The REAL Way To Play The Blues - Tony Coleman Drum Lesson

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“Feel it, don’t think it.”
After many years of playing with B.B. King and other genre legends, Tony Coleman is the man when it comes to blues drumming. In this hour-long live lesson, he shares what it means to play the blues ‘authentically’ and how to spice up your shuffles.
It takes feel to put flavor in. Like a good gumbo, “you’ve got to put the love and passion in it, know it, feel it, taste it, understand it to make it come out right.”
Rather than thinking about BPM, Tony prefers to go by FPM: Feeling Per Minute. He says it’s really not about the sheet music; it’s about learning what to do when it needs to be done.
Prepare to learn “the real way to play the blues”, and even hear some wisdom Tony picked up from B.B. King himself.
Lesson Index:
0:27 - SONG: “Get Ready” by the Tony Coleman Band/The Temptations
4:50 - Introduction
8:59 - What it means to play ‘authentically’
10:32 - SONG: “Tony TC Cole Man Shuffle” by Tony Coleman
16:02 - Basic shuffle
22:23 - Double shuffle
28:52 - Slow blues
32:31 - How to get the blues ‘feel’
44:04 - Tips for beginners
50:28 - SONG: “The Blues Had A Baby” by Tony Coleman
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[@peteryyz43]

0:13 "FPM"..FEELING PER MINUTE!..LOVE THAT!

[@boomer1579]

Exactly...no click tracks for me!

[@mischievousguru8512]

Attention drummers: in my opinion watch this once a week for the rest of your life. This guy is conveying more wisdom about drumming, and life, than I have heard in any drumming video. I've been drumming a very long time. I've been frustrated by many a drummer, many students, and such, a very long time. The overwhelming majority of drummers don't "get it." That's my opinion. This guy gets it, in my opinion. And he has been successful because of that. Drumming, in my humble opinion, is not necessarily only about doing fast activities that are out of place, and out of tune with what is happening. 99% of hit records this play basic simple drumming, but it's not basic and simple: masters of drums, like this guy, make it sound that way. And for the 11 people who disliked this video: stop drumming, immediately.

[@bassoonman2000]

facts

[@christtimothytp1972]

54 dislike now, very sure they are not drummer

[@johncampbellpercussion]

Amen brother...

[@virrob9055]

Look dude, I understand this drummer has valuable teachings, but he’s not the only one with valuable things to teach you or make you experience on drums.

[@virrob9055]

Also, screw hit records, they’re trash, and their basic drumming makes even more trash(lol I’m part joking)

[@pfconrey]

As a drummer living in Memphis, I gotta say this video is really special to me. This dude is really awesome and understands the culture of blues music. It's not a style that was just meant to be heard, but felt deep inside, smelled, and experienced. It's a style much more suited to live performances in a blues club than a sterile recording studio. Just watching this I can smell the ribs, pulled pork, and Wiseacre down on Beale. Really wanna know what makes this stuff special? Go spend an evening watching the bands at BB Kings or Blues City Cafe and you'll know what I'm talking about.

[@SwayMolina]

So Memphis is the place to go to get the full experience? I've been wanting to get into blue jazz rock drumming since seeing a band cover The Thrill Is Gone in LONDON!! Being from Miami, there's not much Blues happening here - i think.

[@sonnyeast3862]

Preach bro

[@mattfuller4307]

@@SwayMolinaChicago too

[@lemmykoopa7918]

There is something about his feel. He makes the hats sound so amazing and he pulls so many different sounds out of then and none of its sloppy at all.

[@FanOfAllMusic100]

He said his playing is sloppy yo it’s not tight at all it’s very loose actually that’s playing with feeling man.

[@sansr8949]

Hats are everything when it comes to blues

[@DavidMScott-cs8pp]

Even in Rock I open the hats every 8th note. When I go to open mikes where they have a stage kit the hat is locked down tight because that’s the way Rock drummers have been taught. As said here the hat is there to be played !

[@alvarocarignanipodesta7882]

I'm so glad i hit that 'play' button on this lesson. This guy is not only teaching about blues. This guy is teaching everybody a lot more in many ways!. Thank you Drumeo and of course thank you TC!!

[@gabrielstaniecki]

oh yeah man!

[@unogo7410]

숀ㅅㄴㅆ

[@unogo7410]

숀ㅅㄴㅆ

[@unogo7410]

뇨묜

[@crystalfunky]

"I don't know nothin' 'bout no clicks man..." "If I'm thinkin', I'm not playin'"

[@63Baggies]

This just means that his time is completely internalised and innate.

