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Inverted Sabian B8 splash is a poor man's china - Abi
Rolling-practice your double stroke roll and your single stroke roll atleast three times a week - corey

Don't tolerate an amateur rehearsal. Rehearse as professionals. Too many musicians think that lots of bad practice equals good practice. It's just not the case. Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Only perfect practice yields worthwhile results. - David James

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If u r just learning the double kick, start slow, dont think that u r just going to be fast as soon as u start. it takes practice and stamina to get fast! - Co-Jay

Don't "jump on the bandwagon"- Dont buy a Pearl or a Yamaha just because they are the most popular set. Often, the smaller more lesser known drum companies like Spaun or Shine are better quality becuase they are handmade. Big companies make their drums with huge expensive machines that automatically assemble them. Dont underestimate smaller drum companies. - Alex MacKenzie

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If you hit your cymbols with the side of the stick rather then the tip you get a louder sound, but your sticks get worn out a lot faster... - Alex MacKenzie
Just because you're fast, doesnt mean you're good! Dont forget that most of your audience are non-drummers and might not have a taste for the stuff that musicians might appreiciate. Never forget that the beat has to sound good to the audience's ear! - OniEladb

Hit The drums kinda hard so that if you ever get in a band you will be able to hear the drums over the guitar and the bass. - Michael King

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I learned this from a great teacher: You can be as great a drummer as you want to be all you need to do is practice and practice RIGHT. Keep your balance / posture correct and start slow. Increase tempo over time. You'll get it but it takes time. - Asgaard

Try to practice drumming to a click in rehearsel. It gives you and your band members a good, strong sense of time and rhythm that they will get used to, and you will be used to playing the song to a click track if you record it. it also makes sure e.g when u come out of a fill u have stayed at the same tempo and not sped up or slowed down - al

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When playing in an odd time signature such as 5/4 or 7/4, try to make your beat groove a bit and flow as smoothly as a basic 4/4 beat would. Don't play 4 or 6 counts and then clumsily throw in an extra accent or two to complete the measure. - John
Have fun and relax while playing the drums. - pebbles

When coming up with new patterns, pick up a cheap microphone from the dollar store, and record yourself just messing around for however long - then, go back and listen to what you came up with. Save the patterns you like, but be sure to come back to them later - what you like one day can sound really horrible the next. Also, if you are bored of drumming for any amount of time (and even if you're not) - try playing in odd time signatures! It's an entire world that can be passed by if you just play boring metal in 4/4. - Philip Gordon

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Practise on a pillow or cushion...it works ur wrists - kiltygaz

Everyone who wants to play double kick, has to be very patience (most people would try to just get fast by playing single strokes), using techniques such as single/double stroke rolls and paradiddles on your double bassing along with your sticking would help you speed up frequently and increase your endurance, i also advice doing this with a metronome. - Rick Verma

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Drum Gum:Always carry drum gum its can be the most important item in your drum bag to help you get the right sounds and its easy to take off. - Joe Enriquez

Drum Rudements: Remember its always alright to add drum rudements to parts of a song its accually sounds really good and it fills in the gaps between hitting cymbals. - Joe Enriquez

On this website: DO NOT i mean DO NOT critisize other drummers, dont say they r not that good, if u didnt know its really really rude!!!!! - Joe Enriquez

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When buying drumsticks, a good way to check if they are warped is setting them side by side on the floor so they are touching each other and then pushing them so they both roll with each other. Just make sure you are looking at the top part of the stick(near the tip), thats where it will be warped if it is. You'll be able to tell if the're warped or not by the way they roll. - dan

Speed is not everything in drumming! Now days you see drummers who always see how fast they can play or how many beats a minute they can lay donw in a minute. Leran how to walk before you can run!Speed comes with practice! Remember a complex drummer who is solid can be just the same about of competition with drummers like Joey Jordison, traivs Barker, Tony Royster, thomas lane, and many others. Practice makes perminent but perfect practice makes practice perfect and do that and you will succed! - xJonx

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Don't fall into the sterotype of being the "Dumb Drummer" and learn how to spell things before you post them. Its a three PIECE drumset, not three PEACE. Also dont mess with your drumset unless you know what youre doing. Don't be afraid to ask questions to other drummers too cause the more you know the better you can become. - Micaiah
Putting napkins in the toms really make them have a less buzzing kind of noise.Trust me they'll sound a lot better. - Harley Meadows

If you are in pit. Always listen back. If you try to play on beat with the drum major you will be totally off. When the band's sound waves get to you, your sound will travel the same speed and reach the audience at the same time. - Jacob Greene

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Never give up no matter how hard the challenge - tyler
One of the hardest things to accomplish is having the discipline to play slow and in time. Practice basic beats at a slow tempo with a metronome and you will benefit a lot. - sldrum
Make your sticks last longer. Turn your crash cymbal(s) at an angle that they are kind of slanted pointing at your stomach. By doing this your using the tip of the stick to hit them instead of the shaft. Now they wont damage. I'd prefere using nylon tips though. Wood tips chip real bad an dthere wouldnt be a point to tilting your cymbal. - Vincent Vecchio
When learning to play double bass pedal take a metrinome and set it to a speed that is comforatable and keep that tempo for 5 minutes then take the tempo up 10-20 BPM. repeat as neccisary - slex

