Drum Chops made Simple

I like to simplify.... a lot. So here's a little video on how you can simplify your personal development with drum chops.
Thanks so much for the amazing support guys (and 3.3% females). I'm actually freaking out (in a good way) because of all
the crazy support from you all. Wowowowowowowowwo LOVE YOU
As always, feel free to message me on Instagram @ZackGrooves if you have any questions.
I am now offering online video call lessons but I only take a certain amount of students per week. If you're interested,
email [e-mail]
___________________________________________________________________________________
Merch: zackgrooves.store/
MY GEAR (please note that these are affiliate links and purchases will help support the channel)
Favorite Drum Sticks -
imp.i114863.net/43gkM
imp.i114863.net/yz4Dv
Favorite Snare Drum at the moment -
imp.i114863.net/6vVaV
Drum Mic:
imp.i114863.net/ArRdj
Cymbals -
Hi Hats: imp.i114863.net/7414r
Ride Cymbal: imp.i114863.net/BjRjx
Drum Set -
imp.i114863.net/gbPAbB
​
Songs used:
@Beats By Con - I wonder
@Beats By Con - If Only
@Beats By Con - Tell Me Why
Drums r the sexiest instrument plz dont be mad
Intro Music: Made on GarageBand lol
Background music: "I Wonder" - Beats By Con
Drum Play along thing: Solo Break! Drumless Track For Drummers - Fusion Rock - "Look At The Drummer!" on KZbin
kiss on the mouth what

[@lucienledune1077]

Here's how to play chops : - Learn single stroke - Learn double strokes - just do random stuff with those two rudiments, fast enough so no one notice you don't even know what you're doing

[@slinaraprince6718]

Fr?

[@jimmyteriyaki9783]

What about bass drum? What are chops without bass drum?

[@joelsparkowich6892]

Fried Panda chops are rudiments with kicks in between

[@jimmyteriyaki9783]

Joel Sparkowich duh

[@Kurrai6095]

stop exposing me bro

[@ChristianOldsBruh]

I have literally never seen a hi hat invert like that while playing

[@ZackGrooves]

It’s pretty common with bigger hi hats. That’s why some people put a splash cymbal under the bottom hi-hat as well.

[@jeoocampo4199]

It looks like his bottom hi hat is bigger than the top hi hat

[@zackiep2221]

No one has😭😭

[@karikurifoxkkf3626]

Wait am I really getting memed or that was true? Lmao

[@abelbernal4766]

Ever been in marching band?

[@jimkowalczyk7466]

How to exponentially improve your chops 1) learn a few 3-8 note groupings (RLK, RLLK, LRLLK, RLRLLK, etc.) 2) practice those grouping in different subdivisions (16th notes, triplets, sextuplets, etc.) 3) move it around the kit to see what it sounds like with different orchestrations 4) try combining those groupings in 1-4 bar phrases. Start simple (how many groups of 3 and 4 can you fit together in 2 bars? If playing 16th notes, how many different ways can you add 3 and 4 to equal 32? You can do this for any subdivision for any length of time) 5) use your smaller groupings to create larger groupings (3+4=7 or RLK+RLLK= RLKRLLK) 6) develop your own patterns and groupings to personalize your chops Do that for a long time, and boom, youre now chops MaGee. Zack is right, it all sounds the same at some point, and if you listen to enough chops players, they are doing everything mentioned above, and executing it at a high level. Love the vids zack, keep it up. P.S- try less dick jokes lol.

[@ZackGrooves]

This is a really good explanation. I love it. Thanks for sharing! PS: no, u

[@cjw3639]

why less of those jokes :(

[@beep_boop]

@@ZackGrooves nice

[@roghenejoel6793]

Hey.. I just read your reply and it probably the best reply I’ve ever gotten in the internet all my life… Thank You I have a question,for the 3-8 note groupings,am I supposed to play any of the notes as a ghost note?(Like RLLK-I play LL as a ghost note)or just play it like Zack did till I’m up to speed?? I anticipate your response in earnest 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@matchu_music]

@@roghenejoel6793its all up to you! thats the beauty of it. you can do whatever you want with the ornamentation of the notes. try out different combinations and see what you like

[@Aneuo]

RLKK Me:hmmm RLRLKK Me:hmmmm Zach: let’s put them together Me: WOAH WOAH WOAH HOW WOAH

[@aniruddhgupta2597]

i cry

[@Saxologic]

Hey I think I love u?

