Six Easy Songs for Beginner Drummers to Learn (Pop and Rock)

Which songs will get you up and running and having fun as a drummer? And where can you learn more?

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All drummers love sticking on a record and playing along, putting your developing skills to the test and learning musicality along the way. But where do you start as a beginner?

We recommend this book from Hal Leonard which notates 50 songs beginner drummers should learn:

Here’s our list of easy songs for beginners to start playing along to from the pop and rock genres.

You’ll still need to practice these to get up to speed but they should be achievable to get playing and having fun before too long:

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Six Songs for Beginners to Learn

1. Hey Jude - The Beatles

   Hey Jude is a great example of Ringo Starr’s ability to play exactly the right thing for a song without needing to show off. This is a great song for beginner drummers to get to grips with.

   It has big fills in the right places and a simple rock beat supporting the song.

   Any aspiring drummers will no doubt have to play this song many times in their careers so it’s a great one to learn early on.

2. Wonderwall - Oasis

   Wonderwall features a classic Britpop Amen Break-style drum beat that is a fun addition to the classic rock beat. That makes Wonderwall a great song for beginner drummers to learn.

   It takes more coordination to play this beat and to play it consistently in time with the track.

   There are fills that the drummer plays after pauses which you’ll need to figure out, which will help drummers to learn different parts of musicality as well as another typical beat.

3. (I can’t get no) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones

   Satisfaction features a relentless bash through a Motown-style beat that keeps the pulse of the song going throughout.

   This is a classic of the late Charlie Watts’ impeccable and understated rock n roll groove.

   This is a great song for beginner drummers to learn because it moves away from the typical basic rock beat slightly, but requires timing and endurance to keep up for the whole song.

   Keep going with this one to build up your strength and timing.

   Charlie Watts also makes it onto our list of the greatest rock drummers of all time.

4. Sweet Child O’ Mine - Guns N’ Roses

   What could be more fun than bashing through a stadium rock classic like Sweet Child O’ Mine?

   This song is great for beginner drummers because the main beat throughout is a steady basic rock beat that switches from hi hats to ride cymbals.

   However it gets more challenging with some of the building fills, syncopated accents before the section changes, and big crash cymbals. It’s also a great song to practice building power and consistency.

   The key driving force behind this tune is the drummer’s steady but powerful snare back beat and the ride cymbal bell during choruses and guitar solos. Practice keeping this consistent but powerful while imagining you’re rocking out to thousands of adoring GNR fans.

   Rock on my friends.

5. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

   Another One Bites the Dust is a great example of simplicity done very well.

   This is great song to practice your classic rock beat to as it’s very consistent throughout the song.

   There are a couple of simple fills beginner drummers can try too.

   But the key is to keep that beat steady and even. It will be fun to play along and pretend you’re playing with Freddie Mercury at Wembley Stadium, and will be a good work out for your most important beginner rock beat.

6. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

   Perhaps the classic simple song to drum to, Meg White demonstrates simplicity at its finest in Seven Nation Army.

   There is little that’s complex to get your head around in this tune, but the beat absolutely drives the song forward and creates dynamics, contributing to one of the most recognisable rock songs in recent years.

   This should be an easy one for beginners to learn and practice coordination, timing and stamina as well as giving you a staple for playing gigs with a cover band.

It’s important to be mindful of how you are playing these songs.

Of course have fun bashing through them.

But also pay attention to the way you’re playing them and what you’re learning in the process.

Here’s an article that shares tips for beginner drummers to progress as much as you can.

If you want to dive further into great songs to learn easily on the drums we recommend this book which has transcribed 50 popular songs that all drummers should learn.

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