[@crystalfunky]

@@63Baggies I know, you have to work for that. I just like his statements!

[@maximuss2338]

yes so right! Check Jimmy Rainsford...same message! And amazing Jojo M

[@kushking420]

"If you're thinkn', you're stinkn'" - Billy Sheehan

[@JoeSmith-ev2bg]

@@crystalfunky because he's R E A L

[@chicnwafflesband]

Groove, Pocket and Great Time ..... Toney Coleman's got it all and a great attitude!.

[@lbcleblanc4605]

I absolutely loved touring with this gentlemen. I'm not great singer or musician, my role was tour coordinating the PR and VIP events backstage, around college lectures and radio appearances. But being on the road with TC taught me a lot about focus and determination to hostess and keep everyone on time off stage. Luv always Tony!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

I bet you guys ate good to I can only imagine somebody like Tony where find us a real food ain't none of that McDonald's and Subway stuff going on here..😂😂😂😋😋😛

[@teeoh9192]

FINALLY! A BLUES tutorial! I mean, how many Thomas Lang/chops videos can you watch? Also, LOVED the Brian Tichy video! These guys, are more my speed, & what I was looking for when I subscribed to this channel! P.S. For those that haven't seen the Bernard Purdie video...GOOD LAWD!

[@russellmoss3329]

"The only click you'll hear in a blues band usually comes from somebody's pistol."

[@archibaldikowski3646]

So refreshing in these days, where people increasingly loose analogue thinking over digitalisation.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Yep. That was what he said. Thanks for simply writing it.

[@russellmoss3329]

@@skiphoffenflaven8004 🖕 Simply write that jackass.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

@@russellmoss3329 Why would you feel the need to write something he said when the rest of us could just experience it in the moment in which HE actually says it?! Do you tell everyone all the great lines in every movie you see that someone hasn’t seen yet?! Jackass.🖕

[@nevertellmethaoddz8581]

@@skiphoffenflaven8004 great job responding to a comment 2 years later with your worthless opinion

[@BobIrving2]

Drum lessons. Blues lessons. Life lessons! I'm keeping this one!

[@panpanplusplus]

"Drummer is blamed for everything" "If nobody noticing me - that's when I'm doing my job" So, basically - you are a healer of a party...

[@nhojasperin]

Love his honestly, sense of humor, his stories, advises and tips, and his pocket and feel! Thank you!

[@65Drums]

This was just plain fun to listen to, the groove is infectious :D

[@arjunalco6589]

Playing clean and holding a groove is equally important. Chops and odd counts are amazing,but learning the basics is more important. Going back to the roots and exploring them is really important. A man of his caliber will teach us more than just music.

[@michaelthe13th]

If you can't see the greatness here, then you may need to put the long charts and the instagram chop videos you have saved away for a while. Not enough young players studying this stuff anymore. TC is straight laying it down!!

[@phildauphins]

15:42 1) Starts with bass drum 2) Adds snare drum (slightly off-synch with the bass) 3) Adds hi-hat (slightly off-synch with both snare and bass) That's the magic. Maaaaaaaan!

[@jessegardner33]

I don't know what you're hearing but at that time stamp the hi hat and the snare hits were the same

[@phildauphins]

@@jessegardner33 What I mean is that the hits are not 100% in synch, as more "precise" drummers play. But those tiny "imperfections" make all of the feel and groove.

[@jettaylor1286]

I wish all young drummers would listen and LEARN from this man. In live music, listen to the band, find that pocket and go. God bless this man.

[@ronnieowens1978]

Just what I was thinking such a genuine dyde...

[@NothusDeusVagus]

This is like breathing in fresh air... Sweet, smooth, easy, natural. Smiles from the inside.

[@Ronin_095]

I feel everything dude was saying there's more to just having the recipe there's life, feeling, soul involved

[@funkdrummer]

I'm so glad to hear TC bring up the point that anyone thinks they can play drums, especially non-drummer Musician's. I'd like to add that anyone CAN play drums, even an infant that has the grip to hold a stick and strike a drum/cymbal. Does that mean they are a drummer? Maybe... but they are not a musician. If you are truly trying to be a master of your drumming craft, be specific about the sounds you choose to get from your instrument and shape your approach with info from masters like TC. THANKS drumeo for bringing us all the feels. I agree with the other posters saying it was refreshing to get away from the current hype of flashy drumming. Drumming is evolving, but it's great to remember where it started, in feels per minute. Rant over [=

[@stephenkatko3236]

This guy is spot on...I'm glad i got a drummer that understands all this intuitively. They're hard to find.

