My experience with the speed drumming is a strange one. Basically, one October day, while picking up some drum sticks at a local music store, I noticed drummers using a device called a "Drumometer. This "drumming speed" measurement device used a practice pad for a striking surface with an embedded piezo trigger. The trigger was connected to a counter-timer computer brain that had a count and a timer display.
And most of the really successful speed drummers obviously did not want to give away ALL their secrets (understandably). So, I did what I could. And after spending 3 weeks (1-2 hours per session, 4-6 days per week), I managed to improve my speed by about 60-70 beats per minute. I really didn't expect to win though; since several of Mike Mangini's Berklee students were to be part of the regional competition.
Drumming at times can be a bit strenuous, though you will be able to play for hours when keeping the body relaxed. Without performing warm-up exercises before playing, the body can become tense and show signs of fatigue within a short while. We will explore exercises that are quick and easy encompassing the whole body from head to toe.
Vinnie Colauita once said, "Just play in 7 for like an hour". This is especially insightful as we can often get caught up in studying things too closely and miss the point. Sheer repetition will help lead to more comfort in odd times.
Sometimes the drum heads may even puncture when the hit is hard. If all this still does not provide you with good reasons to go for a new one at regular intervals, then you should realize that once it becomes weak it is difficult for you to play the roll or the fast chops. As a drummer you should change your drum heads after every six months.
However, six months is not an ideal time. If you have been playing the drum too often lately, consider changing it even though you may have changed it four months back. Signs that should tell you it is now the time for you to change are indents and cracks.
Improvement: Each practice session should create a challenge for the musician to accomplish something never previously done. This could be a new rudiment, piece of music, or exercise, it could also be a new tempo for an old exercise, etc. And the tempo does not necessarily have to be faster - just different
Drummers like Zigaboo Modeliste and Johnny Vidacovich mixed second line with syncopated funk, developing a style called "second-line funk drumming". This style was popularized in many famous bands that came from New Orleans like the Meters (see below). Second line drumming often involves a 3/2 son clave not dissimiliar to the Bo Diddley beat although it doesn't necessarily always follow that rule, and Second line beats are also called "Street Beats".
And most of the really successful speed drummers obviously did not want to give away ALL their secrets (understandably). So, I did what I could. And after spending 3 weeks (1-2 hours per session, 4-6 days per week), I managed to improve my speed by about 60-70 beats per minute. I really didn't expect to win though; since several of Mike Mangini's Berklee students were to be part of the regional competition.
Drumming at times can be a bit strenuous, though you will be able to play for hours when keeping the body relaxed. Without performing warm-up exercises before playing, the body can become tense and show signs of fatigue within a short while. We will explore exercises that are quick and easy encompassing the whole body from head to toe.
Vinnie Colauita once said, "Just play in 7 for like an hour". This is especially insightful as we can often get caught up in studying things too closely and miss the point. Sheer repetition will help lead to more comfort in odd times.
Sometimes the drum heads may even puncture when the hit is hard. If all this still does not provide you with good reasons to go for a new one at regular intervals, then you should realize that once it becomes weak it is difficult for you to play the roll or the fast chops. As a drummer you should change your drum heads after every six months.
However, six months is not an ideal time. If you have been playing the drum too often lately, consider changing it even though you may have changed it four months back. Signs that should tell you it is now the time for you to change are indents and cracks.
Improvement: Each practice session should create a challenge for the musician to accomplish something never previously done. This could be a new rudiment, piece of music, or exercise, it could also be a new tempo for an old exercise, etc. And the tempo does not necessarily have to be faster - just different
Drummers like Zigaboo Modeliste and Johnny Vidacovich mixed second line with syncopated funk, developing a style called "second-line funk drumming". This style was popularized in many famous bands that came from New Orleans like the Meters (see below). Second line drumming often involves a 3/2 son clave not dissimiliar to the Bo Diddley beat although it doesn't necessarily always follow that rule, and Second line beats are also called "Street Beats".
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