Music Minute Monday: Drums 101 with Lauren Horbal

Hi, I’m Lauren Horbal. You may have seen me performing as one of the Hellcats at the Music On The Move showcases. I am a professional drummer in Nashville, Tennessee, but I tend to wear a few different hats as a singer/songwriter, guitar player, and drum instructor. About a month ago from today, I was heading back home from an incredibly magical and life changing experience on a remote island in New Hampshire. I was fortunate enough to be selected as an instructor for Miles of Music camp, and when the week was over I realized that although I was teaching drums, I learned so much about music, teaching, and myself.

Initially, I wasn’t sure of my role on the island as an instructor as this was a camp for mostly adults. Would anyone come to my class? Did my potential students have musical experience and, if so, at what level? Do my students know how to read music? Do my students want to learn how to read music or do they want to just learn how to play a few basic drum beats? I ended up having a class of mostly women whose musical skills all varied. It was a bit of a challenge to figure out how to get everyone on the same page, but the last few days we ended class with a drum circle/ jam session and that’s where I felt we all truly shined and connected.

You might be wondering why I am bringing up this experience. Yes, I learned by the book and tend to teach by the book as well. However, rhythm is such a fundamental part of the human experience and we can find it everywhere, from a massive rock concert in an arena to our own breath. I have found that it connects us and anyone, no matter what your age, musical background, etc., can create rhythm and play drums musically.

It was really an awesome experience for me to be able to not only teach Drums 101 with this group of people that shared an hour of their time with me every day for a week but to also be humbled by the moment, to let go and create with them as well. If you’re reading this and you’ve never played drums before and you’ve always wanted to try- this is your sign!

In my video, I go over some basics for you to get started. How to hold your drumsticks, how to strike the drum properly, a warm-up exercise, and the beginnings of a drum roll. Grab your sticks and let’s give it a go!