Brushes Mastery Course

Master the art of playing brushes on the drums. The most complete course on how to use drum brushes.

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Play dozens of grooves, drum fills, fours and eights, brushes rudiments, flashy patterns and tons more.  Really learn how to use drum brushes in your drumming. 

Brushes Mastery Course

  • Instructor: Von Baron
  • Level: Beginner-Advanced
  • Study time: 16 hours
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Course Overview
Play dozens of grooves, drum fills, fours and eights, brushes rudiments, flashy patterns and a lot more.

This the most complete drum brushes course to take you from scratch to pro. You'll not only learn everything you need for how to use drum brushes, you'll also learn the essentials for playing Jazz music 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

Drumming With Brushes

It's estimated that only 15-20% of all drummers can drum with brushes. From year-to-year the need for skilled brushes players is actually increasing.  This is because of their use in many styles of music. 

What Are Drumming Brushes?

Drumming brushes have wire bristles that can create infinite textures, tone colors and dynamics for music. Drum sticks on the other hand, are limited in the number of sounds they can make. 

Drumming with brushes will fill that sound gap in your playing.  Learning this valuable skill will improve your drumming and get you more opportunities to play.

This course is great for the beginning drummer, intermediate and advanced drummer.  I also designed my drum lessons to help you play brushes in any style of drumming.  

Drumming with brushes isn't just for Jazz anymore too.  Learn how to use brushes in Funk, Hip-Hop, Latin, Pop, Jazz and many other styles of drumming. Learn all of the techniques, patterns, grooves and fills I use so you too can be successful drumming with brushes. 

The Brushes Mastery Course is the most complete collection of online drum lessons for drumming with brushes ever created.  

How To Drum With Brushes

Playing drumming brushes is usually the weakest part of a drummer's skill set. It is however, a crucial part of your Jazz drumming ability. This course will help you gain confidence drumming with brushes in real musical situations. 

In the Brushes Mastery Course, there are more than 100 drumming brushes drum lessons (Over 20 hours of content), 40 drum lesson PDF's, 23 drum practice videos (With drum charts) and 33 drum practice tracks. All of this will prepare you play brushes in Jazz and many other styles of music at rehearsal, on stage and in the recording studio.

Experience Drumming With Brushes

I'm Jazz drummer Von Baron and I designed this course based on my 35+ years of playing drum brushes, teaching and overall Jazz drumming experience. I've used drumming brushes in many musical styles in the recording studio and on stage with artists like Stanley Jordan, Benny Golson, Eddie Henderson and Geoff Keezer.

Join 100's of drummers in Europe, Australia, Asia and North America who have already learned how to use drum brushes with this course. Sign up today and start becoming smooth, confident and masterful drumming with brushes.

PREVIEW THE COURSE

Here is lesson on how to play the New Orleans Second Line groove with brushes. Learn dozens of other grooves, drum fills, soloing and so much more when you enroll. 
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PREVIEW THE PRACTICE VIDEOS

Practice with the pros! This is the practice video for the Fast Swing drumming with brushes 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.

COMPLETE COURSE PACKS

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8 Courses including this one + Drum Lab

BEGINNER JAZZ DRUMS COMPLETE COURSE PACK

Learn everything you need from scratch in this course pack (including the Brushes Mastery course) to get swinging on your drums. Save yourself 45% too while you're building a rock solid Jazz drumming foundation. 

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9 Courses + Drum Lab

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED JAZZ DRUMS COMPLETE COURSE PACK

This course pack covers everything you need to get you out there playing with other musicians. Enjoy 45% off while you sharpen your Jazz drumming skills.

Jazz Drums Total Lessons Pack

From clueless to gig-ready! Start from scratch and groove your way up to advanced Jazz drumming. Grab all my courses to go from your first beat to stealing the show—and save 50% while you’re at it!
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Drum Lessons Power Pack

Get this course + 3 more at a huge discount!  Focused Jazz drumming lessons for beginner to advanced drummers.
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Get swinging at an incredible price!

Easy as one, two or three

Pay one time or choose your plan

Monthly Groove Pass

$39.95/Month
Dive into the world of Jazz drumming using the Monthly Groove Pass. Every course is within reach with an affordable monthly investment in your passion!
  • Full access to over 300 lessons
  • Ask Von Baron questions anytime
  • Free monthly Drum Lab class
  • Track your drumming progress
  • Try it for a day for free

6-Month Groove Pass

$160/6-month
Discover your Jazz drumming brilliance with the 6-Month Groove Pass— access all courses for a budget-friendly semi-annual investment in you!
  • 2 months free
  • Full access to over 300 lessons
  • Ask Von Baron questions anytime
  • Free monthly Drum Lab class
  • Track your drumming progress
  • Try it for a day for free

