.png)
For drum teachers offering private lessons to diverse students, here's a resource for navigating genres outside your expertise. Since no one can follow every band in existence, I've created a genre-specific list of influential drummers and key albums to guide your teaching.
For example, when tasked with teaching metal drumming—a genre I'm not deeply familiar with—I used to scramble to find appropriate musical content for lessons. To avoid that, I began researching and curating lists of exemplary drummers within each genre, along with their standout albums.
The next time a student inquires about the best blast-drummer, for instance, you'll have a go-to recommendation along with essential listening material.
These lists aren't set in stone; I welcome suggestions. Feel free to comment or email me your input. If you find this resource useful, please share it with other educators!
Best known as the drummer of prog-rock band Rush, Neil Peart is considered one of the most influential rock drummers of all time.
Recommended Albums:
Drummer for the British rock band Led Zeppelin, there might not be a single rock drummer on the planet who doesn't site "Bonzo" as an influence on the instrument. His unique style and sound have given Led Zeppelin an instantly recognizable sound.
Recommended Albums:
Drummer for Nirvana and has also worked with Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails.
Recommended Albums:
Songs for the Deaf (Queens of the Stone Age)
Best known for having been a member of Styx since March 1995.
The original drummer of the Mars Volta, and current drummer for Queens of the Stone Age.
Deloused in the Comatorium (The Mars Volta)
Frances the Mute (The Mars Volta)
Drummer for King Crimson, Yes, Gong, and bandleader of Earthworks. Bill Bruford was a pioneer in world of progressive drumming.
One of the great young drummers of the genre, Matt Garstka pushes the boundaries of progressive music. He is best known as the drummer for Animals As Leaders.
The Madness of Many (Animals As Leaders)
Live 2017 (Animals As Leaders)
Virtuoso Austrian drummer who was one of the main proponents of progressive electro-drumming.
The Distance Between Zero and One (NERVE)
An inductee of the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame, Vinnie Colaiuta is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time.
Vinnie Colaiuta (Vinnie Colaiuta)
Systematic Chaos (Dream Theater)
Scenes from a Memory (Dream Theater)
One of the most recorded drummers in history. Has made his mark in several different genres.
First call session drummer in the 80s who had a knack for creating unique grooves that influenced the future generations.
Studio legend and inventor of the infamous "Pretty Purdie Shuffle"
Young, Gifted and Black (Aretha Franklin)
Live at the Fillmore West (Aretha Franklin)
Claiming over 35,000 recording sessions and 6,000 singles, Hal Blaine's drumming is featured on 150 US top 10 hits, 40 of which went to number one.
Leisure Time (Hal Blaine & The Young Cougars)
One of L.A.'s busiest studio drummers since the 1960s.
The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 (The Traveling Wilburys)
His ability to record entire drum tracks in one or two takes earned him the nickname "One Take".
Black Seeds of Vengeance (Nile)
Known for his work with the group Tool.
A highly-influential drummer known for his creative use of double-pedals.
Dark Roots of Earth (Testament)
Individual Thought Patterns (Death)
Best known for his work with Slipknot, and is considered one of most influential metal drummers of all-time.
The All-Star Sessions (Roadrunner United)
Drummer and principal songwriter for metal superband Meshuggah. As been named Best Metal Drummer by Modern Drummer Magazine.
The Violent Sleep of Reason (Meshuggah)
A Love Supreme (John Coltrane)
My Favorite Things (John Coltrane)
Puttin' It Together (Elvin Jones)
Study In Brown (Clifford Brown & Max Roach)
Empyrean Isles (Herbie Hancock)
Count Basie at Newport (Count Basie)
The Essential Jo Jones (Papa Jo Jones)
Big Swing Face (Buddy Rich Big Band)
The Drum Battle (B. Rich, G. Krupa)
Lester Young Trio (Lester Young)
Invisible Cinema (Aaron Parks)
Bert’s Playground (Ari Hoenig)
Jazz Side of the Moon: Music of Pink Floyd
Trilogy (Chick Corea, Christian McBride, B. Blade)
Footprints Live! (Wayne Shorter)
Mehliana (M. Guiliana, Brad Mehldau)
In the Jungle Groove (James Brown)
I Got the Feelin’ (James Brown)
The Original Funky Drummer Breakbeat Album
The Funk Stops Here (Mike Clark & Paul Jackson)
I’m on the Right Track (Zigaboo Modeliste)
Flyin’ the Koop (Stanton Moore)
All Kooked Out (Stanton Moore)
The Other Side of Midnight (Galactic)
Back to Oakland (Tower of Power)
East Bay Grease (Tower of Power)
Soul Vaccination (Tower of Power)
Double Booked (Robert Glasper)
Made In America (Blues Brothers)
Recommended Albums:
The Evolution of Oneself (Orrin Evans)
Emily’s D+Evolution (Esperanza Spalding)
About the Monks (Dafnis Prieto)
Absolute Quintet (Dafnis Prieto)
Taking the Soul for a Walk (Dafnis Prieto)
Heritage and Passion (Ignacio Berroa)
El Negro and Robby at The Third World War (H. Hernandez, R. Ameen)
Live at the Fillmore East (Miles Davis)
Weather Report (Weather Report)
illy B Eats Vol.1 Groove Bang and Jive Around
