Wtf? do you have to be a drummer in a band.

[Blaine]

I have been taking lessons for about 6 months now. I am not exactly sure how long. I can play at the hardest a 16th note pattern on the bass drum with a basic beat and some basic drum fills at a moderate tempo. But everyone says that I basically suck behind my back what do I have to do? Scratch my balls while laying on my stomach and play blast beats at the same time? But seriously I progress every week I get about 2 times better every week. I want to play drums no matter what anyone says it is just kind of shitty because i try as hard as I can. I play to fast and the other people tell me to play slow i play slow and the people tell me to play fast. I listen in those cases then they still tell me that I suck. Does anyone have any suggestions on what i should do?

[dbdrummer89]

You can't let other idiots like that get to you. You've only been playing for 6 months...In the grand scheme of things thats not a long time at all.
Besides that sometimes all you need is a basic beat. Phil Rudd doesn't play anything technical at all and he tours the world y'know?
Keep up a good practice routine that you're dedicated to and you'll be fine

[Blaine]

You can't let other idiots like that get to you. You've only been playing for 6 months...In the grand scheme of things thats not a long time at all.
Besides that sometimes all you need is a basic beat. Phil Rudd doesn't play anything technical at all and he tours the world y'know?
Keep up a good practice routine that you're dedicated to and you'll be fine

Thank you. And yeah I know everyone thinks it is just about banging the shit out of the cymbals and that it is so easy. I have been playing drums for 2 years. But 6 months with lessons. And about 9 years of percussion. So I know a good bit about music. So it is a bit hard to play with music challenged people. Do you have any specific routine that you think i could follow to get better at a good rate?

[lynch1]

don't let it bug you. do your best and it will come around. there will be times that you plateau and you don't think you are getting any better, then boom you reach a new level. I've tried drums, I can't do it. I can't get 4 limbs doing 4 different things at the same time. I must over think it or something, i dunno. good luck and keep at it.

[Blaine]

don't let it bug you. do your best and it will come around. there will be times that you plateau and you don't think you are getting any better, then boom you reach a new level. I've tried drums, I can't do it. I can't get 4 limbs doing 4 different things at the same time. I must over think it or something, i dunno. good luck and keep at it.

haha yeah it does take a decent amount of time to get your limbs on track. To do a basic rock beat it took me about 6 hours when I first started I felt so dumb at first but it felt good to learn something on my own. I try to not let it bother me but it is hard when you think you are doing good then people say you sound bad.

[tornandfrayed]

Everyone has the answer to everything and most people are more then willing to tell you that you suck. It has something to do with the human condition and people wanting to be considered special or of some significant value.

Ignore them all and just keep playing, sounds like you are doing fine!

[felix'apprentice]

i know the feelin, but i think everyone goes through it. imo. just keep playin, doin what you love. forget about what everyone else says and just go on. and always remember where you a few months before.

keep progressing, keep making contacts, jam with anyone you can, practice, practice, practice. good musicians will encourage you.

stay focused on improving and not the BS. thats what i have to keep tellin myself. cause if its something you love it will never leave you, but the BS will.

you can do it, just give it time.

- kayla.

[Blaine]

Everyone has the answer to everything and most people are more then willing to tell you that you suck. It has something to do with the human condition and people wanting to be considered special or of some significant value.

Ignore them all and just keep playing, sounds like you are doing fine!

It doesnt make sense the band that I am kind of in wanted to bring another drummer here to play and replace me that was fucked up. And thank you I am just a bit annoyed and have also been a bit pissed/ upset for about a week.

[Blaine]

i know the feelin, but i think everyone goes through it. imo. just keep playin, doin what you love. forget about what everyone else says and just go on. and always remember where you a few months before.

keep progressing, keep making contacts, jam with anyone you can, practice, practice, practice. good musicians will encourage you.

stay focused on improving and not the BS. thats what i have to keep tellin myself. cause if its something you love it will never leave you, but the BS will.

you can do it, just give it time.

- kayla.

Thank you for the good advice. I apparently can not find any good musicians because everyone tells me that i am not good enough. But I believe that i am good enough and I will never quit I have wanted to be a drummer all my life so I will keep practicing no matter what.

[hicksjd9]

I would try to practice along with a metronome. Set it at 120 and play with it for a day or so, then go to 160, and play along with it.

Train yourself to have good internal timing. I honestly believe this is the most important thing a percussionist can have, over chops, over flair, over everything. Some people think that this isn't possible, but I know it is becauase I have seen this help a lot of people.

If you ignore the negative people, and stick with it, you will continue to improve and grow, maybe even become great! If you listen to them and stop, you will never accomplish anything.

[Blaine]

I would try to practice along with a metronome. Set it at 120 and play with it for a day or so, then go to 160, and play along with it.

Train yourself to have good internal timing. I honestly believe this is the most important thing a percussionist can have, over chops, over flair, over everything. Some people think that this isn't possible, but I know it is becauase I have seen this help a lot of people.

