Developing hand technique

[SingleStrk]

Hi guys,

Lately I've felt that my playing is not going anywhere. I have been playing for 15 years and study music full-time. My hand technique is nowhere near where I would like it to be. My left hand is too weak and my right hand could also be much better. It seems that I have get back to basics and back to my practice pad and do some serious shedding.

I bought a new pad (a 2-sided Vic Firth one, it's quite good) and I have been practicing 1-2 hours a day. I have gone back to playing just singles, doubles and paradiddles. Different combinations of them in different tempos. I haven't gone to other rudiments yet.

I would like to develop clean and strong singles and doubles, good dynamics etc. to help my kit playing. I know it's not going to be easy and a lot of work has to be done. I want to avoid frustration and keep thing interesting and I think I need some help with that.

What do you guys practice?
What would you practice if you were in my shoes?
Do you have a practice routine?
Can you recommend any specific exercises?
Books?
DVD's?
What's Alan Dawsons rudimental ritual like?
Have you gone through Master Studies by Joe Morello? I've heard a lot of good things about it.


Thank you,

SingleStrk

[sjj123]

Get Steve Smiths DVD....a whold section on the hands. Really good stuff

[XNavyDrummer]

Try Weckl's newest book, Exercises for Natural Playing. It's one of the clearest explanations on rebuilding your technique while maximizing the rebound effects. "Less work, bigger sound".

Good luck.

[Derek DeFields]

Lessons. Books and videos are great but there is nothing like having someone look at what you're doing, analyze it and letting you ask questions. Good hand technique is really hard to teach via a book; I've yet to see one do it. (IMO obviously)

[Sweep]

I would recommend practising George Lawrence Stone's book - Stick Control before looking at the Joe Morello book. Use a metronome and try practising with a mirror in front of your hands so you can check out how they look and make sure that both sticks are even.

The Rudimental Ritual is also v. good and worth looking at.

[palmerlouie]

its important to know what NOT to do. if ur serious about building very goood technique then practicing infront of a mirror is a must. if u play traditional grip, dont lean down with ur left shoulder....watch stick heights, volumes and dynamics between each hand. push urself, if u can play flam taps at a medium fast tempo....dont play it anymore. always practice the tempo u cant do. always be out of ur comfort zone. a big part of it is simply building muscles. burn them, slow down and relax, then push again. etc.

also, try and choose, learn and stick with one hand technique. dont practice a little of weckls thing, then a little of this and a little of that.....pick one and really develop it. dont doodle. this is what i try to do anyway.

[Vdrummer]

Surprisingly, I wouldn't recommend many of the books or vids previously mentioned for your purposes. Drum set players have pretty limited hand skills, and some questionable advice regarding hand development, compared to rudimental snare drummers.

I'd agree that a good teacher can really help, IF he comes from a rudimental background. Rather than just play doubles, para's etc., get a rudimental book of solo's, perhaps Wilcoxin's book, or the N.A.R.D. - they're a bit old school, but not too difficult - and start working on learning and memorizing some solo's. Play the accents strongly, overdo the dynamics - very quiet to very loud, and try to memorize any short phrases that you like. You'll be able to use them in your kit playing.

It's better to play slowly, with good form, a firm - but not tight grip (which is necessary for rudimental technique and dynamic control), and play with a metronome than to work on speed. Speed is your enemy at first, focus on control and accuracy. If you play conscientiously, listening to yourself, working patiently but with direction, (rather than just playing around with doubles, para's and singles) you'll actually learn some new phrases and techniques that you can incorporate into your kit playing. Also, focus on flam rudiments, they're not as flashy as the ones you're already playing, but they're the hard ones. Good luck,

Brad

[r_navega]

How you practice is even more important than what you practice. So, be sure that your muscles are relaxed all the time (and do some stretching before playing). It's important to spend some time working on improvising and your own ideas. Practice with music (play-along's, albums etc.). Do transcriptions of your favorite drummers (that's a great way to get inspired!).
Here's a link with great Steve Smith's practice tips: http://www.vitalinformation.com/stev...e_excerpt.html

Good luck!
Navega

[FuseU1]

It is VERY important to grasp an understanding of & get used to the feel of the Moeller / Gruber / Weckl / Smith NATURAL REBOUND - STICK 'SNAP-BACK' TECHNIQUE...& the "loose-yet-firm" grip while doing so...it is of the utmost importance to let the stick do MOST ALL of the work, guided by the fingers...learn it.

I use somewhere between that & a french grip...

[XNavyDrummer]

Brad did you really mean:

"Drum set players have pretty limited hand skills, and some questionable advice regarding hand development, compared to rudimental snare drummers."

What is this based on?