Whether you’re an established drummer looking for inspiration, or a complete beginner curious as to what life is like as a professional, you can’t go wrong with a great drumming film or documentary to get your creative juices flowing.
In no particular order, the 3 drumming films and documentaries below are my personal picks – guaranteed to leave you feeling inspired and hungry for more drumming!
Whiplash
Undoubtedly one of the best drumming films ever made, and widely reviewed as one of the best films of 2014, Whiplash is an intimate and psychological drama about a drumming student and his mentor. Totally intense and inspiring, this drumming film might put you off if you’re a newbie to drum tuition! Whiplash is available to stream on Netflix.
Count Me In
Count Me In is one of the newest drumming docu-films (2021) which follows a number of professional drummers and explores the world of performing live with a band and making a living playing an instrument. There are some nice scenes in drum shops and how to find the right drum kit – quite intimidating for first-time drummers! Count Me In is available to stream on Netflix.
Sound City
Not strictly a drumming documentary, Sound City is the story of a world-renowned recording studio in California where many of the greatest rock albums were recorded. Sound City follows Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters, but there’s a lot of rock music history and plenty of drumming and drum recording. Guaranteed good vibes and drumming inspiration! Sound City is available to purchase on Amazon and Apple TV.
