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Drums
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1
#1
2 Frags +

any tips on learning the drums I am getting really upset When every thing sounds like shit

any tips on learning the drums I am getting really upset When every thing sounds like shit
2
#2
0 Frags +

edit: fixed

edit: fixed
3
#3
1 Frags +

dont try to do too much at once until you are more comfortable

focus on keeping time

practice lots

dont try to do too much at once until you are more comfortable

focus on keeping time

practice lots
4
#4
0 Frags +

Just find some songs you like and start trying to learn them. I played guitar and then drums in a band with some friends for almost four years, and everything I learned was just from continually practicing and picking up new techniques. You really just have to stick with it. Once you get to a higher level, you're going to love buying a nice new kit and the sounds it produces.

Just find some songs you like and start trying to learn them. I played guitar and then drums in a band with some friends for almost four years, and everything I learned was just from continually practicing and picking up new techniques. You really just have to stick with it. Once you get to a higher level, you're going to love buying a nice new kit and the sounds it produces.
5
#5
0 Frags +

drums as in a kit, right?

drums as in a kit, right?
6
#6
1 Frags +

Learn some basic 4/4 patterns and work from there. Are you comfortable with your hand-feet coordination already? Once you get that, work from there.

Learn some basic 4/4 patterns and work from there. Are you comfortable with your hand-feet coordination already? Once you get that, work from there.
7
#7
3 Frags +

Work on rudiments (A LOT), and basic rock 4/4 patterns. Work on hand/foot seperation by doing a 2/3 poly-rhythm or something similar. One thing is having time in your head. Also, even if you're a god like Neil Peart, badly tuned drums will sound bad, depending on the genre you try playing, I can give you good tunings.

Work on rudiments (A LOT), and basic rock 4/4 patterns. Work on hand/foot seperation by doing a 2/3 poly-rhythm or something similar. One thing is having time in your head. Also, even if you're a god like Neil Peart, badly tuned drums will sound bad, depending on the genre you try playing, I can give you good tunings.
8
#8
4 Frags +

My friend is one of the most talented drummers in the world. If you play rock or metal you can learn a lot from him. Even if you don't play that style I'm sure you can still pick up some tips.

Check out his YouTube page, he has quite a few tutorial videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/DirkVerbeurenDrummer

Also check out his website to see dates for his drum clinics and when he's going to be on tour.
www.dirkverbeuren.com

He's actually on tour right now and is doing drum lessons before each show.

My friend is one of the most talented drummers in the world. If you play rock or metal you can learn a lot from him. Even if you don't play that style I'm sure you can still pick up some tips.

Check out his YouTube page, he has quite a few tutorial videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/DirkVerbeurenDrummer


Also check out his website to see dates for his drum clinics and when he's going to be on tour.
www.dirkverbeuren.com

He's actually on tour right now and is doing drum lessons before each show.
9
#9
2 Frags +

One book that's really great for just your hands is Stick Control by George L Stone. When I practice I usually start on a pad for 10-20 mins just to get focused. If you're having trouble with 4-limb coordination break it down into 1 or 2 limbs at a time to see what's really tripping you up. I also find it is better to have the mindset of playing one piece of music that just happens to use several parts rather than stressing over having to do so many things at the same time. That way you'll hear how everything makes sense together rather than just reading what's on the page.
Also try not to spend too much time worrying about fancy solos and fills, just work on a solid groove and simple sticking patterns and the flashy stuff will come with it. And really most people don't care about how loud or complicated your fills are.

Let me know if you're wondering about anything specific, sorry to rant but as you can probably tell by my username, this is kinda my thing.

One book that's really great for just your hands is Stick Control by George L Stone. When I practice I usually start on a pad for 10-20 mins just to get focused. If you're having trouble with 4-limb coordination break it down into 1 or 2 limbs at a time to see what's really tripping you up. I also find it is better to have the mindset of playing one piece of music that just happens to use several parts rather than stressing over having to do so many things at the same time. That way you'll hear how everything makes sense together rather than just reading what's on the page.
Also try not to spend too much time worrying about fancy solos and fills, just work on a solid groove and simple sticking patterns and the flashy stuff will come with it. And really most people don't care about how loud or complicated your fills are.

Let me know if you're wondering about anything specific, sorry to rant but as you can probably tell by my username, this is kinda my thing.
10
#10
0 Frags +

WOW THANKS SOOOOO MUCH EVERYONE! I am going to take all of this into consideration and yes Drums as a kit

WOW THANKS SOOOOO MUCH EVERYONE! I am going to take all of this into consideration and yes Drums as a kit
11
#11
0 Frags +

sorry to rant but as you can probably tell by my username, this is kinda my thing.[/quote]

Nah dude its all good I might add you to ask some questions if I still feel like im not making progress if thats cool.

sorry to rant but as you can probably tell by my username, this is kinda my thing.[/quote]

Nah dude its all good I might add you to ask some questions if I still feel like im not making progress if thats cool.
12
#12
3 Frags +

drum corp exercises are good too. very good.

drum corp exercises are good too. very good.
13
#13
0 Frags +
cheeseman
Nah dude its all good I might add you to ask some questions if I still feel like im not making progress if thats cool.

