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First when u start playing double bass ...try some excercises..playing double bass is like exercising or doing weights ..the first day u cant lift 50KGs..so be paitent..try out this excercises...
HEEL UP IS A GOOD WAY TO START


        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x           x            x            x
S      o                        o
BD      O   O     O   O    O    O    O   O

        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
           L    R    L      R    L    R    L    R
HH   x           x             x            x
S                   o                          o
BD      O O O  O O O  O O O   O O O

try to maintain the same speed .. a metronome is v helpful

        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x           x            x            x
S                   o                          o
BD  O O O O O O O O O O O O O O           -Evan

Double Bass Tips - New!

Play good - steven
STICK IN UNTIL YOU STICK OUT! meaning practice ....... your greatness will be obvious. - David Dowell

LEARN SOME BLINK 182. at first i said to my self, "self, theres no way you can learn any of travis's fills or beats." well, its been about a month and ive got a few good songs down. try it. youll be amazed how much you improve. ...AND LEARN BY EAR! - Asa

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Playing the hi-hat at the same time as the bass drum can be horrible and hard to get out of, but, say for example the bass drum plays a sixteenth note off-beat and your meant to be playing the hi hat in eighths, imagine that you have a second hi hat above your hi hat and when you lift your stick up you hit it. It takes a bit of practice but you get it in the end. - "Tutin"

If your toms don't set off the snares but your floor tom does, tight the snare head some more - Justin

"SIMPLY DIFFICULT" as it's referred to by Frank Belluci in a 1990 "Drum Tracks" magazine article, this simple exercise is designed to develop independence between the limbs. Originally written for hi-hat, bass drum and hands, I've applied it to a double bass pedal, but also starting the first note on the left foot and left hand...I'll explain further. You begin by playing a paradiddle between bass drum and hi hat in 8th notes. Over this pattern, you play single strokes on top with hands on snare in quarter notes. (or 2 floor toms, right & left) Apply this same exercise beginning with the left hand and left foot for increased dexterity. In essence, hands are going "1.2.3.4" in singles...feet are going "1&2&3&4&" in paradiddles. Break the bar in half and work slowly. It's a great warm up too. Always remember to use a metronome. Thanks Frank!! - Eduardo Santos

If u want to play faster hold ur stick further down the front (is a lot better to tri if u have been play for a while - michael skelcher

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Please just listen to vinnie paul's drumming in Pantera. His sound is so crisp and his timing is perfect. He sounds like a machine because his style is so tequnical, priscise and solid sounding. - Tom

Title: Only join a band when you know you're skilled enough. Description: If you're a drummer, or ANY musician for that matter, before you join a band, just think these thoughts before you join... are you skilled enough in the type of music the band plays? are you ready to devote yourself? And the most important... are you skilled enough at all? I know a few musicians who are just beginning, but they fantisize about being in a band too early. Learn and gain expirience before you get into the very advanced stuff... - Bob

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If you have recently upgraded to a double pedal, try playing all day with ONLY the left pedal. This will build up strength and make playing fast easier. - Kevin Ellis
Rim shots-try not to do as many rim shots it could make your beat or song sound lick to much rock (unless you are trying to play very lound then go right ahead) - peter

If you really would like to be a good double kick player (no matter with a duoble kick pedal or two kick drums) If your just beginning, take the beater out of your strong side, and throw it in a drawer....bring it out only after you can play on time, and smoothly with your weak foot....you'll be able to fly after a while....Peace - Zeek Brown

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Double bass is lame. don't ruin a song by bass roll overkill. metal can be alright if you use double bass with class. i'm tired of people trying to figure out how to do a double bass roll throughout a whole 3 minute song. - anonymous
Toms - try to play with your toms as many times as you can to give it more funk because if you are playing for someone thy don't want to hear just the snare,hihat,bass,and the cymbols - peter
If you find you dont have a good grip on your sticks try sanding back a fraction of you hand grip or try using surfboard wax it stops those EMBARASSING moments!! - andew whittaker
If you dont have a double bass drum pedal try sliding your foot up the pedal to get a fast beat - Demon Drummer

If your a beginer drumer make sure you set up your set to a custom fit and never have someone else do it for you. THANKS. - Rob D.