[@evanchristman6110]

Bruh

[@Saxologic]

Brethren

[@theblackbasketball]

Saxologic Lmao

[@buzattopedro]

Simp

[@user-vd3pw6yf7b]

this is different kind of step bro action

[@davidnosa2318]

I can always predict when the “YOU NEED TO GROW UP” scene is coming 😩😀

[@gabrielfestini]

Love this punchline 😄

[@sionnachs_workshop]

Just popped my cherry on that one! Nearly spat me tea out lmfao I need to grow up

[@BraydenCaffarelli]

I can’t wait for this channel to blow up more than it already has

[@musicwithsilviaabreu6599]

Right??

[@marksayosmejia7251]

Same. I hope hes aa big as twoset violin or davie bass guitar guy.

[@musicwithsilviaabreu6599]

@@marksayosmejia7251 he's got what it takes and he definitely deserves it

[@marksayosmejia7251]

@@musicwithsilviaabreu6599 i already have the bell notif turned on.

[@mrelegoboy]

It's already happening!!!!!

[@fdavidevans]

Aw, Zack looks sad that his saxobro moved away.

[@ZackGrooves]

:(

[@divithnarendra]

Can we take a minute to acknowledge zack wearing a dragon ball tshirt...

[@nelly6016]

The boi got taste

[@Oneoftheccts]

No

[@piersA1]

I have the same one on rn

[@aniruddhgupta2597]

no

[@Oneoftheccts]

Aniruddh Gupta shut up

[@camron7910]

2:32 is just Zack showing off his muscles 😆

[@JonnEnguero]

Awesome! Thanks, Zack!

[@drummershort]

Zack did great summation of what I have always thought but was not able to put in words. My theory; you could take two books and become better than 95% of all drummers out there. 1. George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control, (working all the stick patterns around the drums). 2 Any simple, well written book of drumbeats; ie John Pickering's The Drummer's Cookbook; working every conceivable hi-hat and cymbal combination you can come up with. I've been drumming for at least 57 years. I can't ever remember using a fill I learned off of KZbin. I work on them sometimes, but rarely enough to where they become part of my repertoire. By doing the two things I mentioned above; cool and creative fills and "chops" will automatically come out of nowhere, often as much a surprise to yourself as to anybody listening. The soundman for our band is also a drummer. The other night after the band finished, he said, "Man you did some cool stuff I've never heard before." I said, "Yeah, me too."

[@rubenspoolder3567]

oh man, when somebody has hella skin flute chops, amazing

[@pokerdealer2003]

I’m like Travis Barker on the skin flute

[@briantopps5638]

@@pokerdealer2003 i bet you ar lmao jk

[@leviackermann770]

I saw no other comments on this and it almost made me wonder if I was the only one who knew what the skin flute is

[@GMtheTurtle]

I’m by no means an expert here but one of my good friends also told me to work on R L L and L R R as a pattern as well and even after a few days I’m starting to get the desired sound. It’s important to practice the dynamics and really accentuate them (very low stick heights when not accented, almost inaudible).

[@ZackGrooves]

Agreed! Thanks for writing in!

[@markomarkovic5729]

Add kick. My favorite sticking - RLRLLK. It can sound cool as a fill and it can sound cool as a groove. You can try different dynamics - RLRllK, RlRllK, rlRllK...

[@genemason3564]

People always call me a basic pocket drummer. But now thanks to this video I’ve been equipped with the tools to level up and blow my haters out of the water!

[@ramazantaikocusu]

Hey Zack. As a rock/metal drummer, you are the the one inspiring me in jazz drumming. You are the answer for my question "What the heck am I supposed to do with only one kick pedal?". Keep it up, you're doing awesome! 💙

[@HaggardBacon]

MAD SKIN FLUTE CHOPS GROW UP

[@gmurphy1028]

Omf this video reminds me of old youtube... i love it

[@lordorjun1150]

nice and early, love your videos btw you are a great inspiration for me. You are a beast on the drums

[@claudiualt2576]

Man those accent are on so satisfying like you're doing A LOT of amazing chops and ghost notes, shuffles and still manage to hit those accents perfectly. You're a GOD

[@Charl_Ed]

30 seconds in and I’m just like THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

[@JacobS0527]

How do you get such clean and consistent double strokes from your kick? Could you do a video explaining what techniques and exercises you do to develop foot independence and stamina?

