Simple Exercise To Improve Timing (Inspired by Matt Garstka) - Drum Lesson | Drum Beats Online

In today's drum lesson I'm showing you a super simple drum exercise to improve your timing!
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Lets be real here. Matt Garstka is an incredible drummer and he is a huge source of inspiration. So naturally, he inspired this drum lesson! Here's the thing though, at first glance you might be thinking that this timing exercise is so simple and that you are above it. Well let me tell you, this exercise is KILLER! It's an incredibly simple concept, but it's very hard to execute well! So try your best and keep practicing it! I promise it will improve your timing in some awesome new ways!
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[@electrizer]

The general rule is that when you play slowly there's much more more room to wander and be exposed. Because spaces between notes are larger you have to be super precise. I always bring down the tempo of a song Im practicing by roughly 20-30 bpm and as Im getting better I slowly build it up. When I was a self-taught kid drummer there was this rule someone told me which stuck: "The longer you play slowly, the faster you play fast"

[@woozihae]

This is so true.

[@Zam0raGames]

😢😂😢😅😅

[@MickeyInw]

Best timing exercise ever. After 3 hours work this out, my groove and filling are getting much better...big thanks!!!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Pichet T. I'm so glad to hear that it's working out for you!!

[@lylewhite479]

Duuuuuude!!!!!!!!! Once I locked in and was able to stay aware of the one, my creative side felt comfortable and started coming up with little grooves and short fills that I've never played before and it felt so natural and it is really fun. It was almost like after I was sitting right in the pocket that I went thoughtless and was just observing myself play. This is probably the best timing exercise I've ever tried and I've been playing music for 15 years. Thank you

[@michaelmanbeck]

that sounds insane i have to try this

[@jnlhansonian]

Great lesson! I've noticed that it's often more difficult to play a lick or beat slow than fast. Funny thing is, if you nail it slow, it sounds faster (probably because it's cleaner) than a sloppy fast.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

I couldn't agree more!

[@andreaskoch4779]

Thanks for the exercise! You can spice it up by going all the way up including quintuplets, septuplets, etc. So start with 1 (quarter notes) and then build your way up (2;3;4;5;6;7;8) - 8 being 32nd notes. After that you can also switch hands.

[@jyoshymusic]

First time ever attempting drumming, this was the only video I could find that really helped with my timing. Thanks dude!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Happy to help!

[@dwsma5493]

Great lesson! Reminds me of an exercise Robert “Doc” Schietroma taught us at UNT. Same concept, but just on the snare/practice pad. Set the metronome on a slow tempo, 40-52bpm and play quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, sixteenths, quintuplets, sextuplets, etc and back to quarters. Great timing exercise and if you can count the quarter notes the whole time…even better. When you can no longer hear the click track you have it nailed!

[@bigneutron5510]

First play: quater, eight, tripplet, sixteen, quintuplets sextuplets Then mix it by randomize it. That works for the rest of your life. Everyday 10 minutes

[@danneu8]

If you want to spice it up a bit more, throw quarter note triplets in there somewhere.

[@randybrown5899]

you're an evil man... and i dig it

[@iwantyourgrandmayumyum1429]

Thank you very much for this video. It has definitely proven tricky for me after trying it, but I think this exercise is really going help me improve my timing, which I have been struggling with a little recently. :)

[@joshuah3587]

I'll try this for a month. If it works, I'll subscribe.

[@joshuah3587]

I was supposed to wait a month, but I've already noticed an improvement in my timing. Subscribed. 👍

[@WhelanDrums]

Joshua H Love it!

[@drumzyful]

I'm having a hard time spacing my notes correctly with my kick drum where my instructor says I am shuffling, either coming in too fast or just behind the middle so hopefully this will help because I have been struggling with this problem for a month and just can't tell when I'm doing it and he tells me to slow it down too. ARGH!

[@Drumaier]

This video is great as it is. Let me just add some things in case anyone cares: 1_to do this but with a gap click instead of a normal click 2_to interprete the click as the up not the down (second eight aka the AND) 3_to add the left foot into the equation 4_To count out loud the subdivision and to use a different voice for the subdivision (ie if you are playing triplets voice only the quarter notes etc). I feel like a jerk everytime i add this kind of comments to a videos someone else did but i can't help myself. Last thing, i'm not inventing any of those things, i got them from Benny Greb, Chris Coleman materials.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Those are great thoughts! Thanks for sharing!

