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

[homerski]

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?

I agree 100% with JD above.

Although I would suggest, forget 120 or 160... try 30. If you can keep it solid at 30pbm, you won't have any problems at higher speeds just because of resolution.

I have been playing drums professionally for over 46 years now, and I still sometimes struggle with keeping a solid tempo (just ask my bandmates), because on occasion, I let my emotions take over. If you think it's hard to keep a 3 or 4 piece band in step, try 8 pieces!

I'm curious, why do your fellow musicians?? say that you suck?

You keep talking about getting "faster" when you should be trying to get solid in the pocket. You are the foundation for the rhythm section, and after the click-off, you are in effect the "Director". As such, you generally do not have many opportunities to "show off". If this is not the role that you expected, then you're playing the wrong instrument.

John Homerski Jr., Drumz/Vocals - Flood City Brass

[bassist_25]

You keep talking about getting "faster" when you should be trying to get solid in the pocket. You are the foundation for the rhythm section, and after the click-off, you are in effect the "Director". As such, you generally do not have many opportunities to "show off". If this is not the role that you expected, then you're playing the wrong instrument.

+1

I've played with a ton of drummers. Some of those cats tried to show how many paradiddles they could shove in 8 bars, but they couldn't hold a groove to save their lives. The fancy fills and tight double kick will come. But you can't do calculus until you have a good grip on algebra. You'll going to have a lot of trouble reading Shakespeare if you have trouble getting through Fun with Dick and Jane.

With regard to other advice, I vaguely recall the original poster putting up a Drummer Available ad sometime ago and saying he didn't want to play crap like country. I'm paraphrasing because I don't remember the exact pejorative word used.

With that said, my suggestion is to play country. If you try and seriously dive into the music, I can guarantee it will kick your ass. I tell all new bass players to join a country band for their first project because it will expose them to so many different playing styles and feels, including swings, shuffles, polkas, 6/8 ballads, waltzes, calypsos. That should go for drummers too. Dive into some jazz while you're at. Pick up some blues albums and check out what those cats are doing.

My point is that you're never going to rise to the level of your potential if you limit yourself because you don't dig a certain style of music or think you're some how above it. I know people here have heard me say it before, but I used to turn my nose up at the style of music that I just spent the last six years playing (i.e., modern rock). The truth was that my timing was no where near as good as I thought it was; my techinque was not as clean as it was in my mind; my tone needed a lot of work; and backing vocals...I didn't have any backing vocal ability before joining the project. All of that stuff jumped by leaps and bounds from playing music that I originally never saw myself playing.

[witchhunt]

I knew as soon as someone mentioned "the pocket", you would post. You're just too predictable.

[bassist_25]

You're just too predictable.

I never claimed not to be.

[Don Hughes]

Hey Blaine. I always told my piano students this...

Music is a uniquely personal thing. What sounds good to one person may sound complelely different to another. Your playing style, however it may be, is yours and yours alone. That is Your blood, sweat, and tears going into it. That is Your expression of feelings coming out of you. If what you are donig makes you happy, then those leeches trying to suck the fun out of you do not deserve the time of day from you.

That's probably the main reason why I don't watch American Idol or America's Got Talent. Those people in the audience who boo the people who are not particularly great are not the ones putting themselves on the line up there. How many people out there have a legitimate talent, but can't bring themselves to try something like that?

[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?

I agree 100% with JD above.

Although I would suggest, forget 120 or 160... try 30. If you can keep it solid at 30pbm, you won't have any problems at higher speeds just because of resolution.

I have been playing drums professionally for over 46 years now, and I still sometimes struggle with keeping a solid tempo (just ask my bandmates), because on occasion, I let my emotions take over. If you think it's hard to keep a 3 or 4 piece band in step, try 8 pieces!

I'm curious, why do your fellow musicians?? say that you suck?

You keep talking about getting "faster" when you should be trying to get solid in the pocket. You are the foundation for the rhythm section, and after the click-off, you are in effect the "Director". As such, you generally do not have many opportunities to "show off". If this is not the role that you expected, then you're playing the wrong instrument.

