Tips needed on becoming a better drummer..

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mix_Trix
  • Start date Start date
M

Mix_Trix

New member
I've been playing the guitar all my life and have lately become interested in becoming a better drummer. I could always keep the beat on drums like standard rock stuff, shuffle beats, etc. basically easy stuff... no big time rolls, jazz type stuff...
What I'm wanting to know is that before I get too far into this... What is the correct way to hold the drum sticks?.. I asked my brother this, since he's been playing drums for as long as i can remember.. and he told me whatever is natural.. but then again he is self taught... (don't get me wrong he can really play well) But since I'm just getting started I thought I'd try to find out a web-link or maybe someone could tell me the name of a book I could buy to show me the correct technique, that way I don't have to go back and learn the right way later... also, does anyone have any tips on playing that they would share.. that might help.. or some good links that have drum lessons... Thanks
 
I realize this is my own personal preference, but I think you should check out a pair of True Line sticks - the ones that have the lump where you place your hand. I have recurring bouts of carpal tunnel from time to time and these sticks feel much better in my hand. I wish I had just tried a pair years ago. I tried the 5B, found them to be a bit hefty, and then got hold of a pair of the Danny Carey model...drumstick heaven.

There are a slew of drum lessons on this site - drumsdatabase.com. You can also order books and other instructional materials. My wife got me "4-Way Coordination" by Marvin Dahlgren and Elliot Fine for Christmas. Has a lot of lessons to help you get all four limb operating independently; useful for polyrhythms and such.
 
thanks for the reply

Cool.. I'll check that site out... and do they sell those drum sticks at Musicians Friend? Also, what's you own advice for the correct way to hold the drum sticks.... I've read some places that say.. between the thumb and index finger is the pivot point.. while this other web page that said it was correct to us the thumb and middle finger joint.. as the pivot point.. I have been practicing some exersices like paradittles, double para, triple stuff like RLF (right, left , foot).. I hope these will help me out later.... Because I'm wanting to learn stuff like Neal Peart plays.. lol.. I know it's gonna be a challenge.. but should be worth my while
 
They sell a few models of Trueline sticks at Musician's Friend (including the Danny Carey model). They're $6 a pair. I really think the way you hold the stick is up to what you feel is most comfortable. If you get some Trueline sticks, the stick basically tells you where to hold it.
 
why do you need to be taught how to hold a drum stick? All kinds of factors go into play. What kind of music you play, the length/type of stick, how fast you play, how hard you hit, etc. Go whatever feels natural. I use Zildjian super 5B and hit fast and hard so i tend to choke up a bit.
 
There are two basic grips - traditional & matched. Many drummers use each (for different applications). As your brother said - it all comes down to what feels right. However, it is difficult (if not impossible) to understand the subtle use of finger control and everything else that goes into proper technique without haveing someone show you.

Traditional grip has been around from years - matched grip became more popoular in the 60's and 70's (to accomodate the ever growing drum sets (ie: doing a roll around a 9 peice kit).

I would siuggest taking a few lessons to have an "educated" drummer show you the different grip techniques. Once you have "hands on understanding" (rather than a picture in a book) you can decide what is right for you. Also, there are many good videos out (Dave Weckl in particular has a few that really focus on "basics). Videos are more user friendly for a novice. A book (any book) does no good if you don't understand the words.

As a guitar player you can relate to something like hammer ons or pull offs - you can read about them in a book, but it losses something until you see a guitar play do it

Beyond the issue of proper grip, the best ways to improve your drumming skills are: 1) play along with recordings 2) jam with as many people as you can.
 
If you were playing marching snare, you would be told there is an exact way to hold the stick. Drumset is more of a feel-oriented instrument so you go with what feels right. In my opinion, however, your thumb and index finger should always be your primary fulcrum, with index finger curled around the stick and the thumb opposite. Many beginning drummers have a tendency to leave the index finger pointed straight along the stick—this is poor technique. You also mentioned you were working on diddle exercises. The tendency at first seems to be to hold the stick with only the thumb and index finger in order to loosen the grip and make it easy to get that bounce to play the diddles. You wanna practice getting those diddles out with as much of the grip intact as possible so you still have complete control over what you are playing...start out slow and work your way up. $.02
 
AndyCarpenter is right. On rudiment exercises, DON'T WAVE YOUR PINKY!! Real bad habit. The more you learn with a good grip, the more you can play later. Hold the stick between your thumb and forefinger, at the knuckle, with stick showing on top. What I mean is, some drummers turn their thumbnails up, and push the stick with their thumbs. Not a good habit to get into. Most of all, do all this with a relaxed hand. It is important to have good grip, but make sure the veins in your head aren't popping out because you are holding the stick to tightly. Hope this helps.