[@Fitandover40]

That's a great idea! I was actually today doing something similar but on the snare at 50 bpm and I will try as you show here. I also realized as with tennis for example, there are skills that not necessarily translate to all situations and it is a matter of practice. In other words, in order to be able to play at different tempos and different subdivisions at different tempos, I must practice at different tempos, different subdivisions and rudiments and Know them by feeling and hearing. Get "familiar" with them, I guess that would allow me to make breaks and pauses and feel the pulse even when there are no audible notes, I am not sure yet and I guess I'll figure it out soon. Thanks! Another great inspiration!

[@kennedymack5777]

This is truly a perfect lesson I love it.

[@AlexanderEL777]

Bro really a good vessel for the spirit of drumming

[@andrewmantell4432]

Thanks Matt! I'm super super new to the drums but this seems to be helping.

[@Matt-ud9op]

Your hands look good man! Very clean

[@fannydwargee1818]

Very nice video and advice, I'm on my 50s and practicing drums since october, I'll try for some weeks on my e-kit and come back with the results. Thanks man, you got my like.

[@SuperDrumsforever]

Excellent lesson as usual. I also play these subdivisions in as many different random ways possible. Your lessons are great. Slower the better.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Drumming Drummer Thanks so much!

[@tranvia]

Start slow, always good advice. Finally, an exercise I can follow. Thanks for not talking it to death. Simple, straightforward and slow.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@CamronRobb]

This was an awesome lesson Bud!!!! I loved the pacing of the video, made it easy to follow. I am working a lot with triplets right now, so this is something I can add to it! Can't wait to try it out!!! Thanks bud

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Camron Robb Thanks Camron! Yeah I think this exercise will work great for you then!

[@CamronRobb]

+Drum Beats Online :D

[@theeverythingpodcast4199]

This helped me a lot thank you so much

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

You're very welcome!

[@iDrumLikeCrazy]

Drum Beats Online An idea I use with this is to do the exercise in a ladder form. Go from slow to fast on the right hand, and then back down in reverse order.

[@haydenmacmath3457]

That was so rad! Whenever I am practicing my timing I always think the faster the better. Can't wait to jump behind the kit and try it out. Loving the simple lesson!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Hayden MacMath Thanks Hayden! Yeah it's very counter intuitive, but it helps big time!!

[@jacinshardlow4590]

I've watched a lot of your vids now and you have a way of explaining in a way that makes sense to me. Thank you very much and I'm going to incorporate this into my practice every day till I'm a human metronome. Keep up the good work bro. :)

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

I'm so happy to hear that you can relate to the videos! Keep up the great work my friend.

[@gerrybird7046]

Great exercise. I'll be using it regularly for sure. Good time is the main ingredient! Thank you.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

I agree Gerry! Have fun with it!

[@tonecontrol]

Loving the simple lesson! Would you like to do a guitar - drums collaboration? I love your drumming.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Adrian Figallo Thanks Adrian! Heck yeah dude, I'm always down for a collab!

[@tonecontrol]

+Drum Beats Online Sweet, left you a message on facebook.

+Adrian Figallo Damn, two great youtubers together :D

[@offspring14071]

Great exercise, Gabe, it also helps us to improve our grooves, we are always thinging in 8th notes or 16th notes, this exercise helps us to think of 8th notes and 16th notes triplets while grooving, great, bro!! thanks a lot!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Pablo Dexter PraDeus Arango Ríos Thanks Pablo! Yeah totally!

[@donaldham1218]

When start subdividing things get fun just by making the each upbeat the focus adding in either eight note figures or either sixteenth note on the bass

[@l1nk987]

When you get to 16th notes and the triplet form, should do that with the double stroke push pull in the right hand; really does wonders for independence! Great lesson :)

[@mason3307]

Awesome! can't wait to try this

[@ianschafer1704]

Thanks for the very clear lesson. It's perfect. Just perfect.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

My pleasure Ian! So glad you liked it.

[@SuperDrumsforever]

Yes what a great exercise. I will play the subdivisions on the bass drum keeping the right hand on 1/4 notes. Then do the subdivisions with the left hand.Also if I play at 40 bpm I will drop the metronome to 20 bpm and only hear half the clicks. Also do the exercise with left hand lead on hi hat.(right hand on snare) If I want to play the subdivisions with my left foot on the hi hat then my of my lead hand plays on the ride cymbal plays 1/4 notes At this point I have steam coming out of both ears.

[@evakuierung9559]

Youre timing is pretty good man:) Thanks for the tips

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Eva Kuierung You are very welcome!