Get an old rug and set your drums up on it. Make sure everything is in the exact place you like it. Then take duct tape and tape around the legs for all your stands, drums, etc. This will save you a booty load of time when you have to setup and take down repeatedly. - anonymous

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For those of you that don't know, PAS means Percussive Arts Society and when you see PASIC, t hat is their convention which stands for Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Just a tip for anyone who didn't know that. - Meener

Remember to keep riding the cymbals. It is annoying when drummers don't ride, and ride speed/style/cymbal choice can color and stylize ordinary playing more than anything - Adam

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Practice every day every hour every minuete and practice every form of music - Sean Donohue
Cymbals Tips: Sabian Cymbals has a warranty program on their cymbals. They guarantee them for a lifetime. - Liam

Play what you want to play. And Create your on image, follow your own way of things. - Michael

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Make yourself unique. One example is Chris Adler. He doesn't double bass fast all the time but his sound is sick, and he's being unique. - randomness

I have a few tips actually.

If you are finding it hard to play rock, it may be because you dont know jazz. learn every style because then you can use it to draw upon when inventing new fills and stuff.

Loosen up when you play, don't just be another run of the mill drummer and sit there playing like a zombie. nod your head, smile, do something. if you are tense when you play, then your drumming won't be as good as it can be.

Play because you love to, and don't let anyone tell you that you are a bad drummer. the truth is they are probably jealous. work at it and you will succeed.

AND SUPPORT THE FEMALE DRUMMERS. THEY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, SO TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT. YOU WILL BE REWARDED IN THE LONG RUN. - Audaray

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Hey guys!..good news!..wanna make your bass drum sound like a real tight...like the ones you hear in metal...read on. 1 st uve got to make sumthing...take a spare floppy disk, break it open-youll see the round disk with a metalic round stuff in the center-ok once uve got that...stick a tape on the disk in this manner...imagine this is the disk..( )ok..ur gonna stick the tape in a cross sign which will end up looking like this...(x)...the intersection shud cross oer the metal in the centre...take take 3 saftey pins and drive it through the circumfrancesof the disk (make shre you drive it thrugh the taped regions only).. now pin it towardsyour bass drum making sure the metal centre is where the beater shud strike..for dbl bass..two floppys are req..same process...remember not to pin it directly on to your bass drum head..pin it on the cloth line - mathew
Practice as much as you can. You will develop a natural rythm to the way you play. Plus, it helps you keep tempo better!!! - Jon Reid Gable

Practice, find different rythyms by messing around alot, dont stop because it sounds bad, u can always think of new beats the longer u play the drums, play lots of songs that u think u can handle; if ur a begginer; pantera wouldnt be the best thing to try.. make sure snare is repeated as a rythym booster, try try try, marijuana also improves some peoples playing; with ideas flowing more easily. its awesome. - Mike Volpe

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Motivational quotes are great. you really dont know what they do til u try them. they work wonders. when ur about to give up u hang ur head back with frustration (post one on the ceiling above you) and there it is, that little boost that keeps u going. it works wonders - Smalltownsmurf

Playing shows or preforming and tuning: if your like me and you like playing shows or preforming one thing that would help save you time is to NOT tune your set till you get to the location your playing. every room has different acoustics so to tune before you get there is NOT smart. tune once your set up so that you can get the sound you want out of your drums. - Jason

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Before buying a drum kit think first where you are gonna put it ...cause your mom may mess up stuff when cleaning up. - JOEY JORDISON fan
Always make sure your kit is fully tuned up. Not only does it sound far better to your audience, but it also boosts your confidence as things you play sound sweeter to your ears too. - j!nx

Well I've found that if you don't want that buzz that comes after hitting a tom, then take the bottom head off of it, and if you have one, stick a studio ring on there and SHAZZAM it sounds great. - Alex Giddens

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When your playing, sometimes it's best to look at something other than your drums.It helps you from screwing up.I don't know how it helps but it does. - asher
Dont try and wear gloves if you're a beginner. you'll lose your grip! - drummer babe

Like a tip posted earlier, find your sweet spot and as posted earlier one spot is in the middle of the pedal with your toes touching and heel up. but another sweet spot is at the bottom of the pedal where the pedal and footplate meet. when playing on that spot keep your heels up, and if you can learn how to do it move them from one side to another every time you hit which will increase speed. look it up its called the swivel technique. - drew brown

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Don't overthink!! Just play and have fun!!! - Jon Reid Gable

Practice heaps with your bass player. You'll find you have more in common than just being the rhythm section. - joeyrox

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Member just remeber to let if flow i had the same problem i used to over think what i was playing and i couldn't even play a flam tap so dont ever think sometrhing is to hard cause it's not if u just clear your mind and let your hamds do all the work - Johnny B.

