Jazz Drum School -  Your Online Jazz Drumming School

Feel comfortable, confident, and in control behind the drum kit with a clear, step-by-step approach. At Jazz Drum School, you’ll learn how to play Jazz drums with real freedom, real flow, and with real musicians.

500 happy drummers from 32 countries and counting!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Scott S.

"Von's lessons have given me a ton of confidence as a drummer." 

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ferdinand H.

"Your material, clear teaching and fantastic playing are the best I've found!"

  • Strong Drumming Independence

  • Creative Freedom

  • Comping Confidence

  • Brushes Mastery

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What Is Jazz Drumming Anyway?

So here’s the deal. Jazz drumming isn’t just about holding down a beat. It’s about making music with the band, almost like you’re having a conversation. With other styles, you might just lay it down and keep it steady. In Jazz, you’ve gotta listen, react, and sometimes even push things in new directions. That’s what makes it tricky, but also way more fun.

The Drumming Skills That Matter

If you’re diving into Jazz drumming, these are the biggies:

  • Ride cymbal flow is the heartbeat of Swing. If your ride feels good, the whole band feels good.
  • Comping is those snare and bass drum accents that push the music forward and interact with the soloist.
  • Brushes are your tools for smooth sound, color, and texture that every Jazz drummer needs.
  • Independence is when all four limbs work together musically, not just mechanically.
  • Soloing includes things like trading 4s, stretching rhythmic ideas, and telling a story while keeping the form of the song.

This isn’t about memorizing 50 stock grooves and licks, it’s about building the skills to actually sound like you belong in the band. 

Jazz Drums Improvisation = Conversation

Here’s what separates Jazz drumming from the rest: it’s all about interaction. Sax plays a line, piano answers, you throw in a comment on the snare or bass drum. Even when you’re just grooving and not soloing, you’re part of that conversation.

That’s why drummers who learn Jazz aren’t just after cool beats and drum licks.  They’re searching for the best online Jazz drumming courses or a Jazz drumming school online that actually teaches how to use their drums to talk with real musicians.

A Super Quick History of Jazz Drumming

Back in the 1920s, cats like Baby Dodds and Chick Webb started moving away from marching-style drumming. In the ’40s, Kenny Clarke and Max Roach shifted time to the ride cymbal basically inventing modern Jazz drumming.

Then came Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams in the ’50s and ’60s, each with their own twist. Blakey’s raw power, Elvin’s rolling triplets, Tony’s explosive freedom.

Today, folks like Jack DeJohnette, Brian Blade, and Bill Stewart carry that spirit forward. Jazz drumming’s always been about listening, innovating, and adding your own voice.

How Jazz Drumming Is Different

Compared to Rock or Funk, Jazz drumming feels like another planet:

  • It’s less about repetition and more about creating.
  • The ride cymbal and hi-hat are front and center, not the snare or bass drum.
  • Improvisation isn’t just for solos, it’s baked into comping and timekeeping too.
  • You’re not just keeping time, you’re shaping the music with the band.

That’s why learning Jazz makes you stronger in every style. It trains your ears, touch, and instincts like nothing else.

Where To Start

If you’re just getting into it, listen a ton and work on making your ride cymbal swing while playing along with recordings. Check out my favorite Jazz recordings near the bottom of the Drum Room page. 

That’s the foundation. And if you want a clear, structured path, not the scattered YouTube rabbit hole, that’s what my online Jazz drumming school is for. You might check out my Total Lessons Course Pack. Takes you from your first beat to band-ready.

It’s not just exercises. It’s a complete Jazz drumming method built around real music, real independence, and learning to groove with others. Think of it as having a professional private Jazz drum teacher online, guiding you step by step on your schedule, until it finally feels natural. 

