Essential Drumming Guide Part 2: Practising 101
Like any hobby or profession, becoming a great drummer comes from hours of practice. The more you practise, the better you’ll get – but it’s not quite that simple.
Welcome to part 2 of the essential drumming guide, all about the most important (but rarely spoken about) topic – practice. If you’re a new drummer, be sure to check out my first drumming guide here.
Like any hobby or profession, becoming a great drummer comes from hours of practice. The more you practise, the better you’ll get – but it’s not quite that simple. To make progress, you’ll have to be effective in your practice time. This article will cover everything you need to know, including how to get the best results.
1. Why & How?
This might sound self-explanatory, but it’s important to clarify. Why are you practising? (To become a better drummer). Why do you want to get better? Maybe it’s so you can play a song, a gig, join a band or impress that girl on Instagram. Regardless of your reason, this will help you create a plan and motivate you. Once you’ve learnt the basics, your “why” should help you decide what to practise. Get clear on your why first and foremost!
So, how exactly do you practise? There’s no ‘right’ way, but if you just sit at the kit and noodle around, you’ll only get so far. Creative practice is probably the closest to a spontaneous approach, but it’s great for expressing ideas. This is where you sit down and play how you ‘feel.’ If you come up with a cool groove or fill – pursue it. Play it at different speeds and see if you can use it in a musical context.
When practising or learning songs, I’d recommend charting the arrangement or at least making some notes first. This will help you navigate and remember the arrangement. Also, try and break it down into sections. Intro, verse, choruses – practise the parts of each one until you’re comfortable, then move on to the next section.
The same principle applies to exercises. Start slow, and make sure you’re playing with good consistency and accuracy. Then, switch up the tempo, add a foot pattern underneath, or change the volume of the notes. We only improve when we challenge ourselves!
The more you practise, the more you’ll start to self-evaluate. Are all the notes equally spaced out? Does it flow? Are you playing at an appropriate volume? Is it lining up with the music or metronome? These are all questions we can ask to find room for improvement.
Tip: Try and spend a good amount of time practising to a click or drumless backing tracks. Both are great resources that will improve your timing and musicality.
2. What?
So, you’ve got some sticks, played the Highway to Hell groove and the Phil Collins fill. You probably feel like a god – until you watch a Buddy Rich drum solo on YouTube. If you haven’t already, you’ll quickly realise just how much there is to drumming!
But don’t get discouraged. Believe it or not, Buddy Rich is human - just like you. That means whatever he’s playing is possible to learn. Once you’ve discovered the endless exercises on technique, coordination, rudiments or grooves, it’s hard to know where to start. Before choosing your own path, I’d recommend building a solid foundation of basic coordination, timing and technique. This way, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the different challenges that will arise in future. As a teacher, I always prioritise certain areas for beginners:
At the kit:
1. Playing (& counting) basic 8th note & 16th note grooves
2. Playing singles, doubles & paradiddles with basic foot patterns underneath
3. Basic drumkit sounds (open & closed hi-hats, dynamics) & techniques (grip, up/down strokes etc.)
4. Reading & playing basic sheet music (optional)
On the pad:
1. Practising rudiments using a metronome/gap click
2. Focusing on basic hand techniques & getting the stick to ‘rebound’
Not all practice is done at the kit or the pad. Listening to music and training your ear is an essential skill for all drummers. This is how you start to learn the different styles of drumming depending on the genre of music. You’ll become a much more versatile & well-rounded drummer by opening up to a wide variety of styles. Alternatively, if you just want to be a great rock drummer, then start listening to all the successful rock drummers. Remember - the more you listen, the more you’ll learn.
Once you’ve built that core foundation, I’d encourage you to start learning songs. That’s where the fun really starts!
3. Where & when?
I get it - you feel like a victim of circumstance. Drummers often have to practise wherever & whenever we’re able to. You might only get 30 minutes at the kit when the neighbours are out and your mom is cooking dinner. Sometimes, you won’t have the energy or motivation after a long day. Whatever your situation, the best thing to do is to make practising feel easy. After all, drumming should be something you enjoy, not a chore. Here are some tips on how to get around those issues:
Noise – look at soundproofing your kit, or reducing the volume of your playing. Using certain heads & cymbals can help on an acoustic kit. Look at other options such as Gel Dampner for cymbals or try the classic “towels over toms.” Alternatively, consider opting for an electric kit instead. Click here for a useful guide on choosing the right electric kit for you.
Use your pad – if you can’t practise at a kit, throw a thin towel over your practise pad. Worst case scenario, use a pillow. It’ll do wonders for your wrist technique!
Change your surroundings - make it easy for you to sit down and practise. Maybe it’s adjusting your kit or stool to make it more comfortable. Maybe it’s setting up your pad in front of the television, or leaving some sticks and a pillow beside your bed.
The same thing goes for inspiration. They’ll be times when the going gets tough. It’s easy to get in a rut when practising the same thing. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’ve hit a wall. If you’re struggling with something, always reach out for help. Ask a teacher or a fellow drummer – you’ll be surprised at how much this could benefit you. There’s a solution to every problem, so don’t worry about it – you’ll get there. Always remember your ‘why’, and search for songs or drumming videos that will inspire you to get back on the kit.
Keep calm, stay positive & never give up!