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When playing double bass allways keep your pedals tensioned and oil in the bearings you will find your pedals are alot smother and last you a lot longer. - andew whittaker

For those hard rockers who want to make an awsome head banging display learn to play the song you are trying to learn BEFORE you try it while slamming your head otherwise you will get lost and off beat. Slam to the beat of your base drum and switch off with snare this way you look completly proffesional. - kyler ramp

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If you want a cool (splashy) sound in your bass drum put stuffed animals or news paper in it! - drum lover
Well I've heard that putting your hands in warm water for a while helps to be faster in the drums thats what I do and I'm doing good - Tré cool

Take Free Drum Lessons From Pro Drummers: Listen to pro drummers play songs and learn the ones that have your favorite drum beats. Combine some of their skills to make your own drum solo's works for me. - kyler ramp

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To get your fingers & wrists faster, squeeze a raquet ball (3 sets of 200 w/ each hand). ur arms'll feel like they're on fire!!! - Zeek
When playing at a gig setup your kit at the front off to the left or right so you can be seen and not just forgotten about in the back. - Laura
When playing crossovers on tenors try to play them wrist over wrist. - Greg 'Woody'Woodruff
Left double pedal moving around? freeze that annoying bastard in its tracks, with a small red brick (not the huge concrete cinder blocks) - Zeek

To play the drums well, put your trust in Jesus. If you do, he'll be playing for you(figurative) and guess how well a God can play. Don't play music for people but for God. - John

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Looking to increase your grip on the sticks while relaxing your hands? Forget about all those products like Gorilla Sn*t and such! Go to the baseball section of your local sporting goods store and get a pine tar rag. Rub in on the butt end of your sticks before a performance - amazing results...Hey, if it worked for Ted Williams and Babe Ruth, how can you go wrong? - Charlie Mayer

Those velons would expand..lossen them after ur groove" - INI KOKSY

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When trying to clean your diddles on the line, try playing low. It is easier to listen to everyone else on the line, and your line's rolls will be a lot cleaner. - Ryan Friedline
By no means a new idea, I stole it from Buddy Rich. Play all the time, you don't need a drum kit, that's a luxury! things like pens and rulers that balance poorly, improvement your touch when you get back to sticks. Something I call "ghost footing" is great for strengthening thighs, play all feet parts with feet 3 inches of the ground, while sitting working or whatever. Cheers - Stephen

Practice - Nick

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The best advice I could give you is to play for the Lord, that will make your plans succeed. And practice practice practice. - Erin Hogan

Don't ever concentrate so hard on what your doing because you need to just feel it because then you won't mess up. - pink floyd

Drum DVDS

If you are having trouble with triplets.. just think... choc-o-late.... - matt rodewald
First of all, listen to 311. Secondly, Travis Barker is not a real drummer, he just cares about money (have you seen his solo? I could play it when I was 11). Third, if you're a beginning drummer, don't worry about drum rudiments, yes, they're important, but you can always learn rudiments. If you start off drumming creatively you will become innovative later on in your development. If you don't focus on creativity early, it will be very difficult to play with an open mind later (i.e. Travis Barker) -

Counting out loud is one of the most important things in learning a new beat it helps you concentrate more on what your doing and makes you learn what you're 10 times faster! - matt

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Always pace yourself, never try to do more than what you are able to do. - J-Fresh

I saw a tip for cymbal sleeves made from a ball point pen cover..this is much better..go to the hardware store..get u a couple of feet of the clear pvc hose kinda like they use on fish tanks..check the internal size to make sure it fits the post..cut it half way up the thread..then as you tighten it down.it expands to give you the proper sway you require..no more piling on thoes felt pads...cost.. 15 cents a foot and it never wears out!!! - Robby

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Experiment with different drum setups. Especially if you are losing inspiration. Go with a minimal setup. Try different tom configurations. Try playing without a snare, cymbals, etc. - mark

Playing Double bass can be hard at first but once u get used to the methods than it would be fine Double bass is like running or swimming u need to build up ur leg muscles so u have to parctice slowly and then increase the speed .. here are some excercises for beginners

1.
        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x           x            x            x
S      o                        o
BD   O   O     O   O    O    O    O   O
         R   L     R    L    R    L     R   L

2.
        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x           x            x            x
S      o                        o
BD   OOO    OOO    OOO     OOO
         RLR     LRL     RLR     LRL

3.
        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x           x            x            x
S      o                        o
BD      O   O     O   O    O    O    O   O
            R   L     R    L    R    L     R   L

now start from ur left ..both left n right should be the same .. this means you should be able to start from L insted of R..

