Teaches Drumming and Percussion 

Sheila E.

Groundbreaking drummer and percussionist Sheila E. welcomes you to her class and shares some of the defining moments from her upbringing that launched her career as a professional musician.

Meet Your Instructor

Sheila demonstrates how to find your rhythm by moving, clapping, and using household objects to make music. 

Finding Your Rhythm 

Sheila introduces you to the drum set and demonstrates three essential warm-ups, also known as rudiments: singles, doubles, and paradiddles.

Getting Started on the Drums

Sheila breaks down intermediate and advanced drumming techniques for different genres of music.

Learning Drum Beats

Learn about timekeeping, the relationship between drums and bass, and how to drive a song dynamically with a band.

Playing Drums in a Band 

Your drum solo can say a lot about you as a drummer. Sheila explains when to take a solo, how to improvise, and when to show restraint. 

Solos and Fills

Sheila talks about what it takes to be a great bandleader and shows you how important it is for a band to prepare, rehearse, and communicate. Watch as she directs her band and they jam together.

Growing as a Bandleader 

Sheila discusses the importance of conditioning your body as a drummer and how it can make you a better performer. You’ll also get a glimpse into Sheila’s preshow rituals.

Training and Conditioning

Sheila brings together the knowledge and skills covered so far by identifying key drum sections from one of her collaborations with Prince, “A Love Bizarre.”

"A Love Bizarre" Case Study

Sheila shares personal stories and lessons from her years collaborating with Prince.

Collaborating With Prince 

Whether you want to be a professional drummer or you just love playing music, Sheila has some words of wisdom for you. 

Advice for Musicians

Sheila’s musical journey started with the congas. Learn the fundamentals of playing this Latin percussion instrument, from basic setup and sounds to soloing and playing with a band.

Playing the Congas 

Sheila is one of the first musicians in popular music to front a band on the timbales. From stick grip techniques to playing on cowbells, Sheila shows you how to play timbales as a solo artist or with a band.

Playing the Timbales 

Sheila walks you through her custom kit and encourages you to get creative and have fun setting up a kit that fits your budget and style. 

Experimenting With Percussion 

Sheila, Pete, Peter Michael, and Juan Escovedo welcome you into their family and reflect on their musical legacy. 

Welcome to the Family

Sheila E. Teaches Drumming and Percussion 

Excel in Advanced Jazz Rhythms

Drum Up Infectious Beats

Craft Unforgettable Guitar Solos

Create Unique Soundscapes

Elevate Your Stage Presence as a DJ

Succeed in the Music Industry

Music

Learn a New Musical Instrument

Lessons from Influential Black Voices

Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love

Teaches Filmmaking

Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Being a Band

Metallica

Metallica Teaches Being a Band

Teaches Creativity and Songwriting

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Teaches Creativity and Songwriting

Teaches Singing

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing

Teaches Jazz

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock Teaches Jazz

Teaches Producing and Beatmaking

Timbaland

Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking

Teaches Songwriting

John Legend

John Legend Teaches Songwriting

Teaches Poetic Thinking

Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo Teaches Poetic Thinking

Teaches Violin

Itzhak Perlman

Itzhak Perlman Teaches Violin

Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

Teaches the Voice as an Instrument

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey Teaches the Voice as an Instrument

Teaches The Art of Performance

Usher

Teaches The Art Of Performance

Usher Teaches The Art of Performance

Teaches Country Music

Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire Teaches Country Music

Teaches Dance Music

Armin van Buuren

Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music

Teaches Hip-Hop Storytelling

Nas Teaches Hip-Hop Storytelling

Teaches Electronic Music Production

deadmau5

deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production

Teaches Electric Guitar

Tom Morello

Tom Morello Teaches Electric Guitar

Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring

Teaches ʻUkulele

Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro Teaches ʻUkulele

Teaches Philosophy

Cornel West

Cornel West Teaches Philosophy

Teaches Music and Connection

Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connection

Teaches Drumming & Creative Collaboration

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr Teaches Drumming & Creative Collaboration

Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Parris Goebel

Parris Goebel Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Teaches Music Curation and DJing

Questlove

Questlove Teaches Music Curation and DJing

Teaches Songwriting and Producing

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys Teaches Songwriting and Producing

Teaches Music for Film

Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman Teaches Music for Film