[@hudssntao]

have you seen the size of his legs? that's how. don't skip leg day.

[@a5dr3]

He’s just talented. It’s not even a concern. It comes naturally with learning to play drums. - Practice good times bad times

[@joelsparkowich6892]

Has a lot to do with the pedal too. I had bad doubles on my cheap pedal, then I got the DW 9000 and mine are fast and clean

[@BigDaddyWes]

Literally just practice.

[@slayerkeagapislayer3315]

try wearing heavy shoes and use high spring tension.push your foot down once then drag it back.that works for me at least.

[@alainpinsotes4844]

zackgrooves i’ve only seen 2 of your videos but you’re already one of my favorite drum content creators. you gave me back my otherwise inexistent passion for the drums and inspired me to grind again after a long time. I hope that even if you make it big you always have time to make content like this for your subscribers. peace! 🥁

[@Bigcon420]

I want to hug this Man and never let go

[@devingreen86]

Rudiments and technique are certainly important with this amazing instrument, but I've got to say man you purely play as "you" and a drummer that can play like themselves behind the kit is a true artist, phenomenal!

[@Drakeplaystrumpet]

You inspired me to play the trumpet with this video. Keep doing what you're doing, Zach.

[@sk8chamaniac]

Dude im having so much fun watching ur videos haha love ya! 😁❤

[@jonathanhilliam6560]

Thank you so much for doing this stuff. I really needed motivation to practice today and you’re helping a lot.

[@manianeusz8654]

Tldr: Man has a seizure playing drums Love u

[@PuppiesVideosCompilation]

5:05 wtf lol

[@silent_gamer0817]

I LAUGHED SO HARD

[@ethrealxz6304]

Bro I’ve actually watched all of your videos so many times now. And as a starting drummer you inspire the hell out of me THANK YOU

[@joliedrumsnstuff]

You’re the first person to answer my question about how to speed up chops and what chops even are. Thank you!

[@Andoroid]

1:51 *1000% agreed* One of my all time favorite drummers is Kosuke Kamata, he never does what the majority of people do when we think of "Chops" but it's always extremely unique and creative. I know it goes down to taste and subjective opinion but what matters to me most is creativity and originality *with* rudiments more-so than speed

[@andydrums4333]

1:53. Dude's right. Play only chops and you'll fall into a pattern. You'll notice your fills repeating, accents repeating too

[@konotiyaamornwong354]

I’ve been looking forward to this all week

[@suntroman3287]

Man you make me laugh every time while joking in you're vids. :) Ty for reveal those chops! It means so much to me.Greetings from România!!!

[@svagelit9117]

Great vid bro. Ur my favorite drummer

[@4444540]

Firstly Zack - awesome video as always dude, i love your approach, playing and humour! Secondly - 5:03 - from my years working in drum shops in the UK you'd be amazed how many thin cymbals i've had turn up inverted like that by bad courier services! Easy enough to flip them back in. When i was young and naive i asked the guy i worked with what this "weird china cymbal" was when a cymbal arrived inverted, only for him to laugh himself silly and take it off me and pop it back the way it should be... oops haha!

[@benkornak]

You are my favorite youtube channel! My love for memes and my passion for drums are both found in your humor and editing style its so amazing

[@andrum-5229]

Seriously the best way I've ever heard it described. Every other video about this subject tends to completely over complicate it. Thankyou for this man!

[@Paul-gp8qs]

TSCHOOOPPPSSSS

[@miniwy01wyatt70]

Im am glad to have it clarified that nobody knows what chops means

[@tito_nb]

I honestly still dont know what chops mean 😂 I just practice and play lol

[@aju86]

Your one of the best drummers I've seen and I love your videos

[@m3tatr0n]

Great words Zack, I too find that hard things to play can be made easier by perceiving it differently.

[@krystofmandlik8875]

3:51 the drum face is strong with this one.. i would like to have even only the face as cool as yours :D cool vid btw

[@blacklightgamer97]

No I kidding I wanna hear more of that groove at the beginning

[@JudiceAdems]

I loved this video! This type of drum content is perfect for moderate to expect skill levels cuz you’re talking about things in terms of vague modular tools you can apply to pretty much any drum. Good shit, dude!