NOW THE FINAL
4.
        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x           x            x            x
S      o                        o
BD   OOOO OOOO OOOO OOOO
         LR LR  LR LR LR LR LR LR

4.
        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x           x            x            x
S      o                        o
BD   OOOO OOOO OOOO OOOO
         LR LR  LR LR LR LR LR LR

6.
        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x    x      x     x     x     x      x    x
S      o                        o
BD   OOOO OOOO OOOO OOOO
         LR LR  LR LR LR LR LR LR

6.
        1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
HH   x    x      x     x     x     x      x    x
S      o                        o
BD   OOOO OOOO OOOO OOOO
         LR LR  LR LR LR LR LR LR

7. Triplet
6.
        1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
HH   x     x    x      x     x     x     x    x
S               o        o        o           o
BD   OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
         LR LR LR LR LR LRLRLR.

make the power of two legs the same.. dont make ur right foot sound louder than the left Enjoy.. the next lesson and tip will come soon.... - Evan

Drummer Jokes

A great way to save and prolong the life of your drum sticks and prevent those little lumps and bumps on the rim of your snare drum is to buy small (black) vacuum and/or water hoses from your local hardware or auto parts store. Also, to extend the life of those hoses is to purchase the clear hoses commonly used for air/filter pumps for fish tanks. I first cut the black hoses into 5 inch long pieces. Then, CAREFULLY, split the hose open with a sharp knife or razor blade so that the hose can slip over the area you strike to get your rim shot/sweet spot. Now, cut the clear hose into 5 inch pieces, enough to be inserted inside the black hoses. Use either a rubber cement or multi-purpose glue to glue it to the inside of the existing black hose. Let it cure, then CAREFULLY cut the clear hose that is inserted in the black hose. Now, you're ready for application. Place it over the rim and you're ready for action. You've got the sticks, licks and tricks, now add a little style. BOOYAH!! - Eddie Santos

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A good drummer like myself always practices alot. if you've ever heard the saying practice makes perfect... its true. try practicing 2-5 hours a day in a year you'll be 30 times better and you should always do warm ups like small roles, fast roles and triplets. - Travis Barker
When doing your double bass licks ive learned if you set your seat up higher then its easier because your using the tips of your feet and it lets your feet move faster. - Eric Johnson
To increase your speed with double bass, the best thing to do is drum rudiments with your feet. - Diego S.
Before setting down at your kit, remove any rings and wrist watches. This will give your hands an even balance. - Ron Geraci

RELAX: Never tense when your playing the drums, make sure that you lossen up, this way you will play more looser and better. - Tommy

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Use about an inch long electric tape to make your snares sound better. Only on a marching snare... Just cut about three pieces of inch-long tape and tape them across the snares,once you've tightend them as much as they'll go. - Lisandra P.

To practice listening, throw a cd of your favorite artists doing a solo in the stereo, crank it up and listen closely for rudiments. Then try to imitate the same things you heard. Then if you can obtain a movie clip of it, see if you were correct. (Drumline is a good idea for marching percussionists) - Paul

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I have played since 2. I have giged with everyone from REO to Prince. I did clinics with Billy cobham for tama. I wont say who I am. The most important thing about drumming is it is dynamics. How dynamic? Right down to the throw of each swing to the hit of the drum head. If you have problems holding sticks, you are doing it wrong. Practice this.

Take your arm, while holding a stick, and in slow motion, go thru the full path to hitting the head of the drum. As you start the swing, you grip on the stick should be minimal. as you approach the head it slowly should become a stronger grip. until just the very instant before the stick strikes, your grip should increase to a strength porportional to the power you intend for that single hit. Then as you retract the stick the power of the grip gradualy reduces.

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That is how dynamic playing drums are. If each and every swing of your arm and hands dont do this, and you are intune with it at each and every moment, no matter what speed you are playing,,,, then you are not doing it right. If you cant do this,ever after trying for 4 yrs max, Give up trying to be professional. To feel the music, you must feel every instant and be in total tune with your body. Druming is the art of delivering rythmic ENERGY. You must be in full control of that energy, thru each swing.to be able to deliver it to other people's senses..

If you practice just delivering the right timming , you only have 10% of what is needed. A drummer in perfect time without dynamics is called a click track....... A single cymble can deliver unlimited sounds using dynamics. Find all the tones of each drum and cymble you have. I can make one ton sound like ten in real time as I play it. Even change the pitch.If you cant, then you dont know the instument. It is not a circle you just hit. It is as infinate as the human voice. sensitive to YOUR touch. How and How hard you touch it. Envision your drum kit with each piece having this infinate ability, and from behind it you will see a new world as you look at it and play it. - joe

Drum Bum

Work on beats that just use your toms and snare speed up the beats more and more. This will make your hands faster and you will sound better. - Tobias

