4 Drum Tips to Keeping Peace With Your Neighbors
by Daniel N. Brown
If you're like me, when you first started playing the
drums you may have been a little concerned that your
neighbors would call the police on you. Or worse, your
family would stone you to death!
Some people just can't handle the volume, but don't
worry, if you're just starting out, your dreams of
becoming a great drummer can still come true.
There are some quick fixes to help keep your family,
friends, and neighbors at peace while still allowing
you to drum. Just follow these four solid drum tips...
1. Communicate
Typically, your family and neighbors are the ones who
are most affected by your choice to drum. So, the
considerate, and smart thing to do is have a little
talk with these people and work out a way for everyone
to agree.
Find out if there are better and worse times for you to
practice your drums. Just never assume anything!
Sometimes people can get really agitated about
something, but just never speak up about it. You don't
want any "silent enemies." These kind tend to talk
behind your back!
2. Invest in Drum and Cymbal Mutes
Personally, I have a full shag carpet in my practice
room. I even have it going half way up the walls. It
does a great job of keeping the sound right there in my
room.
But, if you're not interested in a shag carpet for
whatever reason, consider investing in practice pads
for your drumset. These drum accessories significantly
reduce the amount of sound your drums and cymbals send
out.
I'll be the first to admit that playing with pads isn't
near as much fun as playing without them, but they sure
make you appreciate the sound of your drumset when it's
not muted.
3. Soundproof Your Practice Room
You really don't have to spend a lot of money
soundproofing your practice room. like professional
drummers do.
You can easily create your own soundproof room with
some carpet scraps. I have already mentioned that I
have a shag carpet on my floor and walls and it does an
excellent job. The only time my neighbors hear me drum
is if I open my windows, which I do sometimes on a rare
occasion if I'm feeling a little assertive.
Anyway, carpet scraps provide excellent soundproofing!
Go to your local carpet store and ask for some free
scraps. Then, apply them on the walls and ceiling of
your drum practice room. If these carpet scraps are
really thin, then layer them.
4. Play Electronic Drums
An electronic drumset is not for everybody. In fact,
some drummers just hate them because they say they are
not really drums. The theory is, drums are supposed to
be an acoustic instrument, and by plugging something in
to an electrical outlet, it is no longer acoustic.
Whatever your theory is, if you live in a small space
and have really no other way to keep your volume low
enough to please everyone, an electronic drumset may be
the best solution.
With the option to adjust the volume in your
headphones, you can actually drum as loud as you want.
It's just that you are the only one who can hear it.
Conclusion
The only thing louder than you on your drums are the
people who are screaming at you to knock it off.
People will try to steal your fun on the drumset
because they just can't handle the volume, which is
understandable. Don't let anyone steal your fun!
Bang on your drums all day, but bang on them
using some consideration, and you can then
bang in peace.
Daniel N. Brown has been drumming since 1976! Get his
FREE Special Report, "The 10 Greatest Drum Tips Ever"
when you subscribe to his FREE Weekly E-letter...
Showing posts with label drum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drum. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
4 Tips to Overcome Frustration With Your Drumming
4 Tips to Overcome Frustration With Your Drumming
by Daniel N. Brown
Learning to play the drums is extremely frustrating if you
have never played drums before. That's why most newbies
begin to play and then soon quit. Their attitude becomes,
"What's the point? I'm never going to learn to play drums."
It's true that some people take to the drums faster than
others, but that is definitely no reason to quit. A person
must be patient with themselves in anything new they set out
to accomplish. It just isn't realistic to expect to play
drums well overnight.
Remember, frustration is a natural occurance in anything new
you set out to do. But, it's only temporary, if you can
outlast it.
There are four main points to learning to play the drums.
And, not only learning to play, but also getting better and
developing new skills.
1. Be Patient!
It isn't realistic to expect perfection overnight. It takes
time to develop drum skills. Since it's a combination of
coordination and timing, it will not come natural to you.
That's why you must develop it. Sure, it's frustrating, but
try to keep your cool. It will come with more practice.
Think about all the things you do everyday that take
coordination, like walking, talking, and eating. These
things were all learned. You couldn't do any of these things
very well when you were a baby. But, you developed them.
Sure you got frustrated, but you still learned them because
you had to. There was no choice in the matter if you were
going to survive as a human being.
Do you have a choice when it comes to your drumming? Sure
you do. The question is, how bad do you want to survive as a
drummer?
2. Practice, Man, Practice!
Like I said, quality drumming skills require a combination
of coordination and timing, and they will surely come with
practice. The question is, will you endure the frustration
you must go through while you develop them?
A key thing to remember is, when you feel yourself beginning
to get really irritated... stop. Come back and try again
later. Sometimes the more you try to practice through your
frustration the worse you get. The best thing to do is go
take a break, come back, and try again.
Another thing to remember about practicing your drums is,
don't think you must practice for any certain amount of
time. There really is a sort of magic that takes place if
you can somehow manage to just drum for only a few minutes
per day. And, if you are able to get a little drum practice
session in everyday it will be easy to monitor how you are
progressing because your improvements will be noticeable.
That will definitely keep you inspired!
3. Don't Compare Yourself!
For some reason drummers will always compare their own
weaknesses with another drummer's strengths. There is really
no way to feel good about yourself if you do that. It's
just not fair, and there's no logic in it. So, just be aware
of that.
Your style of drumming is your own, and you must develop it
the best you can. You don't need to drum like anyone else.
Sure, it's good if you can learn another drummer's cool
tricks, but there are some cool tricks of your own that may
be just lying dormant. Maybe if you stop concentrating so
hard on being like your favorite drummer you can bring your
own cool tricks alive.
Be your own best friend and realize you have something
special the world needs to hear.
4. Keep Your Passion Stirred Up!
If you keep your dream of becoming a great drummer in front
of you it will keep you on the road to where you want to go.
It's when you get sidetracked by looking at the obstacles in
your path is when you get discouraged, and then eventually
give up.
Work, family, and responsibilities of all kinds manage to
distract you from your drum time. Just become a good manager
of your time and schedule yourself. Don't let the tail wag
the dog! Stay in control.
