Play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" On The Drums | 5 Levels
Even a complete beginner drummer can learn how to play one of the biggest songs of the ’90s: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. In this video, Dave Atkinson will take you through the basic skeleton of the song, then level it up until you’re eventually able to play it just like Grohl!
Rather than struggling to make it through the song before you’re ready, you can still do it solidly and confidently by stripping it down to the basics. All you need to know is how to play a simple beat. Whatever skill level you’re at, here are five versions of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”:
0:00 Intro
1:06 Beginner
2:55 Weekend Warrior
4:54 “I’ve Taken Lessons”
6:33 The Cover Band Drummer
8:27 Play Like Dave Grohl
What level are you at? Where do you hope to take it?
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#nirvana #davegrohl #smellsliketeenspirit
Get note-for-note sheet music + handy playback tools for 40 of drumming’s biggest songs FREE- including Smells Like Teen Spirit! ► www.drumeo.com/40-songs/
do you have the beginner part sheet music when i look it up it looks different than what i hear from the begginner i would love the sheet music for it!
I am at the "dont have a drum" level.
Sad
Same, I dont have space for one
@@tenshiai1462 And if you dont know that you'll keep up drumming, get some sticks, pots and pans, and you're good to go
Atleast I have a crappy edrum kit but without any amps. Lol
I do not have drums either nor have I ever owned a kit. I started back in 2010 and practice every day. I use a practice pad (or even just a bit of rubber) for rudiments and I air drum to practice maneuverability and dexterity when changing positions. You can learn if you try.
Dude is a very effective teacher, I like his style a lot.
🤘
@In the desert You find some water that's cos we're kind of spoilt with today's habits of downloads and contact gratification. Learn it FAST first and then... damn!!...... it's a bitch playing it s l o w!! 👍💯 I have the same problem, going too fast, gotta learn to breathe and feel better. This guy's a good teacher, bravo amigo mui bien my man!! 👍
Yeah I like this guy
The delayed crash shots isn't something I noticed at first, but now that you've mentioned it, it really makes a difference in the overall feel of the song.
Me too
Awesome, glad it was helpful.
How about on "Drain You"?
It's a huge part of Dave's sound, and a lot of other "heavy hitting" drummers. Funk players do the same thing with the snare.
Duuuude.....didn't you notice when you were dancing to this your head was always a fraction late going down on that beat? Or was that just me 🤔
Honestly, what really stands out, is Dave's way of teaching this Song
I wish to have you as a teacher
Level 6: *OVERPLAYING.*
Level 7: Recording and Mixing your Drums, way harder than play LOL
@@gabriellopes195 I agree
Level 8: Dealing with a bass player. 😂
When you change everything to 32nd notes and your band hates you.
I thought overplaying is at level 11? :D
I'm a guitar, piano, violin and bass player. Drum tutorials are always so interesting because drummers read music in such a different way. It's really fascinating as to how they look at music.
I feel like we don’t see you play that often, you sound great!
Thanks man!
He is a great drummer
Dave Atkinson 👍🥳
@@MrDaveAtkinson Atkins clan !! 🤝🏻
I finished level 1 after an hour it was confusing for me I'm new with drums but I'm very motivated to learn from you!
hows it going?
It’s amazing when you can see the differences between “yes i can play the Song” And “i can really play the song”, great Video!
What level are you at? Where do you hope to take it?
Thank you drumeo it was really helpful....
0.0000000000000000000001
4.5
Absolutely level 3, not even slightly more than this 😂
I would say I am in level 4.5
I've been drumming for 13 years now and wasn't sure how much i was going to learn from this video but wow. Hat's off to you sir. You are an amazing teacher. I've always done the delay on the cymbal hit from watching live bands but never truly understood what i was doing. I never learned to read music notes either but seeing the visual you gave in this video actually made it click with me. Thank you.
Level 6: Energy and Sustainability. Dave Grohl brings it hard and you've got to match that intensity for the whole song.
if you don't have enough energy you don't even get to the end of the song 😹
I’m sad that level 4 got me with the quarter hi hats notes, I thought I was gonna get to level 5 easy 😂
UPDATE: returning to this video after a month of consistent practicing I’m at a level 5!
