Levon Helm Teaches Classic Rock, Country & Blues Drumming

Take a lesson from a true rock legend! The late Levon Helm’s music reflected a cross-section of American roots music: Delta blues, country, rockabilly, R&B and, of course, the indelible music of The Band!

Videos

• Intro & Levon's Drum Kit (10:55) - We are introduced to musician and cultural icon Levon Helm, drummer and vocalist for The Band, and we go over his drum kit and background.

• Blues Stay Away From Me (10:51) - Here we see a performance by The Band and then we go over the role of a drummer as well as influences.

• Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes (11:36) - The Band plays us Rock & Roll Shoes and we discuss the breakdown of that and Milk Cow Boogie.

• Short Fat Fanny (09:32) - In this video we get a performance of Short Fat Fanny and a discussions of shuffling against an eighth note, tempos, and dynamics.

• The Battle is Over & King Harvest (11:50) - Here Levon discusses The Battle is Over and King Harvest as well as singing on pitch and using a half time feel.

• Cripple Creek (14:16) - In this video, we hear discussions about rim shot back beats, drum intros, and see a performance of Cripple Creek.

• Life is a Carnival (10:43) - The discussion turns to using two drummers in a band setting and we see a performance of Life is a Carnival.

• Drum Beats, Equipment, & Levon's Early Years (12:49) - Levon talks about the preferred beats of different drummers and their equipment as well as his own formative years.

• Hand Jive (09:31) - In this final video, we close with Levon's final thoughts as well as a performance by The Band of the song Hand Jive.