[@ZackGrooves]

That was the goal!! Thank you man. Appreciate you!

[@JustSean714]

I thought all patterns were even/odd, single/double/triple...they are on paper, but the hands playing these patterns has a feel you're building - muscle memory. I think I'm starting to grow up...I hope I'm starting to grow up

[@King-gx7ps]

Ok I get the sticking and all but what about our kick? I always end up just throwing it anywhere and I feel like it sounds bad

[@bordercollie-zs2jt]

Yeah, usually I don't even use the kick when I'm fooling around unless it's completely random

[@chanming3218]

Im gonna start praying to you at night whether you like it or not hopefully it will make me a jazz master like you

[@DaveonDrums]

Haha, that intro! Love the creativity of this channel. And those CHOPS!

[@charlesl3638]

Yo best drum channel on the tube 😤😬👌🤙

[@iamjakin_kd]

Make a vedio on how to play that first chops that you played like fire 🔥🔥🔥, were the Speck guy got shocked 😂😂😂😂.. Always one of the best drummers

[@frans2673]

is that sean wright's chops ?? loll great job dude ps : i mean in the intro

[@mistacoolkat98]

Hey Zach, great work. Keep choppin

[@evcricket]

I always respect someone who is prepared to sit in front of a camera and say "I am an idiot". We all are sometimes. Just recognise it and keep practicing.

[@tomoconnor4849]

Just sayin, I’m here before he blows up and becomes the next best YT funny drummer

[@paranoidandriod]

cringe

[@cubeofcheese5574]

@@paranoidandriod he's just saying

[@Wiseroti]

4:31 4:40 Stop the wink bro I can't even lol

[@ryandirusso]

Lol gotta love them good ole chops! This is a great video! Gave me some good laughs

[@tejasmeharda8040]

great video bro I love the weirdest combos in music like jazz and metal so I love your videos broooo.

[@bigyoshi42069]

Zack it looks like you need to be a little more careful. Hi hat injuries are not common but can happen. When they do you will be shocked. These injuries can vary from cracking or breaking to inverting. What we saw today was your hi hat invert. I would recommend fix it up as fast as you can. We are lucky it didn’t crack. If you feel comfortable you can try and fix it yourself but I recommend taking to a professional to fix it. We hope your hi hat is alright. :)

[@djarcher9658]

Dawg... Like, nice that you care, but I think hes just gonna buy a new one

[@aidencoxmusicguy5097]

It’s also probably the weirdest way you could’ve said hey Zach be careful about you hi hats

[@figgsboson]

Totally agree, after maybe 2-5 min of chops, they all sound the same, cuz I mean continuous 16th/32nd notes repeated is gonna get old. So, could you make a video on how to play a good drum solo? Not a chop battle drum solo, but a melodic musical one

[@nallymcnally]

Just throwing me penny in, F the jump cut complaints, I sub'd cause i like your edits, keeps it fresh man

[@ophirhaddad]

You're the GOAT of drumming youtubers

[@cashwarior]

I think the next thing I want to know is how do you know when it's appropriate and how much chops to use

[@LeFloidfan4ever]

i need myself a couple of exercises to do at home my dude. Im working on my fundamentals but i feel like im far away from starting to have "Chops"

[@marcodorsi7487]

Dude... I think I love you. Please continue with your music and videos. You're teaching me a lot (and I mean expecially out of drumming). Respect and best regards from Italy.

[@Dadedrums]

I discovered your channel few weeks ago and man, I'm loving it! It's not usual to find a drum related channel that's about music, fun and educational at the same time! Dude I like your style! Big thanks! Here you have a friend from Menorca!

[@Xtremecarfan10188]

Thank you for this video, been here since 5k! My personal issue isn’t speed or moving around. I did high school Marching Band so rudiments were mandatory. My personal issue is timing. It’s amazing how you can freely move but stay in time. I feel like whenever I do that I lose time and come back offbeat. Metronome isn’t helping 😂. Any suggestions? Idk what I am doing wrong.

[@matteosiazon5453]

What technique do you use when it comes to doing fast kicks? (Heel toe etc.) Love the content man, keep it up!

