Drummer Hangout - Playing the Drums Forum Feed

How to get independent limbs ?

eric@drummerhangout.com — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:35:32 CST

Hello , I like playing the drums , I don't do it offten , but I am wondering how can I practice to have independent limbs ( not sure if this is the right usage ) I can not think of a beat right now that I can use to descride what I mean , but I have trouble with my hi-hat stoping or jerking if I use somthing other then a simple kick pattern. I don't know what to practice to fix this. Thanks for you help John

Rhythm Thoughts...

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:56:56 CST

I have not been playing drum for very long. And I only play hand-drum (doumbek). I'd consider myself maybe an advanced-beginner. Starting to play the drum at church from time to time -- mainly when the guitar-chords on the page are too far off-set from the words, & confuse me from fiddling. (Still feels weird to play drum only by ear, when I'm still stuck on sight-reading fiddle even after 6 (or is it 7?) years.) So yesterday I was at church, playing my little doumbek. And I noticed two things. One in particular I'd noticed before... there's this magic thing that happens. I kind of follow the other musicians into the rhythm... listen for where the beats are, & then kind of ease in, find their rhythm & hold it steady... and then, there comes this weird sort of magical point, where it seems all I'm doing is just following everyone else as their rhythms have gotten very complex & beautiful, I feel completely redundant & I just seem to simply follow along as the guitarists do these amazing things... but in fact somehow I'm not, somehow my drum by following their lead is actually setting the beat. Actually, maybe that is the whole point. My little drum is not very loud, I'm not sure if anyone but the nearest musicians can even hear it. (It amplifies too weirdly to go through the system.) Maybe by drumming, maybe I'm just metronoming for the guitarists. Maybe I'm just freeing them up to play around a bit more, freeing them from the work of holding the beat steady? And if, maybe if by drumming I'm just providing a metronome, maybe that explains the second weird thing... this is something I only noticed yesterday, although I think it's happened before & I didn't notice... I'm playing my little drum. Just some basic rhythm, some kind of doum-tekka-tekka-doum business, right hand & left thumb.... and I start hearing some other beats happening. I don't mean, rhythm-beats of the music - I mean, like ghost notes or something. Extra tekka-tekka sounds that - well they sounded great with the music - but they really didn't seem to be coming from my fingers. I mean, they could have been... there've been some times when I found my fingers bouncing creating a nice sort of fill... but I'm pretty sure my fingers don't move quite that fast. But, maybe that wasn't it anyway... maybe, maybe my steady tapping could've been giving the bass player room to play around? Oh, these are just random thoughts I guess. Drumming is still fairly new to me, guess I'm still in the bedazzled stage. My first instrument is fiddle, I remember how that felt when I started to be able to actually play... but, I sight-read, even trying to play by ear is still such hard work. So it still amazes me when I pick up a drum & I can play just by listening!

For sale

eric@drummerhangout.com — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:45:19 CST

sense the classified doesn't work.7 piece lx pdp faded blue stain on maple shells.8/10/12/14/16 rack and floor toms 22 inch kick with dw 7000 double kick pedel.14 snare.2/16 inch ziljion crashes.1/18 ziljion crash.1/12 inch ziljion splash 1/16 aa sabian china 1/22 paiste power ride 14 inch ziljion toprock hi-hats and all the stands.I have alot of small stuff that comes with the deal even a stick bag with 10 pairs of regeltip 5b wood tip unused.Clear pin stripe haeds on drums that have alot of life left.coated head on snare .1500 or best offer.I live in martinsburg wv .You can't go wrong .The drums are well takin care of. give me a call 443-250-5038

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eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 5 Apr 2010 04:54:06 CST

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World Music Drumming | Live Music Drum Concerts

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 5 Apr 2010 04:41:01 CST

DrumChannel.com is an online drummers community. Watch live drum shows, drumming videos, drumming news, music concerts, drum classes, online drum store, Drum Lessons Online, music videos, free drum lessons online, drummers. For more information visit http://www.drumchannel.com/default.aspx

Black Beauty snare

eric@drummerhangout.com — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:48:03 CST

Anyone here own a black beauty snare? ( old or new ) If so, do you play it or just display it? I have met some who own older ones, but refuse to play it. They just have them as displayed investments. One of my future goals is to own one, but, I could not just let it sit. I would have to play it. What do you think?

