I still air drum, specifically when I want to play something that is beyond my skill level, say music by Periphery or Dream Theater, then I can take it too my kit and... kinda sorta know what's going on, but it just gives me the level up that I need. :) I'm also looking at moving out of my parent's house, meaning no drumkit in a shed 500 meters away from my neighbors, so I know how I'll be practicing. :D

[@sorasecerio14]

Cobus ! That 3 steps is what im doing lastyear ! Thank you so much for this drum lesson and i really appreciate it so much. coz i thought im wrong, and you made it happen right ! : D You're an inspiration to me and others. :) God Bless !

[@dharomusic]

The second tip is actually really useful, I figured out how to practice afro-cuban rythms with only a table and it felt like practicing in a real drumset, thumbs up!

[@davidwinkle2818]

The main problem I have with air drumming is that I get a sore ankle.

[@ChaSquidEH]

same

[@AmuseNS]

I used to have a broken chair as a snare drum and a pile of clothes to my left side on my table as a hi-hat, the rest was done on air. I´ve done this for about 2 years and it definitly did help. Though my parents thought I was totally mental. :D

[@drc2624]

I once wasn't able to drum for over a month. I suffered withdraw after two weeks

[@MrSir2552]

I never had a drum kit and want to play drums, so I've used my bed and my legs and keeping my laptop a goo bit away, lol. Since I'm right handed, my right leg is the high hat and cymbals and things and my left leg is the snare, then my bed is the toms. The further away I get from myself, the deeper the sound on the bed gets, so that's why they're the toms. But I like to play along with songs from bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Dream Theater, SOAD, Metallica, FFDP, Dragonforce, Disturbed, etc. And I'll also do my own versions of EDM songs too. It's really fun.

[@PaulJosephdeWerk]

I've been air drumming for almost 40 years, and try to keep sticks with me as much as possible. I would always use my sticks or hands and drum whenere I was and on just about anything. It's a great way to keep in shape for drumming on a real set.

[@dclovely]

Corbus, being a little older tha you @ 42 years now, that was totally awesome last night,. That was the first time I watched that video, so I didn't know what you were gonna pull out that one. I had a ischemic stroke in 2013, obviously my brain was all damaged "left side " which it is after several of my neurologist said I'd be back @ 💯 which I'll probably never be. Remembering lyrics destroyed me, I couldn't tell you what a drum kit was, what an airplane was, even what trees were and/or what color. Thank god for my speech therapist for 9 mos working with me and even after 4.5 years but all my rhythm didn't change. I still could still play etc definitely a great which was exactly what I did.prior to my watching your video. Also, like you said drummers are usually resourceful and unique, ha ha ha, most of us can make chicken shit, flip the script and make chicken soup like BAM! Ha! BTW, you do awesome sick ass covers and your technique playing a little freestyles with a band, rippin & kickin it down with some funk, throwin a few off beats now and then, playing by ear was how I rolled. By 1982, bruh, I was instantly hooked and loved music till I'll probably die!

[@TheJkirsch]

wow! a really insightful video thanks alot cobus. you inspire me to work harder

[@GizmosComedyCorner]

Cobus, You have been my drumming idol since I started drumming. Unfortunately, I have never had a drumkit of my own. However, it really makes me feel better to know that you do the exact same things I do since I don't have a kit. I was wondering, if there was any way that you could help get some parts to start putting a kit together, or anything that will help me practice. The most I do is practice at my local Guitar Center. I hope you see this, and please get back to me. :D

[@cobus]

once I got the sticks out I did a lot more damage ;) seriously didn't hold back for this, really wanted to do whatever came to mind to illustrate the point.

[@alexcarter8807]

You can take Remo pads apart and take the stuffing out and they're like toms. And you can take one and pour it full of popcorn and it sounds like a snare.

[@nintendave64]

Well at least I'm not the only one feeling silly while catching myself air drumming by myself.

[@aeowid]

This couldn't have come at a better time... Thanks! =D

[@APPPPPLEMAN]

Thx cobus... Ur the best drummer ever

[@jellyboy123]

i air drum a lot i go on youtube find a video and i just play along.

[@dunedainranger33]

Thank you Cobus. I really appreciate this video, I was making excuses like "I don't have a kit" but you just slapped me in the face in a good way. Thank you! If you have time, can you please make a video or just a Facebook post about different options for where to put your kit? Everyone complains about noise and I can't afford to rent a studio. I would HIGHLY appreciate it!!

[@davey.f.demarco3858]

This how I taught myself to play drums. Great video!!!

