All drummers should strive to develop a unique style or "voice". However, in the formative years listening to the best players on the planet can really be an ear opening experience.

Just listening over and over to great drummers has many benefits. Even if you can't imitate the difficult beats and fills at first, your mind is still absorbing the sounds and ideas for future recall.

Of course by listening carefully and having a proficient teacher help out, some of the grooves will be within range. If you copy thirty beats by thirty different drummers, it's impossible to sound like any one in particular. Your personality and chemistry will mold it all into an original "drumming sculpture" that is an original sound.

Below is a short list to get started and includes legendary drummers from then and now. After each name is a general style or group that each is most well known for.

Philly Jo Jones / Jazz

Elvin Jones / Jazz

Max Roach / Jazz

Bill Stewart / Jazz

Jeff Hamilton / Jazz

Peter Erskine / Jazz

Ed Thigpen / Brushes

Clayton Cameron / Brushes

Mitch Mitchell / Jimi Hendrix

Bobby Colomby / Blood, Sweat & Tears

John Bonham / Led Zeppelin

Ringo / The Beatles

David Garibaldi / Tower of Power / Funk

Carlton Barrett / Bob Marley / Reggae

Stewart Copeland / The Police

Dave Weckl / Technique

Marco Minneman / Technique

Thomas Lang / Technique

Terry Bozzio / Technique

Steve Gadd / Studio

Jeff Porcaro / Toto & Studio

Vinnie Coliuata / Studio

JR Robinson / Studio

Josh Freese / Studio

Carlos Sanchez / Latin - Jazz

Bill Bruford / Jazz - Rock

Have fun and make your own custom list. Most if not all of these famous drummers will have a list of legends and mentors that they learned from. After all we're just a big happy family of "Drum-Heads"!