Before I start rambling on here I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have taken drum lessons with me, some from years ago and some who are currently enrolled. Today I have students from 4 to 64 years old. If 2017 was a frustrating year for you, perhaps decrease some of that stress by getting back to drumming?

I’ve been playing drums now for almost ???? years. Anyway, it’s been a long time and during that time I have learned some things that are of paramount importance if you want to be a good drummer. (See below.)

DRUM INSTRUCTORS

Make sure that you are getting what you pay for wherever you take lessons. Don’t just assume you are getting the value you want because your instructor knows more than you. You want to be improving steadily and you need to measure that progress yourself. Help you instructor by being specific about your short or long-term goals you want to achieve with your lessons.

PRACTICE

There is no magic bullet! Organize your practice time. I see this all the time where the drum lesson is not considered a priority in relation to some other activity. Get out the calendar and mark down your practice times and stick to it come H?? or High Water. That is the key to success.

PRACTICE TECHNIQUE

It’s not easy but if you can set up a clock in front of your drums and work on routines for so many minutes each time you sit behind the drums – you will be doing like the professionals do.

*Rudiments 10 minutes – (observe how they sound,  Watch your stick heights, are you relaxed)

*Grooves 10 minutes

*Reading 10 minutes

*Fool around time 10 minutes

Stick with this process for three months and you will be amazed at how much you have improved.

You might also want to spend some time watching some of the great solos on Drummer World or YouTube. You can slow down the video and analyze the hand technique. This is a fantastic way to help you learn.

Spend some time playing along with recordings. This is most valuable to drummers starting out.

The above is my very best advice from over ???? years of playing drums – Man’s first instrument.

The bottom line is to make 2018 your year where you can look back in 2019 and say, “WOW!! I did it – I studied and I learned and today my drum chops are right up there!”

Drop-in Saturdays from 1 pm – 2 pm at Tempo-Trend Music, 410 Burnside Road for my free drum clinic – no appointment needed.

Cheers,
Barry

Email bcasson@speakfilm.com
Phone 250-721-2113