gross rock groove

sodiumwaste · Newbie Alert Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 3

i got the techique and everything down - that means i can play decent rhythms and fills. but i have this problem where everything sounds so horrible. it doesn't have to do with the fills in the wrong songs (like jazz fills in rock songs) or anything like that, because i usually practice w/o a band. the sounds are just plain weird.

when my senior plays, the way he does it is so... it makes you all pumped up. unlike me, when i play, there's nothing attractive to listen to.

ps: i've been playing since jan 06.

random white person · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 1:26 am Post subject:

from the explanation, im not exactly sure what the problem youre having is... so, a few random tips that might help:

-play with confidence. practice to the point where you can play patterns and fills with precision and without any hesitation every time. work on independence, and moving smoothly around your kit. if your playing is choppy and weak then it just won't sound "right" no matter what you play.

-constantly work on your technique, and don't let the basics slip just because you've moved on to something more advanced. you said you "have the technique and everything down"... trust me, you don't. i'm not saying you have bad technique, i'm saying that your technique can always be better regardless of who you are or how long you've been playing.

-develop a sort of "inner groove." by that i mean an innate sense of timing and overall feel for what you should be playing, and when to play it. its something you'll only develop with experience, although it helps immensely to play with other musicians and to listen to a wide variety of music to try and pick up on what works for other drummers.

-make your playing your own. don't just play patterns and fills you learned out of a book, make up your own stuff. play with dynamics and feeling. the use of accents and shifting dynamics really separates the proverbial men from the boys in the world of drumming.
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edgewood_drummer92 · Bear Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 673

Dustin07 · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

I've heard recordings of myself where I felt it sounded very "choppy". and while it was 'on time', it just wasn't 'right'. so I think I know where you are coming from. I guess confidence and continued practice helped me. Drums are something that just take time. Time to get to know your kit, your sticks, and your own style.

Rasta · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject:

Once you feel compfortable with a particular groove, try playing the same groove quieter. Then try playing quieter than that. This helps to develop dynamics.