In this article, we will present a list of twelve easy drum songs that can be used to practice your hearing and basic rhythm.
An easy song to play on drums is a song that has a consistent drum beat without many complicated fillings, and it is best if it is between 80 and 120 beats per minute.
By learning these songs, you will progress much faster while having a good time.
Why are easy drum songs essential for beginners?
You can learn them quickly, even if you are starting on drums. This can be very important because of your self-confidence.
Practicing easy songs will help you improve your basic skills and develop timekeeping and consistency.
By practicing those songs, you will learn essential things to build a solid foundation for your future development as a drummer.
Here is a list of 12 easy drum songs for beginners:
- Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
- Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
- Back in Black – AC/DC
- Come As You Are – Nirvana
- Yellow – Coldplay
- Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
- Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
- Beast of Burden – The Rolling Stones
- The Thrill is Gone – B.B. King
- Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
- Levitating – Dua Lipa
1. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
It’s a straightforward and enjoyable song to play. The song is characterized by a simple, 4/4 standard drum beat, and the groove is straightforward.
The song is good for practicing the continuous bass drum and should be easy to learn quickly. Also, this song is a perfect example of the moderation of the drummer intending to serve the song.
You should pay attention to the slight difference between the verse and the chorus in dynamics, which means that some parts are played louder than others.
2. Billy Jean – Michael Jackson
This is one of the most iconic classic drum grooves of all time. The song is a 4/4 time signature with 16th notes on the hi-hats and is a perfect example to practice this rhythm.
3. Back in Black – AC/DC
Rock out with legends. AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd had a fundamental way of playing, but he created many iconic drum beats. He is known for the base drum and snare combinations with a few fills; this song is an excellent example of that.
The groove is simple, and the main thing is to nail the chorus hits that follow the vocals.
4. Come As You Are – Nirvana
Follow the legendary guitar riff. The verse combines the bass drum, snare, and ride cymbal.
The chorus is more complicated, including tom-toms, but the transition is simple.
5. Yellow – Coldplay
The slow tempo and easy beat. The intro is played with loose hi-hats, but the verse is played with hi-hats closed.
This song is suitable for slow-tempo practice and feeling, and it’s also ideal for practicing smooth transitions and atmospheric use of the ride cymbal.
6. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
This is a heavy, glam, and powerful song. The song is from the era when drum lines were simple but punchy.
It has a simple rhythm, but with some nice beats and cymbal kicks, it is a perfect tune.
The chorus and middle section are more complicated as some beats sound complex, but the base rhythm remains the same, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
7. Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
Another rock classic for you to learn. There is a steady backbeat on the snare throughout the whole song.
The bass drum plays every quarter note (four on the floor). The first break consists of 8th notes on the snare, and the second requires a closed hi-hat.
8. Beast of Burden – The Rolling Stones
It’s vintage and a perfect song. The intro has snare syncopation that follows the guitar. Be careful with open hi-hats. The choruses are with the 8th notes on the bass drum.
9. The Thrill is Gone – B.B. King: standard blues form
Start with the solid backbeat, and then slowly add fills. There are 12 measures in each cycle, and this form keeps repeating throughout the song.
This is the best song to practice your fills and develop your sense of rhythm.
10. Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
It’s metal, but it’s simple. Heavy metal is a musical direction usually characterized by faster and very complex drum sections. However, there are songs from this genre that are simple.
This song has a steady tempo with simple fills, which should be fine. Fills you learn here you can use for some other Metallica songs.
11. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
Learn to use dynamics. The drummer leads the bend through the song. There is a contrast between the verse and the chorus, and the change is signaled by the hi-hat and the crash cymbal.
Also, pay attention to the drum fills that signal the change from verse to chorus. This song is another perfect example of how to use dynamics.
12. Levitating – Dua Lipa
Here is something to work on. The song has more complicated hi-hat parts in the verse, but you don’t have to play exactly like the original.
You should follow four on a floor bass drum pattern with a snare backbeat, and as you get more confident, slowly start adding your fills as you progress.
What can we learn from the songs on the list?
This list has shown you that some of the most outstanding musical achievements in history can be among the easy songs.
As sometimes perfection lies in simple things, we can see that even famous drummers sometimes stick to basic techniques and put their playing at the service of the song.
Also, if you learned those songs, you mastered some basic techniques, easy fills, and consistency, so you are a much better drummer now.
In conclusion
It may require some repetition and practice, but playing easy drum songs improves your technique and makes a strong foundation for future upgrades.
Remember to be patient and persistent, but have fun and enjoy your instrument.