No problem at all! It's my favorite thing to talk about, you should be able to find me here http://steamcommunity.com/id/sutterH

[quote=cheeseman]

Nah dude its all good I might add you to ask some questions if I still feel like im not making progress if thats cool.[/quote]

No problem at all! It's my favorite thing to talk about, you should be able to find me here http://steamcommunity.com/id/sutterH
14
#14
0 Frags +

I think the biggest thing for me was routine
I would get upset when I wasn't able to play well right away(I know it's dumb, to be fair I was 12 or so), so I would constantly change the way I play to try to see if it helped me play better; sort of like in tf2 how people try to change their sens or mouse to get better instead of just playing the game.
I'm left-handed as well though so I though that might have something to do with it, since I wasn't sure if I was supposed to mirror the typical drum kit setup or use the default anyway. Eventually I picked one way to do everything and stuck with it, and just practiced a lot, sure enough I began improving

I think the biggest thing for me was routine
I would get upset when I wasn't able to play well right away(I know it's dumb, to be fair I was 12 or so), so I would constantly change the way I play to try to see if it helped me play better; sort of like in tf2 how people try to change their sens or mouse to get better instead of just playing the game.
I'm left-handed as well though so I though that might have something to do with it, since I wasn't sure if I was supposed to mirror the typical drum kit setup or use the default anyway. Eventually I picked one way to do everything and stuck with it, and just practiced a lot, sure enough I began improving
15
#15
4 Frags +

I play marching snare drum alongside drumset, and I'd say the best way to learn to pick up some basics is just to pick up some sticks and play some basic patterns, like Turin said.

http://www.drumming-solutions.com/Hm%20Sectors/Instrumental/LessonPageZone/basic-rock.gif

I swear by marching snare drum to improve your overall hand chops. Practice all sorts of rudiments, sticking patterns, rhythms, and consistency. Also, PLEASE ALWAYS USE A METRONOME. Using a metronome is the one thing every drummer can do to get better, and it does wonders constantly listening to a truly perfect tempo.

KickSnareHatOne book that's really great for just your hands is Stick Control by George L Stone. When I practice I usually start on a pad for 10-20 mins just to get focused. If you're having trouble with 4-limb coordination break it down into 1 or 2 limbs at a time to see what's really tripping you up. I also find it is better to have the mindset of playing one piece of music that just happens to use several parts rather than stressing over having to do so many things at the same time. That way you'll hear how everything makes sense together rather than just reading what's on the page.
Also try not to spend too much time worrying about fancy solos and fills, just work on a solid groove and simple sticking patterns and the flashy stuff will come with it. And really most people don't care about how loud or complicated your fills are.

Amen to Stick Control. Another book you might want to pick up is called the Rudimental Cookbook by Freytag, published by Row-Loff. It's a book of snare solos ranging from really really easy to extremely advanced.

viledrum corp exercises are good too. very good.

In case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.
Bluecoats 2008 Drum Break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxh1fZLnBrw

Blue Devils 2012 Drum Break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq9zgAHvjnM

Phantom Regiment 2010 Drum Break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbjYGnKidGg

Cavaliers 2011 Opener
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRlyqY9gzgk

As far as warmups for this goes, Vic Firth has a good .pdf, with music starting on pg.6, that you can look at.
http://www.vicfirth.com/education/percussion101/MP101_Exercise_Packet.pdf

Have fun!

I play marching snare drum alongside drumset, and I'd say the best way to learn to pick up some basics is just to pick up some sticks and play some basic patterns, like Turin said.
[img]http://www.drumming-solutions.com/Hm%20Sectors/Instrumental/LessonPageZone/basic-rock.gif[/img]

I swear by marching snare drum to improve your overall hand chops. Practice all sorts of rudiments, sticking patterns, rhythms, and consistency. Also, [b]PLEASE ALWAYS USE A METRONOME[/b]. Using a metronome is the one thing every drummer can do to get better, and it does wonders constantly listening to a truly perfect tempo.