[@ZackGrooves]

I play heel up! Never really knew it was a thing until someone pointed it out to me. It’s how I’ve always played haha

[@briantopps5638]

@@ZackGrooves my drum teacher was a hardcore jazz drummer who learned from danny gotlieb and he always played heel down but he knew i wasnt a primarily a jazz player so he taught me heel up. as long as the drummer is consistnt and doesent hit extra kicks after the beater stroke if you know what im saying than to me it doesent matter

[@marsjokes]

@@ZackGrooves do you have your heel up for both feet? Because I need help with my hi-hat /left foot speed

[@villethekid5734]

The most chill drum channel out there

[@pharella8815]

Exactly what I was waiting for. Thank you brotha. 😎

[@3dmovieplayer]

zack made a china cymbal with his high hat stand

[@pokerdealer2003]

If my drumming was on par with my skin flute playing I would be Travis Barker.

[@lerobarclay5173]

One day @ZackGrooves is going to be the biggest drum youtuber in the world...keep making this sshhh............ t I LOVE IT

[@glyder356]

You make me laugh out loud. I was in such a bad mood today and you made me laugh and want to get on my kit. So I did. Thanks. 😎

[@TopDrumCorps]

His cymbal was like alright imma just invert myself cause these CHOPS are too tight and he needs to stop

[@stanleyhudson9928]

YUUUURURRRRR

[@sammyloehnis3373]

you a 66samus fan?

[@Charl_Ed]

Sammy Loehnis OHHHH YURRRRRRR

[@Kasey_PVKD]

OHHH YURRRRRR!!! 🤘🏼😈

[@dritonshijaku8726]

really appreciate videos like this, helps out a lot and the humor really makes me wanna go hop on the kit. keep it up

[@JBarbarosa]

It's all about the basics. Thanks man, this was actually really helpful. I am a guitarist and I take the same approach with speed building, arpeggios, rhythm and strumming, etc.

[@djdiggerjonez4063]

Best drum lesson I have ever had, took 2 minutes.

[@bluey1036]

HOW did you do that to a hi-hat?!

[@ZackGrooves]

THICC foot

[@tjbakugo9624]

Is it good now?

[@larsulrich7569]

tw

[@SpikeyESKIMO]

The jump cuts are one of the reasons I find this channel so good! keep it up!

[@DJRhinestone]

i like how you wisely goof, then break it down with facts. well done sir. and thank you

[@kenpachi1327]

bro I literally have that same DBZ shirt

[@Temzy]

Aye but where can I get that DBZ shirt tho lmao

[@haydenmiller8226]

i love your vids bro. Keep up the good stuff.

[@thebeatfreakz4278]

This is my second video, hilarious!! Dope man!

[@fayneplaysdrums]

Me: how are your invert chops? Zack: pretty good, look at this *inverts hi hat* Me: ... I meant inverted diddles but this is cool

[@jamesbade1823]

I’ve been playing for 9 years and I’ve never learnt my double strokes. Any advice guys? Is it simply about patience and discipline or am I just a dumbass lol

[@cymbalsjefen]

Check Rob Brown, Gordy Knudtson for some excellemt insights. Most people will tell you about accenting 2nd stroke, but rarely go in any particular depth I feel. Unlocking clean doubles is really satisfying. And once you get that solid even sound going it gets super addictive, and motivating to work on. The "4800 double strokes" excersise made by Rob Brown gave incredible results for me in just a few days. After 1 year of doing this, lets say 1-3 times a week I am blown away by the results. Combine this with getting into different diddles and you will be set for life : ) Good luck!

[@leonardodipippo1663]

You are an amazing drummer with an insane technique man!!!

[@jxsixh]

This is great I feel more confident now with this stuff

[@musicwithsilviaabreu6599]

5:02 that happens a lot to my crash

[@reinaarcos4182]

CHOPS

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

Thanks for teaching me, I'm going to practice!

[@davidsogoni]

Man..you good😂😂.. the video is funny, and you are on time.. 💪💪

[@st0mpz_G]

How to be a good drummer if you're a naturally good drummer. >.

[@joelsparkowich6892]

Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard

[@larsulrich7569]

no

[@larsulrich7569]

@@joelsparkowich6892 lol

[@nedfo72]

What hats are those? They sound so damn good

[@adderon7476]

UFLIPs

[@Ratmatia]

They look like Meinl Sand Hats to me

[@kennyb5537]

Man you da best teacher, now I finally can work on them chopz

[@user-gm6xb9bg5x]

아 진짜 존나 웃기네 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