Drummy.io as a didactic tool

Become Rhythm: A Beginner’s Guide


Let’s dive on the many different ways you can use drummy to find your rhythm

What Makes Drummy Unique?

Let’s start by defining Drummy: it’s a fusion of "dummy" and "drums." Here, "dummy" refers to a draft or placeholder rather than something silly. But remember, being a bit silly can be beneficial; it might even spark inspiration!

Similar to how a meme conveys information, a Drummy represents a unit of rhythm designed for effortless rhythmic communication. This allows anyone to share, practice, and ultimately connect with the rhythm.

Drummy.io aims to create a platform that is easy and uninhibited. Each Drummy is actually stored in the URL after the hashtag character. We do not store anything on our servers; you carry the rhythm with you every time you share a Drummy.io link.

Protect Your Hearing

Did you know that prolonged exposure to noise at 85 decibels and above (about as loud as a subway platform) can lead to serious hearing damage, including tinnitus—a condition that can be incredibly challenging to treat?

At Drummy, your health is our top priority. We want you to enjoy music and use Drummy for as long as possible.

So, be sure to educate yourself about safe listening levels and check your volume before immersing yourself in hours of drumming composition!

How to Use the Drum Pad

Drum Pad Tip

If you're working with longer patterns, try using the Scaling setting to zoom out for better visibility on the pad.

The pad features 9 different instruments to choose from, along with 6 unique drum kits to help you find your perfect sound.

Experiment with different combinations of instruments and kits to discover unique rhythms that inspire you!

You can easily duplicate your pattern or split it in half. Similarly, you can expand it by adding beats between the current ones or contract it by removing the in-between beats. This will auto-adjust the figure to keep the pattern consistent.

Feeling uninspired? Check out our pattern generator, designed to produce nearly-good patterns that you can customize, transforming a lackluster afternoon into a creative session.

Just head to the drum machine and look for this button .

Go Beyond a Single Pattern

Once you’ve created your first pattern, it’s time to expand into full songs! You can create as many tabs or parts as you want, and select the Song Format to dictate how your parts play together—like AABBAABC for a full song structure.

Each tab or part can utilize a different drum kit, and by enclosing parts in brackets, you can have them play simultaneously. For example, try A(AB) with different drum kits in A and B for an exciting twist!

Plus, the independence between parts allows for unique combinations, opening the door to polyrhythms!

Group Your Compositions

Creating a setlist is simple: just add a title and hit save.

You can create as many setlists as you like, and even export and import them—perfect for sharing your musical proposals!

Consider organizing your setlists by theme, genre, or mood to easily access the compositions you need for different occasions.

Saving Your Work as MIDI or MP3

When saving to MIDI, keep in mind that we cannot create a full song file; instead, each pattern will be exported as a separate file.

Currently, MP3 exports are unlimited, but this may change in the future. This feature is perfect for quickly sharing your compositions with friends or collaborators!

Tapping into the Rhythm

You can use Drummy as a MIDI drum pad for added versatility.

The auto-add feature enables you to create compositions on the fly, making your workflow even more dynamic.

Whether you’re jamming with friends or working on a solo project, Drummy adapts to your creative process.

Add a Backing Track to Your Songs

Simply write out the chord progression you desire. Choose the root note and determine how it fits within your pattern.

Choose from preset progressions like I-V-IV-V for Rock or I-IV-V-IV for Blues. Experiment with different fits by selecting root notes, and adjust how often the progression plays—every note, twice, or every fourth note.

Drummy employs standard notation, but you can also use the letter S to indicate a silence. This feature allows for more complex arrangements and richer compositions.

Find the Missing Beats

Find the Missing Beats. Sharpen your hearing by identifying the missing beats in a pattern. This activity challenges your auditory skills, pushing you to listen carefully and discern the rhythms that complete the sequence. By focusing on the nuances of sound, you'll enhance your musical perception and improve your ability to recognize patterns.

The button is a valuable feature in this activity that plays the missing sound for you to identify. When you click it, you'll hear the next missing beat, but remember, you can only listen to it once before attempting to locate its position. This adds a layer of challenge, as you must rely on your memory and auditory skills to determine where the sound fits within the sequence.

Each attempt you make is counted as part of your score, encouraging you to think critically about each choice. As you progress, you'll learn to listen more attentively and develop strategies to minimize your tries. This not only makes the game more engaging but also fosters a sense of accomplishment as you improve your accuracy and rhythm recognition over time.

Share as a Challenge

Create your own pattern and challenge others to find the missing beats! This is a fun way to engage with the community while improving your rhythm skills.

Develop Your Rhythm Sense and Precision

Try different ways to improve your rhythm: press the button, use your device’s microphone, or connect a MIDI instrument. Each option gives you a different way to practice, so you can pick what works best for you.

You can also choose from three difficulty levels, each requiring more accuracy. The hardest level will even turn off the Drummy reference halfway through, so you have to rely on your own timing. This increase in difficulty helps you develop your listening skills.

This feature is designed to boost your confidence in rhythm, whether you’re a beginner or have some experience. As you practice, you’ll deepen your understanding of rhythm, making your musical journey more enjoyable.

open the Rhythm training tool

Just a Simple Metronome

Explore different rhythms and play around by modifying them to suit your style. The metronome is a great tool for keeping time while you practice or compose.

Adjust the tempo to match your desired playing speed, making it a versatile tool for musicians of all levels.

open the METRONOME

Easily Record Audio Over Your Favorite Drummy Patterns

Create as many sessions as you want and record high-quality audio using almost any device.

Whether you’re layering vocals, guitar, or other instruments, Drummy makes it easy to integrate your recordings seamlessly.

open the Loop Sketcherbeta
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