There you have it, four tips to overcome frustration with
your drumming. If you apply these four tips you can take
your drumming anywhere you want to go.
Daniel N. Brown has been drumming since 1976! Get his
FREE Special Report, "The 10 Greatest Drum Tips Ever"
when you subscribe to his FREE Weekly E-letter...
by Daniel N. Brown
Learning to play the drums is extremely frustrating if you
have never played drums before. That's why most newbies
begin to play and then soon quit. Their attitude becomes,
"What's the point? I'm never going to learn to play drums."
It's true that some people take to the drums faster than
others, but that is definitely no reason to quit. A person
must be patient with themselves in anything new they set out
to accomplish. It just isn't realistic to expect to play
drums well overnight.
Remember, frustration is a natural occurance in anything new
you set out to do. But, it's only temporary, if you can
outlast it.
There are four main points to learning to play the drums.
And, not only learning to play, but also getting better and
developing new skills.
1. Be Patient!
It isn't realistic to expect perfection overnight. It takes
time to develop drum skills. Since it's a combination of
coordination and timing, it will not come natural to you.
That's why you must develop it. Sure, it's frustrating, but
try to keep your cool. It will come with more practice.
Think about all the things you do everyday that take
coordination, like walking, talking, and eating. These
things were all learned. You couldn't do any of these things
very well when you were a baby. But, you developed them.
Sure you got frustrated, but you still learned them because
you had to. There was no choice in the matter if you were
going to survive as a human being.
Do you have a choice when it comes to your drumming? Sure
you do. The question is, how bad do you want to survive as a
drummer?
2. Practice, Man, Practice!
Like I said, quality drumming skills require a combination
of coordination and timing, and they will surely come with
practice. The question is, will you endure the frustration
you must go through while you develop them?
A key thing to remember is, when you feel yourself beginning
to get really irritated... stop. Come back and try again
later. Sometimes the more you try to practice through your
frustration the worse you get. The best thing to do is go
take a break, come back, and try again.
Another thing to remember about practicing your drums is,
don't think you must practice for any certain amount of
time. There really is a sort of magic that takes place if
you can somehow manage to just drum for only a few minutes
per day. And, if you are able to get a little drum practice
session in everyday it will be easy to monitor how you are
progressing because your improvements will be noticeable.
That will definitely keep you inspired!
3. Don't Compare Yourself!
For some reason drummers will always compare their own
weaknesses with another drummer's strengths. There is really
no way to feel good about yourself if you do that. It's
just not fair, and there's no logic in it. So, just be aware
of that.
Your style of drumming is your own, and you must develop it
the best you can. You don't need to drum like anyone else.
Sure, it's good if you can learn another drummer's cool
tricks, but there are some cool tricks of your own that may
be just lying dormant. Maybe if you stop concentrating so
hard on being like your favorite drummer you can bring your
own cool tricks alive.
Be your own best friend and realize you have something
special the world needs to hear.
4. Keep Your Passion Stirred Up!
If you keep your dream of becoming a great drummer in front
of you it will keep you on the road to where you want to go.
It's when you get sidetracked by looking at the obstacles in
your path is when you get discouraged, and then eventually
give up.
Work, family, and responsibilities of all kinds manage to
distract you from your drum time. Just become a good manager
of your time and schedule yourself. Don't let the tail wag
the dog! Stay in control.
There you have it, four tips to overcome frustration with
your drumming. If you apply these four tips you can take
your drumming anywhere you want to go.
Daniel N. Brown has been drumming since 1976! Get his
FREE Special Report, "The 10 Greatest Drum Tips Ever"
when you subscribe to his FREE Weekly E-letter...
Drum Practice Cheat Sheet
Drum Practice Cheat Sheet
by Daniel N. Brown
A lot of drummers don't really sit down to practice their
instrument, but rather just sit down to "play." Just sitting
down to play what you already know is fun and can be great
for maintaining certain techniques, but little progress will be
made.
If you are into drumming only for a hobby, then making
progress is probably not really a great priority for you. If that's
the case keep doing what you are doing, and enjoy it.
On the other hand, if you want to progress as a great
drummer, you will have to focus. You just can't expect
to sit down at your drum kit every once in a while and just
beat around the skins. You need to be clear what it is you
need work on, and then apply it.
Each one of your drum practice sessions should create a
challenge for you to accomplish something not previously
mastered.
When you sit down at your drum set do you know what you
should be practicing? Many drummers don't have a clue what
they need to be practicing to become better. This lack of
information can kill your potential to really excel at your
instrument.
Sometimes, even if we know what to practice, our drum
practice sessions can still be weak simply because of a lack
of focus.
If you have ever caught yourself saying, "I don't know what
to practice" or, "What did I forget to practice" when you
get on your drums, this cheat sheet will do you good. Hang
it up on your wall and pick which exercises you want to work
on before you begin your practice session.
~ Stick control
~ Playing with a metronome (playing with, behind, and ahead)
~ Odd timing
~ Finger control
~ Left hand lead
~ Double bass drumming
~ Fast tempos
~ Slow tempos
~ Odd groupings (3’s, 5’s’ 7’s and 9’s etc.)
~ Polyrhythms
~ Beat displacement and/or metric modulation
~ Shuffles
~ Showmanship (stick twirling, etc)
~ Creating your own patterns and ideas
~ Filling around accent patterns
~ Triplets around the set
~ 16th’s around the set
~ Left hand and foot isolation
~ Brush technique on the snare drum
~ Crash cymbal technique (which one to hit, when, how hard, etc.)
~ Two handed cymbal rides
~ Soloing
~ Recording yourself and listening back
~ All 40 drum rudiments
There are probably many more things you can practice,
particularly your own technique and signatures. But, just
remember, you want to be working on something new at all
times.
The main thing is, keep challenging yourself by never being
satisfied. Strive to constantly improve during each practice
session. Just never say again, "I don't know what to
practice."
by Daniel N. Brown
A lot of drummers don't really sit down to practice their
instrument, but rather just sit down to "play." Just sitting
down to play what you already know is fun and can be great
for maintaining certain techniques, but little progress will be
made.