[@trevinocorina2623]

Love how being a drummer you don't really need to have your instrument with you you can drum or bang on anything and always make beats Wherever You Are

[@lairhab]

haha brother i totally feel you. been doing this for about 2 years, and it helped A LOT, even tho my parents started to hate drums because i kind of destroyed my pillows haha. the problem is that i still dont have a kit hahaha

[@WannaBeast123]

Me too. When I'm in a car, sometimes i feel the need to blink every time I go past a light pole too. Kinda like a game. I'm not sure if it is normal either because drummers aren't really normal people.

[@Kuronjii]

3:42 - Hahahahahha, I died!

[@marydannelle9914]

Kuronjii have to stay in beat NO MATTER WHAT!

[@bacon4life123]

:o my hero is replying to comments!!! i would give my life for cobus to reply to one of my coments haha :D

[@nightelfmercgaming6955]

he does the exact same thing i do. i listen to a song then i air drum it and in less than a week i can play it and i always fiddle with different objects and my practice pads.

[@AmuseNS]

Aww man that sucks. Us drummers have it rough don´t we? I did get a little electronic Medeli set since then, it´s nothing special but I love it. And it sure as hell beats the clothes & chair :D I had to put it in the basement though since the neighbours don´t appreciate the racket much.

[@mikecelles]

Yes, Cobus, that was weird! But i laughed so hard! because i do those things! I set up a "fake" drumkit with anything i have in hand and start making some noise! haha

[@cobus]

..wait for the video of the full jam sesh ;)

[@pd9971]

I am the perfect air drummer because I NEVER make mistakes!

[@Hotshot2414]

They have no idea man! Not only do I do that, but I also do this thing with my teeth and jaw as a sort of beat maker if Im on the move :P

[@mattsmithy4418]

i always get sent out of class for banging on the table! i reply to my teacher.... "bitch please, go listen to cobus"

[@jonathanfriedman7430]

The problem with air drumming is if you play faster beats, it can hurt your wrists because you are flicking your wrist without any rebound.

[@thewaterbearer6402]

Very inspirational video

[@MightyD_93]

Thanks for the ideas, helped out for sure.

[@BoffleFloffle]

Hah! I have told this to people for years, and they think nothing of it. But it really does help a helluva lot. xD

[@IrethN]

Corbus' english improved tremendously! Also I loved him with his short crop more :P

[@androidbos]

I'm always doing the same thing with KZbin and everything else. .I'm always behind a kit in my mind. .the best way is if ur a drummer and u have a youtube channel or anything with videos of yourself playing is to study the videos. ..no one is a better teacher to yourself than yourself. .you can teach you a lot..cuz I'm one of those drummers that don't play planned out licks I just go with it. .and when u watch urself ull always catch stuff u didn't know u can do.when I do play planned out licks its the ones I seen myself do on KZbin,Facebook or my phone..ill break them down and teach myself what myself did lol..that's the best advice I ever learned and it come from the great Eric Moore. .try it..no drumset needed lol

[@sneakyninja623]

When are the covers coming back and when I was a kid i sold my kit so I only had sticks and I used to play on everything from the sofa to radiators just a whole bunch of random stuff boxes etc :)

[@ItsEphora]

I do that a lot, I even have a metal case that sounds like a cheap snare, it's always cool when you have nothing else :D

[@nathanfuchs1998]

Listen to Ritsu senpai, She knows best XD

[@ItsEphora]

Exactly !

[@Taqsii]

Use anything to beat on anything, wherever you are! Doesn't matter what you have, just strike up a beat.

[@BTKSweet]

Air drumming seriously affects your drumming drastically, it's amazing.

[@idkhow]

i used to use chopsticks and i'd tape paper over an open shoe box and tape googly eyes under the piece of paper and when i hit the paper with the chopsticks it gave a snare drum sound

[@wwe7884]

thnx bro reakky needed tht bro i mwanna meet u one day

[@thisisobviously]

2:45 reminds me of the camp scene in Tarzan haha

[@riveron14]

thanks bro. too poor to buy a kit but i enjoy air-drumming

[@indieHindleyMusic]

for once i actually beat cobus to something lol....before i even had a drumkit (able to afford one) i air drummed to my favourite tracks and learnt to seperate my limbs and timing and what not and still do to this day because my kit is constantly in a locker at a rehearsal studio, i gotta practice songs so i air drum lol

[@WannaBeast123]

I swear I find rhythmic potential in EVERYTHING. Needless to say, it pisses off my family.

[@addyfurtado9158]

heads up cobus!

