When you're drumming it's important to practice smart. And that doesn't mean that you should always play for as long as you possibly can. To master the drums you need to have some routine to your playing. You need to set aside time to learn new techniques, increase the overall quality of your rudiments; and improve your speed, stamina and timing. No matter how long you've been playing, there is always going to be room for improvement. I don't if you have been inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame, you still have things to learn. Sadly there isn't, and never has been the perfect drummer.
Structuring Your Practice
One of the best pieces of advice I could give you is to set out a structure when you are practising. By following these simple tips you will notice weekly improvements on your playing.
1. At the start of the week work out exactly where your weak points are. Whether it's something simple like playing beats in traditional grip, or if it's something difficult like working on one handed drum rolls, pick something that you need to improve and make that the focal point of your drumming for that week.
2. Set aside five to ten minutes each day to practice rudiments. I'd recommend focusing on one specific rudiment each day. Play it for five minutes at the beginning of your practice as a warm up exercise. Then at the end of your practice play them again to cool down. You'll be surprised at how much better you will be able to play them once you're warmed up.
3. Work your weaker hand. Many right handed drummers struggle with their left hand. By trying to play beats and rudiments using the opposite stick technique you will be able to build up extra speed and strength in your weaker hand. This is also equally important with your feet, especially if you use a double kick pedal.
Playing Along To Music
Playing drums along to music is probably the single most important aspect of your practice routine, after all, that's why people play in the first place. Try to play along to a wide variety of different styles, this will increase your overall sense of timing. When playing along to music always try to work on the groove at the beginning. And then once you have found a steady pace, build on it by adding in drum fills and solos. It can also be a good idea to try to incorporate rudiments into your playing through both fills and beats.
Drumming should be an enjoyable thing to do. If you are improving and increasing your drumming vocabulary you will be free to experiment with different ideas and techniques. All of the skills that you learn are transferable with each other. For example; you may want to just play rock music, but by learning jazz or Latin American beats you will be able to create something far more original than many of your peers.
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Playing the drums is a huge commitment, nobody said it would be easy. To make your practising more enjoyable you should always be learning new techniques, and pushing yourself further.
Want to find out more about how you can improve your drumming? Visit: Drumming Practice Tips
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