If you are into drumming only for a hobby, then making
progress is probably not really a great priority for you. If that's
the case keep doing what you are doing, and enjoy it.
On the other hand, if you want to progress as a great
drummer, you will have to focus. You just can't expect
to sit down at your drum kit every once in a while and just
beat around the skins. You need to be clear what it is you
need work on, and then apply it.
Each one of your drum practice sessions should create a
challenge for you to accomplish something not previously
mastered.
When you sit down at your drum set do you know what you
should be practicing? Many drummers don't have a clue what
they need to be practicing to become better. This lack of
information can kill your potential to really excel at your
instrument.
Sometimes, even if we know what to practice, our drum
practice sessions can still be weak simply because of a lack
of focus.
If you have ever caught yourself saying, "I don't know what
to practice" or, "What did I forget to practice" when you
get on your drums, this cheat sheet will do you good. Hang
it up on your wall and pick which exercises you want to work
on before you begin your practice session.
~ Stick control
~ Playing with a metronome (playing with, behind, and ahead)
~ Odd timing
~ Finger control
~ Left hand lead
~ Double bass drumming
~ Fast tempos
~ Slow tempos
~ Odd groupings (3’s, 5’s’ 7’s and 9’s etc.)
~ Polyrhythms
~ Beat displacement and/or metric modulation
~ Shuffles
~ Showmanship (stick twirling, etc)
~ Creating your own patterns and ideas
~ Filling around accent patterns
~ Triplets around the set
~ 16th’s around the set
~ Left hand and foot isolation
~ Brush technique on the snare drum
~ Crash cymbal technique (which one to hit, when, how hard, etc.)
~ Two handed cymbal rides
~ Soloing
~ Recording yourself and listening back
~ All 40 drum rudiments
There are probably many more things you can practice,
particularly your own technique and signatures. But, just
remember, you want to be working on something new at all
times.
The main thing is, keep challenging yourself by never being
satisfied. Strive to constantly improve during each practice
session. Just never say again, "I don't know what to
practice."
Drum Practice: 4 Things to Do in Every Session
Drum Practice: 4 Things to Do in Every Session
by Daniel N. Brown
If you want to increase your level of drumming fast you
obviously need to practice as regularly as possible.
Since many drummers find it difficult to find time to
practice for long periods of time, they don't practice at
all. This is "all or nothing" thinking and leads to failure
in everything it's applied to.
Here's a fact: It’s better to practice your drums for 5-20
minutes everyday than one or two hours on just one day per
week. The key is getting into a habit of quick, regular drum
practice sessions. It's the repetition of these short
practice sessions that will propel your drumming to new
levels rather than the infrequent, marathon sessions.
So, be encouraged if you feel like you don't have enough
time to practice your drums. Just carve out 5-20
minutes three, four, or more days per week! That's all.
Once you do that, you can get down to business.
Here’s four things you should include in every one of your
short drum practice sessions...
1. Practice two or three drum fills that you have heard and
really liked.
Practice these drum fills over and over and try not to stray
from them and go off on something else. The temptation to do
so is definitely there because practicing fills is a lot of
fun. Stay focused until this part of your practice session
is through!
2. Work on memorizing one of your favorite songs.
It's amazing to me why so many drummers do not do this.
Maybe they think they are copying someone else's style
and they feel guilty, I don't know. What I do know is,
memorizing your favorite songs is a great tool that most
drummers should utilize for three reasons...
a) it helps you to continue to be a good time keeper,
b) it helps you to get a feel for where to put fills and where not
to put them in your own songs,
c) and it's just plain fun.
3. Practice with your metronome.
This part of your drum practice session is the most intense
and requires the most discipline simply because it tends to
not be much fun. Even though it may not be much fun, it is
definitely necessary and shouldn't be left out!
Set your metronome to 60 beats per minute and play your bass
drum to it. Then add the hi-hat by alternating three beats
per bass drum beat, then four, and then six. After
practicing that at 60 beats per minute, increase your
metronome to 80 beats and do the same thing, then again
at 100.
Drumming along with a metronome will improve your time
keeping dramatically.
One thing that helps you get past the unpleasantness of
practicing with your metronome is to do this exercise first
and get it over with. But, whether you choose to do it first
or not, just do it!
4. Work on your known weaknesses.
Whether you feel your left hand is holding you back, or your
left leg is a problem, get them up to speed with everything
else so your whole body functions as one.
For example... if you're right handed practice riding your
hi-hat with your left hand for a while. Also, practice
crashing your cymbals with your left hand. If you have a
double bass drum set or a double kick pedal invest some
time just using your weak foot.
Conclusion...
When you organize your drum practice sessions by breaking
things down into small bite sized pieces it becomes do-able
and fun. Just remember, "all or nothing" thinking leads to
failure! Simply carve out 5-20 minutes three, four, or more
days per week.
Here's another tip, if you find it difficult to find enough
time to practice all four things I have mentioned in this
article in any one session, split them up by alternating
two of them in alternate sessions.
Daniel N. Brown has been drumming since 1976! Get his
FREE Special Report, "The 10 Greatest Drum Tips Ever"
when you subscribe to his FREE Weekly E-letter...
by Daniel N. Brown
If you want to increase your level of drumming fast you
obviously need to practice as regularly as possible.
Since many drummers find it difficult to find time to
practice for long periods of time, they don't practice at
all. This is "all or nothing" thinking and leads to failure
in everything it's applied to.
Here's a fact: It’s better to practice your drums for 5-20
minutes everyday than one or two hours on just one day per
week. The key is getting into a habit of quick, regular drum
practice sessions. It's the repetition of these short
practice sessions that will propel your drumming to new
levels rather than the infrequent, marathon sessions.
So, be encouraged if you feel like you don't have enough
time to practice your drums. Just carve out 5-20
minutes three, four, or more days per week! That's all.
Once you do that, you can get down to business.
Here’s four things you should include in every one of your
short drum practice sessions...