If you ignore the negative people, and stick with it, you will continue to improve and grow, maybe even become great! If you listen to them and stop, you will never accomplish anything.

My timing is decently good though I never used a metronome but i think that may help me get a bit faster. How do you think I could build chops?

[f.sciarrillo]

The biggest critics are those who either A: can't play themselves, or B: don't know what they are talking about ..

[Hawk]

It takes many things to be a good drummer.

How you hold your sticks (grip) is important.

I have seen two drummers play the same kit on the same night. We thought the sound of the kit was terrible until the other drummer sat in. He made the kit sound great. A good drummer can bring a good sound out of most any kit.

"Feel" is most important. A drummer (or any musician) has to play the song, NOT the notes. This takes a good technique and good dynamics. Good accenting in the right places. And it takes the right amount of playing, not over playing, not under playing.

I've seen really good drummers who learn the drum parts and can play them perfectly. Yet they never learned the other parts of the songs - the guitar parts and the bass parts and the vocal parts etc.. The BEST way to learn a song is to learn the drum part LAST. You need to know what everyone else is doing in the song. Your job is to provide a solid groove with good "feel" for them. Sometimes complimenting them with tasty fills or accents or in some other way.

Don't under estimate space ! Give the band (music) room to breath.
Observe other drummers in live situations. Not their chops, as someone pointed out, chops are not as important as a good groove. Dose the groove fit the "feel" of the song. Guys like Bobby Waters, Randy Servello, Rob Bonsel, are masters at this. Laying down a simple, really good blues groove isn't as easy as it looks. Bobby makes it look easy.

Solid timing! Someone like Clint Carrothers plays like he has a click track in his ear (he doesn't). But musicians love to play in band with him because he's so solid.

NEVER be discouraged. NEVER ! Be inspired. I stopped playing for a long time, years. Then I started again from scratch. I was thrown out of a blues band - rightly so - for being too loud, over playing, and not creating a good blues "feel". I did not get discouraged. It made me realize I had to learn and practice more. It made me better. I still joke with the guy who dropped me. I tell him he was right.

Then later another opportunity came up for me to play in a blues band and I immersed myself into the blues so that I could understand the EMOTION . I am still learning as it is a NEVER ENDING process ! Music and drumming are adventures that never end, there is always more to learn.

Don't get upset with your band mates. Ask them for constructive criticism.

If tempo is in question, show up knowing knowing the tempo, by checking it with your metronome. And at practice, double check the tempo with you metronome. I don't - just my opinion - care for drummers who play live with a click track. It detracts from the "live" feel. Leave the click track for the studio.

Currently I'm trying to learn to play jazz. I love jazz and have listened to it for years. But is a new genre for me to learn, from scratch. I watch you tube videos and ask advice from other drummers who are familiar with jazz. Right now I suck at it, but that will change...

I'm not saying I'm a good drummer, but I know what makes a good drummer. I'll PM my phone number if you'd like to talk.

Perseverance is the key to success !

[Tegamal]

Don't ever let someone else influence you in a negative way. I've been playing guitar for almost 20 years & I still don't think I'm all that good.

[SATAN]

I teach drums at Dp's Music in Lewistown, and all I can say is stick with it. Timing comes with practice and time. Like the guy above said Phil Rudd is a simple drummer and he is one of the best in the biz. The best type of drummers are pocket drummers.

Keep practicing and things will come around. If you want me to give you some lessons, just PM me. I live in Waterfall, PA.

Best of luck.

Randy

[Blaine]

The biggest critics are those who either A: can't play themselves, or B: don't know what they are talking about ..

lol I know half the kids that said I was not that good have no music knowledge. lol

[Blaine]

It takes many things to be a good drummer.

How you hold your sticks (grip) is important.

I have seen two drummers play the same kit on the same night. We thought the sound of the kit was terrible until the other drummer sat in. He made the kit sound great. A good drummer can bring a good sound out of most any kit.

"Feel" is most important. A drummer (or any musician) has to play the song, NOT the notes. This takes a good technique and good dynamics. Good accenting in the right places. And it takes the right amount of playing, not over playing, not under playing.

I've seen really good drummers who learn the drum parts and can play them perfectly. Yet they never learned the other parts of the songs - the guitar parts and the bass parts and the vocal parts etc.. The BEST way to learn a song is to learn the drum part LAST. You need to know what everyone else is doing in the song. Your job is to provide a solid groove with good "feel" for them. Sometimes complimenting them with tasty fills or accents or in some other way.

Don't under estimate space ! Give the band (music) room to breath.
Observe other drummers in live situations. Not their chops, as someone pointed out, chops are not as important as a good groove. Dose the groove fit the "feel" of the song. Guys like Bobby Waters, Randy Servello, Rob Bonsel, are masters at this. Laying down a simple, really good blues groove isn't as easy as it looks. Bobby makes it look easy.

