1. Learning to play with a metronome takes some preparation. Start by playing quarter notes, alternating hands (RLRL) with one click per stroke/note, then 2 notes per click. Vary the tempi. Count aloud. 1-2-3-4 then 1&2&3&4&. 
2. Then work on a single isolated section of one of your etudes.  Start slow, count aloud, not in your head. 
3. Then connect the chunks together. 
4. Repeat daily. 
5. Later apply to other rudiments.

​If I can help you, call me. 

David

Later this month my drum students will join in with my piano students in a joint jazz performance workshop. Our first pairing since the before times. For some students who play electric drums at home it will be their first go on a traditional drum kit. Here are some tips to get ready for this experience. 

1. Practice the rudiments and snare etudes softly this month. The power strokes and general joyous thrashing possible on electric drumkits won't work in an acoustic environment with pianists playing jazz. 
2. Jam with jazz recordings this week. The album below is an iconic introduction to jazz drumming.
3. Practice the required pieces more than you might normally do. 
4. Prepare to have fun. Playing with other humans, making improvisational music is thrilling. Music is a team sport. 

David

​Covid protocols will be in effect. 

A drummer is an accompanist who creates beats, textures, parts, tone, and excitement.

In short, they are a team leader, team player and exhibitionistic showman/woman all wrapped up in one.

Drummers make it feel, sound, and look good.

Drummers make the other musicians glad they came to the session. In short, we bring joy and competence to the stage/studio/jam.

How do you go about this?

1. You need to learn to play your instrument. Our heroes play so well that showing off doesn't throw them off the main task of making it all sound musical. 
2. You will need to practice daily your time feels, sticking etudes, and independence exercises  with your metronome. No time, no gigs or invites to play. 
3. Repertoire development. If you want to be a country drummer, study country music from its inception. Learn about its development, major players, and core repertoire. Learn the repertoire. This will take a lifetime. Get started today. Start listening, watching, and playing along with tracks. 
4. Take lessons. Without direction and accountability, you will just spin your wheels, get bored and quit. Or worse mess never making progress. Or even worse think you've figured it out from watching YouTube, go to a jam and make a jackass of yourself. Then quit. 
5. Find a bunch of people who share your enthusiasm and hang out online and more importantly in person. Attend drum conventions, drum camps, workshops, etc. 

A caveat, the following ideas assume the student comes from a place of privilege with access to time, money, and resources in a supportive family situation. For those lacking these privileges, some societies offer community recourses or school programs. So don't give up. Seek out opportunities in community centres, possibly churches and city/town recreational centres. People want to help. 

​David 

A rudimental warm-up based on the 40-bar exercise from Syncopation, the timeless drumming manual. 

This was inspired by the video below. Creativity comes from limitation. Doing more with less, moving the accents, and exploring the idea for 2 hours. JoJo's advice. Have fun. 

​David

​On the pads start at 40 BPM, softly, then 150, then 50 then 140, then 60 then 130 you get the idea. If you are a beginner start at 70 BPM for a few weeks, then start trying out other tempi. Slower is harder to control.
On the kit: My 12-year-old copy says 40 BPM. R=alternating feet, L=hands. 
Other ideas play Samba feet under the sticking patterns. Or a Nola pattern, or even a Cuban tumbao rhythm pattern.
 
Make every note sound intentional. 

• all soft
• all loud
• soft with accents
• crescendos and diminuendos
• straight/swung

 
it goes on and on. 
 
There are numerous ways to play this famous page. Head over to Nick Ruffini’s page and ask for copy of his book. Mailing List - Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. (nxcli.net) And enjoy his podcasts. I’ve listened to over 500 of them!
 
The key word is intentional practice.
 

One of the the joys of drumming is getting the hands together while playing with others.

On the other side of the pandemic I look forward to some Saturday afternoons teaching this to my drumming students.

​We'll be making a glorious music. 

David

Got this yesterday. What a heap of fun, and a great way to explore, review, and make some music with rudiments on my pad.

Drummers need a few things.

1. Great time feel
2. Great hands
3. Big ears

​
​A close study of rudiments helps us to improve all three. 
​
David

Job number 1. Keeping time. Full stop. So, are people born with good time or is it trainable?

Of course a student can learn to play with good time. Ask any teacher or older musician and they will tell you, kids today are more skilled and more numerous and back in the day. Why is that? Many reasons, but one is the abundance and access to expert instruction.  Live and on YouTube. So, take heart.

Musical time is about muscle memory, ear training, and hand skills. Try this real simple exercise with the various metronome techniques. Over time it will help your time, feel, and hand technique while warming up your hands to practice.

​(It looks simple until the metronome moves. )

Now the techniques:

• This will be played at various tempi using the metronome. Try 80, 70, 90, 60, 100, 50, 110, 40. It's usually more difficult the slower it's played.  Play a least one minute at each tempo setting. For real beginners, one tempo is fine. I suggest 70 or 80.
• Now before beginning I want you to imagine a favorite drummer of yours. Think how well they play, how exciting it is, how thrilling. Imagine them doing these exercises. They played thousands of hours of similar exercises over the years. Imagine you doing the same. Get yourself psyched up to cheerfully workout.  
• Be sure to record yourself on your phone or electronic drum kit. This is crucial. (Roland kits have a built in app that will grade your progress as well.) But, do record yourself. You really do need to hear your progress of staying in time.
• Count aloud when playing: 1-2-3-4, 1&2&3&4& repeat

Now the stickings:

• RLRLRLRLRLRL 
• LRLRRLRLRLRL 
• RLRLRRLLRRLL
• LRLRLLRRLLRR

What are we trying to accomplish?
1. Even strokes between the hands, no loud or faint notes. Every note the same volume.
2. No rushing when the time value doubles in tempo between the quarter and eighth notes.
3. Relaxed grip.
4. Good rebound.

Challenge levels, metronome games.

• metronome only on beats 1 and 3
• metronome only on beats 2 and 4
• metronome only on beat 1
• metronome only on beat 2
• metronome only on beat 3
• metronome only on beat 4

Call me, I can help. 

​David