1. Practice two or three drum fills that you have heard and
really liked.
Practice these drum fills over and over and try not to stray
from them and go off on something else. The temptation to do
so is definitely there because practicing fills is a lot of
fun. Stay focused until this part of your practice session
is through!
2. Work on memorizing one of your favorite songs.
It's amazing to me why so many drummers do not do this.
Maybe they think they are copying someone else's style
and they feel guilty, I don't know. What I do know is,
memorizing your favorite songs is a great tool that most
drummers should utilize for three reasons...
a) it helps you to continue to be a good time keeper,
b) it helps you to get a feel for where to put fills and where not
to put them in your own songs,
c) and it's just plain fun.
3. Practice with your metronome.
This part of your drum practice session is the most intense
and requires the most discipline simply because it tends to
not be much fun. Even though it may not be much fun, it is
definitely necessary and shouldn't be left out!
Set your metronome to 60 beats per minute and play your bass
drum to it. Then add the hi-hat by alternating three beats
per bass drum beat, then four, and then six. After
practicing that at 60 beats per minute, increase your
metronome to 80 beats and do the same thing, then again
at 100.
Drumming along with a metronome will improve your time
keeping dramatically.
One thing that helps you get past the unpleasantness of
practicing with your metronome is to do this exercise first
and get it over with. But, whether you choose to do it first
or not, just do it!
4. Work on your known weaknesses.
Whether you feel your left hand is holding you back, or your
left leg is a problem, get them up to speed with everything
else so your whole body functions as one.
For example... if you're right handed practice riding your
hi-hat with your left hand for a while. Also, practice
crashing your cymbals with your left hand. If you have a
double bass drum set or a double kick pedal invest some
time just using your weak foot.
Conclusion...
When you organize your drum practice sessions by breaking
things down into small bite sized pieces it becomes do-able
and fun. Just remember, "all or nothing" thinking leads to
failure! Simply carve out 5-20 minutes three, four, or more
days per week.
Here's another tip, if you find it difficult to find enough
time to practice all four things I have mentioned in this
article in any one session, split them up by alternating
two of them in alternate sessions.
Daniel N. Brown has been drumming since 1976! Get his
FREE Special Report, "The 10 Greatest Drum Tips Ever"
when you subscribe to his FREE Weekly E-letter...
How to Develop Your Drumming Weaknesses
How to Develop Your Drumming Weaknesses
by Daniel N. Brown
As for beginning drummers, the whole concept of drumming is
coordination. It's learning to do more than one thing at a
time. As a child, do you remember trying to pat your head
and rub your tummy at the same time? That was pretty
difficult at first, but then we eventually got the hang of
it.
Just like patting your head and rubbing your tummy, once you
get the hang of doing multiple things at once on your drum
set, it then only becomes a matter of practicing to develop
your skills.
Once new drummers begin to get the hang of it they begin to
favor one hand over the other. This is okay to an extent,
but ideally, they should try to develop both hands to their
max.
If you have been playing drums for any length of time you
may have already developed one hand or foot way beyond the
other, leaving you some weak spots that you can improve on.
For example, if you're right handed, which most of us are,
our left hand and foot are obviously less inclined to do as
much. Therefore, leaving them underdeveloped.
These underdeveloped hands and feet are a real menace to
your skills as a great drummer more so than you may think.
The fact is, once you feel free to use any hand or any foot
the coordination to do something new becomes much less of a
challenge.
One way for a drummer to develop his or her weak hand or
foot is to make a special, concentrated effort to
specifically practice and develop these.
What I do is put on a tape of my favorite songs and simply
play with my left foot on my left bass drum. In the same
way, I'll use my left hand to play the hi-hat instead of my
right. Also, many drummers only use their dominant hand to
crash cymbals, but in practice, you should use both hands.
Practicing this way can be frustrating, a little boring, and
not much fun, but well worth the investment of your time.
When you develop the drumming skills with your weak hand and
foot to the point where they are almost as loose as your
dominant hand and foot you will really excel at being a
great drummer.
The whole idea is to develop your drumming skills
completely. This way, you're ready for anything... and you
will have more fun. So, where there's a weak spot... fix it.
Don't run from frustration, embrace it! Frustration is your
friend. It is showing you where you need work.
Just a quick note, it's not realistic to expect your weaker
hand and foot to ever be as developed as your dominat hand
and foot for obvious reasons, but developing your weaker
parts will make a huge impact on your overall drumming
skills and abilities.
by Daniel N. Brown
As for beginning drummers, the whole concept of drumming is
coordination. It's learning to do more than one thing at a
time. As a child, do you remember trying to pat your head
and rub your tummy at the same time? That was pretty
difficult at first, but then we eventually got the hang of
it.
Just like patting your head and rubbing your tummy, once you
get the hang of doing multiple things at once on your drum
set, it then only becomes a matter of practicing to develop
your skills.
Once new drummers begin to get the hang of it they begin to
favor one hand over the other. This is okay to an extent,
but ideally, they should try to develop both hands to their
max.
If you have been playing drums for any length of time you
may have already developed one hand or foot way beyond the
other, leaving you some weak spots that you can improve on.
For example, if you're right handed, which most of us are,
our left hand and foot are obviously less inclined to do as
much. Therefore, leaving them underdeveloped.
These underdeveloped hands and feet are a real menace to
your skills as a great drummer more so than you may think.
The fact is, once you feel free to use any hand or any foot
the coordination to do something new becomes much less of a
challenge.
One way for a drummer to develop his or her weak hand or
foot is to make a special, concentrated effort to
specifically practice and develop these.
What I do is put on a tape of my favorite songs and simply
play with my left foot on my left bass drum. In the same
way, I'll use my left hand to play the hi-hat instead of my
right. Also, many drummers only use their dominant hand to
crash cymbals, but in practice, you should use both hands.
Practicing this way can be frustrating, a little boring, and
not much fun, but well worth the investment of your time.
When you develop the drumming skills with your weak hand and
foot to the point where they are almost as loose as your
dominant hand and foot you will really excel at being a
great drummer.
