Never give up the sticks

Hello everyone. I really enjoy reading this board -- better than the others I've seen. Much more professional -- in tone and membership. I hope this is the right forum to ask for this kind of advice. (My first post here)

First some background. I played drums for a long time. I was pretty good, perhaps not great, but good, and confident. Then, I went back to school, got married, had kids, sold the drums, etc., etc., etc. Years went by. I never gave up my sticks, though, physically or psychologically.

Finally, I had had enough, and recently purchased a set. Now this might be viewed as sacrilege on this board, but I went electronic. http://www.hostboard.com/forums/ My reasons were practical. While I would love an accoutic set, I don't have the place, or the quiet place to play. The Yamaha is a full set that I can play like a full set, but I can play for long hours, at night, without disturbing the kids. Ultimately, I would like an acoustic set, but for now these are working. I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely they play -- especially compared to the nothing I had before! http://www.hostboard.com/forums/

I was also pleasantly surprised at how much muscle memory I had retained. I can still play. But, there are many things that need work on, to get back to where I was, and, perhaps, even better than that.

Before, I ask my specific questions, I'll give you my goals. My goals are modest. I want to get back to at least where I was, and, perhaps, even better than that. Ultimately, I would like to do some small club work with friends in the area.

So, if anyone is up for it, some advice needed on the following.

1. Stamina I get tired more quickly than before (drumming is hard work!). Now, I know that one answer to this, perhaps the only answer, is practice, but if there are others . . .

2. Consistency I have always been pretty good at the beat, but it disappears occasionally these days. "What happened there?" I ask in the middle of something. http://www.hostboard.com/forums/ More common is that I lose the more complicated groove that I start with. Again, practice is probably the main answer, and perhaps the only answer.

3. Sophistication I find I can copy (for instance) most of the playing that is posted on this board (at least I could fool a good number of people, though not many on this board I'm sure). But they aren't coming
particularly naturally in execution or innovation. I never thought of myself as cutting edge, but I don't like to see myself as a lemming, either.

Well, that's quite a bit, I guess. But, I would be very appreciative of any help you could give.

Thanks for listening.

Hi, Welcome aboard (pardon the pun).

From what you describe, I'd recommend that you find a good teacher, someone that is experienced and plays real well (ask for a resume/demo). It's so valuable to have an experienced drummer not only help get your chops back, but to help you progress beyond where you were!

There are tons of great DVDs and books out there, all valuble of course, but none of them can offer you the feedback of someone with a pulse.

Good luck!

I agree with Andy. Finding a teacher will REALLY help you get back to where you were, as well as advance your skills. It's also a great time to rid any bad habits from the past, which we ALL have!

The Yamaha kits are great! I wish I had a set so I could play at 2:00 AM! http://www.hostboard.com/forums/

Best of luck and keep us posted! (pun intended)

Danny

Quote:

---

1. Stamina I get tired more quickly than before (drumming is hard work!). Now, I know that one answer to this, perhaps the only answer, is practice, but if there are others . . .

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Where most people fail and I mean
at anything, is EXPECTING TOO MUCH
OF THEMSELVES TOO SOON. You have
got to be patient.

Quote:

---

2. Consistency I have always been pretty good at the beat, but it disappears occasionally these days. "What happened there?" I ask in the middle of something. More common is that I lose the more complicated groove that I start with. Again, practice is probably the main answer, and perhaps the only answer.

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You're so focused on getting your
limbs to do what they used to do
that you are not listening to and
getting into the groove. Again,
you have got to be patient.

Quote:

---

3. Sophistication I find I can copy (for instance) most of the playing that is posted on this board (at least I could fool a good number of people, though not many on this board I'm sure). But they aren't coming particularly naturally in execution or innovation. I never thought of myself as cutting edge, but I don't like to see myself as a lemming, either.

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Remember that a picture of some-
thing is not the thing itself. So if
you can reproduce something that
you hear, that does not mean that
you can actually do what is being
done, if you understand my meaning.

You want the thing itself and for
that, you are going to have to pay
and I don't mean money, necessarily.
I mean time, sweat and conditioning.

Some people think that because I
have worked up parts to Latin, that
I know Latin. I'm not a pretender.
I DON'T KNOW LATIN. That music is
SO DEEP. I mean inner-core, deep!
You have to keep digging.

Don't be hard on yourself but don't
be easy. To get this into our skulls,
we have to cut through bone. You
have to remember that and the brain
is protected by the thickest bone.

I have been playing only on a digital
kit, just like you for the last two
years and in my free-time.

Get into it, slowly BUT SURELY. You
will win. You'll see.

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 02, 2004 06:38 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

Cool! As a father of two little future skin bashers, I can empathize. Actually, I rented a storage unit near my work place, so I can bash on real drums at lunch. I found the rubber pads really hurt my wrists/elbows after awhile, due to the limited shock absorbtion, vs. real heads. Also, with the low/mid range drums, they tend to be gated, so you really need to whack them to get a sound - not a good thing, if you're working on ghosted notes/linear playing/nuanced playing.

Yeah, a teacher is a great idea, but MAKE SURE they ARE A GOOD TEACHER, and NOT JUST A GOOD PLAYER. I had a teacher that was a great player, but got me so bummed out about myself, that I almost put down the sticks for good. Find someone that will positively reinforce what you are doing well, as well as help you out on the things you need work on.

There are a ton of DVDs out, as was mentioned, that are very helpful/inspirational.

Also, one of the biggest things that helps me out (and also embarrasses/frustrates me) is to RECORD yourself playing. Weckl preaches this, and for good reason. I cant tell you the number of times that I thought a lick I tried made me sound like Peter Erskine, when actually on playback I sounded like Animal from the Muppets. More than the mechanics/technique of the execution, it gives you a great feel for how the lick/beat you're playing fits within the context of the music. Very instructional to do this.