[@diegopaul2724]

The way Dave looks at Tony is very fascinating. I like how both of these guys managed to get some depth from very basic stuff in order to prove to the community that drums isn't only about technic and velocity but feel and authenticity. If you want to be a great musician you need to trust yourself, be confident and people will put their trust in you. No doubt why BB hired this legend for 30 years!!!

[@kiriappeee]

Just want to appreciate how good his beat can sound right at the start with just the basic of the basic drums. Snare bass hi hat smoothness! This is incredible.

[@julianobeckersoares5041]

I'm a guitar player, came here to learn some things about rhythm and got a great lesson about music, blues and culture. Thank you so much.

[@jamesbaltz8479]

I noticed something about music. I grew up with a foundation is metal and hard rock music. In one of the songs, I heard a beat that kinda swung a bit. Fast forward to about three years, my horizon in music hovered over rock n roll, and I heard the same thing. Then I realized that the truest form of music is one in which somehow finds itself in many genre. And that's probably why I all of the sudden found love in blues.

[@MyHumanWreckage]

Excellent, excellent, excellent! So insightful. Great to learn from a master. Not just how he plays, but the story behind it.

[@tubular7752]

“Drummers job is to listen and bring everybody else together and make them sound good” is my best nugget for now. Amazing stuff.

[@arnabpaul674]

Golden words from the living legend. 😇🙌❤️

[@marceibel1131]

An excellent example for fine blues drumming can be heard on the early Fleetwood Mac records. Mick Fleetwood did'nt get the recognition he deserves as a drummer in the early blues orientated Mac. He is masterful at blues shuffle grooves. Great soulful playing.

[@glengamble526]

Marc Eibel same with early Frank Beard, at last for white rock guys. His Texas shuffle is killer.

[@ronnieowens1978]

Thanks marc eibel did not realize that I will check it out thanks on any Blues info brither

[@ronnieowens1978]

@@glengamble526 you are correct sir!!!! Early stuff kills and fool for your stockings is one of my all time Favorites killer groove in the very bottom if the pocket!!!

[@marceibel1131]

Frank Beard. I love the thing he does on the rim on "La Grange" so much. It sounds so cool to me, could listen to it for hours. Really a signature groove. All time classic.

[@greenmanalishi6963]

Well said, as goes peters guitar playing. Less is more

[@frozd58]

Absolutely brilliant course. Impossible to stop watching when you start . What a great drummer ! and so entertaining to watch and hear. Thank you

[@josephgauvin6150]

This is one of the subjects that I feel doesn’t get enough love! Awesome lesson!

[@MrMikeydrum]

theres just so much great info in this video that you cant just be taught from a book, you need to see it, hear it and feel it before you learn it correctly, amazing

[@randyporter3491]

This is cool ! “Get Ready” by Rare Earth was the very first song I learned to play. To hear this slowed version, with this amazing drummer was special ! Love listening to Tony, he’s such a legend !

[@danusiabeatz]

This video gives me hope... I've always been a Groover & not huge on chops. Not that I don't want chops but ...this is the most important! And it's great to see people respect it here. These are the drummers I truly aspire to be like.

[@earldrum]

What an amazing underrated drummer! Such amazing pocket and feel! I love his understanding of the click! Lol awesome! Keep on playing like you play Mr. Coleman.

[@seanbailey7875]

I'm a drummer living and playing in Kansas City Mo. and I've listened to a lot of Tony Coleman and I drive an Airport Shuttle and just took Tony to the airport and got to talk music and drums with him, he truly is a living legend and so full of wisdom and trying to wrap my head around all the things this man is seen and experienced is mind-boggling to say the least I guess he has some gigs here in the city later this summer and will be staying with us again and I can't wait what a genuinely gracious human being and just a great dude I can't say enough good things about him I give this man 5 stars

[@zackedge2456]

This guy is a true musician. He puts his whole being into the instrument. That’s how it should be!