The whole idea is to develop your drumming skills
completely. This way, you're ready for anything... and you
will have more fun. So, where there's a weak spot... fix it.
Don't run from frustration, embrace it! Frustration is your
friend. It is showing you where you need work.
Just a quick note, it's not realistic to expect your weaker
hand and foot to ever be as developed as your dominat hand
and foot for obvious reasons, but developing your weaker
parts will make a huge impact on your overall drumming
skills and abilities.
How to Get Focused on Your Drumming
How to Get Focused on Your Drumming
by Daniel N. Brown
Remember the times when you knew you should practice your
drums, but just didn't feel like messing with it? It's at
those times you lacked focus.
There was a time when I had a studio session to attend to
lay down some drum tracks and I simply was not in the mood
at all. Hey, I was tired! It was friday afternoon, it was a
long, hard week, and I was done! While driving to the studio
that day my mind was consumed with pretty much just wanting
to watch television.
Anyway, I remember driving up to the drum studio and
thinking, "Man, I don't want to be doing this right now."
But, I decided I better get focused on my drumming because
time is money in the studio. If you have ever bought studio
time you know what I mean.
Well, on the way to the drum studio I began thinking about
the songs I was about to lay down the drum tracks for. I
also began thinking about the fact that my drum tracks will
be permanent. People will hear them and I want my tracks to
be as close to perfection as I can get them. I knew I had to
somehow get focused and get in the mood - right NOW!
So many people will use any excuse for not doing something
because they are simply not in the mood. When it comes to
responsibility, whether a person is in the mood or not, it
doesn't matter. If you have booked studio drum time and paid
good money for it you better be in the mood, or at least get
in the mood!
The best way I have found to change my mood at any given
time about something is to simply begin thinking in a
different manner. Feelings follow thoughts, and given that
fact, I basically just changed my thinking.
I decided to clear my mind of all the noise in my head and
only mentally listen to the songs I was laying drum tracks
for. I tapped on my steering wheel as I drove along, and
honestly, it wasn't even just a few short minutes until I
was starting to "feel it." By the time I arrived at the drum
studio I was more than ready to play my drums.
The next time you have an appointment with your drum set,
but just don't feel like drumming, you are not focused. Just
know you can change your focus at any given time. Because
your feelings follow your thoughts, you can change your
thinking and automatically change your mood.
by Daniel N. Brown
Remember the times when you knew you should practice your
drums, but just didn't feel like messing with it? It's at
those times you lacked focus.
There was a time when I had a studio session to attend to
lay down some drum tracks and I simply was not in the mood
at all. Hey, I was tired! It was friday afternoon, it was a
long, hard week, and I was done! While driving to the studio
that day my mind was consumed with pretty much just wanting
to watch television.
Anyway, I remember driving up to the drum studio and
thinking, "Man, I don't want to be doing this right now."
But, I decided I better get focused on my drumming because
time is money in the studio. If you have ever bought studio
time you know what I mean.
Well, on the way to the drum studio I began thinking about
the songs I was about to lay down the drum tracks for. I
also began thinking about the fact that my drum tracks will
be permanent. People will hear them and I want my tracks to
be as close to perfection as I can get them. I knew I had to
somehow get focused and get in the mood - right NOW!
So many people will use any excuse for not doing something
because they are simply not in the mood. When it comes to
responsibility, whether a person is in the mood or not, it
doesn't matter. If you have booked studio drum time and paid
good money for it you better be in the mood, or at least get
in the mood!
The best way I have found to change my mood at any given
time about something is to simply begin thinking in a
different manner. Feelings follow thoughts, and given that
fact, I basically just changed my thinking.
I decided to clear my mind of all the noise in my head and
only mentally listen to the songs I was laying drum tracks
for. I tapped on my steering wheel as I drove along, and
honestly, it wasn't even just a few short minutes until I
was starting to "feel it." By the time I arrived at the drum
studio I was more than ready to play my drums.
The next time you have an appointment with your drum set,
but just don't feel like drumming, you are not focused. Just
know you can change your focus at any given time. Because
your feelings follow your thoughts, you can change your
thinking and automatically change your mood.
How to Not Be "Just a Drummer"
How to Not Be "Just a Drummer"
by Daniel N. Brown
How can you expand your opportunities to be the best drummer
you can be? Most drummers will say by practicing... and by
practicing a lot.
While it is true that practice is essential, the key to
expanding your capabilities is by developing your
versatility. It's all about using the skills that you
already possess and channeling them towards related
fields.
Since your most basic skill is playing the drums you will
find that there are other instruments that you can easily
adapt your skill to because you already possess musical
ability. For example, instead of limiting yourself to just
the drums, why not expand your talents to include the
guitar, bass, or keyboard?
Why would you want to do this? Because you can increase your
musical scope and be able to come to a greater understanding
of music for one reason. Another reason is to develop
greater communication among your band mates.
You may think you may not have the time to become an
excellent guitarist, or anything else, but that's not true.
It's not true because you don't have to become excellent at
anything else. You just need to develop a little
understanding, that's all.
In my earlier days of drumming I was very frustrated with my
band mates. I was full of ideas concerning the structure of
our music, but I just couldn't get them across. I didn't
"know" their instrument, or the language they used for their
particular instrument in order to get my ideas understood.
If I had taken the time back then to get a little
understanding of the instruments they were playing I could
have eliminated quite a bit of my frustrations. I may have
been able to deliver my ideas and had them implemented
without any problem, therefore, improving our songs.
In my opinion it is very important to get a little
acquainted with other instruments in order to be the best
drummer you can be. Others may disagree! But, that's okay,
it's just my opinion.
There is an old joke that goes like this...
Question: "What do you call someone who travels around
with musicians?"
Answer: "A drummer!"
Ha! Ha! Ha! Very funny! I hate that joke, but unfortunately,
for the most part, it's true.
But, this doesn't have to be you. It's your choice, are you
going to be "just a drummer" or a quality musician?
An argument could be made that a drummer should solely
focus on just being that... a drummer. I agree completely! I
believe part of focusing on being a great drummer is
expanding his or her knowledge of music, not just their
"playing" of the drums.