You should put a couple of drops of oil on your pedal springs now and then. This will help them work smoother. - ted

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Learn to play a drum solo of your favorite drummer lick for lick. This helps you to attain greater drum soloing skills. - Nigel b
The greatest drummer in the world is Carter Beauford. He plays with The Dave Matthews Band. Before you stick your nose up at him check out some of his stuff on youtube. He leads with his left hand and is just absolutely sick son... - david foshee

Take care of your durmset. You'll be glad you did when it outlastts everone elses. Polish it and dust it on a regular basis. - P. Aston

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I find that listening to a good drummer known for double bass drumming (such as Joey Jordison from slipknot)over and over and studying their technic will help greatly!!! And also practis heel-toe technic as much as posible,you can double your speed with half the movement! - Sebastien Laurin
Clean your dumset often so the dust and grime doesn't build up. Then it's easier to clean drums each time. - Dave S
Don't think twice on hiting your drum in a song or else, you'll lose your timing!!! - drummer:
Experiment with different types of drumsticks for alternate sounds. There are some that are ribbed, some that have shakers built in, and hundreds more that will produce different sounds nad textures on the drumset. - Puddintane

If you come across something challenging on the drums while practicing by yourself, reading a drum music instruction book, or even looking for drum tips on the Internet (which you do if you are reading this!), don't give up on that challenge! Whether it be that wierd tempo, that challenging syncopation groove, or that impossible drum fill, keep playing it until you master it. Keeping yourself challenged is a major part of playing the drums because that's a big part of keeping it interesting. If you run away from all the challenges you face while playing the drums, than you won't find yourself moving forward. - Caleb Miller

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If you get a small nick in your drums, you can sometimes mask it by using a colored magic marker or auto paint. There are several different shades of each on the market. Just be very careful with this and try to test it thorougly before actually applying it to the drums. - Juni

Tips on finding a gig: Ask your musician friends if they know any band that's looking for a drummer. Also, visit your local music store and ask the sales people. They're well-connected to the local music scene because musicians are coming through there every day and just hanging out. - Paco Leo

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Practise on pillows to strengthen the muscles in your hands. The lack of rebound means you have to pull the sticks back to the starting position resulting in a greater workout. - Jason Balecke
Imitate two to four-man players while you are on the drum for example playing a pattern on your other hand, the other makes a solo and if there is a part without a job just let that other part make the counting. Its quite hard to do but seems to be cool when your used to it. And also like the two-man playing that dennis chambers did in the pocket. Haha quite cool... - black

Invest in an electronic kit as soon as possible, as a drummer it will be one of the best investments you make, get a pair of headphones and a a set of earphones, plug the headphones into your pc/cd player and the earphones into your kit...where the headphones over your earphones. You can now hear yourself playing along to all your favourite songs in relative silence, meaning HOURS of practice!! - Swell

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KEEP YOUR TIMING- As a set player, when playing with other musicians, it is important that you have good timing. By this I mean that it is important for you to stay on one accord with your your other musicians(organist, bass player, pianist, ect). To increase your timing, practice to a song and start by playing the whole song keeping a simple consistant beat and adding occasional crashes. Once you've perfected your timing using this method, begin to incorporate fills and different drum rudiments in various places during the song. Remember to make sure you focus on playing with the song, not over it. Also practice to a variety of songs with different tempo. This will also help your timing. Doing these things will help you build chemistry while playing with others and make you an overall better drummer. Word 2 da Wise. - P. Wilson Jr
Dave Weckl is the best drummer alive.Not Neil Pert. - ROB TAYLOR
Some drum teachers will tell you to play the drums using matched grip. Some drum teachers will teach you to use traditional grip. I say, go with what feels right for you. Either grip is fine. - bill fervor
True: Mike Portnoy y actually the BEST drummer ever - 8octavarium8

One of the great ways to improve your drumming is by listenin to quality music and not jst noise.... u listen to noise u play noise u listen to quality you play quality....... - Ebenezer Joshua

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This may sound crazy but i have found that if you have a head break use clear packaging tape it doesnt strech like duct tape and it doesnt effect the sound. - Eli Dunn

Don't rely on three or four toms to get your fills across. Try the Ringo four piece for a month or two. Learn to really appreaciate and USE each drum fully. - Matt

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A lot of the kit set up tips on this site are pretty biased, don't feel compelled to change your set up if its comfortable to you. - somebodyshootbonham
Beginner drummers sometimes put a choke hold on their drumsticks. This will just make your drumming stiff. - Relax your grip! - Mark Drumming

Myth- Niel Peart, Ringo, or the Reverend are the best drummers ever. Fact- Mike Portnoy is. Learn how to spell. Double bass drums are better than double kick pedals. All great drummers have Mike somewhere in their names. - Mike the Metalhead

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Listen to Radient Eclipse by Avanged Sevenfold. At about a minute ten seconds in there is the craziest kick drum roll ever - Mike the Metalhead
Try using plastic bags in your bass drum for a nice punchy sound, verses cloth. Also, make sure to tune it right. Many people take tuning bass drums for granted. - Justin Behie
Play for yourself, noone else. - JJ
Try to practise with heavier sticks then used on a gig. For example, I use 2b in the prctise rooms, with my bands (1 metal band, 1 punk band). On stage I use 5b, which are much lighter, therefor I am faster on stage, without using the same amount of energy. Which in turn means, I can enjoy a few extra beers after the gig :D... - Jorrit

Let your creativity flow! - Mike

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Practice is the only way for you to get better. don't expect to become a pro without putting time and effort into your drumming. - paul jung

Over-playing is under-listening. - Jamey Marrs

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For muffling the drums you can put tape on them, use zero rings or o rings, put a pillow in the bass drum, use felt strips, along with other drum muffling techniques. - malert
Being consistently focused on what you are playing at the moment is a big help. Do not worry about mistakes you made in the past, or mistakes you will make in the future. Consistency is the key to drumming. - Mike

Don't be afraid to play with your arms open, most people play crossed, but I just find it all around easier. - Roxanne the newbie

