begininng drummer

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patlang12

patlang12

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I just started jamming with a new drummer. He is not very good, but he plays the kind of music I like and he is a nice guy. He almost always plays the same beat. What should I do so he gets better? Any good websites or something?
 
Hi,

I'm not pro, but my advice is, if youve just got with this drummer then chances are he needs you to help him. It's all very well playing with music in headphones but theres nothin like gettin into a group and playing.

With practise, dvds, websites etc, he WILL get better. make sure he does practise not just for an hour a day but whenever he can.

good luck!

ps "He almost always plays the same beat." you will find that music of the same types often doesnt have similar beats lol!!!
 
you meant to say often does have similar beats.

with practice he'll get better. i learned how to play in about a year and a bit. let me guess, he plays a standard rock beat right?

...........1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
hi hats..X X X X X X X X
snare....----X------X---
bass.....X-------X------


well just get him to nail that. then get him to play simple variations, like another kick here or there, try a ghost note here or there as well. once he nails that, he'll have much better control/feel/rythum he can move on to expermenting, grooving and such. if he works a bit, hell get good enough to jam, he may not be soloing, but good for keeping time. and he shouldnt worry to much about fills until he is very comfortable, nothing is worse then a fill off time screwing up and stopping a jam. i would know. pm me if you want...
 
patlang12 said:
I just started jamming with a new drummer. He is not very good, but he plays the kind of music I like and he is a nice guy. He almost always plays the same beat. What should I do so he gets better? Any good websites or something?
Click to expand...

Three words:

Met
Tro
Gnome


;)
 
BentRabbit said:
Three words:

Met
Tro
Gnome


;)
Click to expand...

i think you mean one word, three syllables. :) :rolleyes:

its good to learn with a metronome, but you should also be able to count. thats how i taught, and learned. if you can count on time ofcourse :) !
 
ok well he needs to get lessons. it's as simple as that. he cant read drum music so drum books are out of it, adn mostly drum books are no good without someone showing you anyway. so get a teacher. it's the best and in my opionion the only way to progress.
 
As someone already indicated, playing with other people is a good way to learn how to play. Certainly if this guy is limited in chops he needs to grow, but if you don't have a drop dead time frame (a gig next month, etc) perhaps it is best to simply have fun jamming. Naturally you can suggest "hey why don't you try a different beat", etc). You can also let him hear recordings of beats that you are looking for (I'm sure there are bands that you can both relate to).

If the guy has some talent and a true desire to get better, he will get better. Perhaps jamming with you is the kick in the ass he needs.

As already suggested, lessons may be in order. Again, if he wants to get better he will do what needs to be done, including lessons, practise, etc.
 
Lessons are good If you have the money and they are a good teacher.
As a Teacher I know how hard it is to motivate
people to practice,especially The Younger Generation :)
One way to practice to a good beat, and get creative is to
play to a simplistic tune like ACDC.Play on the beat but add a little to it.
Make shure you dont get carried away and throw yourself off.
This is all about control and discipline.
Two things that are crucial to being a great Drummer/Percussionist. ;)
 
To answer so of peoples questions. Yes he is mostly just playing the hi hat. I think if I keep playing with him he will get better soon. I am not sure if he can afford lessons or not. Thanks a lot for you responses. If anybody else has anything to say please go right ahead.
 
He could work on some rudiments.
Carmine Appice's Realistic Rock is a decent book for picking up some ideas on other basic patterns.
It helped me out, some twenty odd years ago.
Really, it all depends on his desire to learn. There are many resources available via books, videos or searching the web.
Who knows, give it a little time and maybe he'll come out of his shell and you guys will start grooving together.
 
Whatever you do, make sure he NEVER gets a double bass pedal. oh god...
 
I'm guessing no double pedal because 60% of drummers play double pedal poorly, 20% use double pedal way too often in poor taste and 10% use double pedal so little it is hardly worth the extra set-up.

Naturally there are people like Vigil Dononti (who can play pedal better than most players can handle sticks) however, 99% of bands do not cover material that could justify that level of talent.
 
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Well we are going to be a blues-rock band I think so double pedal will probably not be used. I have played with some other drummers though that have double pedal and like you said they don't sound very good.
 
If he can afford a teacher then get one! its the best way. If he can't tehn tell him to get a job (or 2) so he can.

I cannot explain how much a teacher will help him. Without one he will progress very slowly and even then will probabley be holding the sticks wrong! (actully on topic make sure his forefinger is NOT streched along the stick - it will break your finger)

Really please listen to me. Get him a teacher!!!
 
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