Overview

Start your drumming journey this summer in NYC with the Sound Collective Drumming Bootcamp — a one-week, beginner-friendly course that teaches you rhythm, technique, and global grooves using both drum kits and hand percussion. Through hands-on lessons and group sessions, you’ll develop timing, coordination, and musical confidence while exploring a wide range of instruments, including congas, bongos, tambourines, and shakers. Learn essential drum rudiments, classic kit patterns, and world percussion styles in a supportive, creative environment.

No experience needed — leave with the skills and confidence to play drums in any setting, from solo practice to ensemble performance.

Week 1 – Foundations of Drumming

Students begin with the fundamentals of rhythm using practice pads, sticks, and a metronome to develop timing, counting, and control. In the afternoon, they’re introduced to the full drum kit — learning its parts and practicing basic hand-foot coordination through beginner groove exercises.

  • Learn rhythm foundations: timing, flow, and control

  • Use a metronome and practice pad to build precision

  • Explore drum kit components and basic setup

  • Develop coordination with simple full-kit groove patterns

Morning sessions focus on group rhythm exercises to develop ensemble timing and responsiveness. In the afternoon, students dive into beginner drumming rudiments — including single strokes, doubles, and paradiddles — building control, speed, and stick technique.

  • Participate in collaborative rhythm drills

  • Improve timing through group-based pad exercises

  • Learn essential drum rudiments for beginners

  • Build technique, speed, and muscle memory

Students start by playing classic rock and pop grooves on the drum kit, locking in beats and learning rhythmic structure. The second session introduces hand percussion, focusing on congas, bongos, and timbales using Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

  • Play iconic drum kit grooves and breakdowns

  • Build confidence with full-kit performance basics

  • Get hands-on with hand drums: congas, bongos

Students explore a variety of percussion instruments — including shakers, tambourines, maracas, agogo bells, and more — learning playing techniques and how each fits into rhythmic arrangements. In the afternoon, they dive into world percussion grooves, exploring foundational patterns from Afro-Caribbean, West African, and Latin music traditions.

  • Discover auxiliary percussion: tambourine, shakers, maracas, agogo

  • Learn proper techniques for each instrument

  • Practice global rhythm patterns from various cultures

  • Layer percussion in ensemble-style arrangements

The final day features a full percussion circle, where students apply everything they’ve learned in a group performance. With hand drums, auxiliary percussion, and improvisation, students develop ensemble awareness, dynamic control, and musical intuition — culminating in a collaborative rhythm experience.

  • Play in a structured percussion circle with your peers

  • Develop group timing, listening, and improvisation skills

  • Practice real-time coordination with hand and auxiliary drums

  • Showcase your rhythm skills in a live ensemble-style performance

Unlock Your Creative Playground in NYC

Get full access to our NYC facility and join a thriving creative community. Whether you’re working on your next project, prepping for a gig, or exploring new tech; Sound Collective is designed to fuel your artistic journey.

Access our Studio Rooms, Practice Rooms, Production Gear, DJ Setups, Instruments, and more today.

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