The Usual Jazz Drumming Headaches

  • “I just want to be able to sit in at a Jazz jam session and not feel like I’m embarrassing myself.”
  • “I want to be able to comp naturally and not overthink every note.”
  • “I hear what great drummers do, but I can’t quite get it into my hands and feet.”
  • “I’d love to solo and trade 4s without panicking.”
  • "I'm always getting lost and don't feel like I know what's going on with the music."
  • “I feel like I’m guessing every time I pick up brushes.”
  • “If I could just play well enough to hold my own in a real Jazz setting, I’d be happy.”
  • "I'm trying to learn Jazz drumming on YouTube but it's overwhelming and confusing."

Let’s fix all of these and more right here at Jazz Drum School. 

Instructor Von Baron

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Drum Soloing Course playing example

Jazz Drumming Made Easy

Hi, I’m Von Baron and I get it. Learning Jazz drumming can feel overwhelming. You’re trying to keep time, interact musically, and not get lost, all while everyone else seems to speak a language you’re still learning.

I remember struggling to lock in with a bassist, overcomping because I didn’t feel secure, and panicking when it came time to solo. That’s why I built this online Jazz drumming school. To give you a clear, structured way to grow.

Unlike scattered YouTube videos or rigid books, this school gives you a complete Jazz drum method. You’ll build real independence, learn to comp and solo musically, and develop the Jazz drumming skills it takes to sound good with a band.

Why Listen To Me?

I’ve got 40 years of professional drumming experience, from thousands of gigs with artists like Benny Golson, Stanley Jordan, and Eddie Henderson to over 10,000 private lessons taught. I know what actually works on stage and in the practice room, and I’ve poured all of that into this Jazz drumming school online.

I’ll help you get the technical skills, phrasing, improvisation, and groove that drummers need to really shine.

3 WAYS TO JOIN

COURSE PACK

(All 16 Courses Lifetime Access + Drum Lab)

SINGLE COURSES

(Single Course Lifetime Access + Drum Lab)

MONTHLY PLAN

(All 16 Courses Monthly Access + Drum Lab)

Try A Lesson

Here's a lesson on my Off-Beat Jazz drum set comping exercises. Enroll in the Total Lessons Pack,  Monthly Groove Pass or Jazz Drum Comping Course to get the rest of the lessons. Learn the essentials for comping on the drums. 

There is a PDF download for this and all of the exercises in the course when you enroll. Click on "CC" to select your language.
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The Jazz Drummer You'll Become

Drumming With Independence

Forget endless dry drills.  Here you’ll build real four-limb independence by actually making music. Every exercise ties back to what it feels like to play in a band.

Speaking The Jazz Language

You’ll pick up phrasing and start shaping your own rhythmic vocabulary. Instead of just copying solos and fills, you’ll learn how to sound like YOU behind the kit.

Playing With Feel

From ride cymbal flow to dynamics, swing, Brazilian, and Latin grooves, you’ll get comfortable playing with musicians, not just next to them. Your drumming will feel natural, relaxed, and locked in.

This isn’t about stock licks, it’s about listening, responding, and grooving like a real Jazz drummer.

How It Works

Step 1

Enroll In Lifetime or Groove Pass

Pick a Lifetime course pack, a single course, or the monthly Groove Pass.
Step 2

Follow Step-By-Step Lessons

Learn with a complete Jazz drum method that builds your skills naturally in comping, soloing, brushes, independence, and more.
Step 3

Enjoy Your Jazz Drummer Status!

Take your spot at jam sessions, rehearsals, and gigs without second-guessing yourself.

What Students Say

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Marc G.

With Von at Jazz Drum School, it's much more than a [drum] course...it's a MUSIC course. Other methods tell me to hit like this or that but Von knows how to integrate everything into a musical learning process...If you want to play MUSIC, go with Von!

Big Growth

"Von's courses helped me grow as a drummer tremendously."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Smitty W.
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Go Professional

"Von's lessons are clearly explained and remarkably informative. I've gone from a rusty drummer to a professional who works regularly." 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jonathan M.
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Get Better

"I learn, I practice, I get better and I love it! Thanks!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thomas M.
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Watch Jazz Drum School Students Play

Drummer: Jukka Savolainen - Finland
Drummer: Constant Kiffer - Luxembourg

What You Get At Jazz Drum School

16 Courses, 75 Hours and Over 300 Lessons

Everything from Swing basics to advanced Jazz drumming styles.