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Learn to play other instruments and styles.And learn how to sing because it is so useful to have to add another string to your bow. - Will
Dont buy sticks with painting on them they usually ware off on the cymbal! JOEY JORDISON IS THE BEST DRUMMER ALIVE - SSeeAAnn
Learning to play guitar was the best decision i made,its always useful for a drummer to know what a guitarist is on about - Tim Wells
Practice at least 30 mins each night if you can, and play with music on an ipod or CD player as this improves your sense of rhythm and makes you generally better, especially if you want to be in a band. - Rob

A cheap alternative to moongel...those rubbery, sticky hands that you can whip at a piece of paper and snatch it up from 5 feet away. They work great, and they only cost about 50 cents a piece out of a machine!!! - Spook

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Learn to play ALL styles, and master their basic patterns at different tempos and grooves... Practice these different styles along with the radio, CD, video, ect... - Andy Wright

As a drummer, one of your roles is to make the rest of the band sound better. In order to do this, you must LISTEN to what is going on around you. Listen to how soloists phrase their lines. Listen to how the bass adds to the melody and percussive drive to a particular tune. Don't try to be flashy. Lay down a solid pocket. Use some space in your playing. It is not about you the drummer..........it is about the music. - David Hilliker

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Once you learn the basics keep practising..Even if they are perfect keep dsoing them, Becuase one day you will need them! - Gabby
Need more left foot practice for the drums? Get yourself one of those practice pads for kick drum. The one that just has a pad only. Hook up your double pedal to it and get more practice time in without playing too loud. You can practice your left foot, right foot, or double bass drum. - Jose

Create more drumbeat ideas by putting two different drumbeats together. Or three. - Michelle

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To keep drums interesting, try different drumkit setups. I've done setups with 2 toms, 3 toms, or 4. And I'll change my drumkit around backwards sometimes. You can use a rock setup, a jazz setup, or whatever. Just try different setups with your kit and explore the possiblities. - Jon "animal" Pluere
If you start out playing on a crappy kit you will sound amazing once you start to play on a nice one. - Mike
No matter where u are or what your doing, tap. make random beats up.like if your sitting at the table or whatever, just keep tapping, and i personally air drum alot.i know its not the equivalent of actually playing but, your still using somewhat of the same brain for it..so when listening to a fav song, air drum or tap the beat to it - Jordan Potvin
If you want a great bell sound while playing play on part that is curled over where you screw the wingnuts in - REV

First of all,cool site guys! Theres some really neat IDEAS here,and some really....ummm lets say you can really spot the wanna-b drumers.The biggest laugh I get is the the people that think Ringo Starr is not a good drummer and that Travis Barker is the best thing since toilet paper!There are alot of GREAT drummers.If you people ever get a chance to listen to RAY LUZIER you will throw rocks at little Travis boy.And that brings me to the second thing that makes me laugh.For all of you that think that the heal up technique for double bass is not a good thing you really need to sit down and watch his video. It will totally blow your mind!He will show you things that you will go to bed wondering about for a long time.Im not saying he is the best but he is a fantastic drummer.Now, with that being said the heel to toe technique is really cool as well....if u can do it. Its a very hard technique to master but those who do are very impressive.The thing is what ever works better for you is the way you should play.Which brings me to the last thing that kinda amazes me.I know there are a lot of low budget drummers out there but leave the toilet paper and all the second hand muffling tricks alone, no really yall need to quit it. If you cant get the real stuff,sell your kit and buy a flute or a tamborine.No im serious yall got to quit it!s So long for now All you great drummers and remember.....keep beating it.P.S. the gloves didn't work for Michael Jackson either so throw all the gloves and finger tape away because flute players dont need them. Peace out. - Scott Jones

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Try playing songs open (using left hand for high hat and right for snare). it increases coordination and enables you to do much more complicated grooves and fills. - matt

I've heard from professional drummers that I know that you should play with wood drumsticks because sticks like Ahead hurt your wrist over time. - Alex

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Get yourself a remo pracitce pad for the best drum pad because it has a drumhead on it thats tuneable. - alan
To teach yourself drums use the time wisely. You may divide the time have you into diffrent parts so to you should play different styles and beats for each part and reading drum music for another part or practising drum solos or double bass drums. This is my tip. - igor

Be a percussionist, not a drummer. A drummer plays drums, brags about their bpm, over-plays fills, and adores solos. A percussionist plays everything and keeps their music musical. Defy the stereotype. Be an intelligent kit player, a well-rounded musician, and the sort of percussionist that takes people places and colors their music. Be memorable. Be unique. Also, learn how to spell. :] - RE

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No matter what typre drummer you are, it is a lot of fun to play with JAZZ music on the Radio. I was really into Punk rock and Rock drumming, then I found out how challenging it is (and fun) to play along with JAZZ. try it, it's fun. - Noodle

I love Ringo´s playing in The Beatles, in that musical context, he was just perfect, but you had to be an ass to compare him with such technical guys like Mike Portnoy or Neil Peart. Listen to all the great drummers, all of them made a contribution to the music, the same if they play basically or complex. Ringo has made a big watermark with his aport, that can´t be erased, but i have brains to note that he is technically speaking, way too far from my other favourite drummers, Peart, Portnoy, Weckl, Chambers, Lang, etc. Thank you and try to listen everything, you can learn from everyone, at least a little trick or something. - Crisbatero