[@kapuchnikski]

Great lesson! Love how real Tony is 😊 seems like fate... I just scored my first real blues gig for an artist's album launch. I started listening to and looking around for authentic blues artists, studying the history and culture, and then I get a KZbin notification for this vid. Thank you @drumeo and @tonycoleman for this awesome lesson and all the insight and ideas. I'll definitely be applying these ideas and tips in my playing. 1st rehearsal tomorrow so I'll pull out my new blues bag of tricks.

[@adrianlyord5300]

Thank you Mr. Coleman for your talent and musicianship I absolutely loved this video and thank you Drumeo for this valuable lesson as always excellent !

[@funkyvent]

Hey Tony I’m really enjoying this Blues drum lessons it’s well done and needed to be taught. Awesome refresher. I have a Blues session tomorrow. I’m more excited and looking forward to my session. Thanks a lot I appreciate you teaching the real Raw Truth.

[@alensiljak]

I love the sound of drums you guys have in the shows. Keep it clean, much appreciated. Thanks for all the great insights over the years!

[@kenjamin1439]

Wow so awesome thank you Tony Coleman! Loved this lesson I’m a new drummer and I soaked up so much from this!!

[@thomasmoje5926]

Love it..nothing like solid groove! And you never know what you're going to find on these KZbin videos..I learned a new technique from this video..dotted shuffle pattern on the bass drum (watch his right foot) during the first track. So refreshing to see a drummer just concentrate on the pocket and feel rather than see how many notes they can stick in. Tasty tasty! Thanks great video.

[@josephacerra8251]

Toney’s playing comes from so deep inside him, I don’t know how you can possibly teach that. You can teach the notes, but the feel, that’s something else.

[@darkpassenger1980]

Maybe THE best Drumeo video ever. Self taught here, so I especially dig the "FPM" too. Killed me. Great advice as well, perfectly done again guys.

[@NARMAK1966]

Last night i was watching BB King’s concert at Royal Albert Hall which i must admit, it blew me away.!!!! I love playing Blues and i have learnt a lot by watching this masterclass.!!! Blues will make you feel good.!!!!

[@pandaart9222]

I like the way you introduced these guys to feel & emotion. They are the BPM guys you referred to.... they can never understand why it's not quite right. Now we know!!! Thank you!!!

[@drakausdromgatti58]

I am a metal drummer that just scored an invite to join a blues rock band. This lesson is a life saver. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR DRUMMING KNOWLEDGE!

[@MattTownsend24]

My favourite drumeo video so far, excellent Tony. First one I’ve never skipped though. Awesome sound, feel and great advice! Love it!

[@HuckFinn212]

Great lesson! What a great busdriver Tony is! When the driver is humming, the passengers feel save and relaxed!

[@MS-gj7ni]

What a great drummer and all round great person very down to earth and telling you how it is I loved this lesson I play drums in a blues band and shuffles are hard work it’s all about the feel of it .... watching this today I learnt a lot from this great drummer I’ve looked him up on Spotify and there are some great blues songs to jam to thank you Tony Coleman and Drumeo ..... Drumeo is the best

[@GodsOfAudio]

WOW!! That first shuffle after the intro blew me away in the first 12 seconds! I don't know that I've ever heard a double snare crack (or whatever it's called) like that before! I'm a studio engineer & watch Drumeo to dream about recording drummers as good as I see here!

[@MusicAnirban]

Right after get ready play through, headed straight to the album and enjoyed it thoroughly. Brilliantly produced album with crystal clear drum recording.

[@Egalitarianism-qx8mf]

You can tell this guy knows exactly where the 1 is!!!! He is soooo tight and yet knows how to make it groove!!!! LOVE IT!!!! Even incorporates double bass here and there, NICE!!!

[@mariotelaro]

Probably the best thing I’ve seen on drumeo!! Saw him live with B.B and it was fantastic... the real thing

[@paulallison8410]

Drummer is the whole band-makes my life complete when they get it. Never heard anyone speak about this before. Thanks

[@TylerCookdrums]

was just in Memphis for Memorial Day, what a coincidence I was just at BB King's Bar and Club... Tony Coleman, insane!

[@addiebankson8908]

His kick drum patterns are so effortless!

[@mjulio71]

10 people don't understand the original meaning of GROOVE - Another excellent, truly instructional lesson, Drumeo!

[@bpcsurfboards3110]

One of the very best Drumeo vid ever.Tony is so real.

[@dak1124]

These cymbals are outrageous. Perfect combination.

