Drum Tips, Techniques Articles

The original question for this drumming tip came to me from "Daryl" (thanks Daryl). He had just purchased a drum kit and was beginning his "learning voyage". One that really never ends!

Since this is such a difficult question to answer from a "how long does it take" perspective, I decided to answer him by defining "the major areas" I feel necessary to become a true professional drummer.

The 7 Major Hurdles to Master to Become a Professional Drummer

1). Get professional instruction.... It is extremely important to learn the basics properly first; like how to hold your sticks, how to sit, how to setup/arrange your drums, and how to read music (i.e., drum notation and drums tabs). The latter skill enables you to perform in any situation, and, allows you to practice on your own "forever" using the many great drumming books available (especially those from George Lawrence Stone, Jim Chapin, and Gary Chaffee). Drumming DVD's are also great tools. In addition, I feel that you should learn at least the 26 primary rudiments (there are another 13 that wouldn't be a bad idea to learn as well). You should also learn how to develop independent coordination between your hands and feet.
2). Learn how to play with SOLID time and feel (i.e., how to "groove").... Do this by practicing along with a metronome (at differing tempos). As for me, I use up to three metronomes for many practices - running at different tempos. I find that doing this allows me to move quickly from one tempo to another on exercises - as well as to work on polyrythms. But nonetheless, just always remember that keeping solid time and "feel" is a drummers' #1 responsibility.
3). Learn to maintain "the band's" tempo (even as other people or sections get ahead or behind of the beat). Remember that the drummer is the band's "master of time", so learn how to subtly nudge a person or section back into time whenever you feel "time drift" (as I call it). This mainly occurs when playing live because of adrenaline (or "stage volume" issues that can inhibit everyone from "hearing" each other well).
4). Learn about musical phrasing. A musical phrase is a verse, a chorus, a bridge, etc.... You need to become fully aware of where all phrase transitions occur too. To accomplish this, you need to be able to both play and count (beats and measures) with or without a chart. Another approach for this is to learn a songs' lead vocal part and sing it in your head as you play (if the song has a vocal part!).
5). Learn to do drum fills "in-time".... This is another excellent reason to practice with a metronome or Drumometer. When you are first learning (and even as you learn new fills) most drummers will tend to play ahead or behind of the beat as they fill. However, when you are using a metronome you will hear this tendency, and be able to correct the error of your ways!
6). Learn where and when to add "tasteful" fills.... for example, add brief "marker" fills in the transition areas between phrases. Also, make it a rule to never get in the way of a lead singer or soloists by adding brash fills or cymbal crashes. This is not "playing for the song", and is not playing drums musically. It is also known as "over-playing", and will not impress your band mates at all!
7). Don't listen to one drummer, or one style of music exclusively.... If you do, you'll end up limiting your versatility and likely end up sounding more like a clone. Instead, work to achieve your own "playing style". And this will only happen if you draw off of many drummers and try playing many musical genres. If people come up to you and say, "Man, you sound a lot like "so and so", then you are not heading in the right direction.
8). Develop an ability to "listen to", "understand", and react to what is happening around you while playing in a group.... To do this, you need to know your parts completely and be able to "play in the moment". This is especially true when playing Jazz (or when "jamming"). When can do this (along with everything else above) you will find that you will be able to spontaneously play "off of" other interesting lines that others are playing (tastefully of course). This is what true musicians call, "playing in the zone".

Once you've mastered my list of drumming hurdles above, I feel you will have earned the right to consider yourself "a player". This is because you will be both practicing and playing the drums with "intent" and "musicality". And this is a very good thing.

A side note: I realized I had gotten to this point years ago when a non-musician (who wasn't drunk) gave me the best compliment I've ever received. He said to me, "I don't know much about music man, but you don't just "drum", you really "play" the drums."

You can't beat that ey?

Click Here to Return to Main Drum Tips and Articles Archive