Mastering Drums For 'Breaking The Law': A Guide

If you're interested in learning how to play Breaking the Law on the drums, you're in luck! There are several resources available that can help you get started. The song is by Judas Priest, and you can find beginner, easy/intermediate, and drum sheet music online. You can also find free drum sheets for a cover of the song by the band Motorhead. With these resources, you'll be able to learn the drum part for this classic tune in no time!

Breaking the Law sheet music for drums

"Breaking the Law" is a popular song for drummers to learn, and there are a variety of sheet music options available. The song is often associated with Judas Priest, with drummer Dave Holland, and there are beginner-level drum sheets available for this version. These can be purchased or accessed through a premium subscription on Tomplay.com.

For those looking for a free option, DrumNet.ru offers a free drum sheet for the Motorhead version of the song. This site also provides the option to view the drum charts online.

For those seeking a more comprehensive guide, RobertFerrell.com offers a full drum transcription and score for the Judas Priest version. This option is not free, but it may be worth the investment for those seeking a detailed guide.

Additionally, Songsterr provides a drum tab for the Judas Priest version, which can be useful for those who want to play along with the original audio. This feature, however, requires a Plus subscription.

Each of these options provides a unique approach to learning "Breaking the Law" on the drums, catering to different skill levels and preferences. Whether opting for free or paid resources, beginner or advanced guides, these sheet music options can help drummers master this iconic song.

Beginner and intermediate levels

Beginner Level Drumming

Learning the Drums

Drumming is all about rhythm and keeping time. The drummer is responsible for providing the heartbeat and pulse of a song. The first step to learning the drums is to understand the basics of rhythm and time. This involves learning how to count the beats in a song and developing a sense of the different time signatures that are commonly used.

Basic Drumming Concepts

Keeping Time and Rhythm in Music

Most popular music is played in "common time" or 4/4 time, which means there are four beats in every "measure" or "bar" of music. The drummer counts these beats out loud ("1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, etc.") and plays the drums in time with these beats.

Note Values in Music

There are several types of notes that can be played as a musician. These include whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes. Each type of note has a specific duration, with whole notes lasting for the whole measure and sixteenth notes lasting for a quarter of a beat.

How to Play Drums Properly

How to Position the Drums and Yourself

When setting up your drums, the snare drum should be right in front of you, with the hi-hat to its left. The kick drum sits behind the snare, with two toms attached to it, and a third "floor tom" placed independently to the right of the snare. The crash cymbal goes behind and to the left of the kick drum, and the ride cymbal goes to the right of the crash cymbal.

When sitting at the drums, adjust your throne (stool) so that your foot rests naturally on the kick drum pedal with your leg at a 90-degree angle. Your snare drum should be close enough that you can reach it comfortably, and your elbows should be at a roughly 90-degree angle when playing.

How to Hold Drumsticks Correctly

To hold a drumstick correctly, find the "fulcrum" point of the stick by balancing it on the edge of your index finger. Rest your thumb on top of the stick and curl your index finger around the bottom, with the other fingers loosely curled around the bottom of the stick. This grip allows you to pivot the stick back and forth between your fingers.

How to Hit a Drum or Cymbal Correctly

When striking a drum or cymbal, aim for the "sweet spot" a couple of inches above the rim and below the center. Try to hit the drum or cymbal with only the tip of the stick, using an even amount of pressure. Start slow and focus on developing a smooth, controlled, and fluid motion.

Using Drum Pedals Correctly

The left pedal controls the hi-hat cymbal, which can be played by striking it with a stick or by pressing and holding the pedal to create a "chick" sound. The right pedal controls the kick drum, which is played by pressing down with the ball of your foot or keeping your heel flat and rotating your ankle.

Playing Your First Full Drum Groove

The Basic Rock Drum Groove

This groove is played in 4/4 time, with the kick drum played on counts 1 and 3, the snare drum on counts 2 and 4, and the hi-hat cymbal played on all four counts. Start by practicing each pattern separately, then try combining them to play the full groove.

Playing Everything All Together

Once you have mastered the basic patterns, try playing them all together. This will likely feel tricky at first, as it requires getting your limbs to do different things at the same time. Take it slow and practice each part of the groove until you can play it smoothly and confidently.

Adding a Drum Fill with Toms

A drum fill is a pattern used to transition between sections of a song. Try adding a simple fill by playing the snare drum, followed by the high tom, middle tom, and low tom on counts 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

How to Practice Effectively

Use a metronome to help improve your timing and sense of rhythm. Set the metronome to a slow speed (60-70 bpm) and play the patterns along with the click. Focus on playing each hit as close to the click as possible and maintaining a consistent tempo. Practice this groove daily, even if it's just for 10 minutes a day.

Intermediate Level Drumming

Learning and Playing Along with Songs

Once you have mastered the basics, start learning how to play along with songs. Choose songs from different genres to expose yourself to a variety of drumming styles.

Advanced Drum Skills and Techniques

When you feel comfortable with the basics, start working on more advanced techniques such as dynamics (playing with varying levels of softness and loudness) and syncopation (adding emphasis on non-dominant beats).

Drum Rudiments

Rudiments are fundamental sticking patterns that form the foundation of drumming. Some common rudiments include the single stroke roll (RLRLRLRL), double stroke roll (RRLLRRLL), paradiddle (RLRRLRLL), and flam (lR rL lR rL). Practice these rudiments to improve your speed and coordination.

Practicing with a Metronome

Use a metronome to improve your timing and sense of rhythm. Set the metronome to a slow speed and practice playing the rudiments along with the click. Focus on playing each hit as close to the click as possible and maintaining a consistent tempo.

Drum Fills

Drum fills are used to add variety and interest to your playing. Try incorporating some basic drum fills, such as playing a quick open hi-hat and snare drum on the "and" of beat 4, or a paradiddle played across the hi-hat and snare drum.

Reading Drum Sheet Music and Tab

Learning how to read drum sheet music and tablature (tab) will allow you to write down your own drum beats and play beats that you've never heard before. Sheet music uses specific symbols to represent the different drums and cymbals, as well as the timing and sequence of hits. Tab is a shorthand version of sheet music that is quicker to read and write.

Practicing Techniques

Vary Speeds for Precision

Practice playing at different speeds to improve your accuracy and control. Start slow and gradually increase the tempo as you gain confidence. This will help you adapt to different tempos and improve your reflexes.

Integrate Drum Set Parts into the Ensemble

When practicing, try playing along with other musicians or recorded music to develop a sense of collaboration and timing. Focus on how your drumming complements and enhances the other instruments.

Drum tabs