Rock on! Are you practicing other songs right now? I have several open tabs, been playing Falling Away From Me, Zombie, Can't Stop, and Enter Sandman
@@joshuasopko3071 I've learned toxicity and before I forget since then and I'm working on good god now 👍
Well done Dave! It’s hard to play beginner level when you’re used to playing it full on 🤟🏼
Big time! For those who can play it note for note, the challenge is almost reversed.
That's the quality of a good teacher
You mean Dave Grohl? Thats the drummer of Nirvana (and the lead for Foo Fighters)
@@ErikS- no, he meant Dave Atkinson, he's the guy in the video.
Great lesson and excellent breakdown! I'm glad you mentioned the slight delay on hitting the 1 many people miss that. I made the mistake of right away trying level 5 as a beginner and I simply didn't have the time control to play quarter on the hats with 16th syncopation and hitting those 16th note bass drum in time. I only revisited this song from my childhood years later. This type of 'simplification' gives beginner drummers ways of approaching this great song and progress thru the levels.
I'm not a drummer, but this is pretty awesome. Breaking down the instruments in a song always makes me appreciate it more!
Really curious - what kind of microphones are being used on the toms in this video? Thanks!
tf kai watchu doin here
a rather poggers moment ngl
Was not expecting you here
wait you play drums
EDITOR KAI YOOOOOOOO I JUST NOTICED IT WAS YOU
I have never played a drum set, don't own one, and am terrible at music, but I love this song and watching this breakdown video was very interesting. Thank you for making this!
That was a very helpful lesson. I really appreciate the break down by level. Sometimes when trying to learn a song, but not skilled enough to play it the way it is written can be discouraging. This was a great way to ease into a great song.
This is why you guys are the BEST in the business! Fantastic video and glad that you guys are doing these. Love the client journey you're creating. I started with you guys 18 months ago as a complete beginner with NO experience, and can now play this at a level 3! Thank you for all your hard work!
Thank you! This video is so helpful and is helping me break down other songs and listen to other drumming. It helps that you show how what you're doing matches the sheet music. And also help us calibrate by telling us what each level is roughly able to add in. And especially showing us the difference between level 4 and what Dave Grohl is actually doing, ie, the space on the crash on 1 (10:00). Please make more of these, Dave Atkinson!!!
Such a great video.Your giving beginner players the confidence to be able to show their friends they are able to play songs you want to listen to. We need more like this! Maybe this could be a Drumeo series??
I've never left a comment on KZhead for anything. As a drummer. I play by ear alone. I've never taken the time to evolve and practice pretty much anything. Rudiments, stick handling ex... I was always gifted and blessed to swing some rhythm on the kit. But I must say. This might be the best 👌 lesson I've ever watched. Straight to the point. Cordial, polite, and inspired. What a great instructor. I'd take lessons from him any day.
As a beginner drummer, this was really insightfull. And the dude has a nice way of expalinig everything, so thx for that
Nice lesson. I'm probably at level 4, but I like how you've broken down the subtle differences between 4 & 5
Most important thing is to make sure you're both in sync with the rest of the band, and perhaps more importantly, leading them. I come from jazz drums, and in the context of a big band (think Buddy Rich), your job as a drummer is basically assistant bandleader: you tell everyone else what to do and when, and you're the volume dial for the whole band. I get loud, so does everyone else, and if I play a set up for you, you best not miss your cue.
I've always believed it's much better to play a simpler version really well than to struggle with the full version. Great lesson!
I started the intro with my new band and they immediately joined and played the song. AFTER, the guitarist told be he was very impressed with my playing it correctly, knowing very well it's not as easy as it seems to really get it right. Those are the complements that really matter to me. The way you teach it in different levels is masterful!
Probably the best drum tutorial I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen quite a few on KZhead. I actually always did notice the slightly delayed crash, it’s so subtle but yeah adds so much to the song.
With htis video i figured out that YES, I CAN PLAY SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT. Thank you for the inspiration!!! Please, make more videos like that ( 5 levels) that helps begginers learn so much stuff playing a simplified version of original songs!
Finally it's Dave! So good to see you on the drums. Such a great lesson!!
Thanks for breaking this down so well! I was getting so frustrated with this intro as a new drummer. Can’t wait to try level 2. 🖤
I’ve gotten really into drums a month ago after 8 years of very on and off playing and I’ve jumped from a level 3 to a level 5 since! Glad to see some amazing drum teachers on this app 👍
This is an awesome drum lesson concept--more please!
