Do you ever jam with other drummers?

When Alex Rudinger (Intronaut, Whitechapel) and Ash Pearson (Revocation) realized that they’ve both filled in for each other’s bands – and that they were both going to be at Drumeo at the same time – it was a prime opportunity to play through a song they both knew.

This is “Pangloss” by Intronaut, with the original drum parts written by Alex. In the video you’ll see them trade off in some sections and come together perfectly, in sync, in others. There’s a ton of energy in the room as they play through this heavy tune.

In this quick tips video, Alex Rudinger breaks down one of his favorite patterns that uses linear singles (where no limbs play at the same time).

It’s a great way to start learning the concept of linear drumming and how it feels before you jump in too deep.

This pattern combines a simple quad-style metal fill (RLKK) with straight linear singles where all four of your limbs are alternating (RKLK).

Here’s the pattern:

RLRLKKR KLKRLKK

If you liked this quick tip, check out Alex’s full course on Drumeo!

Alex Rudinger (Intronaut, Whitechapel) is known for playing difficult, proggy metal. A lot of the material is intricate and comes with a lot of time signature changes and tempo changes.

How does a drummer learn these kinds of songs? Here’s Alex’s process for learning technical music efficiently:

1. Learn software that will help your playing

Drummers can incorporate technology into their workflow to make their lives easier. You should get familiar with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) like ProTools, Logic, or Ableton, as well as transcribing software like Guitar Pro, Finale or Sibelius. Alex uses ProTools to listen to tracks with or without drums, and Guitar Pro to transcribe and analyze. You can use programs like these to choose a spot you’re working on and loop that section over and over.

Tools like these are great for learning new songs and coming up with ideas away from the kit, especially if you’re dealing with odd time signatures or tempo changes.

2. Start transcribing

Using a program like Guitar Pro, Finale, or Sibelius to transcribe drum parts – even if you aren’t composing something from scratch – can help you better internalize the song when you get on the kit. Alex will transcribe a part note-for-note to help him understand when and where every note falls on the grid. If you’re learning a cover or a song someone else wrote, spending the time breaking it down and writing it out will make it much easier to play it.

For more details on how transcribing drums can help you learn, check out this short article about Guitar Pro.

3. Make your own click track

Using a click is one thing, but did you know you can customize your own? Alex gives himself a ton of different cues and emphasizes accents. You can even record your own voice to remind you about a part coming up. You could change the permutation of the click to help you lock in better; for example, if a fill changes from straight 16ths or 8th notes to triplets, try changing that section of your click to triplets.

4. Drill it!

Here it is, the moment you’ve been waiting for: practice. Sit there and play the entire song over and over. Alex first sets a goal to play a new song well five out of ten times. Maybe you can play most of the song, but you keep hitting a part that’s giving you a hard time. Go back to your software and loop that section. Keep working on it and give yourself time (don’t expect to get it right away) until you have the whole song down.

While it may seem counterintuitive, starting at a computer makes the process of learning/internalizing music way faster. Technology is your friend. Practice hard and have fun!

Drumming is as much mental as it is physical. If you’re in a negative headspace, playing can be a much needed distraction as well as a great outlet for negative feelings.

Alex Rüdinger is a drummer known primarily for his work with metal bands like Intronaut, Whitechapel, and Revocation. In this important lesson, he talks about how drumming and mental health are related, how he’s been able to take his experiences with anxiety and depression and use them in positive ways to push his drumming, and how routine can get you into a good mental zone.

If you’ve ever dealt with similar issues – or know what it’s like to be impatient or hard on yourself – you definitely don’t want to miss this lesson. Drumming has “really made me a better version of myself than any other career path could’ve done for me.”

Lesson Index:
0:00 – SONG: “Brimstone” by Whitechapel
3:36 – Introduction
7:22 – How drumming can help your mental state
11:00 – Alex’s warm-up routine
16:17 – Writing an album during a challenging mental period
21:39 – SONG: “Tripolar” by Intronaut
28:28 – Getting outside of your comfort zone
31:36 – Advice for beginners: Be patient and go easy on yourself
36:44 – What it means to listen to music
42:47 – How to be productive when you’re mentally exhausted
48:55 – Advice for drummers struggling with mental health
51:42 – SONG: “Third Depth” by Whitechapel
55:50 – Q&A

About Alex:
Alex Rüdinger is an incredible metal drummer whose first big break came at the age of 18 when he was able to secure the drum chair for Threat Signal. Since then, Alex has played with bands such as Good Tiger, The Faceless, The HAARP Machine, Conquering Dystopia (featuring Jeff Loomis, Alex Webster, & Keith Merrow), Whitechapel, Intronaut, Revocation, Monuments, Evan Brewer, Ordinance, War Of Ages, and Cognizance.

Alex plays:
Tama Drums
Meinl Cymbals
Evans Drumheads

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