[@pawelmorrison]

How many times people on the bus stared at me like at some cocaine addict doing shit with his hands and feet haha

[@jokerhateme]

Lol alot of times when im travelling by bus and hearing some song Im clapping on my knees and kicking with my legs and alot of times people are starring at me if im mad :D

[@Typ_im_dunkelln]

3:06 Very John Cage! Kinda epic actually if one knows a little something about Flux.

[@eliruben123]

Who's the one being judgmental? I love cobus, probably more than most people. Hence the ":)" at the end of the comment, showing that I'm just playing around. I'm still laughing about how you're calling me stupid and judgmental. Have a nice night :)

[@KarmaIsABitsch]

All drummers look the same while listening to music. They never sit still. I've seen it with so manny of my friends who also play drums, its like we always move our feet to the bass drum- ALWAYS. it makes you look like a Madman, but if other drummers walk along and see you doing it, they know what you're doing!

[@cristianriutort1]

What's the thing with his hair... Who gives a fuck about his hair if you are interested in music.. His point is about music and drums.. Whoever wants to know something about hair styles don't get in here to talk shit.

[@luciodrum87]

I started to play in this same mode, because I didn't have a drum kit, I played with everything, the important thing is that you have rytm in your blood! :) hi Cobus and guys, if you want wach my drum covers thanks! ;)

[@iuly2311]

Tanks Cobus . Great video. How much is a practising drum pad bro?

[@TripleOGStatuz]

how do you tune your table, it sounds great :D

[@Spladoinkal]

Why wouldn't you get either an electric kit or a practice pad kit so you can still play...

[@TomGrosset]

Hey Cobus, these are some really great and important concepts. It's awesome that you're willing to take the time to demonstrate each of them to all these hungry drummers. Good on ya man. -Tom

[@Drum11craze]

People always tell me how annoying it is that i tap on everything all the and im like "dude im practicing drums!" but thats the beauty of drums is you can practice anywhere anytime if your not worried about embarassing yourself lol

[@alejoauz]

@cobus thanks for the awesome tips, but aren't you on the drumeo hq? how come you haven't been on a drumset for a month and a half?

[@nickypapadopoulou8553]

I play with pillows sometimes!

[@tanq1212]

Just carefull.. maybe isn't good for hands. (injure!)

[@nickypapadopoulou8553]

How would I ever injure myself when I play with drumsticks?

[@exodium4870]

play? me gusta~ >:D

[@whatsitallabout1000]

Nicky Werewolf over use the wrist, you could sprain it easily if you aren't careful

[@nickypapadopoulou8553]

I have a practice pad but when it is afterrnoon and I have to remain silent I play with pillows. Not that loud, don't worry my wrists will be just fine! Thanks for caring though!!!!

[@TheWatdachtjedan]

First and second I already did, but thank for the other awesome tip!

[@8bitmemoriez]

Can you play drums to some Foo Fighters songs, please?

[@DrumCoversFromHell]

I have a pretty good technique for drumming without a kit. Take your hand and pretend you are holding salsa cha cha percussion and use 1 hand for a hi-hat, and the other for a snare.... or sometimes you can pretend both hands are hitting the snare to pretend your performing a roll. I do this when i am out and about, walking down the street... in the car and i dont want to look like an idiot air drumming or tapping... it's pretty good, try it, it helps you with timing.

[@bandit84]

ROFL iv sooo have done that, just grabbed random things and started beating on them LOL awesome Cobus! :)

[@enyakbutler]

He plays french grip RH and German LH :s Usually practice both grips but together.. If you are in german then both hands are in German etc... The tip #2 he is ripping off Benny Greb and should have gave him a shout out for it..I think sometimes the fact that he is self taught means that when he gives ideas its usually him copying someone and he misses sometimes in communicating the point... He is a great drummer but when dishing out the advice just being more precise with the message could help.

[@mikejordan8248]

@Drum11craze dude Im right there with ya, ive been tappin on shit for as long as I remember. People always have to tell me to stop. Its halfway a.d.d and just compulsively tapping cuz thats what I do, halfway practicing. Ill be at my gym wit my headphones on tappin my hands n feet n air drumming, ppl prob look at me weird but fuck it. Especially if I got on some meshuggah. Psshh what?? Forgetaboutit...

