newbie here needs guidance!

[trance999]

Right guys i dont post often but i need ur help!
i thk i'm quite a noob drummer, and i'm getting nowhere in my prac...
well i spend an average of 2 hrs in front of the drums, 1 hr in doing strokes and the other hr jamming along to songs or playing grooves.
perhaps i shld be doing other stuff instead?
what u guys thk?! what u guys prac everyday? just wondering

 

[weckl-x]

Welcome trance999

Do you have specific targets in mind when you practise?
Are you working on any instructional material?
Do you have a teacher? Or friends who mentor you on the instrument?

Most importantly, are you having fun? If you're having fun doing what you do, don't get too stressed about 'getting somewhere', because the truth is, certain techniques/grooves take time before your muscles/brain commit them to memory.

Sharing more about the context will help the guys here answer you.

These days I don't get to practise much, so when I do get the chance, I'm more interested in having fun, relaxing, and getting my mind off work, than trying to learn new things... so... I'm happy.

Lastly, the best thing you can probably do for yourself right now when you're feeling lost is to drop by the monthly drum meet organized by a crazy bunch of passionate drummers in soft. You're in luck, the next one is TOMORROW.

I've only managed to make it once myself, but hey, I'd strongly recommend it to anyone. You'll be encouraged, motivated and get the chance to make a bunch of good friends, people who'll understand your frustrations because they would have been there themselves.

There aren't many good things in life that are free. This is one of them

Give brother Eric (RudimentalDrummer) a call if you want to find out more.

The 10TH Soft Drum Xchange Singapore / Meetup
Venue: Ulu Pandan CC, Wind Symphony Room
Date: 26th Jan 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 12pm to 5pm (5 Hours) -
FREE ENTRANCE

How To get There: - Alight at Bona Vista MRT Station – Get down MRT turn Left – walk all the way up – asked people around (about 5 to 10 minutes walk only) - you can call me also at 97989977 Eric to clarify if still in doubt.
Check out this thread for more details:
http://soft.com.sg/forum/showthread.php?t=44970

 

[LordNagrath]

Hey Trance, I'm another "noob" drummer like you but I do have peers who are better than me, who teach drums/percussion and really help me in my improvement.

One thing all of them agree on is to buy those digital metronomes and plugging them while you practice. If you can keep time and hit very accurately, you're already quite a "tight" drummer like they say. Don't worry about elaborate fills, crazy double bass, etc. And practice at slow tempos too. Many people think playing fast is hard but actually slow can be equally or even harder. So that's advice from my peers passed down from me to you

Hope it's useful and hope to see you at the Drum Exchange tmr!

 

[trance999]

well cant make it for the dxs today. mugging for exams...
man i dont know how to describe my situation well... just that i feel like my standard is stuck there, and not progressing anymore.

 

[xkyh]

Hello, everyone.

I have been drumming for close to a year now.

I too, feel that I am stuck at a plateau and cannot progress. It is getting frustrating, and I am not sure if I need a teacher, a drum instructional book/video, or just tackling internet lessons.

Since most drummers have been like this at one point or another, may I have some advice?

 

[caijunlong]

xkyh,

Do you mean that you don't know how you can improve? If it's so, perhaps you can approach some music school and talk to the drum instructors there. I believe they can work out something for you.

trance999,

It's good to balance the time you have for practicing rudiments and on drumset. I wish I have the time like you to practice. Keep it going!

 

[snowflier]

hi guys, i guess the question here is, how much of a budget do u have? if not much, then just look out for freebie stuff that might help. no harm trying right, since they're free? for instance this forum where u can read up on reviews, techniques, get advice, etc. plus lots of other forums and websites for more varied opinion and free videos and possibly lessons. of cos not forgetting the monthly drum exchange.

on the other hand, if u have some cash, yes, why not try getting a drum instructional book or dvd to either improve on your current skills or maybe try something new e.g. a new genre? or even a dvd on live performances by your favourite band-inspirational and motivational

if u can spare a little more cash, try a few lessons. some (most? i dunno) music schools will offer u a free trial lesson. it will be a short one, where u can get to know your potential teacher and see if you're comfy with that person, and of cos let that professional assess your playing. talk it out, let that person know your concerns/troubles, and see if he/she has possible solutions. depending on the school/instructor/your negotiation skills/your budget, you can maybe try a month of lessons 1st, then if you think it helps, sign up for a longer term, like 3 mths.

doesn't hurt to have a couple drummer buddies to hang out with either.

oh but you know what? sometimes you just need a break. so you can also consider busying yourself with other stuff for maybe a couple days...a week. then when you get back behind your kit, you'd be more refreshed, raring to go. you might be surprised, something you had trouble with before might all of a sudden come easy to u.

good luck :mrgreen:

 

[mel80]

Just to add on to what the rest have posted and suggested...
Jam with bands if you don't already have one. You will improve a lot in terms of sound dynamics, knowing when to play what and develop your ears when you jam with a band. You learn to apply what you have been practising by yourself in a band context too.

Most importantly, it keeps your learning process fun when you get to jam with people.

 

[RudimentalDrummer]

Trance – reminded me of myself actually. Practicing 1 hour or 2 on Rudiments itself is sure hardwork, but much more important is – Learning How To Groove.

I used to spend 3 hours daily just doing Rudiments for 6 months and found that it’s not much of a use, because speed is something I found that takes time and most of all it comes naturally oneday……….I’m not saying that Practicing Rudiments is of no use (but not the most important here that’s all)….. What is more important is – Expediting those Rudiments incorporating them ito a Song (exactly like what our Bro Mel had mentioned here) – but Playing with a Band in a real live situation which is never the same as Playing along with CD … it’s about feel (this changes all the time especially when you play with different people) – it is something that we have to learn as we gain more experience & confidence while jamming with a Band…however the below (Having an instructor is also very important if we find ourself stagnated at a point in time)

Trance & xkyh: - It is not uncommon when a drummer feels ( Stagnated – cannot progress onwards) – this means (our Knowledge is limited already) – thus we need an Instructor for sure at this time….that’s exactly what happens to me…..

