Drum-Writing for Non Drummers
This is Holistic Songwriting's legacy course on how to write, notate & program drums for songwriter-producers.
+ Bonus Masterclass...
Nippy Noya on Groove ($49 Value!)
This is a 40-minute interview with world famous percussionist Nippy Noya (Chaka Khan, Sting, Billy Cobham, ...) He talks about what "alpha beats" are and why they're the most basic element of a groove. Why they determine feel and how to use them to get into the groove quicker.
Become an expert on groove, programming drums, and working with a live drummer!
Songwriter-Producers, watch out:
With the exception of the vocals, the drums are the most important instrument in any song. Studies from Bristol University have shown that songs in the charts are becoming more and more danceable.
In other words: not being able to write for drums is a HUGE shortcoming that producer-songwriters can't afford anymore if they want to be able to write commercial music of any kind.
Friedemann has been writing his own drum parts ever since he started making music (and without ever being a drummer himself). He is completely self-taught - from listening to hit records, talking to professional drummers, reading books and lots and lots of experimenting.
Whether you want to work with a real drummer, or program your drums yourself,
this workshop will show you how to do it (and a lot more).
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4 hours of deep insight into groove and drum-writing
44 video lessons, Bonuses, PDFs, Resources … everything you need to know to become a drum and groove expert in notime.
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FREE Bonus PDFs with Exercises
This is a workshop, not a lecture. The program includes several PDFs for you to print out and fill out after watching a set of lessons. We then go through the solutions together, so you can see my thinking behind my answers.
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Buy now, watch whenever
+ full refund if you're not happy
We know that you will love "Drum-Writing For Non-Drummers" - There is nothing out there quite like it and it is the most in-depth drum-writing course on the planet.
But let's say you enroll and halfway through the program you decide you don't like the color yellow. In this case, just contact us within 30 days at me[at]holistic-songwriting.com and you'll get a 100% refund.
In other words, it can't hurt to try! Test the workshop and see if it works for you. And if you doesn't, for whatever reason, just ask for a refund.
Here's what you'll learn...
groove along
All the techniques, mindsets, and concepts you need to groove your audience through the roof
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Introduction & Groove Psychology
Why groove is so important in modern songwriting and what psychological influence it has on us. What has the drumset brought to music that classical music didn't have? Knowing the purpose of groove is essential if you want to write commercial Pop music.
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Part 1: Notation
...the Do's and Don'ts of Drum Notation. I fell for these traps a couple of times in my career and have annoyed many drummers this way. I'll show you how to properly notate drum parts so you don't get confused looks.
7 Drum articulations you must know and the sounds you can make with each instrument. This opens up a whole range of possibilities for the creative folks out there who want to use fresh sounds for their songs.
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Part 2: Beat Blueprints
The most famous drum groove in the world - we break it down step by step until you know its ins and outs.
All that drummer's lingo. Make sure you know what all the beats, techniques, strokes and instruments are called so you don't make a complete ass out of yourself when instructing your drummers in the studio.
How exactly a groove is played. Understanding basic drum coordination will help you figure out the possibilities and impossibilities of drum part-writing. Never write an unplayable groove or fill again!
The L.A.W. of drum-writing and 7 examples where the LAW applies. Applying the LAW is the key to writing groovy drum parts, understanding ghost notes, fills and much, much more.
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Part 3: Programming Realistic Drums
How to program MIDI drums that sound as real as it gets. This includes everything you need to know, including Quantizing, Choice of Samples, Kick Drum, Snare and Hihat programming as well as velocities.
Check out this example:
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Part 4: Groove Weight
What European and African music have brought to our Western Pop music and why both are important in modern, commercial songwriting. If you've been writing drum grooves for a while you might be in for a surprise!
The 5 aspects of Groove Weight and how to use them to write grooves for any style or type of song. If you ever wondered how to figure out which groove to pick for your song, this is gonna be a HUGE for you.
We'll also tlk about ghost notes, the magical relationship between kick and bass, and more...
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Part 5: How to Write Kick-Ass Drum Fills
The different types of fills, how to tell them apart and when to use them. There are few things more useful for creating tension than using drum fills. How to write complex sounding fills or hits that are easy and fun to play for any drummer
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Part 6: How to Write Hits/Punches/Kicks
Become a master of elegant drum writing by learning how to prioritize some notes over others and why. After following this course you'll never write another note without knowing its purpose again!
The 3 types of hits/punches/kicks, how to distinguish them and when to use them. Nothing sexier than a well placed kick in the rhythm section!
Conclusion
Lastly, a summary, bonus round solutions, and final thoughts.
Bonus
The Drum-Writing Master Files comes with...
In addition to the Drum-Writing Master Files, you will also get an exclusive interview, featuring Nippy Noya (Chaka Khan, Sting, Billy Cobham, ...). This video masterclass usually ships for $49. However, Nippy usually costs $400 per hour. But... you're getting his thoughts on rhythmic shapes and alpha beats for FREE if you enroll today!
About The Course Teacher,
Friedemann Findeisen
Friedemann Findeisen (*1989, BMus) is a creator, songwriting coach and public speaker. After jumping onto the scene in 2015 with his best-selling book "The Addiction Formula", today he is best known for his YouTube channel "Holistic Songwriting" and the Artists Series.
To this point, the YouTube channel has gathered over 370K subscribers and a total of 10M views, making it one of the biggest songwriting channels in the world. Friedemann is also the creator of "The Songwriting Decks", a new inspiration tool for songwriters which overfunded by 230% on Kickstarter. Friedemann is a sought-after guest speaker at music conventions and tours Europe with his masterclasses on Structuring Songs and Getting Things Made.
