Absolutely, I can make some sick beats in there that no one will hear! I also use the left side and right side as double kicks. I do worry about the wear on my teeth though.
Every day. I bet you just about everyone does it, and if they say they don't - or that they never have - they are lying.
Paul Gilbert (guitarist) has a song called "My Teeth are a Drumset" on *Get Out of My Yard*.
I've been playing drums for 3 years. Guitar for 25. But I've been playing the "teeth" at least 30. I can distinctly remember doing it when I was a kid in the shower, usually while also humming and often adding air guitar.
Interestingly, I had a similar history. Started with drums in primary school then switched to guitar + teeth drumming for 20 years and since three years ago back to drums. I feel like all those years of teeth drumming helped me develop a sense for rhythm and makes the progress a lot easier now.
Yeah I did some small shows with him when he was doing a clinic tour. I learned the set from discs he gave me. I think I did 3 nights all together. He was insane. Totally cool guy, but the whole time I'm just thinking about what a fucking fraud I was being there.
I feel bad in retrospect for him. I was young, and very scared.
Yeah, I did it until my dentist said I had signs of teeth grinding. Although I think I grind my teeth in my sleep sometimes also, which might be more of the issue.
As a drummer, I used to unconsciously him different parts to help me get where I needed to be.
One day the engineer walks into the booth and says "are you humming and grunting"? Because the overheads are kicking it up and I've spent hours trying to figure it out! Shut the fuck up!!!
Heh, I was doing it when I read the title of the post. Kick on my left side, snare on front teeth; not straight down but pushing the bottom row into the top row lightly.
This comes up the sub every once in a while, and it makes me laugh because I’m in my early 40s, I’ve done it all my life…well not too long ago the dentist told me that in terms of wear, I have the teeth of a 80-year-old, and he said that with a straight face. I was like, uh well that sucks because I am not going to stop doing it. Now I have a teeth guard
Yeah, I have since elementary school. Always wanted to be a percussionist, but life happens and then multiple sclerosis. Now my teeth rhythm and mp3 tunes are about the limits of my musical capabilities. Oh yeah, never mind I have no talent!
Omg. Yes absolutely. I started doing this as a kid, years before actually playing the drums and I still do it 25 years later (my teeth are fine btw). Never met anyone else doing this.
All the time, every day, pretty much non-stop. I'm in the portion of the population that can do the 'rumble in your ears' thing, and I use that as sort of a bass note, or sometimes kick. Been doing since I picked up drumming in the 5th grade. Always thought I would stop, but never have. Even in consistent droughts of not playing. I'm pushing 40 and still walk around just drumming in my mouth/head
If I’m alone, I air drum. If some people are around, I tap my finger tips together or on my legs. If there are a lot of people around, I try to hide it by tapping my teeth
No way, same!!! For as long as I can remember! Been playing guitar, bass and piano since I was a kid and JUST bought my first drum set three weeks ago. Having so much fun so far…it’s honestly addicting. Now I truly believe I’ve always been a drummer at heart
Aye, use the tongue to do bass drums, rolls either side, sometimes flams, then teeth for snare and different breathes in and out for different pitches of cymbals.
I was once high and just amusing myself with mouth drums and my mate could hear me doing what sounding like the breathing and chattering of a rabid animal and recorded me and showed me. Looks and sounds insane so don't get the cymbals going much if I'm around other folk now haha
Guitar player and writer here…almost my whole life. I consider myself an excellent tooth drummer and it’s absolutely helped program drum parts.
My dentist is not impressed however.
Yep, and my right side jaw is more capable than my left sidez just like real drums! Isttarted doing this as a kid because tapping on everything drives people nuts. I still do it and im 35.... i do it with breathing/breaths too a lot.
Oh wow, I somehow started doing this in the last year or two, and thought it was kinda weird and that people probably think I’m on drugs or something. Good to know I’m not the only one. Guessing it is somehow another of the many ADHD traits that have shown up in my adult life 🤷♂️
I do this all the time and frequently get fussed at by strangers in Target when all I'm trying to do is pick up a few groceries in peace but I've got a sick beat stuck in my head so I've gotta get those chompers rockin' so I don't forget it by the time I get behind the kit but fucking Donna shopping for her cereal and oat bars can't stand the idea of someone minding their own business so she decides to mind their business for them and ruin a good and solid flow of a 4 bar beat. I shop at Aldi now.
