how do i become a better drummer? Ive been playing for 9 years but was never consistently hardcore. any tips?

Answer 1

Practice practice practice.

If that doesn't work, switch to bass!

Answer 2

All the above are good answers, but the rudiments are just that. Rudiments. Learn them. It will take you longer trying to figure this stuff out on your own, and the chances are excellent you will teach yourself something incorrectly then have an even harder time trying to "unlearn" bad habits. Unfortunately, I've been there, and it was a major handicap. Best to avoid it.

But there is one word I haven't seen here. Commitment. With out it you're going to do no more than waste time. A minimum amount of practice timeshould be one hour per day. Not ten minutes here and there, but a solid hour. Use the first half hour working on your chops, then play with some music for the last half hour. I'm very fortunate to have the luxury of time, so when I'm excersizing (which is mostly all the time) or working I do an hour in the morning and an hour at night Speed is the easy part. It is more difficult and much more control is needed to play the slower tempos or on the money quarter notes, especially if the rest of the band is doing power chords with a classic rock beat.

If you are planning on doing studio work, better start using a click track today. You will be required to have this skill.

I would also advise you to be proficient with both the "classic", or parade grip, as well as matched grip. When I need a quick left hand, I use the parade grip. When I want more power, I use the matched grip, often times switching back and forth during the song being played.

And here is the final frustrating part. When practicing your rudiments, use a practice pad. Your wrists will loosen up and get stronger quicker. Get some metal practice sticks or some 2Bs or larger.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Ministe has the right idea of trying things that are just a bit beyond your abilities.

The most important thing, believe it or not, is to practice your rudimentaries. Go back to basics. Pick up a book that has all the basic drum rudimentries and practice them until you can do it in your sleep. Then, when you are called upon to do something with the trap set, you can easily plug in the technique where and how it is required.

Mike

Answer 4

Without knowing the genre ( I hate that word) it's hard to get specific. Can you read the score, and be the supporting accents? RU playing in a small combo with mostly ad-lib time? Hard to read the others then.
Just pop/rock - they have arrangements too.
You can be a great musician but a lesser technician, and vice-versa.
Don't feel bad, it's very hard to do music well, just appreciate what you can do.

Answer 5

Simple. Play. Play as much as u can. AND go out and buy some early Rush CD's. Then listen to them so much it will become ingrained into your psyche.

Answer 6

practice, practice, practice.

its the only way.

instead of playing things that are at your level, play things that are a bit too hard for you and practice till you are good enough. then do the same - get something a bit harder still and practice till you can do it.
its the only way.

Answer 7

get lessons, or if you can't afford them, join the marching band/percussion ensemble!! i know that our snares are amazing and play practically year round in just about every band our school offers. and learn to do some tricks with your sticks and stuff too!! that always puts them number one in my book!!