John Homerski Jr., Drumz/Vocals - Flood City Brass

The reason they say I suck it because I can not play fast enough beats. I will have to try playing at a slow tempo that one may be a problem. But my drum instructor even tells me that I am improving but they dont see it I guess.

[Blaine]

You keep talking about getting "faster" when you should be trying to get solid in the pocket. You are the foundation for the rhythm section, and after the click-off, you are in effect the "Director". As such, you generally do not have many opportunities to "show off". If this is not the role that you expected, then you're playing the wrong instrument.

+1

I've played with a ton of drummers. Some of those cats tried to show how many paradiddles they could shove in 8 bars, but they couldn't hold a groove to save their lives. The fancy fills and tight double kick will come. But you can't do calculus until you have a good grip on algebra. You'll going to have a lot of trouble reading Shakespeare if you have trouble getting through Fun with Dick and Jane.

With regard to other advice, I vaguely recall the original poster putting up a Drummer Available ad sometime ago and saying he didn't want to play crap like country. I'm paraphrasing because I don't remember the exact pejorative word used.

With that said, my suggestion is to play country. If you try and seriously dive into the music, I can guarantee it will kick your ass. I tell all new bass players to join a country band for their first project because it will expose them to so many different playing styles and feels, including swings, shuffles, polkas, 6/8 ballads, waltzes, calypsos. That should go for drummers too. Dive into some jazz while you're at. Pick up some blues albums and check out what those cats are doing.

My point is that you're never going to rise to the level of your potential if you limit yourself because you don't dig a certain style of music or think you're some how above it. I know people here have heard me say it before, but I used to turn my nose up at the style of music that I just spent the last six years playing (i.e., modern rock). The truth was that my timing was no where near as good as I thought it was; my techinque was not as clean as it was in my mind; my tone needed a lot of work; and backing vocals...I didn't have any backing vocal ability before joining the project. All of that stuff jumped by leaps and bounds from playing music that I originally never saw myself playing.

Lol I just dont want to be in a country band I dont really like it but I was going to try to play jazz and about any other type of music so at some point I may play some. I just dont want to play it in a band because it is not my style but I know that all around I should try every type of style so I can improve.

[sstuckey]

The initial complaint you had was tempo. "Some say I play too slow/others too fast." That may just be the honest truth and you'll have to learn to take the criticism a little better. But a metronome or click track can cure that. It will tighten up your timing and tempo. Two things even some of the advanced and experienced players have issues with. Play along with it and get the feeling for that perfect tempo. And once your positive you found that groove, if they still say too slow/too fast. Have them play with the metronome and listen to what notes are falling on beats and which ones are between them. And try again.

But most importantly just enjoy yourself. Music is expression, and feeling, and creativity. Sometimes people are a bit too worried about counting and hitting the 2's and 4's....which can make your playing quite sterile. My advice, and this is something i still do to this day, practice with your eyes closed, or even better yet try it blindfolded. You'll start 'feeling' your kit around you and locking down a groove. You'll actually FEEL the music instead of thinking it. And once you start doing that you'll improve vastly.

You tube is FULL of drummer's with drum lessons. Watch and listen to what they do and try to replicate it. And dont be discouraged by what you see. For every Neil Peart out there, there's an epileptic seizure with sticks in his hand.

But MOST importantly....HAVE FUN!!! That's what it's all about.

[Ron]

Why not take a metronome to band practice?

[thebattle]

Why not take a metronome to band practice?

x2

[Blaine]

Why not take a metronome to band practice?

I have not thought about it and I do not have one. I can get one online though.

[songsmith]

Definitely the best way to shut your bandmates up about timing. The metronome does not lie. If they have problems playing along to it, they have little business criticizing you for it.
Plus, it makes you a better musician, drummer or otherwise.
I'm in my 26th year of being played to play music, and the veteran musicians are spot on: It's not necessarily about being fast, or flashy, or impressive to your average listener... for drummers, it's about creating a rhythmic framework that the band can add their parts to. Nobody wants to hear a 3-hour long drum solo, you're an important player for a team, and being solid on the beat is your job. The entire song rests on it.
Ask anybody... a precise, non-flashy drummer who uses the right kit for the job, and shows up regularly... that guy's going to get a lot of onstage time.--->JMS