Chicago isn’t just a city—it’s a foundation of the North American music tradition. For drummers in particular, there’s no richer, more electrifying tradition than the Chicago blues. This city’s deep-pocket rhythm sections laid the groundwork for modern rock, funk, soul, and hip-hop. And if you're a drummer looking to learn, play, and get inspired by the scene, the Chicago Blues Guide is your new best friend.
This online guide is more than a calendar of upcoming blues jams and shows—it's a living archive of the city's musical heartbeat. Whether you’re trying to find an open jam to sit in on, discover new artists, or get ideas for your next practice session, the Chicago Blues Guide offers:

• Up-to-date jam session listings all over the city and suburbs
• Concert announcements and reviews to help you decide what to catch next
• Artist profiles and album recommendations that introduce you to legends and rising stars

Why is this so important for drummers? Blues is built on feel. It’s not about flashy solos—it's about playing in the pocket, locking in with a bassist, and telling a story through rhythm. By attending live shows and participating in jams listed in the Chicago Blues Guide, you’ll learn firsthand how to support a band, build dynamics, and deliver that unmistakable shuffle that defines the genre.
Blues is timeless in Chicago, and it’s still alive and well across countless clubs, bars, and festivals. There’s no better city to sharpen your craft and understand the soul of American music.
So check out the Chicago Blues Guide and let it guide your next steps—not just as a drummer, but as a musician rooted in tradition. If you are looking to improve your performance at jams or as an adult drummer check out our Adult Drum Lessons page for more information. 

Drumming headphones are essential for any drummer aiming to enhance their skills while safeguarding their hearing. They provide clear audio cues, reduce external noise, and protect against the high decibel levels produced during drumming sessions. Whether you're practicing alone or performing live, the right pair of headphones can make a significant difference in your drumming experience.

These are definitely the easiest to use. Just put them on and play! 

Vic Firth Bluetooth Isolation Headphones

• Noise Reduction: 20dB
• Features: Bluetooth connectivity, broad foam cushions for comfort, approximately 20 hours of battery life.
• Ideal For: Live, studio, or practice sessions.
• Price: $74.95

PROHEAR 037 Hearing Protection Headphones

• Noise Reduction: 25dB
• Features: Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ultra-soft gel ear cushions, 1500mAh rechargeable battery for up to 120 hours of playtime.
• Ideal For: Drummers seeking long battery life and comfort during extended sessions.

For the more experienced drummer these are a favorite choice. In-ear monitors are the choice of professionals and serious hobbiests. The customizability, discreet fit, and high levels of isolation make them an obvious choice. 
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Shure SE215 In-Ear Headphones

• Features: High-fidelity sound, comfortable fit, and durable design.
• Ideal For: Drummers requiring clear audio monitoring in a compact form.

BASN Professional In-Ear Monitor Headphones

• Features: High-fidelity sound, comfortable fit, and durable design.
• Ideal For: Drummers requiring clear audio monitoring in a compact form.

KZ ZS10 Pro 3.5mm Wired In-Ear Headphones

• Features: Hybrid technology with 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers, detachable cable.
• Ideal For: Drummers seeking detailed sound reproduction and customization.

We have tried many of these and we like the Pro Hear 037 for it's value and extreme ease of use and the Shure SE215 for being the industry standard for entry level IEMs. 

​Investing in quality drumming headphones is crucial for both performance and hearing protection. Whether you prefer over-ear or in-ear models, the options listed above cater to various needs and preferences. Always consider factors like sound quality, comfort, and noise isolation when selecting the perfect pair for your drumming sessions.

Are you aspiring drummer but don't have a place to practice and rehearse? Check out our practice room membership program so you can have a consistent, well maintained place to play. 

​So you’re diving into drum lessons in Chicago—awesome choice! But if you live in an apartment or a shared space, you’ve probably already run into one of the biggest challenges: finding a place to actually practice.
Chicago is dense, and the sound of an acoustic drum kit can travel fast. Neighbors don’t always share the same enthusiasm for paradiddles and double strokes as you do. That’s why many drummers—especially beginners and hobbyists—turn to electronic drum kits to keep up their practice without creating friction at home.
Why Electronic Kits Work in the CityElectronic kits (often called e-kits) allow you to practice quietly with headphones, while still developing your skills and coordination. You won’t get the same feel as an acoustic set, but with the right setup, it comes surprisingly close.
Recommended BrandsIf you’re in the market for an e-kit, here are a few reliable brands we recommend:

• Alesis – Great for beginners. Their Nitro Mesh and Nitro Max kits are especially popular thanks to their affordability and solid features.
• Yamaha – Known for producing durable, great-feeling kits with excellent sound quality.
• Roland – Industry standard for professional e-kits. Sturdy, responsive, and designed to last.

