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Improve your power, speed,
grooves, and creativity on the drums.
Taught by Chad Smith.
Start Anytime
Instant access. Learn at
your own pace.
24 Lessons + Q&A
Watch, learn, and play along
right with Chad.
Skill Levels
Beginner to Advanced.
Challenging grooves and fills that
build real rock fundamentals.
Result
Learn the grooves, fills,
and feel behind iconic ’70s songs.
Meet my heroes.
Study these 4,
and you’ll go far.
Hey, it’s Chad Smith (drummer, Lions fan, Red Hot Chili Pepper).
I’ve been asked about my drumming a lot over the years. People want to know about my ghostnotes, my groove, my fills. It’s been humbling, and I really appreciate it, but here’s the truth…
I borrowed it all from my heroes. And you can, too.
In my first course in 30+ years (lol), I wanted to help you learn the same things I learned from studying John Bonham, Bill Ward, Ian Paice, and Keith Moon.
I’ll explain the key skills I lifted from each one and how you can use it in your own playing.
Play smooth, and powerful triplets like Bonham. Learn Ian Paice’s technique for explosive single strokes. Develop your swing-feel like Bill Ward. And push your creative limits like Keith Moon.
Plus, you’ll play along with me to bring up your speed and endurance for each exercise.
By the end of the course, I hope that you’ll have a beautiful blend of all four of my heroes in your own playing – and that you’ll fall in love with drumming all over again.
If you're curious about where my style and sound came from, or just want to dive deeper into 4 of the most influential drummers of all time…
This is the course for you.
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The 4 Pillars
of Rock Drumming
Add Triplets To Your Playing.
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John Bonham is arguably rock and roll's finest drummer. His sound, his technique, his musicality. He just had everything.
His grooves weren't busy. They were heavy. Deliberate. Locked in.
That's why they still hit 50 years later.
In this section, Chad breaks down three iconic Bonzo grooves so you can understand what makes them feel so massive and apply them to your own playing - no matter your skill level.
You'll learn how to:
- Generate real power without tensing up
- Control your right foot for clean, confident doubles
- Play triplet fills that feel musical not messy
Make simple grooves sound more impressive with Bonham Triplets you can drop into beats you already play (even if you're a beginner).
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Develop Speed Without Losing Control.
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Ian Paice is fast.
But more importantly, he's precise. His rolls are even while still packing a punch.
In this section, Chad shows you how to build that same clarity into your own playing.
You'll learn how to:
- Play fast rolls that stay clean across the drums
- Develop speed without sacrificing timing
- Keep your groove solid while adding fills
You'll practice Paice-inspired grooves at multiple tempos, so you'll build control first.
Then speed.
And Chad will share the Chili Peppers groove he stole straight from Ian so you can see how these classic ideas still show up in modern rock.
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Play Heavy With Swing.
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Bill Ward was like a jazz drummer playing in a heavy rock band. And he created the backbone of Black Sabbath's iconic sound.
Chad will walk you through Bill's unique sound and show you the secret to adding melodic fills to your playing.
You'll learn how to:
- Fix repetitive grooves without learning new patterns
- Use subtle hi-hat control to create drama
- Add melodic fills that sound intentional
If you've ever struggled to make your grooves feel "musical"...
That changes now.
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Stop Playing The Same Three Fills.
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Most drummers don't lack chops.
They lack ideas.
Keith Moon never played it safe. He didn't repeat the same stock fill every four bars. He treated the kit like an instrument and brought the drums to the forefront.
In this section, Chad shows you how to break out of your "same three fills" rut without losing the groove.
You'll learn how to:
- Create fills that feel spontaneous, not rehearsed
- Use crashes to lift and explode a section
- Add energy without speeding up
You'll practice along with Chad as he plays Keith-inspired grooves at different tempos.
If your playing feels predictable and you go back to the same old fills every time, this section will give you fresh ideas you can play immediately.
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Your lessons help
more kids play music.
When you get Legends of the '70s, you're not just taking a step to improve your drumming.
You're helping kids play music.
That's because proceeds from every sale will go to the Chad Smith Foundation.
Drumeo is partnering with the foundation to provide scholarships, equipment, and education for kids who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to learn an instrument.
And your support helps create a world where music education and resources are accessible to all, regardless of economic background.
So from all of us at Drumeo and the Chad Smith Foundation…
Thank you.
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Get the course or go all-in with a Drumeo membership
and get a limited edition Chili-Red practice pad.
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Chad loves these drummers.
You'll love this course.
This course is close to Chad's heart. It's the drumming and the music he grew up on.
We hope this course can help you break through to make you a better drummer, while supporting Chad and the work of his foundation.
But if you try it and it's not for you…
You'll have 90 days to let us know for a full refund.
Still Got Questions?
Are these full song play-alongs with the original recordings?
No — these are groove-based play-alongs, not full song recordings.
You'll practice the iconic grooves of these legendary songs, without the original master audio, so you can play them at multiple tempos and really lock them in.
I'm just starting out. Will this be too hard for me?
These songs are hard for beginners. But you'll hear Chad Smith talk about how this music changed his life and influenced his career. He'll share the grooves that stood out and how he implemented them in his work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Even if you can't play them note-for-note, you'll learn so much and be inspired by Chad.
It's for anyone who loves rock drumming.
Do I need a big kit or fancy gear?
No.
You can get a ton out of this course with a basic kit. Many of these legendary grooves were created with simple setups — and Chad shows you how to make them feel great on whatever you're playing.
How long do I have access to the course?
It's yours for life. Revisit the lessons anytime and come back to these grooves whenever you need inspiration.
I don’t have a lot of time. Can I still do this?
Each lesson is short and focused, so you can fit it into even a quick practice session.
There’s no schedule to keep up with. You get lifetime access, so you can learn at your own pace and come back anytime.
When you do have time to play, the play-along tracks help you make the most of it.
Even a few minutes at the kit can go a long way when you’re working on the right things.
What if the course isn't for me?
No worries. You're covered by Drumeo's 90-day money-back guarantee.
Try the course. If it's not the right fit, let us know within 90 days for a full refund.