Now I'M doing it wrong!

  • Thread starter Thread starter ez_willis
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ez_willis

ez_willis

.
:mad: :(

I decided that I wanted to take my current ability to the next level. Drums are not my primary instrument. I am totally capable of writing and recording decent drum parts for the songs that I write, but I want to be better than I am right now.

I have never taken a drum lesson in my life, and I've never been in the same room as a competent drummer to pick his brain about certain things. For instance, stick grip and posture. Drum and throne heighth is another fine example. Because of this, I've developed bad habits that are difficult to overcome.

It all started when I decided that rudiments were an important first step in learning how to play drums, instead of just knowing how to play drum parts. I started with basic paradiddles. It was immediately clear that I was gripping my sticks wrong, so I went to Youtube to see how I should be holding them. I was holding them at the ends and using them more as an extension of my arm instead of moving my fingers up to provide a fulcrum, which would allow my wrists to do much of the work instead of my arms. Because I wasn't correctly gripping my sticks, I've had my snare way too low.

Now I have to relearn the very basics of the instrument.


My question is: Should I go ahead and quit my job now and hook up with a stripper, or wait until I get in a band and need a ride to rehearsal? :p
 
ez_willis said:
:mad: :(

I decided that I wanted to take my current ability to the next level. Drums are not my primary instrument. I am totally capable of writing and recording decent drum parts for the songs that I write, but I want to be better than I am right now.

I have never taken a drum lesson in my life, and I've never been in the same room as a competent drummer to pick his brain about certain things. For instance, stick grip and posture. Drum and throne heighth is another fine example. Because of this, I've developed bad habits that are difficult to overcome.

It all started when I decided that rudiments were an important first step in learning how to play drums, instead of just knowing how to play drum parts. I started with basic paradiddles. It was immediately clear that I was gripping my sticks wrong, so I went to Youtube to see how I should be holding them. I was holding them at the ends and using them more as an extension of my arm instead of moving my fingers up to provide a fulcrum, which would allow my wrists to do much of the work instead of my arms. Because I wasn't correctly gripping my sticks, I've had my snare way too low.

Now I have to relearn the very basics of the instrument.


My question is: Should I go ahead and quit my job now and hook up with a stripper, or wait until I get in a band and need a ride to rehearsal? :p
Click to expand...


I'd hold out for 2 strippers....:D
 
I know what you mean Ez, I am in a similar predicament. My solution has been to get a practice pad and practice the hell out of the simple things like paradiddles and multi stroke rolls. My biggest hurdle now is getting my left hand to bounce the stick as well as the right does. I have been doing this 8 stroke roll that is helping a lot. Even just sitting around doing a slow roll on my left helps a ton. Thing is though, as soon as I sit at the kit I morph back into my bad grip...it's a constant process. Starting a drum session with simple exercises and speeding them up as much as possible (smoothly) helps too. For my money nothing is time better spent than getting your double stroke roll to sound as robotic as possible.
 
jamacian said:
I know what you mean Ez, I am in a similar predicament. My solution has been to get a practice pad and practice the hell out of the simple things like paradiddles and multi stroke rolls. My biggest hurdle now is getting my left hand to bounce the stick as well as the right does. I have been doing this 8 stroke roll that is helping a lot. Even just sitting around doing a slow roll on my left helps a ton. Thing is though, as soon as I sit at the kit I morph back into my bad grip...it's a constant process. Starting a drum session with simple exercises and speeding them up as much as possible (smoothly) helps too. For my money nothing is time better spent than getting your double stroke roll to sound as robotic as possible.
Click to expand...

I know how to hit the drums rythmically with relatively consistant timing, but doing the most basic of rudiments with my left hand makes me feel retarded. :o

Watch the kenny aronoff functional practicing series on youtube.
 
RAMI said:
I might have shown you this before, EZ, but I have a page on my iste with some drum tips. It's pretty basic, but some of the sticking exercises might help you. www.ramirami.com/drumtips
Click to expand...

I did check that out before, but to be honest, I wasn't ready to take my playing to the next level at that time. When I recently decided that it was now the right time, the first thing I thought was "go to Rami's site for lessons".

So thanks again for the hook up.

I just got back from GC. I bought a practice pad. I also bought a new batter side bass drum head and a new Yamaha hi-hat stand, but that's irrelevant to this thread, but it did make me happy. :)
 
ez_willis said:
I did check that out before, but to be honest, I wasn't ready to take my playing to the next level at that time. When I recently decided that it was now the right time, the first thing I thought was "go to Rami's site for lessons".

So thanks again for the hook up.

I just got back from GC. I bought a practice pad. I also bought a new batter side bass drum head and a new Yamaha hi-hat stand, but that's irrelevant to this thread, but it did make me happy. :)
Click to expand...

Pictures when it's setup, please...:)
 
Dogman said:
Pictures when it's setup, please...:)
Click to expand...

Certainly, friend, though it won't look much different. It'll be cleaner though.

And your playing has improved at a much quicker pace than mine, and that pisses me off! :D
 
Man, I don't know any rudiments. I'm self taught to just bang away. I need to learn and practice rudiments but it seems like such a huge undertaking. So much to learn. :o
 
RAMI said:
I might have shown you this before, EZ, but I have a page on my iste with some drum tips. It's pretty basic, but some of the sticking exercises might help you. www.ramirami.com/drumtips
Click to expand...


When practicing Rudiments, it's essential to use a metronome. Practice for precision, not speed.
Click to expand...

If you have any simple drum lessons, exercises or tips that you'd like to share, please send them to me at info@ramirami.com and I'll post them along with a link to your site)
Click to expand...

I created a click track that starts at 80 bpm and increases in 5 bpm intervals every minute, with a 10 or so second pause in between. It goes up to 100 bpm.

If you want to add it to your site, it's here.
 
ez_willis said:
I created a click track that starts at 80 bpm and increases in 5 bpm intervals every minute, with a 10 or so second pause in between. It goes up to 100 bpm.

If you want to add it to your site, it's here.
Click to expand...

That is insanely cool....thanx man.

Great Idea.:cool:
 
It's kind of cool though, that feeling of learning something new. At this stage, small amounts of progress are noticeable.
 
ez_willis said:
:mad: :(

My question is: Should I go ahead and quit my job now and hook up with a stripper, or wait until I get in a band and need a ride to rehearsal? :p
Click to expand...
Q: What does a stripper do with her asshole?
A: She drops him off at band practice.
 
ez_willis said:
No offense, but there is no fucking way I'll be downloading anything you link to. Ever. I apologize if your intentions are good, but, you know, I like my computer the way it is right now. :o
Click to expand...

Its clearly a file from http://www.vicfirth.com the number one dumming site but apology accepted. It will fix your left hand.

Also have you tried playing "open handed".
 

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