Level: 0.5 I am a guitarist. I just bought a drum set 3 days ago. I bought it for when my brother-in-law, who is a drummer, visits and we can drink a beer and jam. But since I now have a drum set, I might as well learn a song or two. Thanks for the lessons!
Nice teaching. Really like the level breakdown, meaning it's accessible for all and there's a route to progression.
A few months after starting to learn the drums, I had to learn to play this song almost at Dave Grohl level (but not quite) because our band decided to cover it for a show. And this was in 2004, so I learnt it by ear, no youtube back then. This brought back some memories of the process I went through, so thanks for that! Great lesson!
Only a few months in? That’s pretty impressive
I've found in my travels with various bands that a lot of cover songs seem easy at first until you give them a good hard listen and discover that the drummer is doing all kinds of subtle stuff that can be harder to replicate than you thought.
I’m definitely a level 5, this song took me forever to learn to play, I really struggled with the 8th notes on the high hat and the double kick but I’m very happy to have this song mastered
Yeah the kick is the struggle for me but other than that I have it down
if u managed to play the double kick it’s over
How do u masterd the duble kick its SO hard dude. I mean i masterd the fourth notes on the hi hats but i can not do the eighth notes on the bass
This is the best series on drumeo. Very instructive as to how we can think as drummers
This came at the right time.... I've been trying to play this song for months. Thank you so much!
Awesome! Glad it was helpful. 🤘
@@DrumeoOfficial I would like to thank you in general for all of your videos. I started playing the drums about 6 months ago and I rely heavily on your channel's contents. You guys are awesome!!
abcddcba09 that’s probably why. You gotta just sit down and figure it on your own man. Listen to music and play along with it as you hear it.
Who could possibly dislike a video as fun and informative as this?
Chad Channing
Это костыли надо учиться сразу правильно
@Barge Arse you
Aw shot my bad
People that don't like DDP
i’ve played guitar and bass for up to 9 years, last march i got a drum set and with 0 lessons in about a month i was level 4. it’s so fascinating what playing other instruments can do to your influence on different instruments such as drums.
Lol I’m doing the opposite, like 4 years of self taught drums and now guitar
For me it is completely a different story. I went to music school and played piano for 7 years. I can also play music that I hear without notes. But now recently I bought electronic drum kit to self teach drums at home, which is way more different type of instrument than what I know😂😂
Amazing tutorial! As someone who is at the level of "Never Was", even I could understand your thorough instructions and teachings. You deserve way more views and subs. Good work!
It's pretty awesome seeing the song broken down into different layers of difficulty, than just taking the song for granted and not paying attention to the little details, specially the part about how "feeling" plays a big part into it. Cool video.
this is gonna probably sound like a random comment but I promise it relates lol so as a long time drummer, I love this. Your way of breaking it down to all skill levels is awesome, i love how you say "now lets play it in context" so you take what you've learned to the real thing. I work for an agency that serves adults with intellectual disabilities. It's crazy how much we relied on face to face, daily interaction to do our jobs. Once Covid hit we were and continue to be strictly zoom classes which made it a bit difficult. It's much easier to teach a class in person for a group of people who have varying disabilities and I found myself doing actual lesson plans due to going online and teaching classes. I have so many people in each class that require different levels of assistance and this really got me stoked. You did such a great job of doing just that. I do everything from history classes to music classes. You've inspired me as a drummer and as a fellow human. Thank you dude, you've got yourself a stoked fan!
I played this for a 90s throwback setlist at my college! My guitar player went all-out on getting in perfect- things like the upstroke that most people miss- so I worked really hard to make it to level 5. Unfortunately our band teacher hated grunge and forced us to tone it down, so I ended up playing a really solid 2. We still made it awesome though!
Never really noticed the delayed crash hits on the down beats but I felt them. I didnt know what it was until now. Good shit man. Dave is a legend !
1/8th notes on the basedrum with 1/4 hats or cymbals is my biggest challenge. Thanks bro! Got better watching this!
This lesson is very helpful please do more lessons like this as a playlist.😁👍
I’ve always wanted to play the drums, I’m buying a starter lugwig set from my cousin. I’m so excited! I’ve been playing the air drums in my car forever, I’m a little worried about the base drum, because can’t play base while driving. Wish me luck! Btw great video!
I'm not a drummer and yet I've enjoyed watching this whole vid. Brilliant teacher!