[@jupiethekitty2021]

Thank you so much for posting! I've learned a lot from your videos. Bless you!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

I’m so happy to hear that!

[@liamfernandez1457]

thanks for the lesson gabe! excited to try it out

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

You are very welcome Liam!

[@Rosepetal5477]

Much helpful. Thanks

[@TimMorrisTV]

can't wait to go try this out

[@bertramjackson9206]

Kool willing to learn more

[@johanesrifan4616]

Thanks Brother. God Bless You

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

My pleasure!

[@muse414]

Great video gabe! This is helping a lot!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+muse414 I'm so glad I could help you out!

[@CaptainJuiccy]

Great exercise! I love little things like this to throw into my warm-ups :)

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+CaptainJuiccy I'm so glad you like it!

[@victorbeas1261]

that was simple and usefull... good lesson bro!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+victor beas Thanks so much!

[@AquaAnim]

+Drum Beats Online Great lesson, i start out with whole notes, then half notes, quarters, quarter note triplets, 8th, 8th triplets, 16, 16 triplets, 24 notes, 32, then 32 triplets, then 64. Makes the exercise even tougher and fun :)

[@ruelducay329]

Great Lesson sir! Very helpful!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Ruel Ducay Thank you!

[@adistabaskara3215]

very useful and well-produced video. Thanks man

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@borrachanoasfaltomoto]

Very good, man! Very didatic!

Surely I needed this video haha, thank you. I have such a big problem switching to triplets.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Milton Oli You're welcome Milton!

[@Y3sterdaysCub]

you're a legend ay, appreciate your tuts. You've got a subscriber in me matey!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

I'm so glad you are enjoying the lessons!

[@rafdrumsmx2165]

Gracias por los subtítulos exelente video éxito en tu carrera

[@emilyortega470]

Thank you so much for the video.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Emily Ortega You are very welcome Emily!

[@Musicmansladiesband]

I love it. Helped my timing a lot. At the end of the video when you break them ALL down, that is a huge help. because it is a lot to take in at first. But i feel like I'm getting it down. :) Thanks Gabe. -T

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Music Man's Ladies Band I'm so glad it worked out for you! It's my pleasure!

[@probablyjared]

Thanks man! I love this! Keep doing like this :) This helps a lot!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Jared Endaya You got it Jared!

[@mirzdodgen3141]

this is fun to learn

[@austinjohnd]

Sweet man! I’m gonna try these out.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Austin John'D Glad to hear it!

[@erickroldan86]

It's a great lesson! 👏🏼

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Erick Roldan So glad you liked it!

[@CliffordWoodage]

love it great little exercise for my class thank you :)

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Clifford Woodage You're welcome!

[@KamilInHarmony]

this is dope i have to try this!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Kamil Bednarz I hope it works out for you!

[@GGDrummer]

Great exercise!! Simple and effective.

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+GigiTB Drummer So glad you like it!

[@mezdrums]

Excellent video and lesson

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Mez Drums so glad you enjoyed it!

[@penkatadrums]

Great tip man, thanks a lot! Matt is such a beast :)

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+penkata drums You're welcome! I know, he's insane.

[@CasBla7123]

I am learning to play the drums and i can do 3 songs in less than a day, thanks for the reply:)

[@PremAsang]

Yes, Truely eye opening.... slow needs better understanding of the feel!

[@rendratowidjojo]

awesome tutorial, thanks a lot bro

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

You got it!

[@AJK.630]

Nice.

[@debagusadi3626]

Nice drum drum drum

[@rhythmen7873]

awesome lesson

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Glad you liked it!

[@tobydogloser3128]

You're a great drummer bro. It is way harder for me to play slow tempos, unless I'm playing all 16ths, and 32nds. When you did the 1/4's you were still playing, just not hitting the hats. How long have you been playing?

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Thanks friend! About 12 years!

[@JS45678]

I’m a beginner drummer and I am actually very good at hitting click to click so I keep thinking my timing is solid. But I’m told my subdivisions are uneven. I cannot even tell they are but I trust they are uneven. I thought if I get from Click 1 to Click 2 on time, who cares what happens between them as long as I made it there on next click. But that aside, how do you work on creating “even subdivisions?” Thank You in advance.

[@stevegutierrez9640]

that works for me ...my main issue is taking off to fast on every song till i get the look and o man im going to fast again..ha somebody slow the beat and thats me....thanks again i will be working all week on timing

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Steve Gutierrez I'm so glad you liked it Steve!

