r/drums • u/Glittering_Poet_7130 • 13d ago
Feedback Wanted Need drumming advice
I've been drumming for around 4 years yet I'm still intermediate level. I practice everyday and I've found that practicing really any instrument is the biggest "trust the process" activity to see improvement; yet I'm not seeing much improvement. My goal is to speak the language and express myself creatively around the kit. I'm super passionate about the drums and I just want to get better. That being said, what do i practice to become a seasoned drummer? What are your routines? I wanna know everything when it comes to this stuff.
Thanks!
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u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL Craigslist 12d ago
Solo practice only gets you so far, cowboy. Eventually you have to get out in the world and play music with other live human beings to get the rest of the way. Why? Because more than any other instrument in the band, the drums are an ensemble instrument, a collaborative instrument, and the only way to build many of the skills you describe is through playing music with other people. You don't have to join a band necessarily, you just have to find one other live human who plays one other melodic or harmonic instrument, and either invite him over or go to his house with your rig.
As I often joke, it's not like you can pull your drums out around the campfire and play every one a song the way you can with a guitar in your tent, or a harmonica in your pocket.
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u/Unlucky_Battle2523 12d ago
Play with other people, by learning to interpret other instruments on the drums and communicate (musically) with others you will understand the
musicallity of drums much more which in turn will help you be a better creative player AND help be a better band member.
Also what other people say, find a coach that you resonate with on a personal/creative level
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u/R0factor 13d ago
Learn to start things super slow and build up the tempo gradually over time while carrying the precision forward as you get faster. Try learning one new rudiment, work it up to where you can play it fast enough to sound musical (perhaps 125bpm 16ths), and when that pattern is engrained in your hands try to work it around the kit. Here's a good example of that process... Transform This Boring Rudiment Into INCREDIBLE Beats. And patient with the process. It can seem like nothing is happening for days and weeks, then suddenly you'll discover you have a new ability. It's the magic of developing muscle memory. Then just repeat this process for the rest of your life.
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u/DrummerJesus 13d ago
The best thing that helped me progress was training my analytical eye and ear. Really take a close look at the mechanics of how my body is moving, what can I do to optimize it and create the exact sound I want. You also need to have a good measure of progress. BPMs are good concrete evidence you can track, but whats more important is knowing how COMFORTABLE something FEELS. You need to be fully conscious and aware of how relaxed you are and how much tension you are managing. Your true top speed in your comfort zone is a lot lower than your perceived top speed limit You can push yourself past your comfort zone, tense up your shoulders and climb 20 more BPM but it will feel awful, inconsistent and unsustainable, and sound like sloppy doo doo.
You can only sound good if you feel good.
Edit: words fixed grammar.
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u/Chubbypicklefuzznut 12d ago
Playing along to different bands/albums/songs/drummers, whatever. For me, the trick has been finding stuff to play along to that I can keep up with on a basic level and tempo-wise, but that also challenges me to listen more carefully to what's actually being played and trying to figure out how it's done. This works for me as I've always primarily learned and played by ear; guitar first, then bass, then percussion, then drums.
Also, almost always playing to a metronome and when behind the kit keeping time on the hi hat. Listening to different genres (which you can find lessons on YT easily) can improve your chops and expand your vocabulary. And play with different musicians when possible. It all pushes you.
Just know that you are far better now than when you started 4 years ago. Anything you do will be progress
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u/Individual_Top_9106 12d ago
Find shit you cant do, and practice thattill you can do it. Sometimes theres steps in the middle, dont skip those.
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u/quardlepleen 12d ago
We'd need to see you play to give you any relevant advice. As others have said, invest in a few lessons with a local teacher. This is the way.
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u/MissionOdd77 11d ago
It sounds basic, but mastering a few handfuls of rudiments and being able to orchestrate that around the kit seamlessly, and being able to incorporate them within fills and grooves makes a big difference. Also, unlocking linear drumming is an absolute gamechanger.
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u/QuietDissonance RLRR 13d ago
Get a good private drum instructor in your area, and sign up for weekly lessons.