I think I'm right on the edge of level 3 and level 4, I'm very happy with myself for finally figuring out how to play the chorus and everything. This video was very helpful thanks mate. update that no one wanted and no one cares about but im now at level 5
Thank you guys for making it so easy to learn and I am also at the " don't have a drum level" to
When i fist got into drums i thought it would be hard like the guitar but this guy really made it simple for me
these cymbals make me smile, they sound so unbelievable good.
This is such a well-delivered lesson. Good job! 👌
Hey guys and girls, how are we not even hitting 2k likes.. so many subs, so much work from drumeo to provide us with great content!!! We can do better!!!!
Level 0: Air Drummer
I played drums as a teen in the 90s. I stopped playing due to a lack of time and motivation. Back then there was no YT or similar things to get good encouragement to head on. It wasn't easy to get notes for songs or an idea how to play songs along. You needed to listen exactly to songs but they were played by pros at a pro level. I like what you do and I wish I would had have access to something like this back in the days. And playing real songs instead of practice pattern keeps up the motivation. Compare to the video I was probaly at level 3 or a litte above. I still have my kit, but still even less time. I hope I will return to my drums somewhen. *sigh* 'til then I'm content to watch youtube drum videos every now and then.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’m a beginner drummer and your tutorials have helped me tremendously, you guys rock! (Literally)
Most of the time I average between 3 & 4. This depends on many things: my level of preparation, how well the band mates are prepared, how well we are all (really) feeling, if somebody beats me to the count and starts the song too fast, and if it is a new song we are just trying out. It is important to recognize where you and you band are at in terms of levels for any given situation. One can a long and satisfying career playing solidly at the 3 and 4 level. A strong groove and things, for the most part in tune will fill a Friday and Saturday night venue. People just want to let go and dance. drums, bass, and a dance floor provide the outlet. In the practice room it is perfectly okay to be 1 or 2 just to hold the band together and have a productive session for everybody. If something is messed up, declare it tactfully. Explain where it fell short. Try just that part again a few times until everyone can say "oh yeah!" Level 5 happens for me when the place is empty and the bar maid glances at the clock. She's a single mom and it is nearing time to pick her baby up. Seriously, the folks that reliably present music of all forms at this level every night before an eager and discerning crowd have my respect.
Maybe it's because I've been playing drums since I was a kid, but 5 is pretty easy to be consistent on for this particular song. It's a good beginner song because it's catchy, well known, and easy. The trickiest part is the intro fill because it's a mixture of flams with quickly moving your right hand from the snare to the hi-hat every other stroke, along with bass drum in between everything. It's instinctual once you've got it though. But yeah for other things always being at a 5 is inconsistent.
Finalllyyyy. Thanksss drumeo
I remember when i started to play the drums this was the third song ever i learned to play and just like Dave. He was my drumteacher in my headphones 🥰
Wow this video is so great, I literally got my first drum kit the other day and I'm on level 4 already. Having the break down really helped a lot, thanks so much Drumeo!
Level 5 :) Don’t feel bad if you haven’t reach an “advanced” level yet, music is a learning process, not a race. Great lesson.
I am a self taught drummer and i used to play this song by hearing what my ears could catch but now I can rectify what I was doing wrong.
Yeah me I too doing that with a lot of songs, try to see the drummer in the live versions and also isolated drums if there are👌🏻
I am also a self taught
I really like the point you make about the crashes. I've always felt like the little space Dave gave them was almost like pressure building behind them. Like a slingshot releases and they crash.
I’m at the beginning of beginner! Loved this lesson and really enjoyed it. Rock n roll for ever
Level 666: blast beat the whole thing
This isn’t necessarily part of the song, but I think it’s cool to also add 8th notes on the bass for the end fill. Dave does this on a lot of other songs and it sounds tight.
You must be a carpenter, because you nailed this PERFECTLY. This is one of the best songs and some of the best drumming of all time of any genre.
You are thanking me for watching. Oh for goodness sake, I'm grateful you posted this. THANKS MAN!!! very effective
Almost at 4
Keep up the hard work!
M2
same... i struggle to get the bass right using quarter notes on the Hi-Hat, need to improve my limb independence and i'll get there!
are we Dave Grohl now?
So, does level 5 basically have a "flam" motion on 1 between the hi-hat and crash? I had never picked up on that until now! Thanks for the informative content as always, Dave.