[@rajenmonsang3956]

Great lessons.... i love to become a great drummer... N my name is Tingammi 4rm Manipur

[@CasBla7123]

AWESOME VIDEOS

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Thank you!

[@77AndyA]

Hey, what's that that crash nearest your hihat? Sounds lovely

[@Pratik07bzy]

try 4, 8, 8 triplets, 16, 16 triplets. It's easier (worked for me)

[@mikeboon6160]

how did you get your snare to sound so good? Great exercises btw...

[@BrunoNeureiter]

Commpression

[@nickcharles6530]

Those picture frames look lonely. Perhaps you could add some spoons to them, -spruce up the room.

[@sasaki9825]

You could also do fives, sevens, and possibly even nines

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Francisco Nabor Totally!

[@baldwincual3725]

Hi sir. Im a begginer i want to learn what exwrcise i need to make my hands smooth and how to make my bass drum double stroke comfotable to me?

[@juliandancingshadow4959]

explain the the triplets from the other set..

[@Blodfjez]

Great vid, man! ..Is that Meinl dual ride/crash (?) a 20 inch'er?

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+Eddie O' Luscious Thanks so much! Close, it's an 18" dual crash.

[@motodrummer]

How do you count 16th triplets in your head? 1 and ah? I wish someone would make a video explaining how to count 8th note triplets and 16th note triplets to a metronome?

[@BrunoNeureiter]

Check out beginner jazz drum lesson

[@robertodelgado3080]

it helps a loooooooootttttttttttt :)

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Heck yes!

[@MarcLyb]

Full exercise at 5:25 for those who want to follow along

[@downbeats41]

Go backward on this too- 1/4-16th trips- 8th trips, 16th, 8ths.

[@greenman1941]

What about when your playing something swung

[@jacobkendrick2985]

Can someone explain to me how exactly this helps timing? I don't quite understand

[@ChristopherMundahl]

i tried the same thing after i saw that solo lol

[@LeoNardo-so2sx]

How do you count 16 note triplets?

[@daredevil2724]

I cant afford a good set of drums yet so i got pans and buckets and i am practicing every day for about an hour the least. This helped me keep the beats consistent (even though it sounds like shit lol).

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

That’s awesome! Keep it up!

[@daredevil2724]

Drum Beats Online i will, enjoying every minute

[@CountDoucheula]

Good for you, bro. Improvisation breeds creativity.

[@michaeleagle2]

How I started off... Good stuff man...

[@atravesdelacerradura5633]

Keep on until those crappy things start to sound great... Is about "how you" play more than "in where". Many years ago when I came to live in this "now no so beautiful" caribbean beach I used a 20lt water jar to play reaggae with my buddies all along the seashore and the main commercial street picking very good money for all of us. So, you're in the right path. Saludos desde la mística Xaman Ha.

[@aidanlockwood9408]

Have you tried a timing exercise where instead of having a bar of click and silence, where the bar of click is, beat one is the only loud click in the bar?

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Yup! It's a great one!

[@bigchungusjb]

5:27

[@Direitistaconservador]

Bro playing slow is harder then fast has u know. It's an excellent exercise when u drop down the structure tempo and mix it with different speeds.

[@akela1]

what kind of drum is this?

[@alexanderknauthe]

There are millions of drummers who create the impression to be great by playing incredible high speed solos, but if they have to play the simplest rhythms along a song they have no timing and no groove. Even big names.

[@WhelanDrums]

Alexander Knauthe Nicely put! Time is probably the most important aspect 😉💪

[@starchild692]

Big names like who !?

[@sevenfacecomplex]

you can even strip this down to single rolls through all rates. N with rklk . N rlk ..

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

+sevenfacecomplex Totally!

[@sevenfacecomplex]

+Drum Beats Online gotta love them triplet hat I'm positions though. u rule dude

[@FinsandFangsYYZ]

I play at church and the worship leader loves slow. I don't consider myself as a drummer I just play drums. Drummers ask me how can you play so slow. I get a kick out of it.

[@thierry.lavallee]

In fact this is 100 BPM, skipping a beat to train your inner clock.

[@lichdesign]

Don't forget to play the 32th notes! :))

[@mario-vena-barista]

definitely gonna take this method in my daily program. 15 minutes a day should be OK i guess. thx for that exercise!

[@nadiadhk6271]

Cucoookkk cyyiinn

[@marjansarec2337]

talking no drumming? how is this a drumming tutorial?

[@graysonsmithson420]

5:25