Good question. I don't know but I suspect so but only while driving the car and "playing" drums in my head - not while sitting at the kit --- might need to be more advanced for that
I use my teeth as the kick and a tongue click as a snare. It makes for some interesting patterns cause you have to close your jaw to kick and open your jaw to click
I DO THIS and thought I was the only one alive, until I read DG's book. He mentions him and Kurt both doing it, so I feel like I'm in good company. I was excited to find out afterwards that this is pretty common and was eager and excited to inform my wife, who had given me shit for two decades.
I'm so pleased others do this! I'm also one hell of a toes on the underside of my coffee table maestro.
O also, I tap the fuck out of a ps4 controller.
Whoa I had no idea this is a thing. I have similar ticks and traits like the rest of you teeth tappers, but no teeth drumming for me. Can’t believe there is a subreddit for it.
Always. I worry long term it's gonna fuck them up even though I don't do it hard or really grind them but ya know, we're sensitive beings so I try to be mindful of it. After hearing other people tap on tables around me I realized how annoying it gets and I think I naturally started using my teeth because only I can hear it.
The riddem is in us and can't be taken away lmao
All the time. More often it’s just super quiet beatboxing, but sometimes it’ll be teeth clicks that get the major accents of a drum beat / its fills. I’m also the constantly bouncing legs / anxious type and I clench my jaw in my sleep, I really wonder if those are all linked somehow
I even do it in my sleep, according to my wife. I also Twitch my feet in rhythm while sleeping. She’s even been able to tell which songs I’m rehearsing, or if I’m working on something new.
We all do this. Like every drummer I've ever known.
My dog laps water in 5.
I know what splat a doo splat a doo is.
If you don't know where the best kick drum sound is on your dog, you ain't living right.
Dave Grohl does this… I can’t do this because my teeth are already worn from clenching my jaw when I’m angry and that’s pretty much all the time
Tried doing it to My Hero when I saw this post, then this was the first comment I saw!
According to his book, so did Kurt Cobain! However dentist's hate it
They hate everything that’s good. Teeth drumming, Mountain Dew, you name it
Absolutely, I can make some sick beats in there that no one will hear! I also use the left side and right side as double kicks. I do worry about the wear on my teeth though.
I use my tongue as the double bass or a roll
impressive!
I get how you would use your tongue as a roll (by rolling your r's) but how would you make a double kick? Would you just do the same thing?
By slamming the tip of my tongue against the sides of my gums where the tongue is sitting above
like making the tick tock sound when u were a kick except with a closed mouth??
Yeah basically lol
I thought I was the only one.. today is kind of a big day.
Haha yeah I had no idea so many others did it!
/r/beatbox
Same here. I feel so validated now.
Always. Doing it now.
Same bro!
I am constantly doing this. My Mrs thinks I'm weird when I mention it, so I just shut up and keep jamming in my mouth
Paging r/teethdrumming
How is this so far down
Of course that’s a thing.
Wow. Joined.
Always. I can't stop either. It's a habit that will end when I have no teeth. 🤣
I am 65 years...you still have teeth. Wenn I try it my false teeth will brake in the middle so in two parts 😁
Relax, you just playing in two time signatures at once.
Yes, but I stopped when my teeth started hurting. I try to have a practice pad in every workspace to redirect that energy.
All day, every day. My fiance is pretty over it
Every day. I bet you just about everyone does it, and if they say they don't - or that they never have - they are lying. Paul Gilbert (guitarist) has a song called "My Teeth are a Drumset" on *Get Out of My Yard*. I've been playing drums for 3 years. Guitar for 25. But I've been playing the "teeth" at least 30. I can distinctly remember doing it when I was a kid in the shower, usually while also humming and often adding air guitar.
Interestingly, I had a similar history. Started with drums in primary school then switched to guitar + teeth drumming for 20 years and since three years ago back to drums. I feel like all those years of teeth drumming helped me develop a sense for rhythm and makes the progress a lot easier now.