[@handy1arnwald947]

Love his personality , and ability. Seems like there are many thousands of drummers who beautifully replicate others work, and then there are percussionists of every age creed location and ethnicity that blow my mind with their skill and uniqueness, and here is one

[@ArkaEasyRiders]

One of the funnest, most insightful, and heavy lessons on Drumeo

[@Anton_Nikolaus_Mangweth]

Tony you are so honest and real … thanks for your work… toni from Austria 🇦🇹

[@kasuu5821]

Tony, to me you are a huge inspiration! God bless you!

[@imconfused9004]

TC speaks from experience - best teacher.

[@MrT1o9P9i2]

Oh yes, this is exactly what I needed!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Everybody needs some TC. :) Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jrbob37]

That was sooo Killer, Thank you for confirming the method I fell into through my learning to play without knowing how to read music properly, feeling and groove is everything, like dancing the way you n feel instead of choreographed, Loved it and Tony, Drumeo

[@nonamedrumguy1049]

Love this! I got into N.O. Jazz alot over the last year, and it's always cool to listen to how much they play off each other. "How many BPM? It should be how many Feel-per-min!"

[@leogolive]

DAMN I’m glad TC let people know about what the blues is really about. It’s our CULTURE. Not just entertainment. It’s our way of coping with the good AND bad aspects of our existence in the United States. THANK YOU TC💯✊🏾

[@Anthony-dy5cq]

I hear native American roots in that shuffle and it becomes clearer when you listen to Coleman chant.

[@seanraynor5547]

He is one of my favourite drummer's, thanks for a great Video.. loved it..

[@bojankovac9406]

I'd love to see Eric Hernandez on Drumeo.. Tony was amazing, funny and rock solid, thank you sir! #legend

[@chrisbergeron9798]

❤ So hard to find players like this. Thank you so much...

[@kennethmiller7012]

Hi Tony. Saw you a lot in Oakland and San Francisco 30 or so years ago. Good to see you. Thkans, Ken

[@davecarrera]

The best "learning" experience i have had and still do is house drummer for a Jam night near me. Some songs I know and play as expected but many I don't know and all I can do is turn on the "feel" button and create on the fly.

[@coloaten6682]

He makes it look so easy. Great playing!

[@KenIn_NH]

T.C. is awesome! and in that closing song you can almost hear a killer horn section playing along with!

[@mikel.laughridge9480]

He has it going on!!! He know his blues! Love it.

[@jvz1970]

Great drummer! Thank you Tony for the insight and lessons on feel.

[@chriscapaudio]

(46:55) Nuff said!

[@andrewjirak3784]

20 seconds into the video and this man has already blown my mind

[@mzcaptain17]

Wow beautiful!! Feelings per minute. Love that

[@brikinahonix]

Looking for this for a long time finally found it, and full version!!! 🥳

[@preethraoobley5310]

the starting song made my 82 year old granny's head go front and back. woo she loved it.

[@josealbertocontejr1664]

Thanks from Brazil, Drumeo!

[@uiliamoliveira6348]

26:47 that's so true!!!! I've seen this kind of thing happen several times! This dude is great!

[@jefferyflemister6394]

Watching and listening to this man let's me know I'm right on point!!!👍

[@Hareemakanupal]

Curiousity takes me here, never does blues before on drum and now I'm itching to try it🤩😎

[@JoeSmith-ev2bg]

It would be Amazing to have a 'live chat' with Tony to go along with the lesson. I love that Man !!!

[@richone2540]

This is epic and thoroughly enlightening.

[@DidYouReadEULA]

Thank you, worth its weight in gold! 21:28 my minister, an excellent guitarist and singer, told me to stop thinking, just play!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

There are so many quotable lines in this lesson! :)

[@johnny711]

rare earth's cover on temptations was the 1st song i listened to in my life. i'm a lucky man.

[@francisleydasilvadias320]

Que demais! Divertido, sensível... Curti muito! Viva a cultura popular!!!!

[@MoneyGrip70]

.just play the GROOOOVE. "bpm's" lol, finally a drummers drummer. Not wearing himself out Thank You DRUMEO

[@jimhunt4425]

Oh Man, I felt like I was there. Very cool. Great interview/lesson. Loved it.

[@jonathanfurlong7659]

Learning so much from this man, even as a guitarist

[@brenthartman502]

Magnificent Tony - legendary player with a batch of pocket tricks 😁😆😆

[@thahoustonbassrunnaz4389]

Best video I've watched in awhile 👍🏾