Unique fills and feel

Ringo is naturally left-handed but learned to play on a right-handed kit, which contributed to his unique feel and phrasing. His fills often have a quirky, slightly delayed flow that feels human and natural. Listen to the tom work in Rain or the iconic fill at 3:34 in A Day in the Life—both are classic examples of his off-kilter but deeply musical style.

Consistency and groove

Ringo’s drumming was remarkably consistent—not in a robotic way, but in a deeply musical, grounded sense. His backbeat was dependable and warm, offering a solid foundation that allowed Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison to soar melodically. Songs like Come Together showcase his ability to lock in and carry a groove with hypnotic calm. Drummers like Steve Smith and musicologists like Jim Irvin have noted the “effortless feel” of Ringo’s timing and groove.

Get Started For Free

Emotional connection

Beyond rhythm and technique, Ringo's playing had heart. His grooves weren’t just timekeeping tools; they reflected the mood and meaning of each song. In Something, his soft, unobtrusive cymbal work enhances the tenderness. In Helter Skelter, the consistency of his work throughout echo the song's ferocity. George Harrison once said that Ringo was “the best drummer in the world for The Beatles,” precisely because he could interpret the emotion of every track.

For examples, check out this awesome compilation of Ringo’s chops live:

Ringo Starr’s style and influences

Before Ringo joined The Beatles, drumming in rock and pop was often swing-focused. Ringo brought a unique touch: informed by his roots in skiffle, country, blues, and early rock 'n' roll. Growing up in Liverpool, where many American records arrived in Britain first before being sent around the country played a huge part in shaping his influences as well as the ‘Mersey Beat’ scene as a whole. His time with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes gave him practical live experience, and he drew inspiration from drummers like Cozy Cole, DJ Fontana, and Gene Krupa.

If you can hear over the screaming girls, check out this performance of Ringo's influence DJ Fontana playing with Elvis:

Melodic simplicity

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Ringo played in a way that left space. His parts were often singable—you could hum them like a melody. This simplicity made his grooves not only memorable but emotionally resonant. A song like Tomorrow Never Knows demonstrates how he could turn basic beats into something uniquely expressive. (Imagine a brief audio snippet or visual notation of his groove on Tomorrow Never Knows here—it’s as melodic as the vocal line.)

Unconventional fills

Ringo’s fills were never textbook. They often began and ended in odd places, breaking conventional bar lines. But this is what gave them life. His work on The End and Strawberry Fields Forever are prime examples. A transcription snippet of Strawberry Fields would show how his fills anticipate and resolve phrases unconventionally, yet musically.

Understated innovation

Ringo helped popularise the use of matched grip drum sticks in rock settings, which was a big part of why his fills were so unconventional. It is important to note, Ringo is often accredited with ‘creating’ the matched grip but it was jazz drummers who first popularised the technique (Is matched grip right for you? Check out our article to find out!). More notably, he experimented with low drum tunings and muffling—using tea towels on snares and toms during sessions like Abbey Road—an approach developed alongside engineers like Geoff Emerick and Glyn Johns.

If you want to read more about the in studio innovation of these engineers, make sure to check out our article on Glyn Johns!

Ringo Starr’s drum kit & setup

Ringo’s Ludwig drum kit became almost as iconic as The Beatles themselves. That black oyster pearl finish? Instantly recognisable. But it wasn’t just for looks.

Ludwig legacy

Ringo played the Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl Downbeat kit almost exclusively after The Beatles' breakthrough. The tight tuning of his toms and snares gave his recordings a punchy, warm tone that defined The Beatles’ drum sound from I Want to Hold Your Hand to The End. He paired this with Zildjian cymbals, favouring a crisp hi-hat and mellow ride.

Minimalist configuration

Unlike modern kits with 3 or more toms, Ringo’s setup was minimalist: usually just a rack and floor tom accompanying his kit. This simplicity allowed for more deliberate choices. Each stroke mattered, and he made them count.

Studio tricks and tuning

Working with engineers like Geoff Emerick and producers like George Martin, Ringo was part of numerous studio innovations—from tea towels on toms to backward tape loops and reverb chambers. Beatles sessions for Tomorrow Never Knows and Come Together showcased these techniques. Emerick often credited Ringo’s open-mindedness and touch for making these sonic experiments successful.

Who has Ringo Starr played with?

Beyond The Beatles, Ringo has had a long and vibrant solo career, working with an incredible roster of artists.

The Beatles

It goes without saying—Ringo was the rhythmic core of a band that transformed modern music. He played on nearly every Beatles track except a handful (like Back in the U.S.S.R., where McCartney filled in). From the explosive Twist and Shout to the hypnotic Tomorrow Never Knows, Ringo left a lasting mark.

Solo career and the All-Starr Band

Post-Beatles, Ringo launched a successful solo career with hits like Photograph and It Don’t Come Easy. His All-Starr Band project brought together musical legends like Joe Walsh, Sheila E., Steve Lukather, and Gregg Rolie to celebrate collaboration and performance.

Collaborations

Ringo has lent his drumming to records by John Lennon (Instant Karma!), George Harrison (All Things Must Pass), and Paul McCartney (Flaming Pie). He’s also worked with artists like Tom Petty, Harry Nilsson, The Band, and Eric Clapton. His adaptability and groove have made him a sought-after and reliable studio drummer.

How to play drums like Ringo Starr

Emulating Ringo isn’t about copying—it’s about absorbing his sensibilities.

Focus on feel

Practice playing for the music, not for technical shows. Learn to feel when to lay back, when to push, when to leave space and when to sit right in the pocket.

Embrace simplicity

Don’t underestimate the power of a simple beat. Work on perfecting the basics and playing them with consistency and musicality.

Experiment with fills

Try odd phrasing. Start your fills on the "and" of 3 instead of beat 4. Let go of symmetry. Study songs like Rain and The End for inspiration.

Explore drum tuning

Experiment with lower tunings and muffled heads. Get to know how your drums respond to touch, and test out different dampening techniques.

Learn to play like Ringo Starr with Melodics

At Melodics, we help drummers grow not just in speed or complexity—but in feel, expression, and musical intuition. Just like Ringo did.

Melodics is the only drum lesson app that tracks performance & progress. With interactive lessons, real-time feedback, and fun challenges, you can explore drumming in a way that’s exciting, structured, and deeply rewarding. Our goal? To be your guide as you unlock your musical potential. And if Ringo inspires you, there’s no better place to start.

Practice the Ringo way.With heart, groove, and intention. Start your journey with Melodics today.

Get Started For Free

NEW LESSON DROP!

NEW LESSON DROP!

Come Together

As made famous by The Beatles

Learn to play this and over 500 songs in Melodics

Play this song now