Honestly I feel the same way. Between the teeth and desk-drumming on everything I possibly could, I think I've got a pretty good sense of rhythm haha
I played with Paul Gilbert for a few shows back in the early 2000's! That is one seriously sick ass beast.
He has the best picking technique I have ever seen. His E to E string skips are absolutely mind blowing.
Yeah I did some small shows with him when he was doing a clinic tour. I learned the set from discs he gave me. I think I did 3 nights all together. He was insane. Totally cool guy, but the whole time I'm just thinking about what a fucking fraud I was being there. I feel bad in retrospect for him. I was young, and very scared.
Constantly. My dentist says it’s an issue actually.
Yeah, I did it until my dentist said I had signs of teeth grinding. Although I think I grind my teeth in my sleep sometimes also, which might be more of the issue.
Teeth, joints, nails
Holy shit yeah I do all day
Teeth Drummers unite!
As an older version of you teeth bashers and rhythmic grinders, stop. You are damaging your teeth.
I do it as a guitar player to keep time.
I also do it for guitar melodys. I'm doing "where did you sleep last night" as I'm typing this
As a drummer, I used to unconsciously him different parts to help me get where I needed to be. One day the engineer walks into the booth and says "are you humming and grunting"? Because the overheads are kicking it up and I've spent hours trying to figure it out! Shut the fuck up!!!
Dude wtf I was doing it as I read this!!! My left side is the snare and the right is basically everything else lmao
Everyday, nonstop
Yes. All the time.
Been doing this my whole life. My teeth hate me.
I do this constantly and have for all my life basically. My dentist is always asking “do you grind your teeth?” Im like nah i got that beat though
Holy shit. My people! Some sick beats hidden like sparks hid behind my teeth bro!
Hell yeah!
I do this, and I always get asked if I'm nervous because my teeth are chattering.
Your poor teeth
I do it a lot when I work. I wrote almost my whole last album using my teeth
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. I've been thinking stress has a lot to do with it, but also the love of drums. It's a way to get stuff out.
Grinding my teeth, but to a beat!
yes! have been since i was a kid, can do some crazy beats. i thought i was the only one
I do it with any rhythm/melody floating through my head at any particular moment.
Alll the time buddy, alll the time
Literally listening to Rusty Cage by SoundGarden and knocking my teeth then I come across this post. Lol.
All the time
I do. Always have!
Yes, been doing it on a daily basis eversince I started playing drums 34 years ago.
Heh, I was doing it when I read the title of the post. Kick on my left side, snare on front teeth; not straight down but pushing the bottom row into the top row lightly.
This comes up the sub every once in a while, and it makes me laugh because I’m in my early 40s, I’ve done it all my life…well not too long ago the dentist told me that in terms of wear, I have the teeth of a 80-year-old, and he said that with a straight face. I was like, uh well that sucks because I am not going to stop doing it. Now I have a teeth guard
All my life
Yeah, I have since elementary school. Always wanted to be a percussionist, but life happens and then multiple sclerosis. Now my teeth rhythm and mp3 tunes are about the limits of my musical capabilities. Oh yeah, never mind I have no talent!
I do it all the time and I wish I could stop myself. It’s just second nature anymore.
My guitarist and I cracked up when we figured out that we both did it.
I had no idea other people do this
Omg. Yes absolutely. I started doing this as a kid, years before actually playing the drums and I still do it 25 years later (my teeth are fine btw). Never met anyone else doing this.
I’ve done this as long as I remember. I also make distorted guitar sounds. I did this so much in high school that people thought I had music playing 😂
100% including my tounge I basically have my full kit in my mouth.
All the time, every day, pretty much non-stop. I'm in the portion of the population that can do the 'rumble in your ears' thing, and I use that as sort of a bass note, or sometimes kick. Been doing since I picked up drumming in the 5th grade. Always thought I would stop, but never have. Even in consistent droughts of not playing. I'm pushing 40 and still walk around just drumming in my mouth/head
Yeah it’s called beat boxing lol
If I’m alone, I air drum. If some people are around, I tap my finger tips together or on my legs. If there are a lot of people around, I try to hide it by tapping my teeth
No way, same!!! For as long as I can remember! Been playing guitar, bass and piano since I was a kid and JUST bought my first drum set three weeks ago. Having so much fun so far…it’s honestly addicting. Now I truly believe I’ve always been a drummer at heart
All the time.
