Category: Advice & Tips
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Keep aware of your surroundings when you are playing drums
Keeping aware of your environment. A short survival guide for drummers. When you are playing in public …which I have since the early 70’s.. you learn to keep your eyes open and be aware of who and what is around you at all times. It is not paranoia it is awareness. Knowledge will keep you… Read More »
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eBay and Craigslist drum buyers beware!
Many people find great deals on used conga and djembe drums on line. I know I have and you can too. However, so much of the stuff out there is junk. eBay new and used djembe and conga drum buyers beware. I am constantly on the look out for great deals on drums on the… Read More »
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Who Can Play The Drum? Everyone Is Welcome.
Who exactly can play drums? Is everyone welcome? I say if you come to the drum with respect, yes! Music is music. The drum is a musical instrument. Drumming is music and music see’s no colors, race or age. It is as simple as that. People may see that, (race, color, sex,age) and people may… Read More »
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How About Existential Drumming For Those Deep Into Their Drumming?
Creatively speaking, once you have learned how to play your drum (well) all drumming is an experiment, the more experiments you make the better. I had a great teacher who told me, “your next mistake is actually your next creative idea”. The same impulse that creates the alleged mistake is the same impulse that creates… Read More »
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The Zen Of Drumming
1. Do one thing at a time. Learn one thing, one lick at a time. Play one instrument at a time. Work on one concept at a time. Learn one rhythm at a time. 2. Play it slowly and deliberately. With focus and intent. Start slow. Don’t speed up. 3. Play what every you have… Read More »
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The Will To Learn or “Poop or Get Off the Can”
Get serious about your drumming! From around the world I get letters and also in my travels I see many people who are not improving in their drumming skills. They are staying at the same level of drumming they were a year or two ago and still can only play one or two rhythms. Why… Read More »
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Overwhelmed trying to learn percussion? Simplify things!
If you are like myself and get overwhelmed easily at a class or with a lot of information from various sources then you do need to simplify things. There is so much information out there between Youtube, the internet, informational books and CD’s that it is easily to overload your system and not learn anything!… Read More »
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Drumming Is An Art Form
Drumming is an art form and the drum is a musical instrument. It needs to be learned. Why? There are many different styles of drumming from many different places. I have studied drum music originating from West Africa and end also ending up in the new world. Some people call it traditional african drumming. This… Read More »
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Getting Real With Our Drumming
It Takes All Types! I met with a very old friend today, one of the first people I ever drummed with back in the early 70’s and some one who has inspired and encouraged me in the past as well. We were on the beach talking to some kids from Sweeden and he was telling… Read More »
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Stand Up For Your (Drummers) Rights!
Being prepared through communication and having your bases covered. I have made an agreement with myself that I also tell anyone hiring me for a gig, or to prospective bands that I will not play unless i am properly mic’d. Just like any other player in the band or group. Conga drums especially need microphones.… Read More »
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Open Mic Nights: The Good And The Bad
Open Mic Nights: The Good And The Bad or “Don’t Play for Free”! Open mic nights at clubs are a perfect way for beginning musicians of all kinds to get a chance to break their cherries so to speak, to see what it’s like to play in front of people and to play with others… Read More »
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Developing Your Deepest Creative Drumming
To be “deeply creative” go into the learning mode In the hand drum world there is a lot of talk and pride about expressing your own inner rhythm. Being creative. Doing your own thing. Soloing. Freestyle. And I am all for it. I acknowledge my inner rhythm and your inner rhythm. it is a beautiful… Read More »