I could go on and on about how you, as a drummer, can
become more versatile. You must simply start with your most
basic skill, which is playing the drums, and then expand on it by
getting a little acquainted with some other musical
instruments. This is an excellent way of ensuring that you
develop your musicianship to it's fullest potential.
The world is a very competitive place and we must continue
to be competitive. We don't want to put all our eggs in one
basket so take a little time to get to know some other
instruments.
If we take our drumming skills and add some variety to it
like learning a little guitar, bass, or keyboard we will be
surprised at how much more rounded we will become and
not be classified as "just a drummer."
by Daniel N. Brown
How can you expand your opportunities to be the best drummer
you can be? Most drummers will say by practicing... and by
practicing a lot.
While it is true that practice is essential, the key to
expanding your capabilities is by developing your
versatility. It's all about using the skills that you
already possess and channeling them towards related
fields.
Since your most basic skill is playing the drums you will
find that there are other instruments that you can easily
adapt your skill to because you already possess musical
ability. For example, instead of limiting yourself to just
the drums, why not expand your talents to include the
guitar, bass, or keyboard?
Why would you want to do this? Because you can increase your
musical scope and be able to come to a greater understanding
of music for one reason. Another reason is to develop
greater communication among your band mates.
You may think you may not have the time to become an
excellent guitarist, or anything else, but that's not true.
It's not true because you don't have to become excellent at
anything else. You just need to develop a little
understanding, that's all.
In my earlier days of drumming I was very frustrated with my
band mates. I was full of ideas concerning the structure of
our music, but I just couldn't get them across. I didn't
"know" their instrument, or the language they used for their
particular instrument in order to get my ideas understood.
If I had taken the time back then to get a little
understanding of the instruments they were playing I could
have eliminated quite a bit of my frustrations. I may have
been able to deliver my ideas and had them implemented
without any problem, therefore, improving our songs.
In my opinion it is very important to get a little
acquainted with other instruments in order to be the best
drummer you can be. Others may disagree! But, that's okay,
it's just my opinion.
There is an old joke that goes like this...
Question: "What do you call someone who travels around
with musicians?"
Answer: "A drummer!"
Ha! Ha! Ha! Very funny! I hate that joke, but unfortunately,
for the most part, it's true.
But, this doesn't have to be you. It's your choice, are you
going to be "just a drummer" or a quality musician?
An argument could be made that a drummer should solely
focus on just being that... a drummer. I agree completely! I
believe part of focusing on being a great drummer is
expanding his or her knowledge of music, not just their
"playing" of the drums.
I could go on and on about how you, as a drummer, can
become more versatile. You must simply start with your most
basic skill, which is playing the drums, and then expand on it by
getting a little acquainted with some other musical
instruments. This is an excellent way of ensuring that you
develop your musicianship to it's fullest potential.
The world is a very competitive place and we must continue
to be competitive. We don't want to put all our eggs in one
basket so take a little time to get to know some other
instruments.
If we take our drumming skills and add some variety to it
like learning a little guitar, bass, or keyboard we will be
surprised at how much more rounded we will become and
not be classified as "just a drummer."
Playing Drums With Other Musicians
Playing Drums With Other Musicians
by Daniel N. Brown
I remember when I first started playing the drums back in
1976. I was just ten years old, and the thought of being an
awesome drummer in a band just consumed me.
I remember dreaming about playing drums in front of
hundreds, or even thousands of people someday. But, I
really never considered how difficult it would be to finally
get to that point.
Now, after thirty years of drumming, and playing with
dozens of different musicians with various personalities,
I can clearly see why most drummers and other musicians
cannot play together for very long.
The three biggest reasons are... personality conflicts, ego,
and just life in general.
Some people may think personality conflicts occur all
because of ego. Even though sometimes that is true,
personality conflicts can result from simply just not liking
another person for whatever reasons.
As far as ego is concerned, there is nothing wrong with
a good healthy ego. It's when that ego gets distorted and
someone begins to thinks he or she is something they're
really not. That is when it gets ugly.
I remember playing drums in a band back in 1985. The
lead guitarist was so arrogant no one could hardly stand
him. He was definitely a great guitarist, the only problem
was, he knew it (if you know what I mean).
There is simply one way to get along with someone with a
totally distorted view of themselves, and that is to let them
continue to think the way they want to think... if you can.
A person with an overinflated ego is so sickening that
most humble people cannot bear it for long. And one
person with an ego problem usually cannot work with
another person with an ego problem because then it
becomes a battle of the wills. That's one of the biggest
reasons bands break up.
Anything with more than one head is a freak and
will not function properly unless everyone involved
willingly agrees on any particular topic.
Another reason why drummers and other musicians
cannot play together for very long is because of the
things "life" throws in the way.
People get married, people change jobs and move
away, people have babies, people get sick, and the
list is endless.
The only thing that controls your future as a drummer
is you. Will you decide to have a likeable personality?
Will you keep your ego in check? Will you keep a good
attitude and stay focused when "life" throws it's firey
darts at you? It's all up to you.
by Daniel N. Brown
I remember when I first started playing the drums back in
1976. I was just ten years old, and the thought of being an
awesome drummer in a band just consumed me.
I remember dreaming about playing drums in front of
hundreds, or even thousands of people someday. But, I
really never considered how difficult it would be to finally
get to that point.
Now, after thirty years of drumming, and playing with
dozens of different musicians with various personalities,
I can clearly see why most drummers and other musicians
cannot play together for very long.
The three biggest reasons are... personality conflicts, ego,
and just life in general.
Some people may think personality conflicts occur all
because of ego. Even though sometimes that is true,
personality conflicts can result from simply just not liking
another person for whatever reasons.
As far as ego is concerned, there is nothing wrong with
a good healthy ego. It's when that ego gets distorted and
someone begins to thinks he or she is something they're
really not. That is when it gets ugly.
I remember playing drums in a band back in 1985. The
lead guitarist was so arrogant no one could hardly stand
him. He was definitely a great guitarist, the only problem
was, he knew it (if you know what I mean).
