Playing Funk on Drums!
Every drummer I have ever known loves to play funk! For many drummers, funk grooves are the first beats that they learn. These funky...
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John Owens
- May 8
- 4 min
Get Inspired: 5 Motivating Drum Quotes
Here are five of my favorite epic drum quotes, which I believe can inspire drummers of all skill levels to get better. Of course, these...
John Owens
- Apr 10
- 4 min
Quick Guide to Buying Used Drums
I have tons of students ask me about buying used drums, which includes beginners to advanced players. Why? Well, drums are expensive and...
John Owens
- Mar 6
- 2 min
Boost Your Drum Grooves & Fills with Rudiments
Do you get tired of playing the same old drum grooves? Do your drum fills all sound the same? Do you wish there was a way to make your...
John Owens
- Jan 8
- 4 min
Maximize Your Drumming With These 5 Goals
To become a great drummer requires specific goals that will maximize your playing. Most importantly, these goals need to target specific...
John Owens
- Dec 20, 2023
- 3 min
Getting New Drums for Christmas: Now What?
There is nothing more exciting to get under the Christmas tree than a new drum set! Getting new drums is exhilarating and after getting...
John Owens
- Oct 10, 2023
- 3 min
How To Practice Drum Set: Ultimate Guide To Get Better Everyday!
Staying focused when practicing the drums it not easy, but it is essential if you want to get better. Like working out, a great drumming...
John Owens
- Aug 7, 2023
- 2 min
That Shuffle Feeling: How to Perfect the Shuffle Groove on Drum Set
One of the challenges many drummers face is getting the right feel when playing a shuffle. One of the reasons this can be difficult is...
John Owens
- Feb 17, 2023
- 2 min
Are Drums Easy to Learn?
So, are the drums easy to learn? Well, the short answer to this question is both yes and no. Initially, drums are easy to learn; however,...
John Owens
- Feb 9, 2023
- 2 min
3 Chop Busting Rudiments That Every Drummer Needs
I’ll never forget the first time I played paradiddles (as sixteenth notes) with the quarter note at 250 bpm (beats per minute). Honestly,...
John Owens
- Dec 25, 2022
- 4 min
Is the Little Drummer Boy a Drumming Anthem?
As a drummer, the tune Little Drummer Boy has special meaning to me. When I was a young drummer, I immediately connected with the rhythm...
John Owens
- Feb 17, 2022
- 3 min
Power of Street Drumming: Endurance, Finesse, & Energy
Based on my experience as an urban percussionist, I want to share a little about how the lessons of street drumming can strengthen and...
John Owens
- Jun 3, 2020
- 3 min
5 Kid Friendly Songs that Teach About Social Justice
Music is an excellent way to look at and discuss social justice in our society with your kids. In fact, during just about every movement...
John Owens
- May 28, 2020
- 2 min
Fun Music Stuff: Get Your Kids Dancing with Mr. Elephant!
Want some fresh dance and learning tunes for your little ones? Then you’ll love rockin' out with Mr. Elephant’s Songs for the Young,...
John Owens
- May 22, 2020
- 3 min
The Impact of No Live Music, Thinking About My Kids
As a result of social distancing, live music events around the globe have been cancelled. My initial thoughts went out to the musicians –...
John Owens
- Apr 1, 2020
- 3 min
MUSICIAN DISTANCING: Kennedy Center fires Musicians after Receiving $25 Million in Stimulus Funds
After being awarded $25 Million in relief funds, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. will stop paying members of the National Symphony...
John Owens
- Mar 26, 2020
- 2 min
Get Physically Stronger by Listening to Up-Tempo Music
Do you ever feel like you can run longer, play a sport for hours, or exercise more when listening to music? Or, perhaps you and your kids...
John Owens
- Mar 18, 2020
- 2 min
Let Your Kids Drum: It Makes Their Brain More Efficient
A recent study in the Journal of Brain and Behavior found that drummer’s brains are significantly different and more efficient than...
John Owens
- Jan 15, 2020
- 4 min
Teaching Your Kids to Rock History with Iron Maiden
So, what is so great about the heavy metal band Iron Maiden? Well, to answer that I would need to write a book, but it’s really the type...
John Owens
- Oct 22, 2019
- 5 min
4 Incredibly Easy Ways to Make More Music Everyday
Sometimes the daily tasks make it difficult to find time to make music with our families. In fact, we could probably say this is true for...
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