What to AvoidNot all e-kits are created equal. We generally recommend steering clear of brands like:

• Donnor
• Simmons

These kits often lack the build quality, playability, and support you’ll want as you grow as a drummer.
Key Features to Look For

• Real Bass Drum Pedal (with Beater) – Avoid sensor pedals that just simulate the kick sound. A real pedal with a beater feels much closer to playing an acoustic kit and will help your technique.
• A Good Drum Throne – Don’t underestimate this one. A stable, comfortable throne helps with posture, control, and endurance.

Electronic kits make it possible to keep your momentum going—even when space is tight and volume is an issue. Investing in a quality setup (and avoiding the cut-rate options) will help you enjoy your practice sessions more and grow faster as a player.
Interested in getting more into drumming? Check out our adults and kids lessons programs to jump start your drumming. 

If you're a beginner drummer enrolled in lessons at SL Chicago Drum Lessons Studio, having the ability to play and practice on your own will make all the difference in your learning experience. To set yourself up for success we recommend either utilizing our practice room, getting an electronic drum kit if you have close neighbors, or ideally getting an acoustic drumset. If you are getting an acoustic drumset, we highly recommend the following drum kits:

• Tama Imperial Star
• Pearl Export
• Gretsch Energy
• PDP Main Stage

These drumsets commonly come with everything you need, including drums, cymbals, cymbal stands, kick pedal, and throne. Also, they offer great build quality, solid sound, and tuning stability—essential for any beginner looking to get the most out of their practice and lessons.


Kits to Avoid
While there are many affordable drum kits on the market, some suffer from poor craftsmanship, low-quality materials, and issues staying in tune. I do not recommend the following drumsets:

• PDP Encore
• Pearl Road Show
• DDrum Journey Man
• Sound Percussion Labs Kicker
• Tama Stage Star

These kits may seem like a good deal at first, but they will likely cause frustration due to their lack of durability and poor sound quality.

​Essential Accessories for Your Drumset
Whatever drumset you buy, make sure it is a complete kit—this means it includes drums, cymbals, stands, and hardware. Missing components can be costly and frustrating to piece together later.
Additionally, make sure you have the following essentials:

• A proper drum throne – Comfort and posture are key for good technique and endurance.
• Hearing protection – Protect your ears from long-term damage with earplugs or isolation headphones.
• Drummer’s headphones – Useful for practicing along with tracks or metronomes.
• A music stand – Keeping your sheet music or lesson notes easily accessible will help with practice efficiency.
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Buying Used? This is a great way to get a good deal, however, be careful!
If you're purchasing a used drumset, ensure that you buy a complete kit with all necessary hardware included. While used drums can be a great deal, buying individual components separately can quickly become expensive. You’ll have a much easier time (and save money) by getting everything in one fell swoop.

By choosing the right drumset and accessories, you'll set yourself up for a smooth and enjoyable learning experience at SL Drum Studio. Happy drumming!

Many drum teachers, educators, and instructors will explain that it is very important to learn rudiments, but why? Why learn rudiments? This answer is as follows: Learning your rudiments now will allow you to play more interesting solos, understand the combinations that other drummers play, and quickly be able to learn new parts. 

Rudiments to drumming are like ingredients to cooking. Just as knowing about different ingredient options and when to use them will help you to cook better dishes, knowing your rudiments and how/when to play them will help you to play songs, solos, and drum parts better. 

Below is the link to our playlist of a series of videos; each video covers a different rudiment explained and demonstrated in a way that is easy to understand and learn from. 

Our Playlist of the International Rudiments 

Want to be personally trained on your drumming? This video is for you, playing along with this video will help you to get a better sense of eighth notes and how to switch between straight and shuffled time when you are playing the drums. This is an exercise I have used with students in drum lessons before and I wanted it to put it on the internet so it can be worked on over and over again. 

What if you could have a personal trainer for drums? Wouldn't that be awesome? A lot of time during drum lessons in my Chicago studio and online, I do some personal training with people where we work on an exercise or rudiment in a repetitive way. We do this to increase control, comfort level, and speed in whatever aspect of drumming we are focusing on.  When you can feel that you have made gains all in one day it is a very rewarding feeling. So in order to help you on your drumming journey here is the first of a series of drumming personal training videos that I made. 

This video covers how to switch between 1/8th notes and triplets. 

When I am teaching drum lessons, a lot of times I feel not only like an instructor, but like a personal trainer. I teach a student how to play a new idea, beat, fill, or whatever it may be, and then I help them increase their speed and add more complexity. This video is just one very simple example of this practice. 

Drumming along to this video will help you to learn better consistency, increase your speed, develop better coordination between you hands and your bass drum foot, and it will warm up your drumming muscles for the day. If it is too fast or slow, remember to utilize YouTube's playback speed feature. This feature will help you to speed up or slow down the video to make sure the video has the right amount of challenge for you.  I hope you enjoy!