Have you practiced today?

K

killerbee

New member
Hello my drum homies,

Knowing a bunch of you here really helped me in my drumming a lot. I love those gear/techniques talk over kopi a great deal and everyone is lovely to hang out with. One of us, just went over to LA to pursue her drum studies and I just want to punch the air and shout "ROCK AND ROLL!"

Her MSN message is: "Have you practiced today?"

I find that wholly inspiring and motivating. And I should probably get off the internet and head for the pad but haha!

Every teacher emphazise on practicing and although I'm pretty lazy at that, but sometimes, when I see what I've practiced coming to fruition, the feeling is awesome.

Here's an article I chanced by, called The Fine Art Of Practice. Check it out!
http://www.drummercafe.com/content/view/15/19/
 
tat's almost true to the point of no return.

value added information that could be added to anything in life..

P R A C T I C E
 
i know PRACTICE is the topic of this thread... but i always stress this ..... BALANCE



you must put in the discipline to keep practicing day after day, but that is not everything.

something just as important, i call it killer instinct .... when you know just when and where, you only need one chance, not unlimited tries.


something related to killer instinct, is confidence.


one question i like to pose to my students, are you confident because you have practiced enough, or are you confident simply because you ARE confident as a person.

the answer to this question is open-ended. just like another question i often like to ask my fellow brethren, "do you see yourself as a musician first, or a drummer first?"



in a sense, practice gives you more of the WHAT and the HOW, but less of the WHY and WHEN.


for your thinking caps bros and sis

cheers!!!
 
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I think one aspect of confidence also stems from the fact that you know what you can do and that you can do it no matter what.

That being said, also cannot have "empty" confidence. Must have solid skills to back your confidence level up.

And there's also a difference between humble and being overly confident. Like Alfe points out, balance is the key. Cannot be too humble and too confident too. Extremes are seldom good things. But being EXTREMELY GOOD IN PLAYING, is always good la. Haha!
 
yes... balance is the key...

i gave this advice because i've had students who always "play safe".

one aspect of playing an instrument, do not be afraid to play it.

sometimes you have to get your feet wet in the water.



this advice is not for every student, for different people have different issues to address in life.

if i find a student too timid in playing style, sometimes i will give advice telling him or her to be more courageous and attempt, even if just a little, something they have not tried before.



at the same time, as educators, we have the responsibility of assessing very carefully what we say to students, and to think carefully before exercising judgement to the very best of our ability.



if you are always well-practiced in something before you play, you'll likely have a "well-practiced" vibe in your playing.

Now, the thing is, is that how you want to sound?



I appreciate drummers of all kinds, and I always have a little spot in my heart for some drummers who are not very technically grounded, but have a clear idea of the sound and the vision of the music they want to express.

so even as over the years i've progressed in my playing, whenever i hear a simple, if quirky indierock beat.. my heart still skips a little... at the kind of mental and emotional process that leads to it


cheers
 
plainsman said:
yes... balance is the key...

i gave this advice because i've had students who always "play safe".

one aspect of playing an instrument, do not be afraid to play it.

sometimes you have to get your feet wet in the water.
Click to expand...

That is so true Alfe! That was one of my obstacles when I very very first started.

And do you know what is the very first thing Thomas Lang told me when I had my lesson with him?

"Drums are meant to be played loud. Do not be afraid to hit it! All the construction, the shells, the hardware, are meant to take a beating."

After telling me that, he told me to hit the drums as hard as I could. I felt like a mad woman. HAHA! But I also understand the importance of that advice. Because it's only when you know how loud you can go and not be afraid of it, that you can truly understand the different sound dynamics (loud/soft) of playing.

So cool! I love your advice, Alfe. And your approach to teaching. This is truly learning. I LIKE!
 
Yup, balance is correct...sometimes i play better after resting a 2 days and think more clearly about what i wanna play..and im comforted by the fact that if we prac, we can do it. Nothing is impossible..thats what i believe anyways..
 
Heylo everyone. Some pointers from me(just my opinion, others might differ):

1)Drumming must be felt(feel) and the main important part of the drums that has to be felt is the kick/bass drum. The bass drum must be heard and felt clearly. It must be louder than your cymbals, toms and add-ons(toys like cowbell etc), while the snare just a little behind from the kick. If the rest are louder than your kick, the groove will be messy.

2)Learn how to move(dance) and feel the music. If u can't dance, how do you expect people to dance/move to your groove/rhythm... This seriously helps. If not, you'll be stiff and tense while drumming.

Cheers & Keep the faith!!
 
hey ah pek, nice to hear from u after all this time.

are u referring to all genres when u say the bass drum is the most impt or just rock and funk?
 
hey Mark, how're you man..
Basically rock, pop, soul, funk, r&b and other modern stuff.
For jazz and other acoustics or softer stuff, time-keeping is important la(time-keeping is important for all genres!! =) cos the kick is just like an add-ons/fills but still be heard/felt..
 
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Blurred...I see where you're coming from. Its important to specify which genre you're tagging the advise to...otherwise those beginners looking into jazz or latin will start pounding the bass drum like there's no tomorrow....

However, regardless of genre....there shouldn't be a only "one-way" feel...listen to recordings and learn as many different ways to groove as possible. Even rock/pop settings have many ways to groove. Here's 2 examples from 2 killer drummers with great groove thats has different balances....

Eg.

1) I will survive by Cake: Bass drum is on the softer side...hats is the big one here

2) You oughta know by Alanis Morissette: Bass drum softer again...hats and snare are much louder

Moral of the story is...check out as many recordings as possible at your own free time....
 
Oh....as for jazz....bass drum contributes to not only fills...but groove too...check out big band styles...traditionally a lot of the drummers will play quarter notes right through....machiam 1930-40s techno..ah huh ah huh...
 
yup will do thanks for the tips alvin.
its gd to know tht theres more than one way to skin a cat, and to eat peking duck.
 
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