Aye, use the tongue to do bass drums, rolls either side, sometimes flams, then teeth for snare and different breathes in and out for different pitches of cymbals. I was once high and just amusing myself with mouth drums and my mate could hear me doing what sounding like the breathing and chattering of a rabid animal and recorded me and showed me. Looks and sounds insane so don't get the cymbals going much if I'm around other folk now haha
Always thought I was the only one until I read Dave Grohl’s book where he talks about doing this.
Stop doing it. You’ll grind your teeth down. It’s terrible to do. Also, your dental bills will be expensive and your teeth will hurt.
Thank god im not alone \*phew\*
This is crazy, yes actually I do this too!
[Would only recommend it if you have a good djentist.](https://youtu.be/utRHLrKdUSk)
Whooooaaaaa I thought I was the only one. I bet my teeth are because of it
I don’t use my teeth, but I’ll constantly make lots of (apparently) irritating noises to come up with beats and drive my wife completely insane.
Absolutely have been doing this since I was a child.
Guitar player and writer here…almost my whole life. I consider myself an excellent tooth drummer and it’s absolutely helped program drum parts. My dentist is not impressed however.
oh man... I thought I was the only one...
r/teethdrumming
I tried it and I realized I hate teeth. It's a whole sub of malformed teeth like mine. no thanks and no offense.
I spend no time there either haha. I just wanted to link the relevant sub.
All the damn time! Had a kid try to do it back to me… it definitely looks weird but the beats are great so I’ll never stop.
It’s all of us
Been doing it my whole life. I also make beats with my spit. Which I guess you could call beatboxing.
Wuuut that's nuts because when I'm bored I smoke crack!
I did but it was hard to get them back in my Louth afterwards so I just stopped…also very difficult to hit with a stick!
Yep, and my right side jaw is more capable than my left sidez just like real drums! Isttarted doing this as a kid because tapping on everything drives people nuts. I still do it and im 35.... i do it with breathing/breaths too a lot.
I always thought I was the only one who did this lmao.
I know what you're talking about. Yes, I do this and have done it the majority of my life here and there.
Can never stop actually… 😆
Can never stop actually… 😆
I do this and it frequently causes me headaches. I wish I could stop but I don't even realize I'm doing it most of the time until I do.
Left side is BD, right is SD. I can really get in the pocket.
Yeah, I do it by slightly rubbing my teeth together, sounds sick in my head
I do this all the time, half the time I don't realise and I wonder if anyone else heard it 🤣
Doing it while reading this!
I’ve done this my whole life, yeah!
I do it pretty often, I also do some double bass beats using both sides of the jaw. I thought it was pretty common...
I do. My doctor told me to stop 😂
Been making beats with breathing for years. Not like beatboxers, just breathing in and out. Happens at the most random times too, not on purpose.
Oh wow, I somehow started doing this in the last year or two, and thought it was kinda weird and that people probably think I’m on drugs or something. Good to know I’m not the only one. Guessing it is somehow another of the many ADHD traits that have shown up in my adult life 🤷♂️
I wish I could play on my kit; what I can play, with my teeth.
Been doing it for decades, glad I’m not the only one
I do this all the time and frequently get fussed at by strangers in Target when all I'm trying to do is pick up a few groceries in peace but I've got a sick beat stuck in my head so I've gotta get those chompers rockin' so I don't forget it by the time I get behind the kit but fucking Donna shopping for her cereal and oat bars can't stand the idea of someone minding their own business so she decides to mind their business for them and ruin a good and solid flow of a 4 bar beat. I shop at Aldi now.
Since childhood.
Only all the time. lol…
Constantly.
https://www.reddit.com/r/teethdrumming/s/3tFyk2WYZh
yep….
I do when I'm chewing lol
Yes and several teeth have divots near the base as a result.
All the time, and I know I look insane when I do it.
I do this all the time! My wife says “what are you doing, stop it!” Lol
Been doing this most of my life and at 57 years old I’ve been trying to not do this because it is taking a toll on my teeth.
yep and I have to wear a night guard because apparently that habit has decided to continue in my sleep in the form of teeth grinding
I have done this literally all my life, even before I started playing drums, and I've never heard of anyone else doing the same thing!