[quote=KickSnareHat]One book that's really great for just your hands is [b]Stick Control by George L Stone[/b]. When I practice I usually start on a pad for 10-20 mins just to get focused. If you're having trouble with 4-limb coordination break it down into 1 or 2 limbs at a time to see what's really tripping you up. I also find it is better to have the mindset of playing one piece of music that just happens to use several parts rather than stressing over having to do so many things at the same time. That way you'll hear how everything makes sense together rather than just reading what's on the page.
Also [b]try not to spend too much time worrying about fancy solos and fills[/b], just work on a solid groove and simple sticking patterns and the flashy stuff will come with it. And really most people don't care about how loud or complicated your fills are. [/quote]
Amen to Stick Control. Another book you might want to pick up is called the Rudimental Cookbook by Freytag, published by Row-Loff. It's a book of snare solos ranging from really really easy to extremely advanced.

[quote=vile]drum corp exercises are good too. very good.[/quote]

In case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.
Bluecoats 2008 Drum Break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxh1fZLnBrw

Blue Devils 2012 Drum Break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq9zgAHvjnM

Phantom Regiment 2010 Drum Break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbjYGnKidGg

Cavaliers 2011 Opener
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRlyqY9gzgk

As far as warmups for this goes, Vic Firth has a good .pdf, with music starting on pg.6, that you can look at.
http://www.vicfirth.com/education/percussion101/MP101_Exercise_Packet.pdf

Have fun!
16
#16
3 Frags +

this is flo mounier of cryptopsy. he has a drumming dvd you should definitely look into, even if you aren't a fan of death metal you need to throw all genres out the window when learning or dabbling in any instrument, you can apply what you learn from any style of music and create your own unique sound that way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkHvIxycVNI

since i can only embed one video the following links are other drummers, they have various dvd's on drumming, i'm sure you can scour the web as well and find a lot of these videos on youtube or you can torrent them as well. this is derek roddy, mostly known for hate eternal but he has been in a lot of other bands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPFEP_stPGI - derek roddy drum lessons (you'll see other videos from him in the related section)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0RPrs5KupM - george kollias of nile, check out his website

this is flo mounier of cryptopsy. he has a drumming dvd you should definitely look into, even if you aren't a fan of death metal you need to throw all genres out the window when learning or dabbling in any instrument, you can apply what you learn from any style of music and create your own unique sound that way

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkHvIxycVNI[/youtube]


since i can only embed one video the following links are other drummers, they have various dvd's on drumming, i'm sure you can scour the web as well and find a lot of these videos on youtube or you can torrent them as well. this is derek roddy, mostly known for hate eternal but he has been in a lot of other bands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPFEP_stPGI - derek roddy drum lessons (you'll see other videos from him in the related section)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0RPrs5KupM - george kollias of nile, check out his website
17
#17
1 Frags +
ddrsensationIn case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.

OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK

[quote=ddrsensation]In case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.[/quote]

OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK
18
#18
2 Frags +

here are additional videos of the drummers i mentioned in my previous post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_1RZcM3zso

- flo rehearsing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qHt2dGO5A4 - george kollias live drum cam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmdtnA594FE - derek roddy blastin away, solo jam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PypNCGzsqZg - mike smith of suffocation live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTgpvtTNGyo - max from krisiun live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT3ZyLium_k - martin of opeth

these guys are all extremely talented in their own right, enjoy

if you want me to recommend something a little more mellow i can do that as well, but you should definitely check out these videos

here are additional videos of the drummers i mentioned in my previous post

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_1RZcM3zso[/youtube] - flo rehearsing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qHt2dGO5A4 - george kollias live drum cam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmdtnA594FE - derek roddy blastin away, solo jam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PypNCGzsqZg - mike smith of suffocation live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTgpvtTNGyo - max from krisiun live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT3ZyLium_k - martin of opeth

these guys are all extremely talented in their own right, enjoy

if you want me to recommend something a little more mellow i can do that as well, but you should definitely check out these videos
19
#19
0 Frags +
KickSnareHatddrsensationIn case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.
OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK

So much of my life lost just going from one DCI video to the next, but it doesn't feel like too much of waste once you actually start learning their books and getting something out of it. :)

[quote=KickSnareHat][quote=ddrsensation]In case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.[/quote]

OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK[/quote]

So much of my life lost just going from one DCI video to the next, but it doesn't feel like too much of waste once you actually start learning their books and getting something out of it. :)
20
#20
0 Frags +

punk rawk is good stuff to play along to as a beginner.

punk rawk is good stuff to play along to as a beginner.
21
#21
1 Frags +
ddrsensationKickSnareHatddrsensationIn case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.
OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK

So much of my life lost just going from one DCI video to the next, but it doesn't feel like too much of waste once you actually start learning their books and getting something out of it. :)

Yea I always find the drumline books a little daunting and if it gets into my head too much its hard to play other stuff, but as a marching band enthusiast the horns and the formations are unlike anything else

[quote=ddrsensation][quote=KickSnareHat][quote=ddrsensation]In case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.[/quote]

OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK[/quote]

So much of my life lost just going from one DCI video to the next, but it doesn't feel like too much of waste once you actually start learning their books and getting something out of it. :)[/quote]

Yea I always find the drumline books a little daunting and if it gets into my head too much its hard to play other stuff, but as a marching band enthusiast the horns and the formations are unlike anything else
22
#22
0 Frags +
ddrsensationKickSnareHatddrsensationIn case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.
OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK

So much of my life lost just going from one DCI video to the next, but it doesn't feel like too much of waste once you actually start learning their books and getting something out of it. :)

i became better than everyone at my school after a month of rigorous training. they were a lot better than me before. shit works.