There is simply one way to get along with someone with a
totally distorted view of themselves, and that is to let them
continue to think the way they want to think... if you can.
A person with an overinflated ego is so sickening that
most humble people cannot bear it for long. And one
person with an ego problem usually cannot work with
another person with an ego problem because then it
becomes a battle of the wills. That's one of the biggest
reasons bands break up.
Anything with more than one head is a freak and
will not function properly unless everyone involved
willingly agrees on any particular topic.
Another reason why drummers and other musicians
cannot play together for very long is because of the
things "life" throws in the way.
People get married, people change jobs and move
away, people have babies, people get sick, and the
list is endless.
The only thing that controls your future as a drummer
is you. Will you decide to have a likeable personality?
Will you keep your ego in check? Will you keep a good
attitude and stay focused when "life" throws it's firey
darts at you? It's all up to you.
The Importance of the Drummer
The Importance of the Drummer
by Daniel N. Brown
Because of the fact that the drummer is the backbone of most
bands other musicians rely very heavily on him or her to
provide a strong beat that will keep a song together. A
drummer who is off beat, or off tempo, will lead the entire
band astray. Therefore, if the drummer is weak the whole
band will be weak.
Since the drummer provides the foundation for the other
musicians to follow, the drummer is the anchor of the band.
Being the anchor of the band, the drummer must have
confidence.
Confidence is what makes a good drummer a great drummer.
When you have confidence in your ability to play and
confidence in your instrument, success for the band is much
more likely to occur.
If you are a drummer in a band, then you are the anchor of
the band. The other musicians are relying heavily on you to
provide a strong beat that will keep everything together.
Other musicians may be able to cover their flaws when
playing their instruments as a group, but not you.
Everything you do behind your set will not only be heard,
but felt. There is simply no way to hide or cover up poor
drumming skills!
The drummer is vital to a band, and a great drummer can make
up somewhat for other musicians who may not be at the same
level of expertise. The reason is because your listeners
will notice more of what is in your band's music than what
is NOT in it.
For instance, let's say your guitarist is not real creative.
He may play well enough to keep up with the pace of the
song, but as far as adding anything flashy, he's just not
able at his current skill level. But, there you are, with
your solid sense of rhythm and timing. That's what people
are going to notice! They simply will not notice something
that the guitarist does NOT do.
People who are not musically inclined just want to be moved
by the music. They do not evaluate it like musicians do.
Now, if the guitarist seriously flubs something up, then
that's a different story all together. Not being creative
and not adding to the music is one thing, but making
critical mistakes is another. Musician, or not, people know
what is, or is not, pleasing to the ear.
So, as a drummer, the anchor of the band, be solid, strong
and confident. Continue to practice regularly and never be
satisfied with your level of progress.
by Daniel N. Brown
Because of the fact that the drummer is the backbone of most
bands other musicians rely very heavily on him or her to
provide a strong beat that will keep a song together. A
drummer who is off beat, or off tempo, will lead the entire
band astray. Therefore, if the drummer is weak the whole
band will be weak.
Since the drummer provides the foundation for the other
musicians to follow, the drummer is the anchor of the band.
Being the anchor of the band, the drummer must have
confidence.
Confidence is what makes a good drummer a great drummer.
When you have confidence in your ability to play and
confidence in your instrument, success for the band is much
more likely to occur.
If you are a drummer in a band, then you are the anchor of
the band. The other musicians are relying heavily on you to
provide a strong beat that will keep everything together.
Other musicians may be able to cover their flaws when
playing their instruments as a group, but not you.
Everything you do behind your set will not only be heard,
but felt. There is simply no way to hide or cover up poor
drumming skills!
The drummer is vital to a band, and a great drummer can make
up somewhat for other musicians who may not be at the same
level of expertise. The reason is because your listeners
will notice more of what is in your band's music than what
is NOT in it.
For instance, let's say your guitarist is not real creative.
He may play well enough to keep up with the pace of the
song, but as far as adding anything flashy, he's just not
able at his current skill level. But, there you are, with
your solid sense of rhythm and timing. That's what people
are going to notice! They simply will not notice something
that the guitarist does NOT do.
People who are not musically inclined just want to be moved
by the music. They do not evaluate it like musicians do.
Now, if the guitarist seriously flubs something up, then
that's a different story all together. Not being creative
and not adding to the music is one thing, but making
critical mistakes is another. Musician, or not, people know
what is, or is not, pleasing to the ear.
So, as a drummer, the anchor of the band, be solid, strong
and confident. Continue to practice regularly and never be
satisfied with your level of progress.
The Benefit of Teaching Others to Play Drums
The Benefit of Teaching Others to Play Drums
by Daniel N. Brown
If you have been playing drums for any length of time at
all, then you can teach someone else what you know.
You might say, "Yeah, but I don't know enough, or play well
enough to teach." You know more than someone who's never
picked up a pair of drumsticks!
You never want to pass up an opportunity to teach someone
else how to play drums, or even show them a cool groove or
fill. Not only will you be robbing them, but you will also
be robbing yourself.
"How so?" you may ask.
When you begin teaching someone some of your drumming
knowledge and skills, even if you think it's not much, you
will be amazed at the additional things you will learn. You
will also begin to realize you knew more than you thought
you knew about the drums, which will improve your
confidence. And, developing confidence is vital to being a
great drummer!
Many new drummers lack confidence. I think one of the main
reasons is because they tend to compare themselves with
other drummers who have been playing longer, are famous, or
who have a bigger drum set. Whatever the reason, don't do
that! You're not being fair to yourself.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder?" What that means is, what may be impressive to you
may not be impressive at all to someone else. For example,
you may think highly of a particular musician or singer, but
someone else is not going to agree with you. They have their
own favorites.
What I'm saying is this, you are a better drummer than you
think you are. "Better than who?" you may ask. Again, better
than someone who's never picked up a pair of drumsticks! See
yourself from someone else's perspective. You play... they
don't. And, if you have any drumming skills at all, they may
think you're awesome.
