How To Play Drums With Brushes

Master the art of how to play drums with brushes. The most complete course to make music with your drum brushes.

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The most complete course on how to play drums with brushes ever created! Play dozens of grooves, drum fills, fours and eights, brushes rudiments, flashy patterns and tons more!  

Brushes Mastery Course

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This course is a complete masterclass on how to play drums with brushes.  You'll start with essential techniques, brush selection, drum tuning, and brush sounds.

Next you'll cover swing patterns, rudiments, accents, triplet fills, and phrasing, along with specialized lessons on Jazz ballads, playing in 2, and developing a strong sense of time.

You’ll also dive into Brazilian and Latin grooves like Bossa Nova, Samba, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha and dozens of other brush beats.  Go deep into the essential hand motions, rhythmic variations, and coordination for each one.

To prepare for the stage, the course includes advanced topics like trading fours, soloing, transitioning between brushes and sticks, counting off tunes, how to read drum charts and tons more. Also get expert insights on becoming a well-rounded, in-demand drummer.

Play-along video practice tracks with professional musicians are also included!

See the list of all the lessons.

Learn with a relaxed, step-by-step method at your own pace. Track your progress and see how much you have accomplished! Example below is from the Brushes Mastery Course.
Course Overview
Play dozens of grooves, drum fills, fours and eights, brushes rudiments, flashy patterns and a lot more.

This is the most complete course for how to play drums with brushes ever created. You'll learn everything you need to play brushes. By the end of the course, you'll also know the essentials to play Jazz on the drums. 

  • Drum Lessons Video: 16+ hours
  • Drum Lessons: 107
  • Instructor Playing Examples: 7
  • Lesson PDF Downloads: 40
  • Drum Practice Tracks: 33
  • Drum Brushes Practice Videos: 23
  • PDF Drum Charts (Drum Sheet Music): 23
  • Drum Lab Monthly Drum Class
  • Lessons In 10+ Languages:
    English, Deutsch, Français, Español, Italiano, Português, Suomi, 简体中文, 繁體中文, 한국어, 日本語, हिन्दी

PREVIEW THE COURSE

In this lesson on how to play drums with brushes, I teach the New Orleans Second Line groove. Learn dozens of other grooves, drum fills, soloing and so much more when you enroll.

Click on the "CC" in the video screen to select your language. 
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PREVIEW THE PRACTICE VIDEOS

Practice with the pros! This is the Fast Swing practice video for the how to play drums with brushes Fast Swing lesson above.

Use the 23 practice videos in the course to improve with two of the top Jazz musicians in Japan. A drum chart (drum sheet music) for all practice songs is included when you join the course.
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The videos are informative, well presented, and high quality. I am loving this content and it is incredibly useful material.
Jonathan M.
Very inspiring and achievable. A wonderfully designed course that eliminates all the mystery and guesswork associated with the fine art of brushes. I was able to learn and improve immediately. All from an excellent drummer and teacher!
Ernest D.
The Brushes Mastery Course is really instructive and I appreciate many of your ideas and good suggestions which are helpful in Jazz drumming in general. Besides, it is much fun!
Axel H.
I’ve been enjoying your brushes course a lot and found some really useful lessons in there. The new Latin patterns beyond my basic Bossa are a godsend!
Francis O.
As you probably know, it’s easy to hit a slump in your playing and feel like you’re not making any progress. The Brushes Mastery Course—and your offerings more generally—has pulled me out of a slump. I finally feel like I’m getting better again!
Evan S.

Jazz Drums Total Lessons Pack

Step-by-step online Jazz drumming lessons for all skill levels. Learn from beginner to playing in a band—50% off! 

(Includes the Brushes Mastery Course)
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The Lessons For How To Play Drums With Brushes

Learn the basics of how to play drums with brushes and the equipment you need to get the best sound.

1.  INTRODUCTION 02:56
2. BRUSH SOUNDS 05:14
3. BEST BRUSHES TO BUY 06:03
4. TRADITIONAL GRIP 07:29
5. BRUSH MOTIONS 06:08
6. DRUM HEADS TO BUY 03:17
7. DRUM TUNING 20:21

This section covers all of the Swing patterns I use, a very flexible pattern for any style and a warm-up.

8.  QUARTER NOTE PULSE PATTERN 06:41
9.  WINDSHIELD WIPERS PATTERN 04:27
10. 5-MINUTE WARM UP 05:58
11.  SWING PATTERN #1 08:38
12. SWING PATTERN #2 05:32
13. SWING PATTERN #3 06:443
14. SWING PATTERNS WITH FEET 06:42
15. JAZZ SWING DEMONSTRATION 02:20

Learn important accents and the 17 most useful rudiments for how to play drums with brushes.

