Drum Tips,Articles,Drumming Techniques,Speed Drumming,Learning to Play the Drums:SteveDowDrums.com

The Website of Professional Drummer Steve Dow

Steve Dow Drums

See Articles and Information on Drum Technique, Speed Drumming Tips, Drumming Fast, Learning to Play the Drums, and Hand Drums,

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Hello, and welcome to my drumming website! Inside you'll find drumming articles and drum tips covering drumming speed, drumming warm-up exercises, learning to play the drums, techniques for singing & playing drums, one-handed roll techniques, hand drumming, and more. FYI: I've updated the two drumming articles on speed drumming recently.

These latter 2 articles are based on my experience training for, and placing third at the "International Fastest Drummer" (also called the WFD) competition held at the 2004 winter NAMM in sunny California. It was a lot fun!

But even if you're not interested in this topic, there are plenty of other topics inside. so, check out ALL of the drumming articles in the drum tips and techniques section. There are some new articles in the lot currently; and some video clips will be coming soon too, so stay tuned!

View this trailer from ExtremeSportDrumming (in wmv format) for scenes from the 2004 World's Fastest Drummer finals.

Regarding the WFD competition, I found it to be a great all-around experience. Everyone from Extreme Sport Drumming, and all the drummers involved, were very supportive of one another. In fact, it really didn't "feel" like a competition at all. It was more like a gathering of drummers (famous and not famous) who simply enjoyed talking about drums and drumming.

We all "shot the bull", traded ideas about playing/rehearsing, and talked about other percussion instruments as well. It was great! I can honestly say that my experience with the "World's Fastest Drummer" competition was totally positive. It provided me with a wealth of new drumming ideas, and many new friends!

If you'd like to learn more about the World's Fastest Drummer (WFD) competition, read this article from Drum! magazine.

THE most difficult aspect to the WFD experience was coming up with ways to "safely" practice to improve my endurance and speed for the 60-second time standard that is used. I tried MANY types of drumming exercises and muscle building gadgets. Some were a waste of time, some did more harm than good, and some actually worked.

But years later, after working with professional trainers, physiologists, and doctors, I've "finally" learned what are the best drumming warm-up and stretching exercises for me (as well associated warm-up exercises). So now I make my drumming rehearsal time more safe and productive. I am currently focusing most on improving my overall endurance, playing accuracy and "feel" between both my hands AND my feet). And at this point, I really don't care if I ever increase my drumming speed. Why? Well in my humble opinion, keeping excellent time, creating and playing great "grooves", and having a solid bag of tasteful fills is really "where it's at" as a pro drummer. But I DO have my speed training experience to thank for this!

I also wanted to make a brief comment about a project I'm in with one of Canada's most famous crossover country-blues artists; Joan Kennedy. Joan sure can sing and play (whew)! But, best of all, she, and everyone in the project are great human beings as well as a talented musicians. This sure makes everything a pleasure! Check out Joan's website if you get the chance (www.joankennedymusic.com). And please, come on out and see us if we're in your neck of the woods!

I update this site every couple of weeks. So, take care, keep checking in, and "bang on dee drum all day"!