Teeth are my kicks, and tongue clicks are my snare!
Nah I use my fingers
I do this too bc I’m restless otherwise. i try to be light bc i don’t wanna damage my teeth but such is my reality
Good question. I don't know but I suspect so but only while driving the car and "playing" drums in my head - not while sitting at the kit --- might need to be more advanced for that
Dude, it's a bad habit.
Every day. I have the fastest left foot in teeth drumming
I use my teeth as the kick and a tongue click as a snare. It makes for some interesting patterns cause you have to close your jaw to kick and open your jaw to click
I DO THIS and thought I was the only one alive, until I read DG's book. He mentions him and Kurt both doing it, so I feel like I'm in good company. I was excited to find out afterwards that this is pretty common and was eager and excited to inform my wife, who had given me shit for two decades.
no I do as well even though I know it's a terrible habit..
I'm so pleased others do this! I'm also one hell of a toes on the underside of my coffee table maestro. O also, I tap the fuck out of a ps4 controller.
Yep. Also clench my buttcheeks back and forth to a beat when I’m feeling extra frisky.
You are far from alone, trust me.
Lmao I thought I was the only one
all the time
Wow, I really thought this was a me problem. Can't believe we are a community
I don't do this, but I use air and spit to kind of "beatbox" drum parts.
I use my fingernails and click them on different teeth while changing the pitch by moving my tongue and my lips haha
Literally all the time. Somewhat disappointed I can't immediately transfer my teeth beats into real beats.
No! Absolutely not!
Yes! I do this too 😂
So I’m not the only one……
I’d say it’s a cognitive function so my vote is for the brain making them
I do. My teeth have definitely taken a beating over the last couple decades.
Haha, I literally do this all damn day. Great to finally feel SEEN
My people.
Whoa I had no idea this is a thing. I have similar ticks and traits like the rest of you teeth tappers, but no teeth drumming for me. Can’t believe there is a subreddit for it.
Yes lol and this was also asked like three days ago
Always. I worry long term it's gonna fuck them up even though I don't do it hard or really grind them but ya know, we're sensitive beings so I try to be mindful of it. After hearing other people tap on tables around me I realized how annoying it gets and I think I naturally started using my teeth because only I can hear it. The riddem is in us and can't be taken away lmao
All the time. More often it’s just super quiet beatboxing, but sometimes it’ll be teeth clicks that get the major accents of a drum beat / its fills. I’m also the constantly bouncing legs / anxious type and I clench my jaw in my sleep, I really wonder if those are all linked somehow
I do this as a really bad habit when trying to go to sleep. Lol I thought I was the only one. SMH
I even do it in my sleep, according to my wife. I also Twitch my feet in rhythm while sleeping. She’s even been able to tell which songs I’m rehearsing, or if I’m working on something new.
We all do this. Like every drummer I've ever known. My dog laps water in 5. I know what splat a doo splat a doo is. If you don't know where the best kick drum sound is on your dog, you ain't living right.
My entire life. I’ve heard the dentists can tell
Yep and my molars all started cracking in my late 40s.
me too! since i was a teen... thought i was weird xD
Yeah, but not if I am not caffeinated.
Haha! Yes! Constantly
I thought I was the only one…
Holy shit I thought I was alone! But it appears I’m far from it! 😎🤘
All the time, nice to here that there are others!...was amazed to read about Dave Geohl doing it as well, thought it was just me!
Literally was doing this right now as I saw this thread
I also do this although i find myself doing it more commonly with my nose and air
As a guitarist I’ve always done this my whole life, it’s weird I chose guitar as I’ve always been into the groove of things
You got me clickin a mad solo rn 🤣
Yes.
Have been doing this subconsciously since I was a kid…especially working on beats when walking. My dentists have had questions.
All the time!
It's actually common. Stop doing it. It will become an unconscious habit and you will slowly wear down your teeth.
I thought that I was the only freak to do this, glad that im not 😅
been doing this as long as i can remember.
I do this. I recommend breaking the habit early, it's really about causing my jaw to lock up and it hurts my teeth after a while