General Drumming Tips

This list of drumming tips that were writted by various members of the Pear Drummers Forum. I compiled it into one list and edited it for spelling mistakes. I hope it proves as useful to you as it is to me. Here is the original link.

1. Drum carpet – Want to make setup a breeze? I bought a cheap, yet sturdy rug from Wal-Mart and took the time to set up my kit on it. Then I took one of the big sharpies and marked where the pedal, bass drum spurs, and various other things sat on it… During live shows, sometimes you don’t have a lot of time to set up… Set the carpet down and set up just like you do at home using the markers as “guides”. This is especially nice if you have someone helping you that doesn’t know how you set up. Tape works too if you change your setup often. A huge time-saver.

2. Be courteous to the other bands. Try to help other drummers get their equipment to the stage and help with getting it off as well. More than likely you’ll get help in return, and will get stage changeovers much more quickly, leaving more time for your set. If there are other bands behind you, then get your drums off the stage as quick as you can and THEN tear down. It’s a big time-saver and you’ll earn what I call “professionalism points” with the bar, soundman, and other bands.

3. Learn to play without monitors. Get to where you know your songs well enough to play them without hearing much guitar, vocals and bass. Most of the time clubs don’t put much thought into setting up proper monitor systems and much of the time they won’t push it loud enough for you to really hear everything if it’s a loud sound environment. I’ve played w/o monitors so much that it doesn’t affect me if I play without them, but it’s an nicely added bonus if we do get a good monitor sound.

4. Learn to appreciate all different styles of music and drumming. Listen to EVERYTHING and “borrow” a little from everyone. If you stay locked into one style or one band then of course you’ll sound like them. Stir the pot and bring something new to the table. Not only will this help you become a more versatile player, but it will help you keep your song ideas fresh without being limited or playing the same style over and over… Remember, diversity and dynamics are a good thing.

5. Become a cultured, classy and mature musician. Sure, there’s a TON of bands out there that you absolutely don’t like. But this doesn’t mean they suck. Have a professional attitude and point out little things like specific grooves, fills, stage presence, etc… that you might have liked! Talking bad about someone behind their back isn’t professional. You’ll be a much more respected musician in the community when you learn to appreciate all music and everyone (remember, this doesn’t mean you have to love it).

6. Take pride in your trade. Where else would you rather be than behind the drum kit? Remember to have fun!

7. Practice with a metronome if at all possible. But also practice without it. If people wanted machines instead of humans playing, they’d recruit drum machines to play.

8. Love metal? Want to play fast? Start slow, I don’t care how much it sucks. A lot of drummers try to fly before they can crawl. Build that house with the foundation and then work on the other stuff. RELAX – this is important. Guess what happens when you’re tense? Yep, you get tired faster. Relax, breathe, control the muscles and you’ll be much more comfortable playing faster speeds.

9. Auditioning or trying out for bands? Everyone’s a badass on paper and on the phone. Tips: the guys that say they’re great, or hype themselves up a lot have something to cover up. They’re usually not very good at their instruments. I’ve learned the guys that are humble are the real badasses that you’ll want to play with.

10. Comparing apples to oranges. This vs. That. People have a tendency to compare musicians and musical equipment. Music is an art form and people have their own way of doing things. Appreciate what they contribute. The best thing you can do is trust your ears with equipment. There is no best, only what sounds best to YOU. I can’t emphasize this enough.

11. CHEATING – How ridiculous. Music is not a sport; there is no “cheating”. A lot of the elitists think some ways of doing things are cheating. Again, music is an art form and you can express yourself ANY WAY you like. Disregard the people accusing people of how they do things as “cheating”, as they haven’t matured as artists yet.

12. Mistakes – Hey we all make them. Practice your songs and be prepared for anything. If you make a mistake, laugh about it, learn from it and keep on playing the song. ZZ Top has been doing it for decades and my buddy’s dad said one of the most memorable times was seeing the drummer screw up, laugh about it, then get right back on it! If you want perfection, listen to the CD. We’re all human.

13. Show up early as possible for shows. Get your gear loaded and take the time to relax while you set up your drums. What sucks is running late and only having 15 minutes to set up everything. You’re rushing your *** off and getting pissy. This is unnecessary stress. The best gigs you play are when you’re relaxed. Be professional, responsible and show up at a reasonable time.

14. Dealing with soundmen – They’re your ticket to what the audience is hearing from your band. Ask them respectfully to get more kick drum in the monitor or whatever else you may need. Afterwards always show your appreciation for what they do, which often times goes overlooked.