16. BACKWARD SLAP ACCENT 10:47
17. SLAP ACCENTS PART 2 04:11
18. SINGLE STROKE 4 05:02
19. REVERSE DOUBLES 05:29
20. 5-STROKE ROLL 04:30
21. 6-STROKE ROLL 03:25
22. 7-STROKE ROLL 02:34
23. THE DRAG 02:44
24. SINGLE DRAGADIDDLE 02:24
25. TAP-DRAG-TAP 02:25
26. VON'S 4 PARADIDDLES 04:49
27. PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE 04:21
28. INVERTED PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE 04:19
29. THE FLAM 03:51
30. FLAM TAP 02:35
31.  FLAM ACCENT 02:31
32. FLAM DRAG 03:46

In this section, learn some useful triplet fill patterns for any style of music.

33. TRIPLET FILLS PART 1 07:56
34. TRIPLET FILLS PART 2 04:54
35. TRIPLET FILLS PART 3 03:56
36. TRIPLET FILLS PART 4 07:15
37. STRAIGHT TRIPLET FILLS 06:04

This section teaches you how to play in "2" and Jazz accents and accent phrases.

38. PLAYING IN "2" 09:04
39. FEELING THE TIME 08:47
40. MOST IMPORTANT ACCENT IN JAZZ 03:31
41.  2-MEASURE TRIPLET ACCENT PHRASE 07:30
42. SWITCHING UP THE 2-MEASURE ACCENT PRHASE 06:57

This section focuses on ballad brush playing. You'll learn how to be smooth, expressive and always stay in tempo.

43. BALLAD BRUSHES PART 1 - THE C PATTERN 10:49
44. BALLAD BRUSHES PART 2 - THE CIRCLE TAP 07:19
45. BALLAD BRUSHES PART 3 - THE FLUTTER STROKE 06:16
46. BALLAD BRUSHES PART 4 - CYMBAL COLORS 10:13
47.  JAZZ BALLAD DEMONSTRATION - WHEN I FALL IN LOVE 04:04
48. BALLAD BRUSHES PART 5 - USING THE SINGLE STROKE 4 09:42
49. THE POWER OF SUBDIVISION 09:03
50. THE SWINGING BALLAD ACCENT 07:54
51.  DOUBLE TIME FEEL IN BALLADS 04:28
52. JAZZ BALLAD DEMONSTRATION - MY ROMANCE 01:12
53. JAZZ BALLAD DEMONSTRATION - I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY 05:59

This section covers how to play Brazilian Bossa Nova and Samba grooves with brushes.

54. ESSENTIAL BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA HAND MOTION 12:00
55. 6 BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA RHYTHMIC PATTERNS FOR BRUSHES 10:13
56. THE 6 BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA RHYTHMIC PATTERNS WITH FEET 08:41
57. SKIPPING WIPERS SAMBA PATTERN 12:13
58. MIXING THE 2 BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA PATTERNS 08:11
59. CHOOSING THE BEST BOSSA NOVA - SAMBA RHYTHM FOR A SONG 05:26
60. BACKWARD SLAP ACCENT WITH BOSSA NOVA AND SAMBA 04:38
61.  BOSSA NOVA DEMONSTRATION - SO NICE 01:06
62. BOSSA NOVA DEMONSTRATION - MANHÃ DE CARNAVAL 01:16
63. SAMBA DEMONSTRATION - BLACK ORPHEUS 02:39
64. USING A BRUSH AND A STICK FOR BOSSA NOVA & SAMBA 11:39

This section uses the 17 drum brushes rudiments to help you improve your hands and learn to play interesting and musical drum fills.

65. SINGLE STROKE 4 FILLS 12:56
66. 5-STROKE ROLL FILLS - PART 1 10:48
67. 5-STROKE ROLL FILLS - PART 2 08:49
68. 6 AND 7-STROKE ROLL FILLS 18:47
69. DRAG, SINGLE DRAGADIDDLE AND TAP-DRAG-TAP FILLS 15:30
70. PARADIDDLE FILLS - PART 1 10:49
71.  PARADIDDLE FILLS - PART 2 12:39
72. PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE FILLS 14:58
73. INVERTED PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE FILLS 05:09
74. FLAM, FLAM TAP, FLAM ACCENT AND FLAM DRAG FILLS 13:07

This section contains videos on advanced Jazz Swing for how to play drums with brushes.

75. PLAYING 3/4 SWING 14:45
76. FAST SWING 15:54
77.  JAZZ SHUFFLE 08:26
78. 5/4 AND OTHER ODD METERS 10:07

This section covers many other styles I use besides Swing, Shuffle, Bossa Nova and Samba.

79. BAIÃO 08:57
80. CHA CHA 14:33
81.  BOLERO 09:51
82. SONGO 16:59
83. MAMBO PART 1 10:51
84. MAMBO PART 2 15:53
85. AFRO-CUBAN 6/8 AND BEMBÉ 12:53
86. CALYPSO-SOCA 09:48

Here are more grooves for drumming with brushes.

