The Drummerszone Education Channel
All lessons - some with pdf downloads - are available in our Russ Miller Fundamental Drum Tutorials video channel.
While the videos are also featured here, we recommend studying them here where you can track your progress.

The Russ Miller Studio Interviews
A few days after each lesson is released, a new Russ Miller interview is released as well.
Watch: The Russ Miller Studio Interviews
Inside the studio of the multi Gold and Platinum recording drummer

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Russ Miller - the more than all-round artist
Relentless as ever since he started drumming, Russ Miller is actually one of those drummers that can really tell you what a professional drumming and recording career is about. He is the guy that recorded mega hits like Nelly Furtado's I'm Like a Bird and Lady Marmalade with names like Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and P!nk, just to name a few. Cool first references, but there is so much more...

When looking at the walls in his studio, his track record is a bright glowing award scene lathed in Gold and Platinum, with Disney's best-selling movie with Elsa and Anna right next to his Tina Turner platinum sales. You can literally hear Russ Miller on any given moment without even knowing it: when watching a movie, a TV-serie or on the next hit song that was just released. Meanwhile, Russ his recording credits keep growing every time he walks into his studio or when he has a session for any given artist for any possible record label at any another music recording facility.

Russ is part of a family of musicians that is unknown to many. Just like 'The Wrecking Crew,' recording many hits for just as many icons, Russ is a member of a silent, hardworking gang of musicians that have the skills to play whatever is needed for a song, a leader, a commercial or, one of Russ' many skills: get called in and record complete movie scores and music for TV Series, even on the fly.

To reach that level as an artist, you need a lot more skills than just being one of the best on your instrument. Russ is also an arranger, a composer, a mixer, a studio tech, and a designer of dozens of drum related instruments. In his studio, he has the latest and highest level recording tools running to track the next 'Wonder Woman' movie or any other blockbuster or release on his record label.

Russ Miller is prepared on the highest levels in music for any client asking for his services. From analog reference to any digital level with the latest state of the art studio equipment, software and hardware, Russ is in that small group of artists and studio owners that really knows how to stay on top in the music industry.

The Russ Miller Fundamental Drum Tutorials

From that unique experience and skillset, Russ shares in 5+1 videos some of the most important skills drummers must have if they want to be a steady, grooving, and versatile drummer. Skills you really have to master in order to know what you have to do in the studio or during any session if you consider yourself a decent drummer. Russ shows how you can improve your control, time, and dynamics on the drums. More creatively: how you can adopt (steal!) inspiring licks from other drummers. The major influence David Garibaldi still has on Russ' playing is in lesson 5.

We start the Russ Miller Fundamental Drum Tutorials with a solid lesson on leveled and steady playing when recording in the studio.
Quick Tip: the words of a tutor are just as valuable as his or hers playing - perhaps even more. The practicing is up to you!
Nice to know: all videos are recorded at Russ Miller's R.M.I. Studio in Los Angeles, California. The drum audio is recorded and mixed by Russ himself at his R.M.I. International studio.

lesson 1. Playing the Perfect Mix (04:15)
In this first lesson, Russ explains and demos thoroughly how important the individual levels of the limbs in your playing are, and what you present to the microphones in the studio. To have a proper mix between the instruments of your drums is the goal here. After the introduction, you get alternating live audio examples of correct and incorrect mixes on the drums and overhead microphones.

Russ explains and demos the roles of the bass drum, snare drum and the hihat, with the hihat having the function of motion in the groove. He even shows you how you can F-up a recording session.



lesson 2. Developing a Solid Pulse (06:00)
These six minutes can change your entire approach to drumming if you take the time and really absorb what Russ teaches here.

The Pulse (or time keeping or playing in time) is the key for any instrument. A drummer cannot be off on timing when others rely on the drummer putting down the foundation for any musical setting. Russ explains how to understand the pulse and the importance of it. Do not be discouraged by the swing rhythm at the start, this is a lesson about getting your limbs playing straight and in time. Russ translates this to rock and pop as well.

Notice how Russ links this lesson to one of the best recording and live drummers that ever lived: Jeff Porcaro.

"Make sure you are creating that fundamental pulse to see your groove get stronger, more solid and drives the band harder."
- Russ Miller

lesson 3. Defining the Groove (06:30)
This lesson may sound a little theoretical at first, but it is all about the understanding and usage of notes that determines how the groove and music feels. The drummer is the lead whether a song or groove is relaxed or energized.

Russ explains timing as 'the amount of energy that you can give to a groove.'
For a drummer, defining a groove starts with understanding timing. And timing starts with understanding the length of the notes you are playing. Russ demos this with brushes and then adapts it to three exceptionally fine timed grooves. This is a valuable lesson explaining what timing really is about. An eye-opener on how to change the feel of a groove in a millisecond.

