Drum Tips
and Techniques - Articles
Tips
and Exercises for Drumming Fast
"Speed Drumming" #1
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An
Interesting Thing Happened While at the Music
Store...
In
October of 2003, while picking up some drum sticks
at a local music store, I noticed drummers using
a device called a "Drumometer™. This "drumming speed" measurement device consists of a Remo™ practice pad (or equivalent) along with an embedded piezo trigger. This is all connected to a counter-timer
brain; where a given time interval is set. After the unit is "set", the timer starts as soon as the pad is struck, and every strike
is counted.
I
found that watching other drummers "testing" themselves was quite interesting. Everyone, was chuckling and having a good time. Eventually, I was prodded to "test" my own speed. After playing through the 60 second interval being used (with
poor form), the sales reps convinced me to enter
their "fastest drummer" contest. I asked when it was, and they said, "THE NEXT NIGHT" - Yikes. After trying to bow out, I eventually said "OK". But, I decided not to tell anyone (including my wife); talk about being insecure!
Eventually
the next day came, and it was my turn to see
how fast I could play. I did my thing and was
completely shocked when I ended up winning with a "score" of 905 singles in 60-seconds. I was now in the final elimination round to be
held 3-weeks later at the Berklee College of
Music in Boston! I was further informed that Mike Mangini (gulp) would be the judge, and that
the regional winner would be sent (for free)
to NAMM in order to qualify (again) for the
10 positions available for The World's Fastest Drummer Finals (at the 2004 winter
NAMM show in Anaheim, CA). Wow..
Since
I knew essentially nothing about how to improve
my technique for speed over 60-seconds, I searched
the Internet, spoke with other drummers, and began testing various techniques on my own. After spending 3 weeks (1-2 hours
per session, 4-6 days per week), I managed to
improve my speed by about 60-70 beats per minute. I really didn't expect to win though; since several of
Mike Mangini's Berklee students would be part
of the competition. BUT... I did win; with a score of 956 beats in 60 seconds! I was now going to
NAMM for the final qualifications for the International
Fastest Drummer finals - and I had about 2 months
to practice!
A
Little About Drumming Speed, Sticking Accuracy,
and Endurance
To
prepare for the regional finals, and the WFD
competition, I decided that I had to, a) focus
on repeatable hand-wrist positioning, b) learn to stay as relaxed as possible, c) balance my hand-to-hand capabilities, and, d) enhance my playing endurance.
I
also found out that to get the most out of practices, I had to warm-up for at least 30 minutes (a wise idea to do before performing too). I also found it VERY important to
include a stretching regime within my warm-up
ritual. I found it was also important to stretch
in between exercises and after practice was through. I found it to be MOST CRITICAL to use a metronome, practice pad, and
a Drumometer™. Otherwise, there was no way for me to know whether I was improving.
Drumming
Speed, Accuracy, Endurance Exercises and Techniques
Below
are some exercises and techniques I use to optimize
my practices and increase my sticking speed,
accuracy and endurance. These aren't nearly all of the exercises I do, but they're a start I suppose:
1). After
stretching, and warming up, I begin playing flat
flams - and then move on to specific rudimental
sticking exercises (along with a metronome). I always start playing slowly, and then I increase my speed (i.e., to benefit
my fast twitch muscle fibers). Next, since YOU
CAN ONLY PLAY AS FAST AS YOUR SLOWEST HAND OR
FOOT, I focus on hand/foot balancing drills. For hands, the two exercises below really help me identify and then improve the
weak limb. If you try them, DO NOT "weakly" bounce any of the second and third strokes shown, and also keep every stroke
at the same dynamic level (i.e., stick height).
a) RRL
RRL RRL RRL RRL | LLR LLR LLR LLR LLR
b) RRRL
RRRL RRRL RRRL RRRL | LLLR LLLR LLLR LLLR LLLR
NOTE: USE
A METRONOME TO GAUGE YOURSELF.
2). For
matched grip (which I mostly use) my thumbs are
mainly pointing upwards (in a French style grip).
For me, it provides better overall finger and stick control when trying to play fast. However, I do sometimes use a German
style grip to reduce muscle tension during a
long run. I also concentrate on the principles behind the Gladstone technique (which is based on having your fingers work against
the natural rebound of the stick after striking the playing surface). I find that the Moeller technique is not as valuable at the low stick heights needed for
playing fast. But the Gladstone technique
forces you to learn to play with great efficiency with more fingers. If you use it correctly (with French grip), your arms and
wrists will pivot slightly around your thumbs as your speed increases (note: on the right hand only for traditional
grip users).
3). I
constantly concentrate on relaxing forearms,
wrists and finger muscles as I play. A large amount of tension is your ENEMY whenever you're trying to play clean
and fast. But some muscle tension and fatigue IS required in order to gain stamina and speed. And if anyone tells you otherwise, they're just flat crazy! As Jim Chapin says, "No pain, no gain." And he's and old pro and top drum teacher. Anyway, I ultimately try to keep
my stick rebounds to no more than 3.0 inches
in height (and I even try for 2-inches). If you have rebounds higher than this, you'll be using too much wrist and/or arm in your stroke, and you will not be observing "conservation of energy". NOW.. some people can get away with this.. BUT, ultimately by using higher rebounds you WILL limit your individual speed. It's just simple physics. Stop and
think for a moment; when you have to cover greater distances (up and down) with each stick over time, more power is needed
to compensate for the same results possible when playing "off of" lower rebounds. However, it's important to note that it is harder to maintain cleaner sticking at
lower rebound heights.
4). After
my warm-up/stretching period, I do a series of
long endurance runs and several other types of
exercises. Then I set the Drumometer timer for 1, 6, 15, 30, and then 45 second intervals before I run at an interval of
60 seconds. I do this to benchmark my capabilities and to see where I am falling off. The
argument that practicing using intervals less
than 60 seconds is not correct. This is because
this "drill" should only be a small part of your overall practice regimen anyway. Therefore, your muscle
memory will not be negatively effected.
5). I
record results from each practice, and
note any changes to my routine. Then, every week,
I take a look to see how I'm doing. You shouldn't get
upset if you notice that you are dipping in speed
for a day, or even a week or two. This
is normal. However, if you see no upward movement
for more than 2 weeks then you may be practicing
incorrectly. You also may have reached your personal
limit. Or, you may need to take a week off. Respect what your body is telling you
in any case. Most importantly, speed isn't everything
in drumming. Great meter and "feel", and creative and tasteful grooves and fills are!
6). I
break from my routine occasionally. When I do,
I enjoy a lower-body dominant sport like biking
(if I have been working my hands). If you've been working your feet, then enjoy an upper-body dominant sport.
I
am currently producing a drum DVD that
includes my latest practice techniques
for optimizing drumming hand/foot speed along
with how theses
various exercises can help you improve your
hand and foot technique, your time, feel/groove,
fills and solos. If
you're interested in previewing/purchasing
this DVD, then please CONTACT
US!
NOTE: For
reference; at my first competition (with no practice),
I scored 905 bpm. Three weeks later, I scored
956 bpm (with limited knowledge of proper practicing
techniques). In the finals qualifying round at
NAMM, I scored 998 bpm (while a personal high
up to that point of 1024).
So, in slightly less than 3-months time, I picked
up nearly 120 beats per minute by devising and
utilizing specialized practicing techniques.
I did waste some time through trial and effort,
But that's life..
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