Again, teaching what you know will help you to learn even
more and will improve your confidence. Besides, teaching
someone else how to play an instrument can be a real
eye-opening experience for you. Students often bring a whole
different perspective to the table and they'll challenge
your thinking for sure.
So, find someone who wants to learn to play the drums and
then teach them. Finding them is easy. All you have to do is
ask. Opportunity abounds for wanna-be drummers!
by Daniel N. Brown
If you have been playing drums for any length of time at
all, then you can teach someone else what you know.
You might say, "Yeah, but I don't know enough, or play well
enough to teach." You know more than someone who's never
picked up a pair of drumsticks!
You never want to pass up an opportunity to teach someone
else how to play drums, or even show them a cool groove or
fill. Not only will you be robbing them, but you will also
be robbing yourself.
"How so?" you may ask.
When you begin teaching someone some of your drumming
knowledge and skills, even if you think it's not much, you
will be amazed at the additional things you will learn. You
will also begin to realize you knew more than you thought
you knew about the drums, which will improve your
confidence. And, developing confidence is vital to being a
great drummer!
Many new drummers lack confidence. I think one of the main
reasons is because they tend to compare themselves with
other drummers who have been playing longer, are famous, or
who have a bigger drum set. Whatever the reason, don't do
that! You're not being fair to yourself.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder?" What that means is, what may be impressive to you
may not be impressive at all to someone else. For example,
you may think highly of a particular musician or singer, but
someone else is not going to agree with you. They have their
own favorites.
What I'm saying is this, you are a better drummer than you
think you are. "Better than who?" you may ask. Again, better
than someone who's never picked up a pair of drumsticks! See
yourself from someone else's perspective. You play... they
don't. And, if you have any drumming skills at all, they may
think you're awesome.
Again, teaching what you know will help you to learn even
more and will improve your confidence. Besides, teaching
someone else how to play an instrument can be a real
eye-opening experience for you. Students often bring a whole
different perspective to the table and they'll challenge
your thinking for sure.
So, find someone who wants to learn to play the drums and
then teach them. Finding them is easy. All you have to do is
ask. Opportunity abounds for wanna-be drummers!
Why Practice Drums With a Metronome?
Why Practice Drums With a Metronome?
by Daniel N. Brown
Practicing with a metronome will improve your time
keeping dramatically! What... you say you can already
keep time? Try to keep time with a metronome for about
twenty seconds. It will show you how good you really
can keep time. If you have never tried it...try it! You
will see there is room for improvment.
In order to be an outstanding drummer you'll need to
keep good time, and practicing with a metronome can
help you do that. A metronome can improve your time
keeping almost by magic. And, we know how important
time keeping is, particularly for a drummer.
You may wonder what the big deal is and think, "No one
is gonna be able to distinguish any small changes in
tempo in the middle of a song." Well, that may be true,
but the major importance of keeping good time is at
three different places in a song...
1) The times when you break away for a fill and come
back to the original rhythm.
2) If the song contains pauses and later returns to the
original rhythm.
3) If the song contains different tempos and returns to
the original rhythm.
A metronome is such a vital tool in music education
that most teachers of guitar, piano, and violin all
utilize the power of metronomes within their lessons.
How then, even more important for the time keeper of a
band to practice with a metronome.
I can't strees enough the importance of practicing with
a metronome. Once you go out and invest in one, start
out by setting it at 80 beats per minute and play along
with a standard 4/4 disco beat. This is a good pace to
begin. It will give you enough time between beats to
concentrate and land your beat in sync with the beat of
the mertonome.
You will see that when you first start practicing with
a metronome it can become very discouraging, but then
you will eventually get the hang of it and keep pretty
good time. Then it may become a little boring. It's at
that point where you must challenging yourself a little
bit more.
Adjust your metronome to a few more beats and increase
your speed. Not so much where you will sacrifice your
form, though. You don't want to become sloppy. Once you
feel like you are really getting good at staying in
sync with the metronome using a 4/4 beat and at various
speeds you should begin to practice a variety of
different rhythms, also at various speeds.
Practicing with a metronome will improve your drumming
dramatically, so if you don't have one, get one. You
will be amazed at how much it will increase your level
of playing.
by Daniel N. Brown
Practicing with a metronome will improve your time
keeping dramatically! What... you say you can already
keep time? Try to keep time with a metronome for about
twenty seconds. It will show you how good you really
can keep time. If you have never tried it...try it! You
will see there is room for improvment.
In order to be an outstanding drummer you'll need to
keep good time, and practicing with a metronome can
help you do that. A metronome can improve your time
keeping almost by magic. And, we know how important
time keeping is, particularly for a drummer.
You may wonder what the big deal is and think, "No one
is gonna be able to distinguish any small changes in
tempo in the middle of a song." Well, that may be true,
but the major importance of keeping good time is at
three different places in a song...
1) The times when you break away for a fill and come
back to the original rhythm.
2) If the song contains pauses and later returns to the
original rhythm.
3) If the song contains different tempos and returns to
the original rhythm.
A metronome is such a vital tool in music education
that most teachers of guitar, piano, and violin all
utilize the power of metronomes within their lessons.
How then, even more important for the time keeper of a
band to practice with a metronome.
I can't strees enough the importance of practicing with
a metronome. Once you go out and invest in one, start
out by setting it at 80 beats per minute and play along
with a standard 4/4 disco beat. This is a good pace to
begin. It will give you enough time between beats to
concentrate and land your beat in sync with the beat of
the mertonome.
You will see that when you first start practicing with
a metronome it can become very discouraging, but then
you will eventually get the hang of it and keep pretty
good time. Then it may become a little boring. It's at
that point where you must challenging yourself a little
bit more.
Adjust your metronome to a few more beats and increase
your speed. Not so much where you will sacrifice your
form, though. You don't want to become sloppy. Once you
feel like you are really getting good at staying in
sync with the metronome using a 4/4 beat and at various
speeds you should begin to practice a variety of
different rhythms, also at various speeds.
Practicing with a metronome will improve your drumming
dramatically, so if you don't have one, get one. You
will be amazed at how much it will increase your level
of playing.
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