Best of luck with this. The pleasure of drumming is the journey to get to where you want to go, not so much the destination. Remember- there will always be better players than you - who cares? you're not competing with them, just yourself.

I think as Peter said, patience is the key, don't expect too much too soon...if you do, you could really get frustrated and this could lead you to drop the sticks all over again...a private teacher is a great idea as they can idetify specfic things that you need help with and also can give you some great drills and exercises to improve the areas you described...for consistency, I'd recommend playing with a click and also slowing things down...by slowing it down, you'll gain back the control you used to have and then you'll probably find yourself improving quite rapidly after that...I think it'll just take some time, but if you're patient and you pace yourself, you'll get it all back....good luck!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Hi

I would also recommend, playing along some of your favorit tunes, to get your Beat back. The essence of playing with an artificial band from the stereo is pretty usefull developing your beat again.

I went through he same thing three years ago after an almost 15 year lay off!!! This message board has had a BIG part of staying connected and getting into an educational routine. Living in LA doesn't hurt as far as seeing live music (always inspiring). I agree with teacher idea.

One thing I wrestled with was the overwhelming amount of information available since I was gone from the scene. AMAZING! Where to start? I became paralyzed by information and played hit & miss for a year or so like a high school kid finding himself. It was both frustrating and liberating. I also leaned heavily towards the electronic side until I got a killer deal on an acoustic kit. Glad I went that way. My living situation allows for playing loud with almost no problems.

Two learning tools that helped; Stone & Morello's Stick COntrol & Master Studies, the concept of playing relaxed & a lot of the "new" stick grip with the middle finger playing the role the index formally did. A perfect time to try new ideas is when you don't have to re-learn because of the time off. It's just easier than if I had never stopped.

Realistic goals is essential. I know I will never be what I desired years ago...so realistic goals based on joy rather than...??? Getting into drumming is more mental than anything else for me. It's just the idea of growth and all. Plus, everybody digs a drummer, and I mean all the non-musical friends and co-workers..."Whoa, you play drums...cool!"

I now play in a cover band with great guys and it has opened all sorts of doors. It was lifting weights at a gym three nights a week or playing drums and rehearsing. The music thing has born much more fruit!

I can only thank the annoying keyboard player I work with that nagged me for three years to buy a kit.

Quote:

---

I would also recommend, playing along some of your favorit tunes, to get your Beat back. The essence of playing with an artificial band from the stereo is pretty usefull developing your beat again

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well said Klemme, if you play along to your favourite CD's without even knowing it, you are honing and developing numerous skills. Your TIMEE, your GROOVE and FEEL, Your SOUND, you FILLS and your EARS!
I think that this is how the majority of people start playing. Close you eyes as you play, LISTEN to what is going on on the record and by all means COPY and STEAL what the drummers are doing. Once you feel comfortable, I would definitely echo what the guys have said and get with a good teacher.
Before you go and study with them, have in mind your specific goals and what you would like them to help you accomplish as it would be a waste of money to simply go in with a 'teach me' attitude. (I'm sure you wouldn't!)
Good luck, welcome along and remember that music and drumming are FUN, it's not a matter of life or death.... it's more important than that!!

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/

Having the digital kit allows you
recording options that no one else
has. Use them, like the other great
guys here said.

What I forgot to mention is:

STILL GET OUT AND SEE THE GREAT
DRUMMERS. YOU NEED INSPIRATION
AND YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE TAG ON
THAT. I PROMISE YOU!

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/

I'm overwhelmed with these great replies. I'm going to think on them overnight, and post a tad more detailed reply tomorrow.

But tonight, I just wanted to thank all of you for the wonderful responses.

Welcome- You are right about this board: Sincere people and excellent information.

I am in a similar position in life? Job, kids, space issues, etc. I work up patterns on the table or in spare moments and I try to consolidate my very little practice time, by only working on these ideas. I guess what I am trying to say is enjoy the process and welcome the challenge. I went for a few years without playing, and I would rather struggle through not feeling like the old days than not playing at all!!

Take Care and I'll see you on the board. F.S.

Excellent responses from esteemed HB members [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] , so anything i would have to say further would simply be repetitive, here...
The only thing i would add [in ADDITION to these OTHER fine responses] is...even tho it's already a "given" & often taken for granted: eating right/having a sensible, healthy diet; & getting the proper amount of sleep, within a consistent timeframe [keep those "late nighters" to a minimum..unless, of course you're practicing! - lol, just kidding]...set yourself up a good practice routine with a decent time "alottment"...keep a decent or moderate excercise routine, enough for you to stay feeling healthy about...& of course, the obvious; stay away from excessive "drink" or other things that would detract one physically & mentally [you guys know what i mean [img]wink.gif[/img] ]...but then, you know that already [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

A couple of additional comments -- the recording is really good advice. My mind can fill in mistakes, but the recording shows the truth.

I really appreciate the comments about not expecting too much too soon -- I was doing that. And then feeling bad when it didn't work out perfectly. By having more realistic expectations, I will be less likely to feel as if I am failing. I've been back playing less than a month, so . . .

I'll also think about checking out some local people for lessons -- not sure how that will work out, but it is a good idea. I haven't had lessons since I was in high school, so I'll have to get my mind back in shape for that.

Speaking of in shape -- I guess I'll have to get my body back in shape too! [img]smile.gif[/img]

As soon as I get the right set up, I will post a short clip of my playing to show where I am at (and to show the sound of the electronic drums too).

Anyway, again, thanks for the advice and the welcoming spirit.