87. HIP-HOP AND FUNK 19:48
88. FUNK BRUSHES GROOVE AND DRUM SOLO 01:41
89. SECOND LINE - PART 1 16:01
90. SECOND LINE - PART 2 12:10
91.  12/8 BLUES 07:23
92. STRAIGHT 8THS (ECM) 15:51
93. POP 10:57
94. THE TRAIN BEAT 09:05
95. CHANGING FEELS 09:24

This section covers essential concepts and skills for trading 4's and 8's and soloing.

96. MOTIVIC SOLOING 14:30
97. TRADING FOURS & EIGHTS AND SOLOING 26:53

This section focuses on developing skills beyond the basics of brush playing. These videos will help you to be more responsive to the music.

98.   BRUSH FLAIR 13:57
99.   SWITCHING FROM BRUSHES TO STICKS 17:36
100. HOW TO READ A DRUM CHART 08:48
101.  USING RHYTHM TO CREATE 12:59
102. COUNTING OFF THE SONG 10:57
103.  IMPORTANT SONG FORMS 15:56
104. SETTING UP THE BAND 19:15
105. THE 25% RULE 09:36

This section has a lesson that gives my recommended listening. These are the brush players that impacted my playing the most.

106. BRUSH PLAYERS AND RECOMMENDED LISTENING 13:16

This section has a 3-part interview with great Jazz pianist Dr. Phillip Strange. Loads of important tips and concepts to help you connect with the music.

107. BE A BUSY WORKING DRUMMER - PART 1 14:42
108. BE A BUSY WORKING DRUMMER - PART 2 16:31
109. BE A BUSY WORKING DRUMMER - PART 3 19:10

Use these practice videos to hone your brushing skills with top tier musicians in a real musical situation.

110.  JAZZ SWING - CONTEMPLATION - 170BPM NO DRUMS 08:30
111.   BOSSA NOVA - INSENSITIVITY - 100 BPM NO DRUMS 09:15
112.  JAZZ BALLAD - MOODY - 55 BPM NO DRUMS 09:35
113.  JAZZ SWING - BELLMONT AVE - 160 BPM NO DRUMS 05:45
114.  JAZZ WALTZ - TOOTS IT! - TAKE 1 - 140 BPM NO DRUMS 07:34
115.  JAZZ WALTZ - TOOTS IT! - TAKE 2 - 140 BPM NO DRUMS 06:11
116.  FAST SWING - ANOTHER THANG - 250 BPM NO DRUMS - TAKE 1 06:35
117.  FAST SWING - ANOTHER THANG - 250 BPM NO DRUMS - TAKE 2 06:20
118.  STRAIGHT EIGHTS - BEAUTIFUL HEART - 60 BPM NO DRUMS 09:34
119.  SECOND LINE - KALEIDOSCOPIC - 180 BPM NO DRUMS 04:32
120. EASY SWING - SHADY SIDE - 120 BPM NO DRUMS 06:40
121.  ARTITO ALTO AND SAMBA - IT'S GOT TO BE LOVE - TAKE 1 - 180 BPM NO DRUMS 05:09
122. PARTITO ALTO AND SAMBA - IT'S GOT TO BE LOVE - TAKE 2 - 180 BPM NO DRUMS 05:06
123. 12-8 BLUES FEEL - ATLAS - TAKE 1 - 60 BPM NO DRUMS 06:38
124. 12-8 BLUES FEEL - ATLAS - TAKE 2 - 60 BPM NO DRUMS 06:35
125. BAIÃO AND SWING - GREEN STREET GROOVE - TAKE 1 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 07:35
126. BAIÃO AND SWING - GREEN STREET GROOVE - TAKE 2 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 07:35
127. POP - STANDBY - TAKE 1 - 115 BPM NO DRUMS 07:11
128. POP - STANDBY - TAKE 2 - 115 BPM NO DRUMS 07:27
129. CALYPSO-SOCA - STEEL PAN MAN - TAKE 1 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 05:49
130. CALYPSO-SOCA - STEEL PAN MAN - TAKE 2 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 05:25
131.  5/4 SWING - TAKIN' MY TIME - TAKE 1 - 150 BPM NO DRUMS 05:59
132. 5/4 SWING - TAKIN' MY TIME - TAKE 2 - 150 BPM NO DRUMS 05:51

Need a little more help with how to play drums with brushes?

Send me a direct message in the School and ask your questions in my monthly Drum Lab class. Just some of the perks for joining Jazz Drum School! 

Von Baron

Jazz drummer, educator, composer

About YOUR TEACHER

Performing regularly on stage and in the recording studio for 35+ years, Von Baron is one of the busiest drummers in Japan. 

Playing with Stanley Jordan, Benny Golson, Eddie Henderson, Geoff Keezer and many others gave Von the opportunity to hone his drumming brushes skills. 

It's with this real world experience, Von created this course to help you get the most out of your drum brushes. 
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Kobe, Japan

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