Annual Groove Pass

$280/Yearly
Immerse yourself in the universe of Jazz drumming through the Annual Groove Pass! All courses are at your fingertips with a budget-friendly yearly commitment to your musical journey!
  • 5 months free
  • Full access to over 300 lessons
  • Ask Von Baron questions anytime
  • Free monthly Drum Lab class
  • Track your drumming progress
  • Try it for a day for free

THE LESSONS

01 BASICS OF BRUSHING 

Learn the basics of brushing and the equipment you need to get the best sound.
  • INTRODUCTION 02:56
  • BRUSH SOUNDS 05:14
  • BEST BRUSHES TO BUY 06:03
  • TRADITIONAL GRIP 07:29
  • BRUSH MOTIONS 06:08
  • DRUM HEADS TO BUY 03:17
  • DRUM TUNING 20:21

02 JAZZ SWING

This section covers all of the Swing patterns I use, a very flexible pattern for any style and a warm-up.
  • QUARTER NOTE PULSE PATTERN 06:41
  • WINDSHIELD WIPERS PATTERN 04:27
  • 5-MINUTE WARM UP 05:58
  • SWING PATTERN #1 08:38
  • SWING PATTERN #2 05:32
  • SWING PATTERN #3 06:443
  • SWING PATTERNS WITH FEET 06:42
  • JAZZ SWING DEMONSTRATION 02:20

03 ACCENTS AND RUDIMENTS

Learn important accents and the 17 most useful rudiments for playing brushes.
  • BACKWARD SLAP ACCENT 10:47
  • SLAP ACCENTS PART 2 04:11
  • SINGLE STROKE 4 05:02
  • REVERSE DOUBLES 05:29
  • 5-STROKE ROLL 04:30
  • 6-STROKE ROLL 03:25
  • 7-STROKE ROLL 02:34
  • THE DRAG 02:44
  • SINGLE DRAGADIDDLE 02:24
  • TAP-DRAG-TAP 02:25
  • VON'S 4 PARADIDDLES 04:49
  • PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE 04:21
  • INVERTED PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE 04:19
  • THE FLAM 03:51
  • FLAM TAP 02:35
  • FLAM ACCENT 02:31
  • FLAM DRAG 03:46

04 TRIPLET FILLS

In this section, learn some useful triplet fill patterns for any style of music.
  • TRIPLET FILLS PART 1 07:56
  • TRIPLET FILLS PART 2 04:54
  • TRIPLET FILLS PART 3 03:56
  • TRIPLET FILLS PART 4 07:15
  • STRAIGHT TRIPLET FILLS 06:04

05 PLAYING IN "2" AND JAZZ ACCENTS

This section teaches you how to play in "2" and Jazz accents and accent phrases.
  • PLAYING IN "2" 09:04
  • FEELING THE TIME 08:47
  • MOST IMPORTANT ACCENT IN JAZZ 03:31
  • 2-MEASURE TRIPLET ACCENT PHRASE 07:30
  • SWITCHING UP THE 2-MEASURE ACCENT PRHASE 06:57

06 BALLAD PLAYING

This section focuses on ballad brush playing. You'll learn how to be smooth, expressive and always stay in time.
  • BALLAD BRUSHES PART 1 - THE C PATTERN 10:49
  • BALLAD BRUSHES PART 2 - THE CIRCLE TAP 07:19
  • BALLAD BRUSHES PART 3 - THE FLUTTER STROKE 06:16
  • BALLAD BRUSHES PART 4 - CYMBAL COLORS 10:13
  • JAZZ BALLAD DEMONSTRATION - WHEN I FALL IN LOVE 04:04
  • BALLAD BRUSHES PART 5 - USING THE SINGLE STROKE 4 09:42
  • THE POWER OF SUBDIVISION 09:03
  • THE SWINGING BALLAD ACCENT 07:54
  • DOUBLE TIME FEEL IN BALLADS 04:28
  • JAZZ BALLAD DEMONSTRATION - MY ROMANCE 01:12
  • JAZZ BALLAD DEMONSTRATION - I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY 05:59

07 BOSSA NOVA AND SAMBA

This section covers how to play Brazilian Bossa Nova and Samba grooves with brushes.
  • ESSENTIAL BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA HAND MOTION 12:00
  • 6 BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA RHYTHMIC PATTERNS FOR BRUSHES 10:13
  • THE 6 BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA RHYTHMIC PATTERNS WITH FEET 08:41
  • SKIPPING WIPERS SAMBA PATTERN 12:13
  • MIXING THE 2 BOSSA NOVA-SAMBA PATTERNS 08:11
  • CHOOSING THE BEST BOSSA NOVA - SAMBA RHYTHM FOR A SONG 05:26
  • BACKWARD SLAP ACCENT WITH BOSSA NOVA AND SAMBA 04:38
  • BOSSA NOVA DEMONSTRATION - SO NICE 01:06
  • BOSSA NOVA DEMONSTRATION - MANHÃ DE CARNAVAL 01:16
  • SAMBA DEMONSTRATION - BLACK ORPHEUS 02:39
  • USING A BRUSH AND A STICK FOR BOSSA NOVA & SAMBA 11:39

