Looking for the best app to learn drums? If you want feedback on your actual playing, start with Melodics. If you'd rather work through a big library of video lessons, look at Drumeo or Mike's Lessons. And if you just want to tap out beats on your phone, a free virtual drum kit app will do the job.
Quick picks:
Just got a new drum kit? If you've just unboxed an electronic kit, or there's one waiting under the tree, the quickest way to get going is an app that listens to you play. Connect your e-kit to Melodics, or put your phone, tablet or computer near an acoustic kit, and you'll be playing along to songs with instant feedback within minutes. Your first 20 drum lessons are free.
Below, we break down each option (what it is, who it suits, and the pros and cons), followed by the best free tools and a few handy apps every drummer should have.
What is it?
Melodics helps drummers learn by playing, with a strong focus on an interactive experience that takes drummers beat by beat through lessons and provides specific feedback on their performances.
Melodics gives you real-time feedback as you play, so you can see how accurately you're hitting each note rather than guessing. Plug in your electronic drum kit, or turn on your device's microphone near your acoustic drum set (a practice pad works too) and start playing. Melodics then guides you through songs and techniques, tracks your progress over time and shows you specifically where to improve.
Melodics has lessons and courses designed for all skill levels, as well as a growing song catalogue. You can enjoy exclusive drum lessons from drumming stars like Ilan Rubin and Butch Vig, as well as connect with drummers around the world in our active community.
Key features at a glance
What the experts say:
"Melodics is a great tool for learning songs. It allows people to see what they might have been missing when listening to improve accuracy." - Ilan Rubin - Drummer for Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves and solo artist.
"Melodics is one of the best innovative tools to keep you in the practice room and having fun doing so" - KJ Sawka - Grammy nominated drummer & producer and in the group Pendulum
"I wish i’d had Melodics when I was learning drums!" - Butch Vig -
Award winning producer, Drummer for Garbage.
Getting Started with Melodics
Run by accomplished drum educator, Mike Johnston, Mike's Lessons is a fantastic platform for beginners and seasoned drummers alike. The site offers a wealth of courses and topics, from drumming fundamentals to advanced techniques.
Whilst there is no personalised feedback element when watching video content, there are frequent live streams and Q&A sessions where you can connect directly with Mike and other drummers to discuss your playing.
For intermediate and advanced players based in the USA, you can also reserve a spot at semi-regular drum camps to build upon your learnings online.
Check out some of Mike's Lessons on YouTube:
Founded by drumming legend Don Lombardi, who also founded DW Drums, Drum Channel takes pride in its superior learning curriculum which is backed by expert drummers. They have a range of learning videos, interviews and live performances as well as well-crafted courses to guide you through all the way from a total beginner to a pro.
Courses are created with iconic drummers such as Chad Smith where you can actually learn directly from him. They have also featured some of the biggest names on their channel including Sheila E., Neil Peart and Stewart Copeland.
Drumeo is another video streaming platform which is popular around the world. The site offers a vast collection of free and premium video-based lessons, covering a multitude of drumming topics. Drummers can watch the clips and drum along to the content.
They have an awesome array of entertaining videos from popular drummers taking on challenges and doing epic performances to full historic reviews of the world's greatest drummers. They host a lot of their learning content on YouTube for free which can be a great support in addition to other more personalised learning options.
Price: paid membership, roughly $20–30 a month depending on the plan, with plenty of free lessons on YouTube
Check out our guide comparing Drumeo vs Melodics
Drumeo isn't the only option at that price. We've lined up the best Drumeo alternatives if you want to see how it stacks up.
As the name suggests, this platform offers drummers a way to practice and play drums virtually. It has customizable settings and variety of different tracks and songs, making it a fun and easy way to get familiar with different beats.
You can follow their music notation which can be helpful for total beginners who are wanting to upskill in this area. However, there are obvious limitations with this learning style as it is not catered to support you playing your actual kit. This is likely an ideal supplementary tool alongside other learning apps or platforms.
There are more of these about than you'd think. Here are the best online drum simulators if you want to play without a kit in front of you.
Drum Ambition is another online drumming platform that caters to drummers of all levels through well-crafted video lessons that cover a variety of drumming styles and techniques. The site provides a learning path that allows users to progress at their own pace while mastering essential drumming skills.
Users get access to over 100 video lessons with high-quality production, giving them the flexibility to learn at their own pace. However, there is no feedback provided with lessons which some drummers might find can help them progress.
Pros and Cons of Drum Ambition
Pros
Cons
Similar to Drumeo & Drum Ambition, the 180 Drums membership platform offers an extensive library of instructional videos, covering a variety of drumming styles and techniques suitable for all skill levels.