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Do yourself a favor and don't become a jazz drummer. Jazz drummers starve. Even the famous ones struggle even though they outplay most other drummers on this earth. Ok, play jazz and play it well, but don't be "just" a jazz drummer. Not unless you plan on working 3 other jobs to support yourself in the process. - Beni M.
When you're on vacation, and you can't bring your whole set, get a practice pad to work on rhythms while you're away. - William

When practicing or playing live always remember not to play to fast so that your lead singer can breath properly and get all the words out. - Steve Niewulis (Otherwoods)

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Get an elecrtronic drumset. They have a bunch of cool sounds built into them along with music to practice with plus you can control the volume and play all night, its smaller so ti fits in cluttered places and you can even use headphones. and if you have the right equipment (ex. guitar port) you can plug directly into your computer and record. digital drums let you play 24/7 to give you that extra long work out you don't have time for during the day. - David Bonin

I have only played drums for three years but i have learnt a lot from my teacher but equally as much from experimenting myself it is important to do this so you don't end up copying your teacher's style and develop your own - Philthy

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When you discover a drummer that you are really into,and perhaps even influences youre playing,research who influenced them.This way ,you really get to understand why they sound like they do. - matt bayne
CymbalS can be brought back to life and shine like new if every couple of month you use NEVR-DUL found at any Auto parts store. It takes a little elbow grease , but it is well worth the effort. Remember to always wipe your cymbals off after every gig to get rid of the normal sweat, beer or whatever might land on them to prevent oxydation( the green stuff that forms on brass from moisture). - Dean R. Hottenstein

My tip is to just find a way that you feel comfortable with. - rumdticstk

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Adjust the spurs of your bass drum so that the front of the bass drum is slightly off the floor. This allows the bass drum to resonate a bit more. - Terin
I see a lot of young drummers get groupings of 3's in 16th notes mixed up with triplets. Take the time to learn the difference. It will save you a lot of time and headache when you're learning new drumbeats and drum fills. - Johnny R.
Remember to put a rug or carpet under your set. Its not very fun to be sliding around the room at gigs! - Audrey
Try to buy boom stands. This helps you a lot to place your cymbals around your drumkit. Also, try not to put your cymbals directly above the toms, so when you hit the toms you don't hit the back of the cymbal and risk to drop the drumstick accidentally. If you have a china crash, try to put on the right side of the drumkit (because of its use, its sound and its function). The splash should always go between the two toms and the ride, on your lower right side, near the floor tom. This last cymbal you can put it a little above the floor tom, because you don't have to hit it like a normal crash cymbal. - Lucthus drummer.

DONT HOLD YOUR DRUM STICKS TOO LOOSE OR THEY WILL FALL OUT YOUR HAND!!!!! JUST HOLD THEM TIGHT ENOUGH THAT YOU WONT FEEL THE BACK OF YOUR STICKS HITTNG THE BACK OF YOUR HAND THEN THAT MEANS THAT YOU NEED TO HOLD TUGHT JUST A LITTLE BIT!!!!!! WHEN YOU DO YOUR DRUM-ROLL MAKE SURE THAT BOTH OF YOUR HANDS ARE GOING AT THE SAME PACE AND ARENT CLOSE TO THE EDGE OR THE TOP OF THE DRUM!!!!! WHEN YOUR DOING THE BASS DRUM MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE STICK IN THE HAND YOU WRITE WITH SO IT WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE TO YOU, WHEN YOU HIT THE BASS DRUM MAKE SURE THAT THE OTHER HAND IS ON THE OTHER SIDE IN THE MIDDLE, PLUS DONT LEAN ALL THE WAY OVER ON TOP OF THE BASS DRUM OR YOULL BACK PAIN BADDLY AND MESS UP YOURE SPINE!!!!!! JUST STAND UP STRAIGHT AND YOULL BE ABLE TO FEEL THE BASS DRUMS BEAT AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ THE NOTES TO!!!!!!!! - janae

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Want to attract more drum students? Sell some drums or something related to drums in your local trading post paper. This will attract customers/drummers and you can tell your customers that you offer drum lessons. - Joe

When you put a pillow in your bass drum, be sure it's touching the front head. This helps dampen the ring of the front bass drum head a little. - Jimmy P

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Some of the most common drum rudiments are the single and double stroke rolls, flams, three stroke ruffs, and drags. - Lionell Robertson
Always remember to stretch out before jumping on the kit. Main areas or your body that should be stretched are your back, arms, neck, and legs - Keith

It takes more then just the know how. Remember, drumming is a specific art form which reveals the soul of the player. Play your own style, not what everone else plays. Keep your wrists loose and your body relaxed and balanced. Switch around your drum kit, to new setups. You may actually find it be more comfortable. The comfort and stability can greatly improve your playing abilities by magnitudes you may have never imagined. - Lawrence "Pizzly Piper" Pence

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The metal on the bottom of your pedals will stain light-colored carpet. These stains are next to impossible to get out. So, when you're practicing at home on the carpet, keep a rag or something underneath them. - Donny Drummond
When is the last time you taped yourself drumming. You will be amazed at what you see! There's a lot to be learned from this. - Max Maxillian
To fill a crack in an old drum, use this stuff called Plastic Wood. Once applied, you can sand and varnish it just like real wood. You can find it at any hardware store. - B.Bob
Do you use microphones on your drums only for volume? Don't forget, they can greatly enhance the overall sound of your drums too through equalization (EQ), and effects like delay, gating, and so on. - Lucy