In his free time, he designs board games that tell stories, invents escape rooms and writes music. His 2020 debut album "Subface", which he released under his artist name "Canohead" has been labeled the "Album of the Year" by the Nu Metal scene.
Friedemann lives in Cologne, Germany with his wife Joanna and their cat Lyric.
This is what Songwriters say about
the Drum-Writing for Non-Drummers...
I’ve been blown away by the knowledge I’ve gained
brandon s. -
songwriter, arranger, composer
As a songwriter, arranger, and composer, I wanted to severely brush up on notating drums. I know when drums sound good and when they don’t, so I’ve often kept it to the basics when writing drums. As I’ve progressed with my songwriting, I felt it appropriate to gain a better understanding of how to write drums that have a real groove to further enhance my songs. I enrolled in Friedemann’s self-paced Drum-Writing for Non-Drummers course and I’ve been blown away by the knowledge I’ve gained. I have a much better understanding of how to write better grooves. If you want to learn how to communicate with a drummer and how to properly notate drums on a stave, I recommend taking this course. You’ll be well on your way to producing better music.
significantly improved my programmed drums
les d. -
Producer
I'm loving the course! [Holistic Songwriting has] done a fantastic job. I'm off for a short break holiday tomorrow for a few days and really excited to be working through it. My goal is to significantly improve my programmed drums and from what I've seen in the course so far, I've learned loads.
And this is what they say about Holistic Songwriting...
taught me that I too can find my own voice with confidence
Weslay hibberd - writer
Having failed many times at writing a song I am happy with I have found that perseverance and sound guidance from Friedemann has reconfigured my approach and led me to achieve results I love. I enjoy the songwriting process, and Friedemann has taught me that the methods adopted by many great songwriters I admire are not transcendent and I too can find my own voice with confidence. Friedemann inspired me to use songwriting methods as tools rather than blueprints to communicate mine.
opened a new world for me
steve b -
writer
Friedemann opened a new world for me with his approach to songwriting and singing the initial lyrics. Skeptical at first, not really a singer. I tried it and was amazed at the increased production and improvement in my songs. And, many of his tools are also very helpful and time savers too. Now the band is heading to the studio to record enough for a first EP. I couldn't have done it without his guidance.
helped me expand beyong being a rap artist
moreno muanza -
rapper
I started rapping when I was fourteen and today I'm twenty one. I left College 2-3 years ago to pursue music full time. I had the confidence and vision to become a professional artist but there were skills and information I KNEW I was missing. I read every and any songwriting book I can get my hands on and any music theory book I can find. I've been going to music conventions for years... to become a professional, I knew I needed guidance or a coach. Holistic Songwriting helped me expand beyond being a rap artist. I studied and bought every product holistic songwriting has ever created. My testimonial for holistic songwriting is me releasing three EP'S and one twelve song mixtape. Holistic songwriting gave me the perspective and creativity to make four musical projects & SIX music video's. My goal is to be a platinum selling artist and I know holistic songwriting can make me that Artist.
changed my life and it's thanks to your education
asia ward -
Writer
My name is Asia Ward and I graduated last May with a degree in musical theatre, but nowadays, I produce, write, and sing songs for myself and other people. The only way that transition was possible was because of your courses. I started making music for fun after musical theatre didn't work out, but had no direction on where to start. With your guidance, my older songs were selected to win a slot in Tayla Parx's songwriting/production camp in NYC with people like Tommy Brown, Sarah Hudson, Ali Thompson, Normani, and more were in attendance. It changed my life and it's thanks to your education. You are able to break down giant ideas into a language I understand.
my single has gained over 500K streams
eric ryan -
recording artist
Once I found your videos on youtube & purchased your audiobook, it taught me a variety of tools that I could use to formulate/create the structures of my songs... Some of which now have over hundreds of thousands of streams across my platforms!
I love the way you break knowledge/music concepts down to level where "music theory" isn't needed to understand. The way you teach these concepts are in a fun/easy to take in sort of way if that makes sense... I see you as like the "cool/fun" teacher that everyone had in school.
Thanks to holistic songwriting, the tools I learned helped me structure & arrange all of my music including my single „Soleil“ which has gained over 500K streams/plays across all my platforms combined!!
broke me out of the box I was in for 20 years
ehrich weiss -
writer
I'm a hobbyist songwriter and musician of over 30 years looking to improve my skills in writing lyrics, melody and rhythms for my songs. Holistic Songwriting has broken me out of the little box I had been occupying in my musical journey and given me a new direction for my ideas, and especially one I've had for almost 20 years but was going nowhere.
DRUM-WRITING FOR NON-DRUMMERS
+ BONUS: NIPPY NOYA ON GROOVE
(Actual product is streamed digitally. DVDs are not shipped.)
Get started now for just
$97
+VAT
FAQ
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days through me[at]holisticsongwriting.com, and we will give you a full refund.
No matter which payment plan you choose, you get immediate access to all classes.
Yes, absolutely. All notation is explained in intricate detail so even a beginner will be able to write professional drum scores after following this course.
Yes, you're more than welcome to ask us whatever you want, course related or not at me[at]holistic-songwriting.com (replace "[at]" with "@").
Yes, of course! If you don't want to write your own grooves, feel free to copy whichever grooves or fills you liked in the course!
Get started now for just
$97
+VAT