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wolf · Not So Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

Well, i just moved out to Los Angeles to go to school (not for music, for graphic design).

I have had a drum set for a couple of years, and am a pretty average drummer. I played in a band in Austin, but was totally self taught, and probably had horrible habits. I have NEVER practiced any rudiments, and always just played on my kit, but i have just moved half way across the county, and was not able to bring my drums with me (i moved into an apartment).

The only thing i have now is a small RealFeel drum pad, and a pair of sticks. I was wondering if you guys would be able to help guide me in some sort of direction. I feel like this is the perfect time for me to actually learn some discipline and some rudiments since i won't have the distraction of a full acoustic drum kit to bang on. Are there any good books, videos, or websites you could point me too?

thanks a bunch, i appreciate any help given!

-Josh

tylerdrummer · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

for snare Stick Control, Syncopation not exactly rudiments but its like the foundation of almost any drummer.
drumset, It's About Time, its extreme independance of all of your limbs are pretty well taught and has excelled my drumming

random white person · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject:

www.vicfirth.com has tons of educational stuff, including video lessons, short sheet music pieces, and every rudiment youd ever want to know. its a great start if youre just looking for general stuff to play around with, and has good basic rudimental exercises.

some recommendations for books to maybe check out:

- Musical Studies for the Intermediate Snare Drummer (Garwood Whaley). moderately challenging book, split into two sections... the first section has literally no drags, flams or even rolls. the second includes similar pieces as the first, with all of those embellishments included. sounds simple, but it teaches lots of general skills (timing, syncopation, dynamics, time signatures).

- The All-American Drummer (Charlie Wilcoxon). contains 150 short to full page snare solos of varying difficulty, from intermediate to fairly challenging. wilcoxon makes things extra fun by writing out exactly what sticking to use in each piece, and will definitely make you lead with your weak hand and will switch things up often. also, each rudiment used is noted so if something looks confusing you can look up and see that oh, its just a triple ratamacue and its not that foreign.

- Rolls Rolls Rolls (Joel Rothman). Just as the name says... rolls, rolls, and more rolls. thats really it. sounds straightforward. for the most part, its not. you really have to actually play an opened roll and know how many strokes you're playing, as well as the timing of each roll and how many beats it will occupy. simple throwing together a bunch of press rolls wont cut it.

- Stick Control. I don't know off the top of my head who it's by, but I've seen it recommended by drummers and teachers all over the place. its a book from like, the 1930s that just hasnt been changed ever. its dry as dry can be, and is like bootcamp of rudimental drumming. ive seen it accurately described as "no style, all substance." it'll build your skills without messing around with things like pretty sounding solos.
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