Some think that being a good drummer is all you need to be successful. You also need to be a team player with a good attitude. Otherwise, no one will want to work with you. - Perier Altuna

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For a cheap practice pad use a mouse mat, the surface acts as a good rebound for the stick and still keeps the noise down. - liam the drummer cowan

If you put a crash cymbal up-side-down on a timpani drum and hit it with timpani mallets, it sounds really cool! - Mowgli

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Don't Remove the Drum Heads (skins) from the shell every time you are going to tune your drum this will damage your shell! only remove the skins compleatly when you're going to change them (duh) - Chris
Tuning keys are the most lost things while setting up your drum kit for a gig. to make sure you dont lose your tuning key either tie it with something around your neck or else, (due to some tuning keys that are bulkey like the Gibraltar's one) give a tuning key to one of your band members to keep it for you - Chris

If you don't want to ruin your bass drum wodden rim with your beater, just attach a piece of felt or rubber to the clamp of the beater (where it clamps to the bass drum rim) - Chris

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The most important thing is practicing...I have my drumsticks all the time with me.With practicing you are getting better. - Koku Bill Athens
Instead of using expensive stick tape for grip buy a squash raquet grip it gives great grip and you can cover 2 pairs as opposed to one with the expensive stuff and it lasts and lasts and lasts - Mike
Drummers often underestimate the fact that drums tuned very low do not always cut through. Often, higher pitched drums don't sound as high pitched out front as you might think, especially when the whole band is playing together. If more drummers would try tuning their toms up just a bit and then have someone play them as you go out front to listen, you would hear this for yourselves. - Sly as a Fox
HEELS UP OR DOWN?: Play with them down...I've been a drummer for 6 years and I've outplayed instructors I've never even met before I can play anything from metal to jazz, rumbah, samba, twist, you name it I play it...but the question always reoccurs...DO I PLAY W/MY HEELS UP OR DOWN? play with them down,up is good but sloppy...also if you play with them down you will increase your speed a crap-load and your hits will be more precise and will sound better when doing 6 tupplets... - Tony Shafor

For a sick fill play triplets on the toms and bass, ending with a flam on the snare, this sounds sick and if you can get your timing above average at it even better :) - Scott

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Remember drummin is 1 of the greatest greatest instruments ever! treat em with pride dude... - Jazz

Hi ya dudes. if u cant master a certain beat/pattern try just hitting one drum/cymbal at a time this will help (hopefully lol) and if you need some inspiration look up a drummer called Derrick mckenzie (plays 4 jamiroquai) DRUMMERS RULE!!!!!!!! ;-) - funky girl Drummer

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If you are a beginner dont go for hard double petal beats and expensive drum kits. on and on you'll get better once you practice some calm beats and in about a month you'll learn all these different beats (fast ones, slow cool ones, and even double pedal. it worked for me.. - erik ecko g.
Get a cart air conditioner you'll never regret having one in your practice room. And use a fan at a gig too you'll never regret having one use at the gig. - Darrin
Musically Speaking. Ready….Set……Drum….In a Band !! You have your drums, you’re taking lessons and you practice ‘till your fingers bleed…You’ve decided it’s time to go play out and this may be the toughest road you’ll have to travel. The first and most important thing you have to realize is you are not God’s gift to drumming. There will always be drummers out there better than you and that is just the fact Jack. Realize that musicians will not care how fast you can play, how much you sound like the greats or your percussion education. What is important is that you can hang with the music played, you are flexible with the type of styles, and that you have a good attitude. Bands do not need or want an overbearing drummer. Bands look for solid, dependable drummers with good attitudes. You will find this out as you start your journey looking for musicians to play with. More often than not you will hear things like “our last drummer was GREAT but his attitude STUNK so we had to let him go”. Before we start talking about finding musicians lets first talk about a few things you will have to know before you take the first step.

You have to consider that you may not be playing the type of music you ultimately want to play. Gain diversity and realize you’re building a base. Secondly, and very important, is to play for the love of music and not the goal of making big money as that can only potentially follow if you are true to your art. Thirdly, make an inner decision to play the best and be the best person you can be every time you play. The people you meet out playing may be your musical soul mates for life so treat everyone with respect. That being said it’s time to start the search for opportunities to play.

The search for opportunities to play is so much easier today via the internet than it ever was when I was on my first search. Check local listings for music boards in your area. Put your name out there and chat with local artists. As you speak to these musicians you will get valuable information. Remember that everyone has his or her own opinion and you may have to take some of the information with a grain of salt. Check for music in clubs within a 100 mile radius of your home. You are going to have to invest travel time as well as personal time to find a group of musicians you want to play with. Specifically look for open jams. Back in the day, the majority of jams were only jazz and blues, however, today many bars offer rock and roll jams as well. Open Mic nights are the absolute best way to meet other musicians and learn new techniques. My advice on Open Jams is to go prepared to listen and learn. Learn from the drummers that are there and learn about the musicians and the music they play. Take a pad and paper and write down the songs you heard and the names of the musicians playing. Next step is to decide if you feel that you can play with these guys/girls. It may not be your type of music that they are playing but remember the goal is to meet musicians for the future. If you think you can hang then go home and get the songs they played and learn them for the following week. Jams are generally held on the same nights every week. The following week you should be prepared to play, learn and develop relationships. Your most important relationships will be made at these jams so again treat everyone with respect and do the best you can. Important points: Doing the best you can does not mean going to the jam and putting out your biggest drum fills and playing every popular drum lick you have learned. Doing your best means simply laying down a good solid non-complicated time without overpowering the other players. Not to belabor the point but being respectful and easy going will also get you ca!led back to the stage more often than your ability to play.

