Easy Drumming Self Evaluation
Tonight I wanted to check my technique (hands). I felt like standing up so I put the old-fashioned
practice pad (triangular type wood-block base with roughly 4" square rubber pad) on top of a
waist high dresser. Propped in back against the crash cymbal I placed a 3'x2' mirror. Great
view from neck to waist so shoulders, neck muscles, arms, hands, sticks, pad in perfect view.
I practiced w/ the metronome on one setting, fiddling around w/ as many different even fractions
of speed possible, and watched. Firstly, it was a check-in to see my hands, especially fingers.
I've been making myself lead w/ non-dominant hand about 65% of the time for a few weeks now.
Slow going, but steady going. I wanted the check further because as I've regular dates with the
Stick Control book of late, I wish to be obedient in going through these exercises: play with
no tension whatsoever.
One can try!
After awhile the soloing began, using the pad as I would my kit (rimshot hag here) and getting
pleasing sounds from the wood proper. Things got a bit out of hand and eventually involved
book case shelf, music stand, mirror frame, anything within reach.
Most of the soloing was doing those things in drumset practice lately -- slowish
yet swung tom/snare "rolls" with the kick drum inserted, with double speed Bonham HHK
triplets (Hand Hand Kick) in the phrase. I was most pleased at the result, standing up too,
metronome still going and the drummer in time, with feel, dynamics, recovery.
That kind of eval was not why I set things up in the first place. I'd forgotten: periodically it's
essential to get off that drumset and check those very things - time, feel, dynamics, recovery.
All the above I loosely group as precision - here I think is a truthful check. Excellent to eval
via hands on knees and feet on ground. With sticks and rebound surfaces also fine. It's too easy
to lose oneself behind the kit - the distraction of its many sounds, volume, overtones of drums,
cymbals and those bewitching rim shots.
+ + +
In the ongoing exploration of triplets I found something else - a seven stroke roll like this:
L L L R R R L (then alternate) R R R L L L R --- the counting: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 -- 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 --
If or when speed comes count --- 1 e & ah, 2 e & -, 3 e & ah, 4 e & -
Accent the 7th stroke. Try to bounce the triple stroke. Endeavor to work up 2 bars x 20 repeats (I will, too)
Speed is of no concern! Play it, learn it, sink deep into the bones. There's the shortcut to speed. Swinging!!
Conclusion
Be grateful & ride the practicing Wave
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