Drumming songs for a beginner

[Yesspaz]

Diff Drummer is right in that people begin learning an instrument because it's fun, and it's fun to play the stuff you like, so I think the best thing is to let him play what he likes, and leave him alone. Sooner or later he'll start branching out after he gets bored doing his same old stuff. Then he'll be open to all kids of stuff.

I know zip about drumming, but as a bassist, I can say this: once you start playing an instrument, you hear ALL music differently. If he's a good drummer, he'll start noticing good drumming and drift to it naturally. My suggestion is be be sneaky, like a prog spy: just play good prog when he's around. He'll notice.

That being said, if I had to give relatively simple drum stuff that is interesting and not TOO straight forward. I'd list these:

Yes - Cinema
Yes - Shoot High, Aim Low
Genesis - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
Journey - Back Talk
Iron Butterfly - Inna Gadda Da Vida
the Beatles - Rain
the Beatles - Hello, Goodbye


Also, Zeppelin and Who.

[OverHillandDale(Admin)]

I think I'd send him back to the roots of metal in the hard rock of the late 60's early 70's:

Cream (Ginger is a wild man).
Mountain
Black Sabbath
Zeppelin
Santana for a little latin flavor
The Doors
Deep Purple (Live in Japan has an inspiring solo)

That should help out. Then work him into Iron Maiden, Maybe some Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Robin Trower.

but as with anything, practice, practice, practice.