[quote=ddrsensation][quote=KickSnareHat][quote=ddrsensation]In case you don't know what drum corps is, check out a couple of lot videos of drumlines playing through their show book. It's insane.[/quote]

OH GOD BE CAREFUL WITH THESE VIDEOS ONCE YOU'RE INTO DCI THERE'S NO GOING BACK[/quote]

So much of my life lost just going from one DCI video to the next, but it doesn't feel like too much of waste once you actually start learning their books and getting something out of it. :)[/quote]

i became better than everyone at my school after a month of rigorous training. they were a lot better than me before. shit works.
23
#23
0 Frags +

Just do what Neil Peart the Rush drummer did as a kid>>>"He had a penchant for drumming on various objects around the house with a pair of chopsticks">>> keeping a beat in your head and improvise

Just do what Neil Peart the Rush drummer did as a kid>>>"He had a penchant for drumming on various objects around the house with a pair of chopsticks">>> keeping a beat in your head and improvise
24
#24
0 Frags +
ZorroJust do what Neil Peart the Rush drummer did as a kid>>>"He had a penchant for drumming on various objects around the house with a pair of chopsticks">>> keeping a beat in your head and improvise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jJFrHF77xo

[quote=Zorro]Just do what Neil Peart the Rush drummer did as a kid>>>"He had a penchant for drumming on various objects around the house with a pair of chopsticks">>> keeping a beat in your head and improvise[/quote]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jJFrHF77xo[/youtube]
25
#25
0 Frags +

Basically, practice your rudiments daily. Learn good stick control (this will get better and better). Learn the moeller technique and save your chops.
Eventually, get limb independence, it's tricky to get, and I'm really not able to give advice on how to get it.

Basically, practice your rudiments daily. Learn good stick control (this will get better and better). Learn the moeller technique and save your chops.
Eventually, get limb independence, it's tricky to get, and I'm really not able to give advice on how to get it.
26
#26
0 Frags +

Most everyone has given great advice on technique so I wont mention that despite how important it is.

Feel and good time are also supremely important. If you sound like crap when you play with other people, then you might be struggling in one or both of those areas. Make sure that you are the pulse of the band and that the bassist/rhythm guitar/keyboard/whatever-bridge-to-the-melody-you-have is following you for time and you are following them for feel. Playing the wrong kinds of rhythm can make a band feel like it's out of time even when everyone is perfectly in sync. I suggest keeping things super basic until you have proper feel. Once that's down for the song you're working on you can put more in to your play.

Also, if you aren't playing with people then you need to start right away. Asking people you actually play with on tips for improvement will be 100x better than any advice you'll find asking here. Look for a few friends that would like to jam out and help you out. Maybe find a drummer who can strum a guitar a little and jam with him. He'll be able to help you greatly.

Most everyone has given great advice on technique so I wont mention that despite how important it is.

Feel and good time are also supremely important. If you sound like crap when you play with other people, then you might be struggling in one or both of those areas. Make sure that you are the pulse of the band and that the bassist/rhythm guitar/keyboard/whatever-bridge-to-the-melody-you-have is following you for time and you are following them for feel. Playing the wrong kinds of rhythm can make a band feel like it's out of time even when everyone is perfectly in sync. I suggest keeping things super basic until you have proper feel. Once that's down for the song you're working on you can put more in to your play.

Also, if you aren't playing with people then you need to start right away. Asking people you actually play with on tips for improvement will be 100x better than any advice you'll find asking here. Look for a few friends that would like to jam out and help you out. Maybe find a drummer who can strum a guitar a little and jam with him. He'll be able to help you greatly.
27
#27
1 Frags +

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdMDcG3zAEI

ugghhhhhh

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdMDcG3zAEI[/youtube]

ugghhhhhh
28
#28
2 Frags +

First thing's first, practise with a metronome. Learn the basic beats 4/4 2/4 3/4... not exactly sure what level you're at so maybe elaborate what you're having difficulty with?

First thing's first, practise with a metronome. Learn the basic beats 4/4 2/4 3/4... not exactly sure what level you're at so maybe elaborate what you're having difficulty with?
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