Pete
 
oh yeah, and if the stick breaks apart at your thumb and splinters into oblivion, that's too tight.:D

Pete
 
I started out 5 years ago playing my rudiments...and snare marches. Then about 1.5 years after that, I got my first drumset. I would say that if you start by learning good technique, then it is easier to change around the feel...i started playing grips right by the book, but now its all comfort and what feels right...like how tight the fingers are middle - pinky on the stick etc...

I agree, don't let the pinky hang! it looks weird...
 
You should at least know about the Moeller technique.

And with that said, I should refer you to a drummer named Dom Famularo. www.domfamularo.com

I bought his book (It's Your Move) which details the Moeller technique (as well as other important ideas). This technique is not revolutionary, it just answers (very well I think) the questions most beginning to intermediate drummers ask. It defines stick grip, but through descriptions of your arm and stick movements. To perform a low-Moeller (properly), for instance, all your fingers end up doing something important.

However, realize that this technique is also kind of intuitive - meaning that it's quite obvious as to the arm motion required to hit something with a stick. I mean, it's kinda like throwing a ball - you eventually figure it out.

If your serious about becoming a well-rounded drummer (ready for anything). Look into this technique. It will also do wonders for your CESP -> Control, Endurance, Speed, and POWER!

You can also extend this idea to your feat for some crazy fast kick roles (not without much practice of course).

Also, if your the studious type (and the patient type), look into the New Breed from Gary Chester. Someone mentioned 4 way coordination here - try some 5 way coordination excercises - yes, you use your mouth - speak the rhythms!

Good Luck!
Dave
 
POSTURE!!! sit up straight and keep your eyes on your set, as much of it as you can.
And yes, don;t wave the pinky. i'm self taught, aside from middle school marching band, and i wave the pinky when doing 9 stroke rolls and such. like smoking, it's HARD to get out of after you've been doing it for 11 years, lol. so don;t start if you can help it.
Posture is a huge factor. I have a problem with hanging my head sometimes when i'm doing fast steady bass techniques, and when i go to move to toms or cymbals i miss cuz my head is looking at the snare and i can;t see where i'm swingin. also, it readys you for difficult manuvers to be sitting up and looking abroad at your set. you'll see where you wanna go before you get there, like site reading.
Mike
P.S.: i hated it as a kid, but facts are facts, you can become a much better drummer if you seek a little guidance. And yea, he's gonna tell you to go L R L R L R for like 20 years, but it pays off in the long run. i have a whole lot of imperfections from not doing all that boring shit.
 
POSTURE part deux - You also want to keep your arms relaxed. Most beginner drummers tend to tense up all the way through the shoulders. Everything should be nice and relaxed, letting your forearm muscles do all the work.

I agree with the suggestion of taking some lessons. Even a just a few early on can get you on the right track and avoid bad habits that are hard to break.
 
one thing i've found is helful for me is to find a local band that gigs a lot and has a badass drummer (a drummer that is good and the music fits your style as well). Study his (or her) technique. Watch how hard they hit, how they hold the sticks, what kind of sticks, what their technique is on the kick pedal, and even how they have their drums set up with respect to tilt. You'll find drummers are tending to keep the toms level and not tilted. This will give you a better resonant sound, but at the same time it requires more strength on the wrists, so you have to build up your strength as well. Watch how they hit the snare. You'll find that a good drummer hits consistently. Go home and mimic those moves and keep watching this drummer. I did this for a couple months once a week and my technique has developed so much more.

the drummer I watched (also my friend) is at www.denialmusic.com he's a hard hitter (you can tell that from the audio samples) and extremely consistent which helped me develop my sound.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top