Drum Technique

Todd Bishop- Cruise Ship Drummer

Resting The Sticks On The Drums – Todd Bishop Understands

I love this post from Todd Bishop of the Cruise Ship Drummer Blog. Resting the sticks on the drum or pad is a terrible habit. Why are you putting your sticks on the head when you are not playing your instrument? Are the sticks so heavy? Are you sufferening from muscle atrophy? Are you not aware of what your body is doing? Learning an instrument is about awareness of yourself. I am perpetually telling my students off for doing it… Read More »Resting The Sticks On The Drums – Todd Bishop Understands

Thomas Lang On Foot Technique – No Drums Required

A million years ago I attended an intensive drumming course that Mike Dolbear put on. It was five days of study with a bunch of big name drummers including Billy Ward, Ash Soan, Thomas Lang and Phil Gould. There were also a swing class with Ralph Salmins that led to an amazing opportunity to study with Ralph one on one. I was not that enthusiastic about the Thomas Lang classes as my perception of him was of one of those… Read More »Thomas Lang On Foot Technique – No Drums Required

Some Tips For Playing Drums Softly

I am spending an increasing amount of time on my jazz playing and developing the ability to play softly. My rocknroll side is appalled at this but my inner Brian Blade is egging me on. One approach is learning to play with proper French grip which I just started working on with my teacher. The beginning of the journey is a bunch of odd exercises that came from Freddie Gruber. I’ve also been working on holding my sticks further up… Read More »Some Tips For Playing Drums Softly

Rob Knopper Shows Us 4 Steps To Build Machine-Gun Doubles

Here’s a great way of approaching double strokes. Rob Knopper explains a method to help you develop “machine-gun” doubles. In other words, a very even sounding double stroke roll. You need to figure out for yourself how you’re going to get the second stroke to be louder than the first. My doubles came together when I learned to use my middle finger as a spring. I can also use my fingers to help as well as a little whip of… Read More »Rob Knopper Shows Us 4 Steps To Build Machine-Gun Doubles

Charley Wilcoxon - Rudimental Swing Solos Cover

Learning Charley Wilcoxon’s Rudimental Swing Solos – Rolling In Rhythm

I haven’t done much by the way of learning drum solos such as those written by Charley Wilcoxon. I started learning Rolling In Rhythm and I’ve been having a lot of fun with it. I intend on working my way through the book slowly but surely. I’m not exactly sure what the end result is meant to sound like. There are a few examples on Youtube. This guy has the speed down, I guess this is how the marching drummer… Read More »Learning Charley Wilcoxon’s Rudimental Swing Solos – Rolling In Rhythm

Developing Coordination With Afrobeat Drumming Pt. 3

If you haven’t seen them already, Check out part 1 and part 2. So let’s continue to develop our coordination with Tony Allen’s first groove of Afrobeat. Now that we can play a bunch of different ride and snare patterns, it’s time to do some work on the left foot. A unique aspect of Tony Allen’s style is the way he creates an interesting interaction between his hi-hat foot and his hi-hat hand patterns. I missed this facet of his… Read More »Developing Coordination With Afrobeat Drumming Pt. 3

Jojo Mayer’s Secret Weapons 2 Is All About Feet And Pedals

It promised to be ?The most comprehensive guide to foot technique for drummers ever available? and it is. Well, I imagine it is because I haven’t actually seen the other available guides to feet but this DVD is so amazingly comprehensive, I can’t see how there can be any competitors. Not to mention that people with Jojo Mayer’s insanely focussed intensity and commitment are very very rare so the probability of someone else producing anything remotely as comprehensive in this… Read More »Jojo Mayer’s Secret Weapons 2 Is All About Feet And Pedals