[@ZX9RDan]

Try just riffing on a flat case of soda cans with a pair of sticks. I did that many years ago when I was in the army. I didnt realize someone was listening to me and I was having a blast! then the guy asked me to play it again and I couldnt do it! The flat has the top of the cans, the tabs, the sides of the cans and the cardboard at the bottom. Give it a shot, you will enjoy that. Dan

[@lairhab]

wow that's awesome haha. i'm still dreaming of an Alesis dm 10 or a millenium transformer bundle. lol ar at least a millenium mps 600. just that my parents do not support me on drumming, that's why they don't want me to spend money on these stuff. it's good anyways that times to times i get to play on a real kit, because i have some drummers friends around. but still, i would love to have my own drum kit :D

[@Hotshot2414]

I really wanna see an episode of Cobus playing on a drum kit which has a price just under $1000. I wanna know whether the the kit you play on has a huge effect. I have trouble with some techniques when playing on my drums because it was cheap and is almost 7 years old. Something like a beginner Pearl, Carlos, Tama kit. Only a base drum (no double pedal), three toms, snare, Hi hat, Crash and Ride. Lots of people say it doesn't matter what kit you have, but I think I have trouble with mine.

[@Mastergibbles1]

I was seriously doing that as I read your comment xD hahaha I love to do that, I always tap on stuff too, haven't had a drum set for years and I have been tapping on stuff for a reaaaaaally long time and I piss everyone off with it...except my girlfriend she thinks it's awesome :D I want a drum set soooo bad though D:

[@SuperBiago]

Ow yeah!! I'm Doing That "Air drumming" Since Before The Start!! hahaha!! im Doing That! Into our House!! My Mom Said!! that im Like A Crazy!! Because My two hands! Swift ping on the Air! !! that comes with a head Bangs!!! hahahah!! Thank Cobus!! Now I know The name of that cool Stuff!!! that i Practicing For Years!! It halps A lot!!!!

[@JohnMastersonODST]

LOL, man, I do it too. I just had to take the opportunity at the obvious pun. Cobus is amazing. Yeah, I air drum all the time. And the pillows thing Cobus, I know what you're saying. Had dad walk in on me beating out a cover of 'Kings and Queens' and he was like, "???" NEver again. Door closed from now on

[@bluewater642]

I have never had a drum kit before or touched one lol so this is all ive been doing for my whole life :) whenevr i go in a music store like guitar center or bestbuy (yes they have a instuments there :) i try to pracatice there but thats it its nice to know im on the right track! @cobus thanks for posting this

[@MrFatalis123]

I think he can use everything as a drum kit. Maybe he can even use a guitar to make it sound like a drum

[@sbk1398]

I sit on my leather sofa. Take two color pencils.1.) Left lap is my hi hat2.) Left knee is crash 13.) between my laps is snare4.) right knee is crash 2 and ride5..) next seat over are my toms.

[@MrNoFairy]

I have airdrummed my way through collage life. I stayed in a room with 4 people in my dorm, I was usually airdrumming to songs with my headphones on. Now when I think about it I feel embarrassed, the shit my roomates went through, I'm sure I looked quite mad.

[@Yamadaaaa009]

That's what I do. I've been doing it for about 3 weeks without even having a chance to hold a drumset. And when we got to a band studio I played a song for them without making a mess. But it was just my first time playing on a real Drumset. not air :)

[@tthomas885]

i know what your saying about finding tone in anything you can find my first experience with playing drums was a citronella candle! once you have that mentality it really does make practicing so much easier. you can make a drumset out of anything

[@cobuslegend1]

i do this alot and i have never been on a real drum set thank god im not the only one who does it lol btw cobus u have inspired me to save up for a drum set and start playing thank you and i hope u get drums back so u can make more magic :P

[@Andy4543]

i have the same practice pad cobus, i really like this practice pad because you can flip it over and use the black side and has a bit less bounce. good for building up speed

[@scetiquecue6868]

im trying to learn superheroes by ventura lights

[@StoneAgeCalculator]

A month and a half oh poor baby. Try 2 or more years. When you live in an apartment and your set is sitting in the corner mocking you it'll make you wanna give it all up... don't know why I haven't actually.

[@snozbarry]

Haha. I've been walked in on while air drumming a few times. I have a very vivid imagination and I really get into when I do it. The look on people's faces is priceless. It's like they're looking at a monster. Lol.

[@lostlov30]

I'm that annoying guy on the train that listens to music on his iPod and taps on my knees and stamps my foot to imitate a real drum kit while listening to Led Zeppelin. yes everybody stares at me yes I don't care.

[@batoolroxx]

I never knew that banging on random things with your hands and everything that even remotely resembles drumsticks as "rhythmic potential". Now I have an excuse for breaking stuff. Not that my parents are going to buy it...

[@jackjenkins9831]

Thank you mate! I've been without my kit for months and as you'll know it's frustrating as fuck, Instead wasting my time complaining like a ill bitch I could have taken advantage of this! Gonna get on this rapid!

[@Mc2noob]

Iv never had a drum kit but i always air drum and make my own beats on the table and what ever sounds good, then when it came time i played on a actul drum kit, i was quite suprised with myself