15. Warm up! Ok so the band is playing before you just got on, you have everything set up and ready to go. Take a quiet practice pad (I use the moongel one) and warm up. Not only will you get the blood circulating to those muscles, you won’t cramp up and play tense, you’ll be naturally relaxed when playing. This also prevents injury (carpal tunnel syndrome). Stretching helps too.

16. Technical Ability and Speed – Not everyone is Thomas Lang, Steve Smith or Dave Weckl. I noticed a LOT of you, especially you youngsters, place too much emphasis on technical ability and speed and forget other things drummers bring to the table. Groove, feel, stage presence, rock-solid timing, among others are ALL things you should learn to appreciate in music. Think from outside the box for a change.

17. Playing the drums to get noticed. The drums are the foundation for the entire band, and I don’t care what the vocalist and guitarists say. Without drums they have nothing. If you’re playing in a band to get girls or get status, then you’re in it for the wrong reasons.

18. Rudiments. <—-Click Link for rudiments. Learn them. By definition, they are the basics and you wouldn’t go do something else that requires the same amount of skills as drumming without knowing and understanding the basics. Learning the rudiments will increase your vocabulary and give you some great ideas.

19. Transcribe. Sit down and listen to a recording and write out what the drummer is playing. Start by figuring out the meter and the possible setup the drummer is using. Then start transcribing voice by voice (bass drum then snare and so on). This will help train your ear and, with practice, figure out almost exactly what a drummer is playing.

20. I’m not sure how true this is, but a long time ago there was a Gigs thread and JulianFC posted some great advice. The only I can remember really well was to buy packs of underwear before going on tour. As crazy as it sounds, he said that it saved a lot of trouble when clothes would be lost and band members were fighting, and having extra underwear was a huge help.

21. An easy household drum improvement if you have mid-grade drums is to put a few cotton balls in your floor toms. It really helps the sound and saves you the trouble of having to tune to perfection every time.

22. Another quote (Isaac Stern): “The worst crime of a musician is playing notes instead of making music.” In other words, this is meant as an addition to 16.

23. Learn to tune. A complete drummer is not only a good player, but also a good tuner. Learn how to tune for different purposes, like miced or unmiced shows, recording, rehearsal and different music styles like rock, metal, jazz, dance, country, whatever. A good drum sound will help you to simplify your style, because, if hitting a drum once makes you go “Aahhh!” you won’t feel the need to hit it twice. In other words, you can get along with less chops if you sound good!

24. Learn how the location has impact on your sound. Retune if necessary. In unmiced situations this can make a big difference for your success.

28) Get your face known. At gigs, meet everyone and anyone that you can, whether or not they’re a musician. If people approach you (which they will) greet them cordially. The more people know you, the more work there’ll be for you in the future. People will associate your playing with your face and demand will skyrocket.29) Be open to different kinds of sticks… different stick work well for certain applications. Don’t constrain yourself to only one pair.

30) When playing with an acoustic guitar sometimes Hot Rods can be great tools… try em!

32) Mallets are another great tool to have in the bag for cymbal swells. They provide a much smoother effect than sticks…

33. Learn to listen to things not just hear them. Listening involves some effort on your part: clear your head, focus and absorb. Once you become a proficient listener you will find you are better able to respond to, compliment, and establish the feel, intensity, and direction of the music.

34. Protect those ears of course!!!

35. Experiment with and develop different grips, strokes, movements and WHERE you grip your sticks. Subtle changes in these areas can often have a profound effect on your sound and feel.

36: songs are about repeats. Unless you are a strictly “jam” drummer, you need to work out patterns. Kick patterns, phrases (such as 2 bars / 4 bars) etc. When playing in a cover band make sure you get those things right, so many drummers say they can play a song but just ad-lib the kick or whatever… really not cool. When writing songs work out patterns for verses / choruses etc and fills that can be common throughout the song or are related in one way or another… this serves 2 purposes, one you sound much better… i honestly think the band sounds so much more pro if stuff is consistent from the drummer… and 2 in the studio you can record the tracks before your band does.. They will thank you later.