Korg WaveDrum

eric@drummerhangout.com — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:32:28 CST

I want! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrso0c14f-s [img]http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/8/0/5/626805.jpg[/img] Only $600! [:D]

Teaching

eric@drummerhangout.com — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:21:16 CST

When you do begin to know or think that you know enough to begin teaching others how to play the drum set? I have been playing since age 10, I'm 38 now. Is that long enough of active experience to qualify me to try and teach what I know. Not everyone that knows how to play knows how to teach. I guess I am concerned that I might suck at teaching and end up wasting the time and money of some parent while trying to teach little Johnny or Susie how make music on a drum set.

at a loss now

eric@drummerhangout.com — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 05:25:00 CST

So, my 101 meanderings are kinda stalled. I am trying to think of something else that I consider 101, something basic that isn't based on combining other existing techniques. Tuning, maybe?

Looky what I found!

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:05:52 CST

Cleaned out the bedroom closet this weekend, got rid of old clothes...found a pair of 13" Zildjian cymbals. They are meant to be high-hat cymbals, but I am going to mount them on cymbal stands and use them as small crashes. I think I might drill holes in one for sound modification/optional sizzle inserts.

Playing 101: #5, Your Sticks

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:04:38 CST

Should I use a stick with a wooden tip? Or plastic? How heavy or light? These are all very personal questions and you really do need to buy many different kinds and experiment. A plastic tip will give you a crisper sound on the cymbals compared to the wooden tip. If you are playing a softer, quieter song, maybe wooden tips aid the sound of the song better. Wanting to articulate some fancy high-hat work, plastic tips will give you that extra bounce for the one-handed rolls. For stick sizes, the numbers go up for the thinner/lighter. 7a is thinner/light than a 5a. In marching band, I used 2's. Use the right tool for the job. Now that I play almost solely on a church worship team, I use 7A. "Should buy a pair of mallets for the odd cymbal roll?" No. Buy some sports wrap and wrap it around the butt of your stick. Make a small ball, enough that is is spongy and you cannot easily feel the wood underneath. Now, when you want to do a nice cymbal roll concert-band style, just flip the sticks around and roll away! You might want to practice the stick flip maneuver a few times. You just flick your wrist as you open your fingers so the stick can rotate on the palm of you hand. Boom! You're rollin'. Boom! You back to normal playing. So, get out to your local music shop and buy a little of every stick. Find what suits you. Pay attention to grip! Sticks can become slippery when your hand get sweaty, thus I prefer plain wood finishes. Painted sticks look cool, but they not cool when they fly out of my hand. One final note...buy a stick bag. They hang conveniently off the side of the floor tom. Always have multiple sticks at the ready. I cannot count the number of times I've lost a stick as I've lifted it from the snare, hit the bottom of the high-hat and lost my grip. Air Drumming!

drum steps

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:44:29 CST

after a ride cymbal with a five piece set what is the next step to building a set i also have a crash

Playing 101: #4, The Basic Rhythm

eric@drummerhangout.com — Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:26:29 CST

It doesn't get any simpler than this. And if you cannot learn to do this well, then you shouldn't be sitting at a drum set. This week's topic is what I refer to as a standard country beat. The kick hits on 1 and 3. The snare on 2 and 4. A 4-beat measure. The high-hat is hit on 1, 2, 3 and 4. For a righty, you are going to alternate the use of the right-foot and left-hand. Don't turn the metronome on just yet, if this is your first time. Get used to using your limbs in different directions. right-foot, left-hand, right-foot, left-hand. kick, snare, kick, snare. Once you are comfortable with this, bring your right-hand into the mix and hit the high-hat each time you play the kick or snare. Once you have the coordination down, turn on the metronome and practice staying on tempo. I like to think of my right-hand playing the high-hat as my metronome. No matter what the song is that I am playing with, if my right hand is on the tempo, then the rest of me will have no problems. This exercise is going to be boring, but it is very important. It's important cannot be understated. I have listened to many a so-called experienced drummer not be able to play such a simple thing in tempo, and it ruins a song. Play it fast. Play it slow. Count it as 1-2, 1-2, 1-2 if you prefer. Perfect this basic rhythm and you will be a great drummer.

Playing 101: #3, High-Hat Basics

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:56:59 CST

The High-Hat. That lovely high-hat cymbal. It has so many uses and can make so many sounds. One could spend a lifetime exploring them all. But, here we will just cover the basic first use of the high-hat. Depending on the style of music you prefer to play, developing finite control over the foot pressure on the high-hat is essential. With the high-hat fully closed and pressed solidly down, you get a short tink sound, but as your slowly allow the pedal to rise, and thus the top of the high-hat, you can get some lovely sizzle. Do not fear the sizzle! Start by fully pressing down the pedal and striking the cymbal. The tempo isn't important, but as a consistent practice, have that metronome on anywho. Gently let up on the pedal and strike the cymbal some more. Focus on holding the pedal at the new foot pressure, then change the pressure and repeat. Continue this all the way to the point of the cymbals no longer touching. The high-hat can really affect the sound of a song, so learning how to control its power is important.