Now for the hard lessons learned…. Remember when going into these jams that you will be the new guy until you show up on a regular basis so you may not get much play time initially. The more regularly you show up, the more often you will be able to play. Remember to KEEP YOUR COOL…. If your style does not quite fit with the styles the other musicians are playing you may be asked to change your style some or you may not even get asked back up. Do not take offense but rather use this as a learning experience and come back the next week. Go home and listen to the music styles they were playing and practice. Go back the next time and tweak your style to meet their needs.

Another way to find opportunities is go to the music boards at your local music stores and search for bands that are auditioning drummers. Go and apply for every audition. Consider every audition as a learning experience. The worst thing the band you are auditioning for can say is no and you have the right to say it isn’t a fit as well. Treat your approach if the audition didn’t work out as though you are merely that much closer to finding a band. Take your time and consider your options before making a decision. Make sure you feel comfortable with the other musicians and that you can commit to what the band is looking for. Mutual understanding of expectations and commitments in playing with a band will maintain your playing career and enjoyment of your craft.

Yet another avenue to explore is going to your favorite music venues to listen and interact with musicians after their set. Do it every week and let them know you are a drummer that’s available to gig. Musicians know musicians and although you may not get any leads immediately, you’ll develop connections if you stay consistent and return every week.

So do your homework, find out where the music is and go have a blast!!!!! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me through HB Drums, I will be glad to help anyway I can. Musically Speaking - Kevin Ratermann

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Beware Of Pearl Reference Series Drums. I have had a set for about a year now. Hair-Line cracks have been forming thru-out the laquer finish. - BOB
BE Creative do something unique, like your signiture groove - Austin
To improve accuracy with your drumsticks try playing sets of rudiments on the top of a bottle of water, soda or whatever beverage you might be drinking. This was suggested for me back in high school by my drum captain on drumline and it works like a charm. Doing this especially helps with double-hit rudiments, such as flams. - Adam [22's]
Jazz up your drum sticks with some funky tape... i ve got red and black it looks cool!!! have fun dudes! - Jazz

Listen to a broad variety of music. This will add ideas to your arsenal when creating beats for your own style. - Tyler - Silver Stone

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Tune your bottom head slightly sharper (a little higher) than your top head. you get a nice tone from far away. but dont overdo it or it'll sound like a**. - nick gackenbach

Whenever im not drumming i always tap out double bass pedals with my feet, regardless where i am! This really builds technique. And one day you could be as awesome as me!!! - Shawn Dimery

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Put colour tape on your drum sticks it jazzes them up! so u sound good and look good! Enjoy drumming dudes! - Jazz
THE STICK SIZE AND TYPE IS IMPORTANT!!!!! I have learned this from experience. I you are practicing to get better at the snare for marching band, don't use those tiny, weak set sticks. You will never get better! - Holly

Tip 1: Just Play, That's all.
Tip 2: Remember, if the girls are screaming you are doing great!
Tip 3: For those Double-Bass players, if you're into the gig and you don't quite have... enough dexterity, try just simply lowering your Drum-Throne.
Tip 4: When on Double-Bass, and you are doing the triple, leading into the double-triple, this is usually a trick with longboard pedals, bring your heel down of your lead foot first then followed by the toe--- This is the Heel to Toe effect.
Tip 5: When tuning your Drum-heads, put your hand (With a Cloth) in the middle of the skin. Apply a light amount of pressure, not too much, and give each mounting brace a single turn. Remove and finish where you want to tune those drums! - Stephen Morse of Havoc and Malice

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If you want to get an idea of how to play behind the beat, listen to just about any horn track on a big band swing CD - Steve S.
If you have trouble playing a song at first, play it slow and gradually get faster. Drumming has a lot to do with pacience. - tomy
Enhance your drumset. There are lots of drumset accessories that you can add to your kit to make playing even that much more fun. Make room on your drumset for things like a cowbell, woodblock, set of chimes, timbale, extra snare drum with a different tone (perhaps a piccolo), special effects cymbals, electronic trigger pads, and a kitchen sink. HaHa! - Micah Telman
Everyone thinks Joey Jordinson is the best drummer alive ! But , he sucks big time ! I may not know much about most beats , and me being 12 doesnt matter either , Panic! at the Disco's drummer Spencer Smith is the best drummer alive ! P.S. support female drummers! - Kaitlyn McLain

Practicing your rudiments on a pillow that too with a heavy stick is the key to more stamina and speed......pain factor is really necessary.........no pain no gain - Noel Malekar

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Play What You Love - Passion is everything, in any type of music. Metal, Jazz, Pop, etc. It's all about how YOU feel the music. Thus, you love what your playing, your fans will too! - Codi Shepard (REJIIEM)

Concentrate when you play drums. This is not always easy with all the distractions. But concentration helps you to play cleaner and even sometimes helps you play more creatively. - Puddin Tane