"Brushes are not for playing quiet, but for playing longer."
- Russ Miller

lesson 4. Techniques for Dynamics (08:00)
Dynamics are what make you groove as a drummer. As Russ states: 'Dynamics are the contrasts between notes and how you sound on your drums.' Your level of playing dynamics is the level on how you interact with other musicians.

This lesson is a detailed drum lesson on the three earlier videos in this series. Russ shows you how you can add dynamics to your playing with just a few exercises that make you a much more stable drummer as well. A lesson on how to play more defined contrasts between loud and soft.
There is a pdf-download available in the official Education Channel with more variations on what Russ shows in the video on interplay with the bass drum and hi-hat.

x-tra: Steve Gadd explained
We asked Russ why some of his playing in this lesson reminded us of Steve Gadd. In a nutshell he explains Steve's playing by demoing 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover from Paul Simon's 1975 album 'Still Crazy After All These Years,' and then takes off with some seriously heavy tricks and dives deeper into that 16th note-flow with some crazy Gadd-like grooves.

Then he uses the hihat for some interplay in a few shuffle grooves, all the way to a 12/8 beat. Russ is definitely our living Drummerszone-slogan here: Beat Your Heart Out!


Download the pdf with this lesson in The Russ Miller Fundamental Drum Tutorials Education Channel.

"You must have dynamics on all of your limbs."
- Russ Miller

lesson 5. Stealing the Right Drum Lick (04:30)
A highly informative drum lesson on adopting creative ideas from other drummers. Russ gives a cool and grooving example with several demos on how you can take an idea or groove from another drummer and make it your own.

When asked about one of Russ his most influential grooves from other drummers, one example immediately came to mind: a David Garibaldi groove from the Tower of Power track Squib Cakes from 'Back to Oakland' (1975).

Russ explains the ghosting pattern that David Garibaldi plays on Squib Cakes and how and where he still uses this idea. He actually demos how he used this on Nelly Furtado's Gold and Platinum hit song I'm like a Bird from the album 'Whoa, Nelly!' (2000).

Next thing you know, he is playing the same ghost-noting phrase in many different ways, and quoting Steve Gadd at the end as well.

Download the free pdf with this lesson on the Russ Miller Fundamental Drum Tutorials Education Channel.

"I'm playing Tower of Power beats on Nelly Furtado, haha!"
- Russ Miller

lesson 6. Tribute to Neil Peart (05:30)
We recorded these lesson videos two weeks after Rush-drummer Neil Peart died on January 7, 2020. A shockwave of sadness and regret shared among musicians and fans went over the entire planet.

More than appropriate, Russ wanted to give Neil a tribute by talking about what he 'stole' and learned from one of the most influential drummers of the past four decades. Then he pays even more tribute to the legendary Rush drummer by playing a drum solo in Neil Peart his unique and groundbreaking playing style.

Russ mentions Neil Peart's orchestral qualities on the drums, and gives you his two main eyeopeners by just listening and understanding Neil Peart with Rush. Of course, he also mentions YYZ (Moving Pictures, 1981) with a quick demo, Tom Sawyer, the opening track of 'Moving Pictures,' and the legendary album '2112'.

Russ Miller

Russ Miller has been one of the most internationally recognizable names in drumming for the past two decades. As a recording artist, he has played on over five-hundred albums, selling more than 30 million copies.

Russ his movie credits number over 200 and have earned more than a billion dollars at the box office. His musical versatility has led him to work with a list of legendary artists, from Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Tina Turner & Bobby Caldwell to Andrea Bocelli, Nelly Furtado, The Psychedelic Furs, Hilary Duff, Steve Perry and was the drummer for American Idol.

Russ holds guest professorships at the Shanghai and Beijing Conservatories of Music. He has authored 5 award-winning books and has 6 instructional videos published.

Russ created over 80 drum related products and has his Signature instruments placed in the Percussive Arts Society International Museum. He has also led his own band touring globally and has 6 solo albums.

Watch more Russ Miller

Did you know that Russ is also a master at playing Indian Rhythms on the drumset, just like Steve Smith and Pete Lockett?

On his 2007 album 'Arrival,' you can hear Russ play this in a Rhythmic Converstation with Steve Smit and Pete Lockett. Other artists on 'Arrival' are: Zoro, Steve Gadd , Wolfgang Haffner, Jeff "Hammertone" Hamilton, Akira Jimbo, Rick Marotta, Johnny Rabb and John "JR" Robinson.
Watch more of Russ playing this with master percussionist Pete Locket, including Editor's cuts on the same video from both Pete and Russ.

