Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
It's been quite a while since I've played, and I'm having the problem with my right hand and foot. My right hand wants to do the same thing my right foot does. I'm hoping this is a common problem, and I know it will take a lot of practice, but anybody have any tips?
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
It's a common thing: leading with your rt. hand your foot keeping the beat the two will sometimes hit something simultaneously but not all the time. Do a really fast roll and your foot should just be keeping the count for your rt. hand...otherwise you have to just practice your independence a bit. Both shouldn't always follow each other. Alternate with rt. hand on FT then kick, back and forth, like a single stroke roll. It at first seems difficult, until it sounds cool and develops your independence.
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
Practice! In anything to do with the actual playing of drums, practice is almost always the answer.
The only other answer is..............more practice.
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
This is what I did when I first started playing drums and was trying to cut the "string" between my right hand and foot.
Start by just playing 1/8th notes on the hihat, and alternate between hihat and kick, but when you play kick, lift your right hand up really high, like point the stick at the ceiling. Really over exaggerate your movements. Once you get the feel, your movements will get smaller and smaller. Make sense?
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
Thanks I appreciate the tips. I'm just glad it didn't involve a cattle prod or taser....
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Crusader
Thanks I appreciate the tips. I'm just glad it didn't involve a cattle prod or taser....
They come in when you get to paradiddles.
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rickthedrummer
they come in when you get to paradiddles.
+1
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
Four things that I do when I am practicing that might help you (but only with lots of practice).
1. Reverse your hands, so that your feet are doing what ever patterns you have been practicing but your hands are reversed). Latin patterns (there are dozens and dozens of basic Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and other Latin patterns) are great for working on limb independence, especially when you switch between limbs.
2. Practice everything at different tempos. But do lots of very slow and controlled patterns. Use a metronome or click track, and work at maintaining strict tempo for four minutes at a time without stopping or being tempted to fill. When you can do that (it'll take time), then you can work on 'the groove'.
3. Practice rudiments to backing tracks. It makes them much more palatable.
4. Work on the things you cannot do (properly), and less of the things that you can.
I try to do lots of the above. Even after years of playing I am always finding quite simple things that I am not happy with the way I play. So it's a continuous, lifetime, thing.
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
You are going to get a LOT of suggestions from drummers wanting to help and offer advice. Take some and leave some. But the best advice you can get and should adhere to... PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. And when you are tired of practicing, tae a break for a little while then PRACTICE some more. :icon_lol:
Re: Technique - Foot and Hand Coordination
Along with what everyone else has said, I recommend "The New Breed Of Studio Drummer" by Gary Chester and "The Language Of Drumming" by Benny Greb. The exercises in those books really work this issue out pronto.