08 DRUM FILLS WITH THE 17 BRUSHES RUDIMENTS

This section uses the 17 brushes rudiments to help you improve your hands and learn to play interesting and musical drum fills.
  • SINGLE STROKE 4 FILLS 12:56
  • 5-STROKE ROLL FILLS - PART 1 10:48
  • 5-STROKE ROLL FILLS - PART 2 08:49
  • 6 AND 7-STROKE ROLL FILLS 18:47
  • DRAG, SINGLE DRAGADIDDLE AND TAP-DRAG-TAP FILLS 15:30
  • PARADIDDLE FILLS - PART 1 10:49
  • PARADIDDLE FILLS - PART 2 12:39
  • PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE FILLS 14:58
  • INVERTED PARADIDDLE-DIDDLE FILLS 05:09
  • FLAM, FLAM TAP, FLAM ACCENT AND FLAM DRAG FILLS 13:07

09 ADVANCED JAZZ SWING

This section contains videos on advanced Jazz Swing brush playing.
  • PLAYING 3/4 SWING 14:45
  • FAST SWING 15:54
  • JAZZ SHUFFLE 08:26
  • 5/4 AND OTHER ODD METERS 10:07

10 MORE LATIN GROOVES

This section covers many other styles I use besides the Bossa Nova and Samba we already covered in section 7.
  • BAIÃO 08:57
  • CHA CHA 14:33
  • BOLERO 09:51
  • SONGO 16:59
  • MAMBO PART 1 10:51
  • MAMBO PART 2 15:53
  • AFRO-CUBAN 6/8 AND BEMBÉ 12:53
  • CALYPSO-SOCA 09:48

11 BONUS GROOVES

Here are a few more grooves to add to your tool kit.
  • HIP-HOP AND FUNK 19:48
  • FUNK BRUSHES GROOVE AND DRUM SOLO 01:41
  • SECOND LINE - PART 1 16:01
  • SECOND LINE - PART 2 12:10
  • 12/8 BLUES 07:23
  • STRAIGHT 8THS (ECM) 15:51
  • POP 10:57
  • THE TRAIN BEAT 09:05
  • CHANGING FEELS 09:24

12 SOLOING

This section covers essential concepts and skills for trading 4's and 8's and soloing.
  • MOTIVIC SOLOING 14:30
  • TRADING FOURS & EIGHTS AND SOLOING 26:53

13 ADVANCED CONCEPTS

This section focuses on developing skills beyond the basics of brush playing. These videos will help you to be more responsive to the music.
  • BRUSH FLAIR 13:57
  • SWITCHING FROM BRUSHES TO STICKS 17:36
  • HOW TO READ A DRUM CHART 08:48
  • USING RHYTHM TO CREATE 12:59
  • COUNTING OFF THE SONG 10:57
  • IMPORTANT SONG FORMS 15:56
  • SETTING UP THE BAND 19:15
  • THE 25% RULE 09:36

14 LISTENING RECOMMENDATIONS

This section only has one video that gives my recommended listening. These are the brush players that impacted my playing the most.
  • BRUSH PLAYERS AND RECOMMENDED LISTENING 13:16