Russ Miller and Pete Lockett talk and perform Rhythmic Conversation
Including Artist Commentary Videos on their playing

Pete Lockett's drum method 'Indian Rhythms for Drumset' is probably the first go-to book to take the first steps into playing Indian Rhythms on the drumset. This release-page has videos of Drummerszone, Pete Lockett and Pete Lockett at Drumeo on 'Indian Rhythms for Drumset'.

Russ Miller's Gear
Listed below is most of Russ Miller's official drum gear that he uses on tour and during clinics, with as much specifics as possible mentioned for our followers that love gear. It is also a look into Russ' level of professionality.

Knowing his preferred instruments are not always available, Russ has listed substitutes for those items. He has substitutes for hardware as well. While this is a decently prepared list, we can assure you Russ will always play with whatever is available if things go wrong - without complaining that is.

Russ Miller uses

• Mapex Drums and Hardware
  
• Zildjian Cymbals
  
• Remo Drumheads
  
• Vic Firth Sticks
  
• Meinl Percussion
  
• SKB Cases
  
• DW (Drum Workshop) Racks/Hardware
  
• Cympad
  
• Switchkick Beaters
  
• Puresound Snares
  
• NFuzd Audio Electronics, May E/A Mic Mounts, Zoom AV Products, Hercules Mic & Music Stands, P&D tactile Monitoring, Arrel Audio Mic Pre-Amps, Aspirar Sig. Drum Shoes and Prologix Pads

Russ Miller's Gear in detail
Mapex Design Lab Versatus Kit

• 22 X 16 kick (or 18" depths)
  
• 14 X 4 5/8 Russ Miller Versatus snare
  
• 10 X 7 tom
  
• 12 X 7.5 tom (or a 12X8)
  
• 14 X 13 floor tom (or 14X14)
  
• 16 X 15 floor tom (or 16X16)
  
• 18 X 12 kick (or 18" & 20" diameter)
  
• 14 X 5.5 Equinox BP Design Lab snare for clinics and/or back-up)

DW/Mapex Hardware

• (3) Mapex MSSTC1BC Soniclear tom Clamps
  
• (1) DW 9300AL Snare Stand (or Mapex Falcon)
  
• (5) DW 9700 Boom Stands (or Mapex Falcon)
  
• (2) DW 9002 Double Pedals (or Mapex Falcon)
  
• (1) DW 9500TB HiHat Stand (or Mapex Falcon)
  
• (1) DW 9100AL Throne (or Mapex T760ASER)
  
• (1) DW 9909 Lifter (or Mapex AC-909 Lift)
  
• (2) DW SM934S Cymb.Arms (or Mapex B-100)
  
• (2) DW DWSM776 Clamps (or Mapex AC-908)
  
• Russ uses a DW 9000 Rack system when available.

Zildjian Cymbals
When not available, the substitute cymbals are between the brackets.

• A - 14" Avedis Hi-Hats (K Light, A-revised New Beats)
  
• 10" K Custom Special Dry (A Small Cup, K, A Custom)
  
• 18" Avedis (Kerope, A-revised Medium Thin, A Custom)
  
• 21" Avedis Prototype Ride (20" Constantinople Medium Thin, 22" Bounce, Kerope)
  
• 17" A Custom Crash (A-revised Thin, 18" Kerope)
  
• 19" Kerope Cluster Prototype EFX (18" A Custom EFX, 20" Crash of Doom)
  
• 20" Prototype Ride with 4 Rivots (Substitutes for "F") (19" Armand Ride with 3 rivets)

Remo Drums Heads

• 10", 12", 14" toms - Batter: Coated Ambassador (or Clear Ambassador), Resonant head: Clear Ambassador
  
• 16" floor - Batter: Coated Ambassador X (or Coated or Clear Ambassador), Resonant: Clear Ambassador
  
• 14" Snare - Batter - Fiberskyn Diplomat (*Ships on Russ’ Artist series Snare), Snare Side - Ambassador Hazy Snare side
  
• 22" Bass Drum - Batter: Renaissance Powerstroke 3 (or Clear Powerstroke 3), Resonant Side: Ebony Powerstroke 3 (No Hole) Mapex Logo
  
• 18" Bass Drum - Batter: Renaissance Emperor (Skin Tone or Clear Ambassador), Resonant Side: Ebony Ambassador (No Hole) Mapex Logo
  
• Quick Lock Hi-Hat Clutch

Accessories

• Cympad Cymbal Optimizers
  
• DW Pedals/Hi-Hat
  
• Switchkick Beaters
  
• Yamaha: Russ Miller Groove-Wedge, Russ Miller Cascara-Wedge and the Russ Miller SKRM100 Subkick
  
• Meinl Percussion: Russ Miller RM80B Multi-Bell, and a percussion table
  
• Remo: Remo 18" BD Muff 'HK-Muff-18'