You will be surprise how much difference a Good Instructor can make and help us go far in our Drumming (beside of course we have to practice everyday at home) - - this is also because – The Basic is of Utmost Importance - - A Great Instructor will set this pre-requisite for us – so needed if we were to excel from then on. If the Basic is not there – we will find ourself not being able to do the more complicated stuffs later on in drumming….Good & Correct Techniques is call for also here though there may be many types of Techniques applicable for use on situations.

I use to have so many Text-Book (got confused myself – play everything but half past six only) – then when I took up lesson – I got only a small thin little book (They call it Basics) – but believe me – I drum so much better nowadays…cause the Basic grant me flexibility when I drum, and I can drum simple songs with ease (no pressure on myself) with Dynamics and my hands can move everywhere like an Octopus like that - dont play play har – so naturally I become better….

It time to take lessons – this type of money cannot save one…..Many I believe thinks (If I take lesson every month pay S$ eg200, I can buy a cymbal in so-many months etc)---so they forgo lessons…..but Taking lesson is money well worth it …. Confidence In Drumming Is One Thing $$$ Can Never Buy – that’s what I found out for myself....Thanks to my Drumming Instructor (and my Band-Leader of course) ... I'm Good man.


Cheers


Eric

 

[RudimentalDrummer]

comming to Monthly DXS Meetup also can learn alot, especially the different style, approach each drummers does.

don't laugh at me, but I now can


Action (drumming like bro Jiv) like that (those that seen him play knows what I am taking about) - like dancing on the drums lah - My band-leader ask me - wah you very energetic har nowadays - actually I am tired lah dancing on the drums (but with ease) I mean I move my Body non-stop for 3 1/2 hour why wont tired...but when my bandmates see me like that - they also have high spirit to play...right?...

I copy Brandon (Throw sticks) but I fail hahahahaha - maybe I need some more time on this....hahaha.


Learn to play like Alfe (fast fast like that).... but I cant play double-pedal (nevermind) one thing at a time.


But I learn to solo and solo - when I see brothers doing drum Battle also ---- hahaha

Then learn to play Steve Gadd Groove from my Instructor Alvin hahaha

So Watching is also learning at DXS...really.

 

[lepak]

practise so much by the book u'll start playing like a robot(no offence).Still must practise by book la but dont let that kill ur natrual feel. Just get basics then cover nice songs. find out why ur having problems on some parts then ask around improve etc hehe. U gotta get the natrual , 'groove' hehe very important! MOST importantly have fun!!! Dont let ur neighbours stop you whahaha.

 

[trance999]

haha well i guess i've been quite a robot in a sense. most of the times i do not apply what i learn into what i play. but it seems that the songs that i can cover cant really go beyond rock. i rely on tabs and scores alot...

oh and btw, i cant seem find the tabs/scores for the "chim chim" songs. and i cant make out what they are playing too. so the result = i cant play them.

man i'm dam sad

 

[bklk]

Right guys i dont post often but i need ur help!
i thk i'm quite a noob drummer, and i'm getting nowhere in my prac...
well i spend an average of 2 hrs in front of the drums, 1 hr in doing strokes and the other hr jamming along to songs or playing grooves.
perhaps i shld be doing other stuff instead?
what u guys thk?! what u guys prac everyday? just wondering

trance999 ...its not what you practice..its HOW you practice....

2hrs in front of drums, 1hr doing strokes.. 3hrs of practice in total. and some other hrs of playing along to songs and other grooves.

thats a significant amount of hrs into practicing.

practicing is good..but whats important is PRODUCTIVE practice

1. keep track of your practice sessions via a chart "you'll figure this out"

2. sometimes the best way to practice is to put yourself in a band..and let it rip... playing ALONE doesnt help you improve, your band will be your vehicle to improve, or it can be called throwing yourself into the fire.. that fuels your directive to NOT screw up..hence also learning along the way..of perfecting your groove, strokes, tempo..etc as by doing so..you're letting down not only yourself BUT your band mates.

3. sight reading and charting out stuff can be a pain.. but learning how to sight read and chart out a decent chart is somewhat important..IF you plan to improve. this might help....

A) try working backwords learn the groove..figure out how to play the groove..and find out. how it looks like on paper..that way..theres an association to that groove. you'll know..that that groove will LOOK like that.

its like learning alphabets instantly recognizing the word and knowing how to pronounce it instantly

the word "APPLE" * i would assume you would now know how to instantly read APPLE and how it SOUNDS like...

APPLE = scores/charts

ap-ple = how the groove/fill in would sound like.


now the harder grooves or fill in on paper..you might need some time to figure it out and how to pronounce it.. i.e.

ASPHYXIATION = scores/charts

as·phyx·i·a·tion = how the groove/ fill would sound like.

refer to www.freedrumlessons.com to find out.

thats how i sometimes figure stuff out, and in due time, with HARD work *theres no short cut* you'll be sight reading decently in no time.

and once you figure that out..sometimes.you might wana use your own way of charting things out, its up to you to decide.

sometimes, try creating your own way of playing stylisticly as well, looking at many drummers..you'll find that they have many ways of approcahing the drum set..that way its more exciting to see how they approach it, that way its makes you a uniqe drummer, if everybody played the same way, drums would be very boring.

i cant say enough in one post. hope it helps. good luck.