Do you mean the delay on 1 at the beginning of each bar? There's not really a flam there since you're not hitting the hi hat.
just got my first 6 piece drum set yesterday. I was going to start a band with my friends, do some covers, and make up some songs. Btw thank you so much for this tutorial it helped a lot.
I am just starting to play the drums and y’all are amazing teachers, I love this channel
So when you hear this song on the record, it definitely sounds like quarter notes which is a lot harder to play and this video specifically mentions this. However in videos of Dave playing this song live, he’s hitting eighth notes even on the crash during the second half of the chorus. I think he’s obviously hitting the quarter notes a lot harder and the loose hi hat makes the eighth notes hard to distinguish but he’s definitely playing eighths in the video from the Ford Theater as well as the rock and roll hall of fame performance from 2014. I just think it’s interesting because the quarter note “sound” from this song is iconic, but it’s not actually how Dave plays it, and also I haven’t seen anyone else notice this on the internet.
Yeah Dave!
This is so underrated
It’s a good feeling knowing that you can do all 5 levels. Honestly to this song is fucking sick once you know how to fully play it. Great vid man
My 10 yo son is playing this at level 3 on the high hat and level 5 on the groove. Totally amazed how he has picked this up. Just gotta get those 1/4 notes in. 🤘🏻🤘🏻👍🏻👍🏻
When playing Nirvana, use fewer toms, use larger cymbals, and NEVER twirl your sticks.
I was thinking about that during the entire video. But the lesson is very very good tho!
The "I've Taken Lessons" level sounds kind of like Scentless Apprentice
Ive been drumming for literally a week and i have been trying to play level 3 without even knowing it was level 3 after watching this im gonna try and work my way up instead of just jumping in. I got the flam down with the high hat but its hard for me to hit that kick so im gonna work my way up for that awesome video man
Forgot to mention what a fantastic lesson it is. Thanks Dave 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Level 7: You can play the song perfectly and understand the lyrics
You'll probably never ever catch Dave Grohl twirling his drum sticks. He's too cool for that shit.
It does not matter one bit if someone twirls their damn sticks or not.
Everybody's brain works differently. Dave A's twirl looks like a timekeeping gesture. And the minute he starts playing level 5 his expression gets intense like the musician came back and the teacher went to drink coffee.
Bobby Chouinard twirled his sticks. I do, too. Mostly for timekeeping.
THIS WAS THE VIDEO I WAS WAITING FOR! THANKS!!! It was amazing
Great video and lesson! I couldnt figure out how to play the intro until I saw Dave play it on the Sound City doc. To add a bit more thunder, I like to hit a floor tom with the snare instead of the flam in the intro.
Level 6 is actually COOP3RDRUMM3R
Underrated comment
Every drumeo teacher plays better than him😂😂
@@jostilge1916 yah but he overplays a lot.
Lol. The amount of fills etc that guy puts in every drum cover is massive.
The drums on Nirvana songs are great! I hope their drummer was able to find work after Kurt died, and hope he is doing okay these days.
He started a band called Foo Fighters right after Kurt died where he is the singer and guitarist. And they are pretty famous
Lol
Cmon u got be kidding me....
He's obviously joking. Shit went right over y'alls head...
@@bobbymercer2287 Thank you Bobby! However, I only recently learned that he is the third wealthiest drummer of all time, after Ringo and Phil Collins.
Thanks for the help. I was having a hard time with the start up on the snare, but got it down now.
Very amazing teacher! Hope to see him in more videos!
Let's Rock🤘
송사리
Very subtle crop you did on the thumbnail.
Really like the progression of levels, awesome video!
I've literally never even thought about trying to play drums, always was more of a guitar guy myself but this is just fun to watch so here I am.
I can't even play beginner since I don't know how to play the drums
I started off with pillows for a long time, you easily could ;)
why are you here too. pls getout. gn
Learn proper match grip, comfortable foot tech, and play unbearably slow with a metronome, you’ll be there in no time! Good luck dude🤘
Well, in that case you can probably love the different sounds these levels make.
🙂 kzhead.info/sun/otKdhNCCfJ-GjHk/bejne.html
I'm in the middle of "i've taken lessons" and "cover band"
Thank you so much for this lesson, I am a drummer in a cover band called Bloodshot I's and I'm currently on level 4, I hope to get better at this song soon!
This is brilliant! Thanks for the options and the breakdowns