With a focus on community engagement, members can interact with fellow drummers and instructors through forums and live Q&A sessions. This interactivity provides an enriching experience, alongside personalized practice plans that help members progress at their own pace. Members also gain access to exclusive content, including advanced lessons and practice exercises, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
Pros:
Cons:
While Online Drummer does provide video drum lessons, most drummers use the platform to find sheet music. They provide a rich library of sheet music across all genres, organised by difficulty level, from the 1950s to the 2020s. Members get access to over 100 drum sheets, while non-members can purchase individual sheets.
With countless free tutorials, YouTube is a goldmine for anyone looking to learn drumming online. Channels like 180 Drums, Drum Channel, and Alex Ribchester offer a wealth of educational content for drummers of all skill levels.
Price: free
Search for a "drum app" and you'll find two very different things: apps that teach you to play a real kit, and virtual drum kits you tap on a screen. Virtual kits like Real Drum (iOS and Android) or browser tools like drumbit are free and fun for messing around with beats, but they won't build the coordination and muscle memory you need behind an actual kit.
If you want to learn without spending anything, these are the best places to start:
When it comes to learning drumming, selecting the right platform can significantly impact your progress and enjoyment. Video platforms, such as Drumeo, Drum Ambition, 180 Drums, or YouTube, offer the flexibility of self-paced learning with a wide variety of instructional materials. While they can provide high-quality lessons, the absence of real-time feedback may pose challenges for learners who thrive on immediate guidance and corrections.
We created Melodics to help drummers easily see where they can improve and where their strengths are, creating a more interactive and supportive learning environment. Users not only access a library of lessons but also receive feedback on their performance, helping them spot areas for improvement and reinforce good habits. This direct engagement can accelerate progress, making it especially useful for beginners or anyone refining their technique. Ultimately, the choice between a video platform and one that gives live feedback depends on how you like to learn, your goals, and whether you value structured guidance over the freedom of self-directed study.
With so many options on the market, choosing the right drum learning app can be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
Still deciding where to start? Our guide to drum lessons for beginners covers what to expect from the first few months, whichever route you take.
Worth a look too: drum notation apps for reading and writing parts, drum machine apps for building beats, and MIDI drum software if you're programming rather than playing. And if you're reaching for a tuner app, our guide to tuning your drums covers what to actually listen for.
The Metronome by Soundbrenner is a comprehensive practice tool trusted by over 10 million musicians worldwide. It combines a powerful metronome with a practice tracker and tuner, making it an all-in-one solution for drummers and other musicians.
Key Features:
Compatibility: iOS and Android
Price: Free with in-app purchases for premium features
Soundbrenner isn't the only one worth having. We've been through the best metronome apps for drummers and there's a fair bit between them.
iDrumTune Pro is a comprehensive electronic drum tuning app developed by experts in musical acoustics. It offers a range of features to help drummers achieve optimal tuning across their kit, making it a powerful tool for both beginners and professionals.
Key Features:
Compatibility: iOS
Price: $9.99
While iDrumTune Pro offers impressive functionality, it's important to note that dedicated hardware tuners often provide superior accuracy and reliability. These physical tuners are designed specifically for drum tuning and are less susceptible to environmental factors that can affect smartphone microphones.
However, if you prefer the convenience of an app or want a supplementary tool to your physical tuner, iDrumTune Pro is an excellent choice that can significantly aid in achieving that perfect drum sound.
What is the best app to learn drums?
If you want feedback on your actual playing, Melodics is the strongest pick: it listens to your electronic kit, acoustic kit or practice pad and shows you how accurately you played. If you prefer watching lessons, Drumeo has one of the biggest video libraries.
Is there a free app to learn drums?
Yes. Melodics gives you 20 free interactive drum lessons, YouTube has thousands of free tutorials, and free metronome and virtual drum kit apps cover practice and play. Paid subscriptions mainly add more lessons, songs and structure.
Can you really learn drums with an app?
You can learn a lot, especially timing, coordination and songs, as long as you practise on a real kit or pad. Apps that give feedback help you catch mistakes you'd otherwise miss, and many drummers add a few lessons with a teacher to check their technique.
Do drumming apps work with electronic drums?
Most electronic kits connect to a computer or tablet over USB or MIDI, so lesson apps can read exactly what you play. Melodics works with electronic kits, acoustic kits (using your device's microphone) and practice pads.
What's the best drum app for Android?
Browser-based platforms like Drumeo and YouTube work on any device, including Android phones and tablets, and virtual drum kit apps like Real Drum are on Google Play. Melodics runs on Windows and Mac computers, iPad and iPhone.
Learning to play the drums has never been more accessible. Video platforms give you endless lessons, free apps help you practise and play, and interactive apps like Melodics tell you how you're actually doing. If you want to know you're improving, pick an app that listens back: start with Melodics' free drum lessons and see how far you get in your first week.
NEW LESSON DROP!
NEW LESSON DROP!
Come Together
As made famous by The Beatles
Learn to play this and over 500 songs in Melodics
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