Playing 101: #2, Bass Drum

eric@drummerhangout.com — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:17:57 CST

Put your right foot on the bass pedal and stomp it for a bit. Get used to it. Love it. Feel it. The bass, also called kick drum and kick pedal, is your friend. It is the soulmate you have longed for. :) Now, turn on that metronome to a nice slow tempo, like 90, and operate the kick pedal in tempo and strive to get the same sound each time. Lifting the whole leg. Just lift your toe while keeping your heel in place. Practice both ways until they are your trusted friends.

Playing 101: #1, Tempo and Force

eric@drummerhangout.com — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:18:31 CST

Turn on your metronome (Don't own one? Go buy one!) to a tempo of 120. With just one hand, hit the snare drum in tempo. Do this until you are 1) staying on temp AND 2) hitting with the same force each stroke. Varying force on purpose is okay, but learn how to not-vary it on-purpose, as well, at any given force level. Do this with both hands individually.

The Metronome

eric@drummerhangout.com — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:33:39 CST

The Metronome is your friend. It is a trusted companion. Do you practice or make use of a metronome when you are sitting at the set?

Pearl E-Pro Live

eric@drummerhangout.com — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:31:56 CST

http://www.steveweissmusic.com/category/pearl-e-pro-live Click on the link if you dare. The new Pearl E-Pro Live electronic drum set. This thing is truly drool worthy and changes the face of electronic drums.

Bodhran

eric@drummerhangout.com — Thu, 7 Jan 2010 16:03:53 CST

Today was bodhran treatment day in the Wilson household. I have two bodhran. I bought a small tub of mink oil for treating the heads. Once a year. Every january. Playing the bodhran is the easiest way I can enjoy my love of Irish Traditional Music. I am learning the whistle, fiddle and uilleann pipes, yes, but they are not quite up to performance quality, yet. Especially for the pipes since don't have a working set, yet. Bodhran playing is fun, but tiring to the wrist.

The "Show off your set!" Thread

eric@drummerhangout.com — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:51:07 CST

Since no one else has started one, yet, and since every music forum has threads for posting pictures of your instrument, here we go! Here is my set I play weekly at the synagogue. [IMG]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn12/ngarrang/IMG_0870.jpg[/IMG]

stick grip

eric@drummerhangout.com — Wed, 9 Dec 2009 17:28:54 CST

What is the purpose of holding the left and right stick differently?

New Cymbal Stand

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:27:24 CST

Woo hoo! Okay, now I'm just post whoring. I bought a used 20" wuhan from a guy via Craigslist. Nice cymbal, lotsa sustain, very pingy...but I had no stand to put it on. Bad drummer owning more cymbals than stands! A nice boom-style stand arrived via Santa UPS today. Okay, back to your regularly scheduled...whatever...

Traveling your kit

eric@drummerhangout.com — Mon, 7 Dec 2009 10:05:43 CST

My birth church always had its own drum set. My current church has its own set. Except for a 1 year stint at a little baptist church, my home set has not traveled for much of its 8-yr life. When I followed the music leader to church services elsewhere, that church always had its own set. This past Sunday, I tore the set down and took it to a friend's house. It was a practice session in prep for recording for her gospel album. Man that thing is a pain! This has me seriously pondering an electronic set now. Or maybe I need some groupies to follow me around. :)

How is your set tuned?

eric@drummerhangout.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:41:35 CST

I went geeky this year and tuned my toms to be a third apart. I have the bottom head tuned a 5th from the top head. I used my chromatic tuner to try and get as close as I could. Tuned the snare this way, as well. Drum Top/Bottom Snare D/A (with the snares off, obviously) Hi Tom G/D Mid Tom B/F# Low Tom D/A Kick G/D How do you have your set tuned?

Drumsticks

eric@drummerhangout.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:23:16 CST

Looking for feedback. What size,....brand......length...etc. drumstick are you using and why? I use Zildjian "heavy jazz' (16") wood tip for jazz and light work and Vater Fatback 3A nylon tip (16") for the heavier, doublestroke stuff. I am always curious about drummers choice of stick.

practic pad

eric@drummerhangout.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:12:26 CST

What practice pad do people recommend for a snare drum beginner?

Anyone Here?

eric@drummerhangout.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:07:04 CST

On banjo hangout and saw they now have a drum hangout. This is great.