37: Have as many drum keys as humanly possible. Attach one to your keychain so that you have one handy even if you don’t have stick bags or other drum stuff with you. Since you always have your keys with you (I do at least) you always have one at your disposal. I also have some moongels in my car at all times. Even though I don’t like to use them much, they can be lifesavers (to stop soundmen from trying to kill you, for instance )

38) Make sure you put the seat on your throne before sitting…

39. Stop trying to play so dang fast.

40. Be different! Why would someone hire you when there is someone who does the same thing better?

41. Learn to be play with less and be more creative. Strip down your kit and learn to groove with bass snare and hats.

42. Always pee before you play…

And Here are some Drum Tips I picked up from www.dbdrumtips.com

~ Because cymbals can sound differently with different stick sizes, always use your personal drumsticks you usually play with when shopping for new ones, particularly ride cymbals.~ The key to great drumming is knowing how a song should sound, and how the drums should be played within it.

~ When you’re drumming you should always be relaxed – never tense in any way.

~ If you’re out drumming live with your band and lose a drumstick, make sure to keep the snare drum beat over anything else until you’re able to retrieve your other drumstick!

~ The bearing edges of your drum shells are where your drumheads seat. If these edges aren’t straight, your drumheads won’t seat properly and it will result in an inability to properly tune you drums. The bearing edges can become crooked by dropping your drums, or from any type of abuse!

~ Your posture and comfort level can really affect your quality of drumming… Therefore, don’t be afraid to invest in a good drum throne with thick padding!

~ If you’re micing your drums when you play out, invest in your own mics and run your own cables. You’ll be able to set up much faster, and you’ll save so much time by being organized!~ To get a good rivet sound out of a cymbal, hang some keys on the wing nut!

~ Practice your rudiments on the snare, on the toms, on the bass drums, and around the entire kit building up speed as they become set in your brain!

~ If you want to concentrate more on the “extras,” you’ll have to get to the place where you can play
your grooves in your sleep! Practice, and get your grooves on “automatic” so you can relax and focus
more on those “extras!”~ There are lots of drum set accessories you can add to your drum kit to make drumming even more
fun and motivating, such as a cowbell, woodblock, chimes, extra snare drum with a different tone,
electronic trigger pads, and more… whatever your budget will allow.

~ A used golf bag is ideal for carrying your cymbal stands.

~ If you duct tape a quarter (US coin) onto your bass drum head you can get a really cool punch sound.~ If you really want to improve your weaker limbs try setting up your drum set backwards.

~ Because most of all the drum rudiments are made up of single and double strokes, simply knowing this can help you master all 40 of them.

~ Don’t use light, thin drumsticks when you’re practicing snare drum rudiments. Drumstick size is critical! The heavier drumsticks will do a lot of the work for you.~ Try to notice when your arms are aching when you’re attempting to drum fast. If you get all tensed up, stop… and then make a special effort to relax and start again. Then, speed your drumming up gradually while paying attention to stiffness in your arms. Repeat the process until muscle-memory has taken over and it becomes effortless.

~ When practicing drum rudiments, drum them along with your metronome set at different tempos.

~ Keep a pair of drumsticks with you at all times. You don’t always need your drum kit to be able to practice.~ If you want to get fast on the drums, you’ve got to start slowly. Get the technique first, and then the speed will come automatically.

~ Self-confidence on the drums is a must, cockiness is stupid… Being confident without being arrogant is an achievement few people are able to accomplish!

~ Create ways to add visuals or “extras” to your drumming… Everyone likes to be entertained!

~ Don’t ever go into a fill that you’re not sure you can come out of… Save that for your private practice sessions!

~ If you’re going to be away from your drum set for a while be sure to take your drum practice pad, or at least, just your drumsticks… It’s a good way to keep the rust off your drumming!

~ Occasionally record yourself when you practice your drums… You can really hear things differently when you listen to the playback!

~ Drum mics can be used for more than just volume… If they are plugged into a mixing board or a good PA you can use them for sound quality by using effects!

~ A great way to practice your double bass beats is to use a metronome. First, set it to a slow, comfortable speed and drum that tempo for 4-5 minutes. Then bump up the tempo a bit for another 4-5 minutes.

~ Be consistent in practice! Putting in the time and effort is the only way to progress.

~ Learn to play the drum parts of your favorite songs. Play the exact beats and the exact fills. Once you nail it, try to come up with some variations.

~ If you’re not able to get to your drums for one reason or another, you can still practice by tapping your hands and feet. Since muscle has memory, doing this will keep some of the rust off.

~ If you notice right before you begin to warm up, you may be holding your drumsticks a little tighter than you should. Make a conscious effort to relax your grip!

~ If you clean your drums and cymbals regularly they will be easier to keep clean. If you let the filth get out of hand, cleaning them will be a real burden!

~ A colored magic marker does wonders for covering up a scratch in your drum finish.

