HI! Need help with Rudiments

McBig · Not So Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 6

Hello,

I am learning to play drums. I only had enough money for a snare drum so bought a Chad Smith snare, a snare stand, a DW throne, and some VF 5a sticks.

I also got a book called Savage Rudimental Workshop. I decided if I practice the rudiments for a year, I can then move on to a full kit.

Anyway, I practice about 1-2 hours a day. I really dont have enough material yet to practice more. Does anyone have any tips for me on practicing rudiments? This is alot of fun and i think Im going to be good. I think Im doing well.

McBig

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

First off, I'd also recommend picking up both Charlie Wilcoxon's Rudimential Swing Solos for the Advanced Drummer and one of Garwood Whaley's snare books for more material. Wilcoxon's book especially will give you some applications of the rudiments in an etude/snare piece setting. Second, I would recommend playing the rudiments along to music to help them groove a bit.

Hope this helps!

Tenor_freak · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:22 am Post subject:

I recommend Rudimental logic by bill bachman its a good book for learning rudiments and building up your chops at the same time. so by the time you get to the full kit you'll have all your rudiments ready and you'll have some speed under your belt. the book is available at www.rowloff.com also if you need some rudimetnal exercises and such hit me up on aim i have a huge archive of drum sheetmusic.. my sn is PAHStenor
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-Larry PAHS Tenor proud Tama Rockstar DX owner

mudpuppy · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 5:07 pm Post subject:

First of all, welcome to the board. Second comment... I am so impressed with this board because of the way the more experienced drummers help out the beginers. Soooo....don't be afraid to ask your questions. These guys are great. BTW Rudiments are the key -- sounds like you are off to a good start. (I started out the same way with a snare and ride in 1962 WAYYYY before you were born) There are many books and materials out there including the ones Sauren and TF mentioned that will keep you busy. If you do a search of "drum rudiments" you will find a great deal of material. Good Luck!
MP

McBig · Not So Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 6

Hey Thanks everyone! I will check out those books.

The book I have has me practicing
Single Stroke Roll
Single Stroke four
Single Stroke seven

I notice that the more I play the more ideas I get alhough I spend 90% of the time doing the exercises as written. I try to make it perfect like a drum machine. but i can also add feel. I am getting used to bouncing the stick off the drum head. I play with a matched grip because I read traditional isnt easy for a full kit. and thats what I want to get some day.

I think I need a metronome. Do you set it at a certain speed and practivce for a few minutes and up the speed??

Next is the paradiddle

Power-diddle! (he he)

Mutetalkinghead · Pit Bull Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 351

good job, i wish i had that kind of drive when i started... the only think i have to say is MAKE SURE YOUR PRACTICING THEM RIGHT... if you *Golly Gee* up your hands now you will never get them right again. Get some technique videos, always play relaxed, learn the german grip, then the molar then find out what works for you. ALWAYS PLAY RELAXEXED speed is nothing if you cant keep it up.

McBig · Not So Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 6

Thats a good point. I dont really know if Im holding the sticks right, but it matches the pictures. I also checked the videaos on the VF site and watch the guy playing rudiments.

I't really seems like im just holding each stick between my first finger and thumb. The back of the stick moves around in my palm a little bit. The grip is loose. It seems like im boucing the stick off the drum. im not bashing the drum. If i tense up my timing is no good so i stay loose. For consistency i have the tips return to the same height about 10 inches. Sometimes i use longer strokes, other times shorter. I havent gotten tired or cramped yet. I just listed to the CD and read the notation and imitate the sounds. i play each one for a few minutes and move onto the next one. When I find one i like, i try to groove with it and make it perfect for a long time awithout changing the tempo and then alternate between the patterns to make up my own. Not all of the examples have cd so i have been learning how to read the notes. Its pretty easy. Quarter notes, eitth notes and triplets.

I have noticed that these patterns show up in music that I listen to so even if I dont have a drum set i figure its good to learn these patters i can always use them on other drums when i get them. Heres a picture of my drum!

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drummerb0y25 · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:48 am Post subject:

sounds good! yes proper technique is so important right off the bat. the only thing harder than learning good technique in drumming is overcoming poor technique

work on getting feel of the bounce and using your middle and 4th/pinky fingers

keep up those singles, also you might want to work on freestroke and double stroke rolls, and then paradiddles and flams later. just my suggestion

McBig · Not So Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 6

I watched how I am playing and im using all of my fingers, its just a loose grip.

What is a "freestroke"???

Today I learned a paradidle and the downstroke (The downstroke is where you control the stick from bouncing off the drum and it makes a more muted or loose sound -- please correct me if im wrong)

The paradiddle exercises used the downstrokes to show that you need the paradidle in order to sound certain things. I tried to do them with alternating strokes and it wasnt possible.

Im starting to realize there is alot to this. Drumming is not easy! My mind is starting to explore and ask questions and experiment!

Mutetalkinghead · Pit Bull Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 351

i find more of the fulcrum in my own playing is the middle finger thats curved around te stick. Try playing without your first finger tell me how it feels. I mean just leave it loosely around the stick, dont push down hard.

dogxray · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:01 am Post subject:

Check this out.

http://www.vicfirth.com/education/drumset/domfamularo.html
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Tenor_freak · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:19 am Post subject:

The rudimental logic book has a section on how to hold you sticks in matched or traditional grip with full pictures and explaination of technique.
_________________
-Larry PAHS Tenor proud Tama Rockstar DX owner

McBig · Not So Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 6

drummerboy25 / metalkinghead-

Thanks for the tip on using the middle finger for the main grip. It makes the stick feel like an extension of my forearm. The back fingers are now wrapped loosely around the stick but with more authority than they had before. This feels like the right way. I was doing something close to this but your suggestion helps me visualize what im doing and be more perfect.

BTW, the paradiddles arent easy!

drummerb0y25 · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 1:12 pm Post subject:

Good to hear you have plenty of confidence but you know it's a hell of a challenge.

the free stroke is well explained on the vicfirth.com video with don famularo...first learn full strokes half strokes and everything else if you haven't. The free stroke is basically bouncing the stick with a full stroke with NO pulling back of the wrist to bring stick back. it's a control thing- and once you can do these at high rates of speed and with complete control, rudiments will be much easier on you and you'll feel more confident because your mind, body and SOUL forever has engrained the feeling of that stick hitting and bouncing back up into your fingers :)

personally there are many different grips, techniques, styles, for every drum kit setup, drummer, etc etc. the great drummers can find a unique blend of everything and make it something their own. this is a whole different topic though