Finding People to Play With

Finding the right musicians to play with can feel as challenging as learning the instrument sometimes. There are so many things to consider! You will want people around the same music level as you; interested in the same music, around the same age and most importantly; easy to get along with. Chances are it will take some time to find all of these common elements. Here are some tips to help you get started on the right track. ...
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Becoming a Good Teacher

Learning an instrument can be very challenging. Along the way I’m sure you will encounter many road blocks and it will take a lot of time and dedication to become a good player. Through trial and error you will find what works and what doesn’t in your quest to becoming a good musician. The same thing goes for becoming a good teacher.   Teaching can be a very rewarding skill in many different ways. When learn ...
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Developing Good Time

As drummers, developing good time is a necessity. We have a big responsibility to keep a solid foundation for other musicians to play over. While overall time is the responsibility of the entire band, the drums are definitely the core. So what are some ways to ensure you have good time? The first thing you must do in your daily practice is to play with a metronome. If you speed up or slow down, you’ll know it! The metronome doesn’t ...
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Drummers Are Musicians?

I went out and saw this great band! They had some great musicians, and they even had a drummer! Aaagrhhh! It is a big misconception that drummers aren’t real musicians. We just sit in the back, space out, and hit stuff. NOT TRUE! True hard working drummers can be some of the best musicians on the planet.   To shake the label drummers aren’t musicians in your own playing; here are a few things to co ...
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More Drums Equals Better Drummer

So the stage is set; the drum riser features an 18-piece drum set with 3 bass drums and so many cymbals that you wonder how the drummer can possibly reach them all!   A spectacular display indeed, but does more drums equal a better drummer? I would have to say no. Now, don’t get me wrong; drummers with big kits have awed me. I just don’t think the size of your kit or the quality of the kit for that matter constitutes ...
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Playing Soft

“I went out to this nice restaurant last night. Everything was great, but the band was so loud we could barely hold a conversation!”    As primarily a jazz drummer I am constantly thrown into situations where the band needs to play at a low volume. Many places that offer live entertainment want the music to compliment their patrons experience, not dominate it. By learning to play soft you can really increase the amoun ...
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Sitting Behind A Drum Set

Is it really that important… how you sit behind the kit? Well, the answer is a lot more important than you might think. There are a lot of factors involved, and a number of health issues to consider as well. As we delve more into this subject, you’ll begin to understand why you need to consider things like posture, arm and leg positioning, stick control, and more when you play the drums. Recently, a very well known drum ...
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So... You Want To Be A Drummer

Sure looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it? Trust me, it is! There's nothing quite like the feeling of “clicking into a groove” (as they say), or to suddenly look down and see all four of your limbs moving all in different times and it's sounding really good because of you! Or even finding yourself up on stage and the audience is dancing to the groove and going wild and you're the engine keeping them going! It's a great feeli ...
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Stage Fright

So you’ve practiced and practiced. You couldn’t possibly be more prepared for the big gig. The band is well rehearsed and you are ready to go! As you take the stage you start to feel your body tense up and the butterflies get more intense. Something about the crowd, the lights…. Somehow your excitement has turned into complete intimidation. It feels as if every eyeball in the place is looking at you!&nb ...
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When Not to Practice

We always talk about how hours of practice is a sure way to being the best player you can possibly be. While this is mostly true, sometimes getting away from the instrument can be important. Time away from playing can give you a fresh outlook. All aspects of life can inspire the way you play. I can remember riding a train and coming up with a groove based on the sound of the wheels rolling along the track. The things you ...
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Where and When To Play Fills...

An interesting twist on the age old Shakespearean question, for sure. It definitely holds true, though.   Take for example, have you been to a club or concert where the band onstage is really rocking, the place is shaking, the crowd is really into it, except the drummer continually throws fill after fill into every possible open section of the songs. On a very rare occasion that might work, but every situation otherwise it just clutters ...
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