~ When you play “heel up” on your bass drum you will have more power, speed, and control. If you’ve been playing “heel down,” try “heel up” for three weeks. You’ll be amazed!

~ Invest some quality time warming up on your drums before playing out somewhere to not only get loosened up, but to get focused. Just spend about ten minutes running through different parts of some songs on your drums to get clarity.

~ If you’re out playing somewhere and find that your bass drum is sliding on the ground, try putting the floor mats from your car under your bass drum spurs and bass pedal.

~ Different drumsticks will give you different sounds. Experiment with different types and sizes to find out what works best for you.

~Cheap drumsticks usually aren’t weighted properly, nor do they last very long. Stick with the name brands.

~ Practice your basic drum beats at a slow tempo with a metronome. It’s really one of the hardest and most disciplined things to practice.

~ Don’t spend a lot on muffle rings for your drums. You can make a ring out of felt or cardboard. They work great!

~ If you have an electronic drum set, you may want to play with them turned off on a regular basis. This will show you how accurately you’re playing.

~ Continuing to challenge your self is a major part of progressing as a drummer. The common thing to do is get frustrating with something new on the drums and give up. Obviously, if you shy away from all your challenges, you will not progress!

~ Always, always, always talk with other drummers! You will always come away with something you can use!

~ Whenever there’s a chance to try out on the drums for any band, do it! Whether you get into the band or not, is not the point. You just want to see what kind of response you get.

~ When you first start playing, make sure you have a drum teacher because you may pick up some bad habits without one.

~Don’t wait until the day of the gig to tune your drums. Tune them in advance so you’ll be a lot closer to that desired sound when you’re ready to perform.

~ Drum Teachers – Want to make it more interesting for your students? Fill your drum room with percussion toys. Bongos, Shakers, Splash Cymbals, etc. and work them into the lessons. It keeps it interesting for them.

~ I find that in my “Repair Kit’, I can use 2 cymbal felts on my sticks if I need “mallets” in a hurry. They work great.

~ The truth is that you are the greatest drummer, you just haven’t practiced enough.

~Put your drum key on a rope or key ring so you don’t lose it. People like to steal these things so don’t leave them lying around.

~ If you don’t use accents right, then the whole purpose of the song is lost.

~ Be supportive of other drummers!

~To find the best licks that you can call your own, just get comfortable and jam for a while. When you find yourself doing something you’ve never done before that sounds cool, then stop and practice it for a while. Next time you play, be able to duplicate it. This is how I have come up with all my best stuff!

~ Don’t compare yourself to other drummers! Just concentrate on being your best and making yourself better every day!

~ An amateur practices until he gets it right, but a professional practices until he can’t get it wrong!

~ Let your emotion drive your drumming!

~ Play your drums along with songs that challenge you!

~ Before playing a gig make sure all your hardware is tight, for obvious reasons!

~ Become another local drummer’s roadie! You will learn something from that person!

~ Do regular hand exercises to increase your wrist strength!

~ The weight, thickness and feel of your drum sticks matter! It’s worth looking for the proper sticks that can make you a better drummer!

~ Be conscious of sitting up straight when you play your drums. Poor posture throws off your balance!

~ Don’t let your overall volume get too loud, but be sure to make your accents and rimshots stand out!

~ Do some research before you buy the cheapest drum equipment! Sometimes, spending more money will ensure that your equipment will last longer.

~ Mix it up. Don’t be afraid to take a bunch of stuff you already know and bunch it together to make your own sound.

~ For a good rim click sound, use an LP Jam Block. It can easily be heard by your audience even in unmiced situations.

~ 3 reasons why your drums may sound bad: 1. Heads need to be tuned,  2. Need new drum heads, 3. Bad bearing edges.

~ More expensive, quality drums are much easier to tune. They practically tune themselves. So, if you’re having trouble tuning your drums, you may just have cheap drums.

~ To make your own snare drum muffling ring, just take an old drumhead that you’re not using anymore and cut a circle around the outside edge.

~ The most common reasons drummers break drumsticks are playing too hard, hitting at the wrong angles, using the wrong drumsticks for their particular style, and playing with older sticks that have a lot of wear on them.

~ Practice pads are good when you can’t get to your drum set, but don’t practice on your practice pad ALL the time. Nothing beats practicing on your real drums!

~ Stay confident and believe you can play like the pros! Keep focused and continue to learn!

~ If your drumsticks get slippery get some drumstick grip tape or you can use some drummer’s gloves.

~ Before purchasing new drumsticks roll them on a flat surface to check for straightness!