I play drums at an amateur level, and was wondering if there were people wishing to give tips, songs to try, etc.
Thanks for reading!
I used to do a bit of Jazz drumming. Just look up anything by Omar Hakim, Philly Joe Jones, or Elvin Jones.
I got a sweet electric kit. I normally play (try to play) along with Dream Theater songs, and other proggy stuff. Opeth is fun too.
I play drums, is there anything in particular you want to learn?
I've got Bongos and years worth of experience drumming on the surfaces of desks 'n' chairs. I recommend flat wooden ones, they have a nice hollow sound when you knock on them with the middle parts of your fingers. If you are more into a jazzy style, I would try mixin in some tapping with your fingernails (Experimenting with different parts of your hands and fingers is recommended anyway). Also if you can't find wooden objects, glass is always a nice alternative, however it ain't a wise choice if you are going into rock or metal styles.
Some desks are a mix of wood and metal, especially ones used in schools. The metal parts make a good hi-hat and if you wear heavy shoes, the floor might make up for a nice basedrum. Alternatively you can use your heater for that if the kick ain't enough for ya. My last recommendation is to check out the wide variety of barrels and bins. They pretty much are a drum in nature, because they have a surface to drum on and a body for resonance.
[QUOTE=Skeeter;45749739]I play drums, is there anything in particular you want to learn?[/QUOTE]
Just regular stuff like how to hit a drum properly (In a way that it doesn't kill the drum, had a friend who broke my snare once), good songs to start off with trying, things like that :)
Then you definietly want to look into how to properly hold a stick, for starters it is very important that you have a very light grip on it, the thumb and your index finger should be the only fingers actually touching the stick when you hold it.
Curve the index finger so that it becomes a U, or a hook if you'd like. Then place the thumb so that your index finger "fills" the space left by your index finger.
Down below is a pretty good video showcasing what I mean:
[url]http://www.freedrumlessons.com/drum-lessons/holding-the-drumsticks.php[/url]
Remember also that it isn't terribly important to hit the drum with a lot of force to make it sound either, and that it should be your hand and wrist that does all the work. Not only does this make your drumming more controllable, but it also makes it possible for you to drum for a longer period without getting tired or straining your body.
Good songs to start with, hmm, any song that holds a simple and steady rhythm is a good way to start drumming, that way you'll work on the pure fundamentals (such as holding a steady rhythm) and the simplicity of the drumming should leave plenty of space for you to try out fills so that it doesn't grow to be a bore.
Slow and steady is the name of the game with drums (and any other instrument), but never be afraid to spazz out and do crazy shit between all the slow playing, because in the end it should be about fun and just doing the same boring stuff over and over will tire you of the joy that is drumming. :)
Paradiddles is also a very nice thing to practice, AND you can do this wherever you are! I don't know how good you are at reading rhythm patterns, so I'll post picture and explain a bit:
[img]http://0.tqn.com/d/np/rock-drums/120-1.jpg[/img]
Above is just playing 16thnotes, you can start out at a slow pace and do 8thnotes instead (or 16thnotes at a slow pace, the important stuff is that you alternate between at playing first right, left, right, left, right, right, left, right, left, right, left, left and then continue doing this forever).
I hope some of the above is understandable, if not just gimme a shout. :)'
[editline]21st August 2014[/editline]
The best part is that you can combine this with playing the kick too, say you play the kick on the 1,2,3,4 on a beat, or play the kick between the 1,2,3,4, or any other wild alteration on the beat.
But, fundamentals and getting the basic down first. :) And keep it slow! At least when you're in pure practice mode, try out new stuff when you're just playing around (and play around a lot, drumming is so much fun when you just want to try new stuff!)
Do you have the chance to play with other musicians? If you can, do so as much as possible! Not only because it is fun, but because you'll grow as a musician and drummer a lot more if you do. :)
[QUOTE=Skeeter;45761094]Do you have the chance to play with other musicians? If you can, do so as much as possible! Not only because it is fun, but because you'll grow as a musician and drummer a lot more if you do. :)[/QUOTE]
Don't normally get the chance, but I did play a song live once. It was because of a summer camp type
thing. I did a basic beat with the Hi-Hat being lifted up on every snare beat. I can post the video if you want, but trust me, shittiest quality ever ._. (So shit it makes 240p look like Leonardo da Vinci)
Sure, if you want to!
Yep. Drums and all kinds of percussion. Pitched and unpitched.
Depends on what style you want to play. I like experimenting through new songs and play all from jazz, Norwegian folk music, rock and even some "blood thirsty" black metal with full double pedal. Really helps you in the long run.
I also never had lessons or anything but try to find the best way for you to drum. People gives me shit when they see how I drum easy sections because I learned how to do sections on my own.
Just get a grip and try to search up different tutorials on basic stick holding so you don't limit or get tendinosis. Know a drummer who got it, and he had to stop drumming all together because of it.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.