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I duct taped quarters onto the kevlar disks on my bass drum, and the result is a very powerful and definate puch sound. Its pretty cool for you double bass junkies. - Victor
To improve non-dominant limbs; occasionally set up your kit backwards and practice. This especially helps to strengthen and develop the second bass pedal foot if you initially learned using a single pedal. It's also great for improving coordination of the less dominant hand. And listen to John Bonham...he is the original DRUM GOD. - TDS666-The Unholy Union

Try using a lightweight shoe for playing so your feet dont get to tired - matt

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Use a piece of cheap thin carpet instead of drum floor mat meaure 6' by 6' or 8' by 8' you can get it by the foot for cheap at your local hardware store.Also trace your double bass pedal& high hat pedal w/ a big permaenant magic marker so you do not have to spend much time setting up. - George Howard
If you play double bass hard or intend on it, take my advise and run everyday for about 20 minutes, because you use alot of stamina when playing the double bass and if your in bad condition then you tend to lose the beat or slow down. - kory
Another thing is if you're trying to go really fast, just tap your foot as you would if you were nervous. also while kicking the pedals twist your feet back and forth from left to right along with the beat. - kory
If your arms are aching wen you try and play fast it means your tensing, so just relax and make shure your sholders are not hunshed up, breath and take it slowly. Keep speeding it up gradualy, while not tensing then you will find its much easyer to play fast (n not hurt yourself) - will

For an inexpensive method to carry your stands, comb the garage sales and buy a used golf bag. My buddy's Dad put me on to the trick. I found a nice PGA bag, with clubs for $20. Beware and don't drop the stands into the bag because you can knock out the bottom of the bag. Another tip for carrying you hi-hat, in the golf bag, is to adjust the support rod as far out as it will go while still be able to tighten the wing nut. Put the stand into the bag with the pedal end up. The short bit of the inner rod will not bend and it leaves more room in the bag for the rest of the stands. Rock on!! - Jim Wilcox

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Try playing rudiments slower instead of faster - Casey

Try to drum with a good clear face and don't look like your having a heart attack while playing - Play cooll!!!

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Use your right hand to teach your left hand stuff. For example hit out single handed phrases such as da-de-da-de-da-da-da first with your right hand and then copy the same phrase with your left - you'll be amazed at how bad your left hand compares to your right. Great excercise to refine your double handed chops. - Tim
Here is a list of 15 rock drummers that equal technique, originallity, skills, solidness, chops and drummers every rock drummer should hear! Not in any particular order.

1. Matt Cameron-SoundGarden
2. Neil Peart-Rush
3. John Bonham-Led Zeppelin
4. Matt Sorum-Guns and Roses
5. Sean Kinney-Alice In Chains
6. Dave Lombardo-Slayer
7. Dave Grohl-Nirvana and QOTSA
8. Chad Gracey-Live
9. Phil Ehart-Kansas
10.Rick Allen-Def Leppard
11.Brad Wilk-Rage Against The Machine
12.Kieth Moon-The Who
13.Mick Tucker-Sweet(Most Underrated)
14.Lars-Metallica
15.Tim Alexander-Primus

Check these guys out! Among the best! Drumming also about your own originality as well, but influence is the start to Everything! - Brandon

Define your weaknesses. Study yourself to see what makes you tick. Are you lazy? Do you procrastinate? Are you stubborn? Are you arrogant? All these things will affect the bottom line... the music you play, the musicians you perform with, your ability to be professional. Address these things and isolate them one at a time to work on them and improve. You will then soar! - Mikael

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Enhance your drumset and your overall drum sound. There are lots of drumset accessories that you can add to your kit to make playing even that much more fun. Make room on your drumset for some of the following: cowbell, woodblock, set of chimes, timbale, extra snare drum with a different tone (perhaps a piccolo), special effects cymbals, electronic trigger pads, etc. The sky is the limit to the fun you can have! - Teddy B.

When thinking of creative ideas for drumset or hand percussion, keep this concept in mind: Play a group of singles as you create an interesting drum fill. Then work in a double (RR or LL) now and then where one of those singles is. You'll be amazed at how this will spark new licks and/or make that drumfill that much more interesting. This simple drumming concept can open up so many other ideas - Steve W.

Drum Rudiments

You dont need a good drum set to play music or mess around with if it sounds good to you then leave it and play it ow.Another tip is when you by drums get silencer pads in case your a hard hitter.Ow and a really big tip is that make sure you buy it from a place that sales drums and other musical instruments.Because if you by a 300 dollar drum set from a mall your going to get a 50 dollar drum set and you dont want that do you! Oh remeber stay cool and drumming peace my people's. - isaiah
Don't muffle your damn drums. Drums are supposed to ring. If you want nondescript thumps, play on cardboard boxes. Learn how to tune your drums if you want to be a drummer. It's the most important skill that does not pertain to your actual playing. - Keith
"For first time recorders: PLAY AS LOUD AS YOU CAN!!!!! you may think you've recorded loud enough but as soon as those other instruments pile on top of you, all your drumming efforts will NOT be heard, and have fun too :) - Ann Nonomous"

To the person who said this, you've obviously never recorded before. The high frequencies of cymbals will wash over the rest of your drums, making clarity harder to achieve. If you believe that your drums aren't loud enough, you can always get your producer to turn them up in the mix. - Keith

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When you're playing a big power fill down the drums in, hit the crash cymbal with one of your tom hits now and then. This helps fill up the fill and adds flavor to it. It makes it sound bigger and more interesting. - Mike Fox

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