Rusty Intermediate Drummer

[The_Epsicle]

I haven't been keeping up with my practice as much as I'd like with this being my senior year of high school, learning piano, and owning a used truck that has needed a lot of work. My practice time has gone from minimal to none existent, and it is seriously starting to show; I got together with a couple of friends over the summer and while we were playing I actually dropped the beat 3 times in one song.

My timing is terrible, my limb independence is suffering, and even with a metronome I lose the beat more often than before, I'd consider myself barely an intermediate drummer right now but before I'd call myself a high intermediate if that makes sense to you all. I know that more practice will definitely make all of these things better, but these were weak spots even when I was practicing regularly, so if any of you have any suggestions on what to practice to improve on these areas I would very much appreciate them.

[8beat]

I'd say practice whatever you want. I think you just need to play more. I think your lost skills will recover quickly, maybe in a week or two once you start playing drums again.

[Ray on the Drums]

I gotta agree with 8beat. The first thing you need to work on is getting back behind the kit regularly. Everything else will fall into place.

[NPYYZ]

Yup, the term use it or lose it fits. I'm experiencing the same thing. After 40 years of playing my job has limited my time behind the kit and it shows when I do get time to play. If you want to be good and stay good you have to find the time to get behind your kit.

[Jackie]

Just play. You could have 20 years of playing experience, but if you take a break from playing or loose interest, your playing suffers. It's the nature of the drumming game.

[The_Epsicle]

Thanks guys I appreciate it, I just got really down on myself when I actually listened to how I was playing. I've seen a huge improvement today from yesterday, I just gotta break out the WD-40.

[late8]

Thanks guys I appreciate it, I just got really down on myself when I actually listened to how I was playing. I've seen a huge improvement today from yesterday, I just gotta break out the WD-40.

Don't be too hard on yourself. You're a senior in HS and there's so much in your life that's about to change before and after graduation. You got plenty of time to catch up. Enjoy your senior year and keep it fun. Good luck to you and happy graduation.

[gonefishin]

And it sounds like you got too much on your mind. You need to clear your head take a deep breath and relax and have fun.

[jgziegler]

one exercise that has really improved my timing is this:

choose a pattern you know really well. I use 16th note single paradiddle with the quarter note going to a tom, so the first hit is RH on the LT, the 5th hit (i.e. beat 2) is LH HT. All other notes you play in the snare. RF and LF also hit on the quater notes

Set your metronome is a very slow speed, something like 25-30 bmp, clicking on 16th notes. Play the pattern that way. Make sure you count it as 16th notes. After sometime, double the speed (so now you'll be playing 50-60bpm), still counting as 16th notes. Then, double it again (100-120) still counting at 16th notes. Now the metronome will be clicking off 1/4 notes.

10min of this per day will do wonders in 1-2 weeks. The key here is not to worry about speed, but accuracy, so I i play it at 28bpm.

[8beat]

single paradiddle with the quarter note going to a tom, so the first hit is RH on the LT, the 5th hit (i.e. beat 2) is LH HT. All other notes you play in the snare. RF and LF also hit on the quater notes

Thanks for mentioning this. I've been enjoying and playing it for the past hour.

[jgziegler]

Thanks for mentioning this. I've been enjoying and playing it for the past hour.

glad you like it the pattern is up to you, let me know how it goes

[N2Bluz]

I've been at the "barely intermediate" for about 20 years, LOL.
You're still in High School.....you have a lot of life experiences and other priorities in your immediate future. I'm not saying that drumming isn't important, but unless you're planning on making a living as a drummer, do what you need to get your life started on the right track. If drumming needs to take a back seat, then so be it.

[The_Epsicle]

one exercise that has really improved my timing is this:

choose a pattern you know really well. I use 16th note single paradiddle with the quarter note going to a tom, so the first hit is RH on the LT, the 5th hit (i.e. beat 2) is LH HT. All other notes you play in the snare. RF and LF also hit on the quater notes

Set your metronome is a very slow speed, something like 25-30 bmp, clicking on 16th notes. Play the pattern that way. Make sure you count it as 16th notes. After sometime, double the speed (so now you'll be playing 50-60bpm), still counting as 16th notes. Then, double it again (100-120) still counting at 16th notes. Now the metronome will be clicking off 1/4 notes.

10min of this per day will do wonders in 1-2 weeks. The key here is not to worry about speed, but accuracy, so I i play it at 28bpm.

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a shot next time I practice.

I've been at the "barely intermediate" for about 20 years, LOL.
You're still in High School.....you have a lot of life experiences and other priorities in your immediate future. I'm not saying that drumming isn't important, but unless you're planning on making a living as a drummer, do what you need to get your life started on the right track. If drumming needs to take a back seat, then so be it.

I appreciate this N2, my drumming has taken a back seat for about 3 or 4 months. Now that my college prep is finished I have some time to practice, and I'm focusing my efforts on improving my timing, accenting, and limb independence.

Don't be too hard on yourself. You're a senior in HS and there's so much in your life that's about to change before and after graduation. You got plenty of time to catch up. Enjoy your senior year and keep it fun. Good luck to you and happy graduation.

Thank you, it's been stressful this year because I'm taking extra courses so I'll graduate on time, I had Lyme disease my Freshman year(the presumed cause of my Tinnitus and hearing loss) and missed the entire second semester because it's uncommon for my area and my doctor didn't catch it fast enough, I wasnt strong enough by the summer to go to summer school(I was 5'11" and 110lbs., pre-lyme I was 140lbs.) so I decided to overload my senior year, looking back I wish I had gone to summer school.

[Johnny G]

I find that the smallest little practice session is better than none. Even if I only play for 5-15 minutes on any given day, I feel like I am maintaining those neuromuscular pathways and engaging the special "drumming" parts of the brain.
So don't fret my young friend. Improvement will come with time on the kit. No matter if it's only a few minutes before you head out for class or whatever. Let that be your source of "me" time and head clearing, as a couple of other guys have said already. Drumming is just as mental as it is physical. When you immerse yourself in freely playing, it becomes therapeutic to both body and mind, and soul for that matter.
You're are still a young man. Our collective hindsight, us older DC posters, can be of more value than just for technique. One of the things I love about this site.

[signia fan]

Mount some pads on the dash of your tractor, you can practice stick control while you plant your potatoes.

[The_Epsicle]

Mount some pads on the dash of your tractor, you can practice stick control while you plant your potatoes.

[late8]

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a shot next time I practice.



I appreciate this N2, my drumming has taken a back seat for about 3 or 4 months. Now that my college prep is finished I have some time to practice, and I'm focusing my efforts on improving my timing, accenting, and limb independence.



Thank you, it's been stressful this year because I'm taking extra courses so I'll graduate on time, I had Lyme disease my Freshman year(the presumed cause of my Tinnitus and hearing loss) and missed the entire second semester because it's uncommon for my area and my doctor didn't catch it fast enough, I wasnt strong enough by the summer to go to summer school(I was 5'11" and 110lbs., pre-lyme I was 140lbs.) so I decided to overload my senior year, looking back I wish I had gone to summer school.

Wow...you're a pretty tough guy. Looking back, yeah maybe summer school would of helped but that's "here nor there" as they say. You've recovered, now time to look forward....

[Five Magics]

Epsicle, First and most important of all - Go easy on yourself! Drumming is meant to be fun!

Try this: Re-setup your kit. Honestly, go bass drum + snare + hats only! And play straight forward 4/4 beats and other things you know you can handle.

It's amazing when you strip down your kit to the bones how much of the fundamentals you can re-enforce.