15 CAREER ADVICE FOR DRUMMERS

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

16 PRACTICE VIDEOS

Use these videos to hone your brushing skills with top tier musicians in a real musical situation.
  • JAZZ SWING PRACTICE - CONTEMPLATION - 170BPM NO DRUMS 08:30
  • BOSSA NOVA PRACTICE - INSENSITIVITY - 100 BPM NO DRUMS 09:15
  • JAZZ BALLAD PRACTICE - MOODY - 55 BPM NO DRUMS 09:35
  • JAZZ SWING PRACTICE - BELLMONT AVE - 160 BPM NO DRUMS 05:45
  • JAZZ WALTZ PRACTICE - TOOTS IT! - TAKE 1 - 140 BPM NO DRUMS 07:34
  • JAZZ WALTZ PRACTICE - TOOTS IT! - TAKE 2 - 140 BPM NO DRUMS 06:11
  • FAST SWING - ANOTHER THANG - 250 BPM NO DRUMS - TAKE 1 06:35
  • FAST SWING - ANOTHER THANG - 250 BPM NO DRUMS - TAKE 2 06:20
  • STRAIGHT EIGHTS - BEAUTIFUL HEART - 60 BPM NO DRUMS 09:34
  • SECOND LINE - KALEIDOSCOPIC - 180 BPM NO DRUMS 04:32
  • EASY SWING - SHADY SIDE - 120 BPM NO DRUMS 06:40
  • PARTITO ALTO AND SAMBA - IT'S GOT TO BE LOVE - TAKE 1 - 180 BPM NO DRUMS 05:09
  • PARTITO ALTO AND SAMBA - IT'S GOT TO BE LOVE - TAKE 2 - 180 BPM NO DRUMS 05:06
  • 12-8 BLUES FEEL - ATLAS - TAKE 1 - 60 BPM NO DRUMS 06:38
  • 12-8 BLUES FEEL - ATLAS - TAKE 2 - 60 BPM NO DRUMS 06:35
  • BAIÃO AND SWING - GREEN STREET GROOVE - TAKE 1 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 07:35
  • BAIÃO AND SWING - GREEN STREET GROOVE - TAKE 2 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 07:35
  • POP - STANDBY - TAKE 1 - 115 BPM NO DRUMS 07:11
  • POP - STANDBY - TAKE 2 - 115 BPM NO DRUMS 07:27
  • CALYPSO-SOCA - STEEL PAN MAN - TAKE 1 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 05:49
  • CALYPSO-SOCA - STEEL PAN MAN - TAKE 2 - 200 BPM NO DRUMS 05:25
  • 5/4 SWING - TAKIN' MY TIME - TAKE 1 - 150 BPM NO DRUMS 05:59
  • 5/4 SWING - TAKIN' MY TIME - TAKE 2 - 150 BPM NO DRUMS 05:51

Course reviews

The videos are informative, well presented, and high quality. I am loving this content and it is incredibly useful material.
Jonathan M.
I like very much the course and your musical approach.
Philippe P.
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.
It is a great course!
Steve C.
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.
In addition to the excellent teaching, the web page–including your responsiveness–is awesome.
Richard B.

Start swinging those brushes.

The Brushes Mastery Course

COMPLETE

Innovative online drum lessons that teach you how to use drum brushes. Improve your Jazz drumming and brushes playing skills through this easy-to-follow teaching method.

You'll learn to create your own smooth, confident and masterful sound drumming with your brushes. 

Everything you need to succeed playing brushes in the real world of music:
  • Over 16 hours of online drum lessons
  • 107 instruction videos  
  • 23 drum practice videos (With drum charts) to play with top-tier Jazz musicians and hone your new brushing skills
  • 33 drumming brushes practice tracks
  • 40 drum lesson PDF's.
  • Drum Lab Monthly Drum Class

AFFORDABLE

One-Time Payment. Lifetime Access to your course. Pay once, drum forever!

Pocket-friendly subscription plans also available through Groove Pass. 

PAINLESS

Learn with a relaxed, step-by-step method at your own pace.

You can also track your progress and see how much you have accomplished. 

Need a little more help with your 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! 

More about how to use drum brushes

In the beginning, drumming brushes are difficult for many drummers to use. This is why most drummers are intimidated to use them. 

The Brushes Mastery Course will help you become confident using drumming brushes every time you pull them out of your stick bag. 

Vic Firth Brushes

There are many drumming brushes manufacturers on the market and I've tried most of them.  The brushes I have used consistently for about 10 years are the Vic Firth Heritage Brushes. I have a blog post about these great brushes here. 

How to use drum brushes for Jazz and beyond 

Brushes aren't only used in playing Jazz. In fact, I use them in Brazilian, Afro-Cuban Latin drumming, Pop, Country, Hip Hop and Funk drumming. My Brushes Mastery Course will teach you how to play these styles and many more with drum brushes. 

Jazz brushes technique

There is a very specific technique for playing drum brushes.  Learn how to relax and get incredible bounce and motion from your brushes. You're drumming brushes playing will instantly become smoother and easier.  

My drum lessons will also teach you many drumming brushes sweeping patterns, textures and sounds to use in the music you play.  I'll teach you how to use drum brushes from scratch. 

Practice pad for brushes

There are a lot of great drum stick practice pads out there but not so many choices for practicing with drumming brushes.  I've got a great video on how to make your own cheap drum brushes practice pad. Check it out below!

How to use drum brushes with other musicians

If you want to add brush playing to your drumming, my Brushes Mastery Course will get you there. You'll learn important drumming skills from beginning to advanced playing.

You'll also learn how to connect your brush playing to the music and other musicians you play with. Join today and learn to paint with sound!

My Secrets of Jazz Drumming course also teaches about how to use Samba drum beats with brushes and ballad playing with a band.  Give it a look too!

Learn the Samba drum beat and how to use drum brushes in many other styles of drumming.

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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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