Welcome to the Zildjian Drum Set Method!
This comprehensive step-by-step approach will teach you everything you need to know to get up drumming in no time! Even if you don’t have a set of drums or sticks yet, you can get started with our easy to follow video lessons.
With our FREE downloadable method book, play-along audio tracks and easy to follow video lessons, you’ll learn about each instrument on the drum set – from how it works to how to set it up properly to how to tune the drums and pick your cymbals.
Each new technique, groove and music reading examples are broken down and explained so you can learn FAST AND HAVE FUN!
Take a moment to watch the video introduction to this lesson series:
SELECT A LESSON BELOW TO GET STARTED!
ABOUT THE ZILDJIAN DRUM SET METHOD:
The Zildjian Company has been synonymous with setting the standard for the development and manufacture of high performance musical instruments since 1623. As the world’s leading maker of cymbals, drumsticks, and percussion mallets, Zildjian products are sold across the globe, under the Zildjian, Vic Firth, and Balter brands, and are the standard to which all other cymbals, drumsticks and mallets are measured. From the beginner to the world’s greatest rock stars, jazz performers and concert percussionists, amateurs and pros alike choose Zildjian, Vic Firth, and Balter products to allow them to experience and share the joy of music.
The vision of the Avedis Zildjian Company is to INSPIRE PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH MUSIC. With this project, our desire is to produce high-quality, FREE content available to as many potential drummers as possible, making the pathway towards learning to play the drums FUN. Our goal is for you to fall in love with making music, just as we have!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE AVEDIS ZILDJIAN COMPANY
looking for tracks to play along with?
Here are some inexpensive digital downloads that we really love! All tracks have metronome markings & drumless versions “with click” and without for practicing the new material you’ve learned in this lesson!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THE ZILDJIAN DRUM SET METHOD:
MARK WESSELS is the Director of Education for the Avedis Zildjian Company and an internationally respected author and educator. As a publisher, his “Fresh Approach” method books are among the most successful in the world, with over 300,000 copies in print.
From 1983-2000, Mark taught percussion in some of the most successful public school programs in Texas and launched one of the first internet sites devoted to percussion education. As a result, he was hired as the “Director of Internet Activities” in 2000 for the Vic Firth Company and built one of the most popular online destinations for drummers today. Through the years at Vic Firth, Mark created the vast library of educational resources, many of which were ground breaking in its day. From Essential Rudiments, Groove Essentials and other popular posters to video lessons, play-along tracks, “In the Lot” and “Learn the Music” videos, Mark has been at the forefront of percussion education for over two decades.
During his tenure at Zildjian, Mark has also been responsible for producing thousands of drum set, marching and concert performance videos from all over the world. Working with the other dedicated members of the Zildjian team, he also produced and directed the popular “Zildjian Underground”, “Zildjian Live” and “vfJAMS” video series.
Outside of his work at Zildjian, Mark continues to publish new projects through his website at WWW.MWPUBLICATIONS.COM. If you love these lessons and want to learn more, check out Mark’s very popular books, “A Fresh Approach to the Drumset” and “A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum”, published through Mark Wessels Publications.
ABOUT WAYNE:
Wayne Salzmann II is a drummer, educator, author, and composer based in Austin, Texas. He has been the Drum Set Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin for over a decade and has given clinics and masterclasses worldwide. In addition to his extensive touring and recording with Grammy winning guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson and iconic songwriter Bob Schneider, Salzmann has also performed and/or recorded with Steve Miller, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Cross, Joe Satriani, Mike Stern, Robben Ford, Chris Potter, Dick Oatts, Bill Watrous, Diane Schuur, Bobby Shew, UT Jazz Faculty, San Antonio Symphony, and many others.
He has hundreds of recording credits, including a Billboard no. 1 Jazz record, a Billboard no. 1 Blues record, and feature film soundtracks. His book Developing Melodic Language on the Drums has received high acclaim from legendary drummers Peter Erskine, Ed Soph, Carl Allen, John Riley, and from Modern Drummer Magazine.
Wayne currently serves as a member of the Drum Set Committee for the Percussive Arts Society, and is an artist/clinician for DW Drums, Pedals, & Hardware, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, and Vic Firth Drumsticks.