60 Instructor Playing Examples

Real playing examples from me to guide your practice.

167 Pages of PDF Lesson Downloads

You can download PDF's for your lessons and practice. 

Over 150 Jazz Drum Practice Songs

Use my practice tracks to apply what you’re learning with real music. 

Drum Lab Monthly
Live Stream Class

Where we hang out, play, and work on things together in real time. 

All Jazz Drum Lessons
In 9 Languages

So you can learn in the way that feels natural to you in English, Deutsch, Français, Español, Italiano, 简体中文, 繁體中文, 한국어, 日本語

Direct Access To Me

Message me anytime with questions.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rick T.

All of your videos make me feel your passion for teaching Jazz as a drummer. And it's just like having a face-to-face lesson with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there lessons for my current skill level?

Yes. Jazz Drum School is designed for drummers at every level. If you’re new to Jazz, you’ll build a strong foundation learning how to swing, comp, play with brushes, trade 4s, and play musically with others, step by step.

If you’re more experienced, you’ll refine your groove, develop a deeper touch, sharpen your soloing, and explore advanced styles like odd meters, Brazilian beats and Latin Jazz drumming. Wherever you’re starting from, there’s a clear, structured path to help you succeed.

I don’t read music. Will I be lost?

Not at all. You don’t need to read music to get started, and you definitely won’t be thrown into anything overwhelming. The lessons are built around clear video demonstrations and musical explanations that make sense. As you go, you’ll naturally start learning how to read drum music in a simple, non-painful way. 

You'll learn Just enough to help you understand the grooves, play more accurately and learn faster. You’ll be developing your ears, instincts, and reading skills all at the same time without the stress.

Will I learn how to play with a band?

Absolutely, and this is one of the biggest things that sets Jazz Drum School apart. The lessons are built around the real-world skills you need to actually play with other musicians, not just on your own. You’ll learn how to comp with intention, trade 4s that feel musical (not mechanical), and really lock in with the bass—skills that make you valuable in any Jazz group.

Plus, every course includes pro-level backing tracks recorded by top Jazz musicians, so you can practice in a true musical context. You’re not playing along to loops, you’re developing the ears, feel, and musical awareness it takes to hold your own in a live band. This isn’t about memorizing licks or patterns. It’s about learning to listen, respond, and groove like a real Jazz drummer.

Is there a trial period?

Yes. Since all of my courses and course packs have many downloads, I don’t offer a trial for lifetime purchases. Some students start with the Groove Pass, which comes with a one-day free trial. That way, they can explore everything first.  Then they switch to a Course Pack, Individual Course or keep learning with the Groove Pass.

Can’t I just learn this stuff on YouTube for free?

Sure, there’s a ton of content out there but that’s also the problem. Most YouTube lessons aren’t structured, and they rarely build on each other. It’s easy to bounce around, feel overwhelmed, and not make real progress. Jazz Drum School gives you a clear path so you’re not just watching, you’re growing!

I’ve tried online lessons before and they didn’t help.

You’re not alone. A lot of online lessons are scattered or too focused on technique without showing how to actually use it in music. Jazz Drum School is different. I built it from decades of real-world drumming, with a clear method that’s helped over 500 students not just learn, but actually play Jazz. You’ll hear and feel the difference in your drumming, even after the first few lessons.

Ready to get started?

Join the community

Subscribe to my Jazz Drum School email for a free PDF with 10 Must-Know Jazz Drum Beats!  10 Jazz drum grooves we use in the real world of Jazz Drumming:
  • Blakey Shuffle
  • Bossa Nova
  • Samba
  • Mozambique-Mambo
  • Cha-Cha-Cha
  • 3/4 Swing
  • 5/4 Swing
  • Swinging Funk
  • Jazz Comping Pattern
  • Playing Hi-Hat in "2"
Sign up to download your 10 must-know beats now!
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Kobe, Japan

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