The Definitive Drum Advice Thread

[RushianSyrinx]

Alright ladies and gentlemen, I've had a few people PM me with drumming questions, so I'm going to post those replies here in hopes that they might help other members of this board interested in percussion and drumming.

If you have questions, feel free to ask away. However, I do ask that if there is something to debate, you take it to another topic so we keep this devoted to advice. Hopefully we can make this a sticky or something.

I have a combination of common problems: my right side is probably 3 times as fast as my left, and each limb has its own technique (grippage problems).

First, to address the speed issue, you must do more things with your left side. I'm talking about practicing double bass leading with left (and hand exercises as well), opening doors with your left hand, even walking with the weaker side stepping first. Basically, you're wired for "right hand-dom" right now, and you have to increase the dexterity of your limbs and the only way to do it is to use them more in every possible thing you can do.

Secondly, address your playing and technique issues. Watch videos of drummers such as Colaiuta, Copeland, (insert favorite drummer here), and don't watch what they're playing... watch HOW they're playing. If Vinnie plays a lick that rocks your socks, watch what he's doing leading up and through it. We are often mesmerized by what is being played and completely miss HOW it is being played.

I know there are dozens of things out there for people to just practice, specifically doing things over and over and over with just your left hand to build speed, but i cannot (and have not) learned how to play drums by doing exercises and what not repetitively; I just have the ability to play more or less anything I hear.

Okay, Nick Cannon first thing you must do is learn how to read music. It sounds to me as if you've starting jogging without understanding how to walk 100%. Reading music is a great benefit, as is your ability to pick up what you hear. I do fear, though, that you've really missed out on basics and technique by jumping right in to playing beats. Again, really examine how you're playing and if it is ergonomical and economical. That is, is it comfortable and is it easy? If not, you may want to reconsider your approach.

For example, I've been having wrist issues playing snare in the drum corps I am in. I had similar issues playing tenors last year. As a result, I'm taking the next year to really examine my approach to the drum, my grip and how they work together and relate to the muscle in question.

[RushianSyrinx]

In playing so much carter for almost 2 years straight, I've developed a hybrid of french/American grip for my right hand (closer to french). I was traditionally taught American, and my left hand is still stuck that way. When i do fast rolls, I pop the wrist every 1 2 3 4 (i forget what that's called... you know the chickchick chickchick sound) and it allows me to go much faster, but my left hand cant do that and i feel myself using my chest and arm than fingers.

Alright, if you can't play comfortably and cleanly fast, can you do it slow? While every person's grip is subjective, I don't personally subscribe to using different grips in each hand, but if that's your thing, go for it. Either way, try practicing notes and exercises really really slowly and making sure you're using similar motion, similar attack, similar follow through and release. Make sure each hand is doing the exact same thing, and practice leading with each hand too. If you have to start at 60 bpm, so be it, but be consistent.

Not sure what you mean by the "chick chick" thing, are you referring to a whip-type motion? IF so, that's a Moeller-esque technique and is, again, something to be practiced slow. If you can, pick up Secrets for the Modern Drummer by JoJo Mayer. It is an incredible DVD that covers many aspects of technique.

My left foot is too used to having the heel down and just lifting the ball of my foot to open the hi hat, that now my double bass suffers terribly cause the complete different set of muscles is worked up in my left and right legs.

This, again, is a matter of practicing slow and figuring out which technique works better for you. However, you may consider double bass heel down, that way you continue to apply similar muscles. Again, being working on basics at slow tempos and figure out which is economical and ergonomical for you.

my confused combination of grips now makes it akward to play my hi hats. i like them low now so i can do rolls and triplets and what not on them (often times i hit the snare with the right in this form and i was traught cross handed). when i want to play rock and steady beats, i have to raise them cause i cant keep a constant beat on the hi hats without my snare hand getting in the way.

You, too, young one can learn by practicing slow. That is, if you're going completely open handed, that way you can learn to be as comfortable with your open way as you would closed. If this is a closed problem, you may want to rexamine your setup - perhaps the snare is too high? perhaps the hats are too low? Perhaps it's a throne issue? You really need to sit down and find out that perfect height and that perfect approach to hats.


*Sidenote*

I hope you all realize that there is no "Konami code" for drumming. Many issues can be resolved by taking things back to the basics and going from there. I HIGHLY recommend (and make it mandatory for my students) that you get music from a variety of genres and setup just your snare and jam along for a week and be creative. Then add a kick a week later. Hats a week after that. Slowly add onto your kit. This will help your creativity.

After all, if you can't play well on a small kit, what makes you think you could on a Carter clone?

Enjoy and keep rockin' kids.

[TROJANDMBFAN]

This is some of the best drum advice i've heard in a long time. I am also a drum teacher and make it a point to my students to always focus on the basics. When they are having a problem, we always revert back to a basic technique that will help the more advanced things easier. Thanks for the posts!

[RushianSyrinx]

Thanks. I've been drumming for close to 15 years now (give or take), have a music degree and teaching certification, and have been active in the marching band/drum corps/ancient drumming communities for a while. As I said, I had a few people message me with questions, and I've decided to reply here.