Solid timing! Someone like Clint Carrothers plays like he has a click track in his ear (he doesn't). But musicians love to play in band with him because he's so solid.

NEVER be discouraged. NEVER ! Be inspired. I stopped playing for a long time, years. Then I started again from scratch. I was thrown out of a blues band - rightly so - for being too loud, over playing, and not creating a good blues "feel". I did not get discouraged. It made me realize I had to learn and practice more. It made me better. I still joke with the guy who dropped me. I tell him he was right.

Then later another opportunity came up for me to play in a blues band and I immersed myself into the blues so that I could understand the EMOTION . I am still learning as it is a NEVER ENDING process ! Music and drumming are adventures that never end, there is always more to learn.

Don't get upset with your band mates. Ask them for constructive criticism.

If tempo is in question, show up knowing knowing the tempo, by checking it with your metronome. And at practice, double check the tempo with you metronome. I don't - just my opinion - care for drummers who play live with a click track. It detracts from the "live" feel. Leave the click track for the studio.

Currently I'm trying to learn to play jazz. I love jazz and have listened to it for years. But is a new genre for me to learn, from scratch. I watch you tube videos and ask advice from other drummers who are familiar with jazz. Right now I suck at it, but that will change...

I'm not saying I'm a good drummer, but I know what makes a good drummer. I'll PM my phone number if you'd like to talk.

Perseverance is the key to success !

Thank you for some good advice as well. I do think i need to use a metronome for a while it may help me get better at keeping time though I am decent from being a percussionist for about 9 years may also make me be able to play a bit faster. I am going for rock/ blues/ metal/ black metal. I can play pretty much all except soft rock and blues. I might call you after a bit lol.

[Blaine]

I teach drums at Dp's Music in Lewistown, and all I can say is stick with it. Timing comes with practice and time. Like the guy above said Phil Rudd is a simple drummer and he is one of the best in the biz. The best type of drummers are pocket drummers.

Keep practicing and things will come around. If you want me to give you some lessons, just PM me. I live in Waterfall, PA.

Best of luck.

Randy

I take lessons in everette pa but the kit is electronic and not very good and a small lesson slot half an hour. I like the practice and the instructor but not the kit or overly short time. I have an acoustic kit and a double bass and their kit is the exact oppisite. I would like to get lessons on other days of the week may inspire me more than I already am.

[joltinjeff]

I dont play drums, guitar or any other intrument. Honestly, I couldnt ever begin to learn the drums. Im not coordinated enough to keep me hands and feet goin at the same time. Wanted to learn the guitar, but never got around to takin lessons or anything.
I applaud you in ur efforts. I was once critical of a person who could have turned out to be a good friend and it ruined things.
People are one of two things...one they are jealous because you can play the drums and two, they are pissed because they never followed through with doin anything about it.
As for me, Im not the best vocalist around never claim to be the best. I do what I love and have a band to follow that dream with. People say I cant sing and that I suck...opinions are assholes everyone has one and some are bigger than others. If the person is someone that you are friends with or know, allow them to say their part, use the derogatory remarks to fuel your passion.
Good luck and keep practicin

[banderson]

A fun thing for a beginner is get a good set of headphones (try and get good sound isolation ones). Plug into a cd or mp3 player and play along with some 4/4 stuff without too many bells and whistles...i.e AC/DC, Bad Company, The Cars ect....

1. Good for helping develop time

2. A lot of fun


The headphones are extremely important. Vic Firth makes a sound isolation headphone...they run about $50 I think? You don't want your playing to drown out the music too much. After you get more experienced and delve into harder stuff this is probably not the best way to go about learning songs.

[tonefight]

Just keep playin and practicin. A steady tempo is sometimes hard to get, I've played with drummers who are unsteady and they get pissed when ya tell em a little faster/ a little slower. Sounds like you do have a background but not an extreme amount of time behind the kit so just keep doin it adn it'll come together.

[Blaine]

Just keep playin and practicin. A steady tempo is sometimes hard to get, I've played with drummers who are unsteady and they get pissed when ya tell em a little faster/ a little slower. Sounds like you do have a background but not an extreme amount of time behind the kit so just keep doin it adn it'll come together.

I need to practice at about everything just to get better. I can keep a decently steady tempo. just the people that tell me to switch from a fast to a slow cant make up there minds and have no music knowledge.

[THEM BONES]

Here's my advice: DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE. Everyone will always have something to say and most times it's because you're doing something creative with your life and they're not. You will find out soon enough that your peers may offer you constructive critique or encouragement (all good) but anyone else really isnt worth listening too. Be yourself and enjoy what you do, also, always practice!

[Banned]

Blaine,
PM Sent
I'm ready when you are.

[f.sciarrillo]

Guys like Bobby Waters, Randy Servello, Rob Bonsel, are masters at this.

O.k this is probably a stupid question, and I think I already know the answer; but, who is Randy Servello?