___---B-R-E-A-T-H-E---___
Be it Rhythmic, Algorithmic or Polyrhythmic.
It is absolutely essential that your natural body sustain a natural rhythm because, YES, it is Mathematical. Thanks to the Greeks, this is where we get the word as well as the principle of "rhythmos" (rhythm) and "arithm" (arithmetic), meaning numbers. We know all too well that if our hearts do not sustain a certain number of B.P.Ms, we're either healthy or "otherwise. This is determined by numbers. Not only do we have to play it by the numbers, but we have to live it as such. We're in a "Recurring Mathematical Process" that all living things cannot escape.
This is one aspect of our craft that's almost totally disregarded. Ask an Olympic Triathlete.
So hey, even if we play from the heart, we STILL have to be in RHYTHM. During your practice time, designate and structure certain days where you pay attention to your breathing. Learn to relax. If you struggle with playing in either "mixed" meters, or in odd or polyrhythmic time sigs, Behold, you're already doing it! Now, all you have to do is pay attention to YOUR rhythm.
If you really and truly want to gain some wisdom, learning and understanding on the subject, read what Plato wrote about rhythm. He wrote more than dialogues. The difference is the revelation. Insight for Oversight baby!! It's more than "STICKS, TRICKS AND LICKITY SPLITS." NOW, "TAKE A DEEP BREATH", said the doctor. - Eddie Santos

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Theres nothing wrong with a second hand instrument (in most cases) we all take good care of are drums dont we so if your thinking of upgrading seek out the sellers and get better for less - Indie
Get lessons from pros by listening to what they play and using their styles only using your own little style along with it then you will find what music is best for you to play. - kyler ramp
Your snare has five different sounds it can make.
1. Standard hit in the center of the drum. This produces the basic sound your snare has.
2. Standard rimshot in the center of the drum. This has a nice loud, full snare sound, great for the chorus.
3. Standard hit on the inside or shoulder, of the head. If you have a dot on your snare this hit would take place right on the outside of the dot. It allows the snare head to vibrate a little more and is where I normally play my snare. That way it doesn't always sound "choked".
4. The outside rimshot. This hit is in the first 2 inches on the outside of the drum next to the rim. It creates a very high pitched, resonant sound. It is realy good for nice, tight backbeats.
5. And the sidestick, which is laying the stick across the head and rim, and hitting the rim. Combining the main 4 hits can make excellent beats and combinations with your playing. Experiment! - Joey Feci
Try a small piece of Two-ply toilet paper between the bottom snare skin and the snare brush, slide it about two inches from the rims edge. The sound is awsome; Clean and powerful.. - Mike Borgia

Experiment with different size sticks to find the right pair for you,A different size or even brand of sticks can encourage many styles of playing. - Tim wells

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Chocolate is good, great with peanuts, but another way to remember Triplets is....TRI-PL-ET. VOILA`! - Eddie Santos

I find it easier to play double pedal when the pedals are closer together! - HOSAYA MORALEZ

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If you can try and use both ends of your drumstick to make you go twice as fast with one stick! - kevin
I am trying to get better too so never stop learning no matter how far you have got in your life. You can always go farther. - Jason

Put a book on your drum to make it not echo!!! - Christopher B.

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If you use your chinese cymbal excessivly turn it upside down on the stand during practice to avoid warping and bending - Tim wells
1st Listen/study.. 2nd Visualize.. and 3rd Command your hands and feet! - Paul Lacsamana
Have lots of fun - micky evans
After thirty years playing drums and induction into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame, there is but one tip I can give. Be true to yourself and your music. Do this and the rest will come! - Colonel Robert Morris

Having Trouble Building Stamina For Double Kick?? Ever listen to that one metal song where you hear the drummer doing double kick through whole song, and you cant even last 30 seconds? As with your hands you can play fast with a burst of energy. You can do the same with your feet, but the key is to keep working on that burst until you can hold it for... well how ever long you feel like. Here's a simple excercise to take into consideration... Just play one measure repeating of a "burst" I will call it. The burst will be in 16th notes. You will start off by playing atleast 4 notes, those being 1-e-and-a (you decide the bpm)next you would burst with playing 1-e-and-a 2 and next to 1-e-and-a 2-e and so on and so on... you play until you can burst all 16 notes evenly. Once you can do a full measure add another measure but start off only playing the first 4 notes, or if you feel you can play more increase it, so you would end up playing 1-e-and-a 2-e-and-a 3-e-and-a 4-e-and-a 1-e-and-a! Get it?? and you just but keep bursting away until you can play endless measures once you have it down.. increase the bpm. hope that helps, take care! - Andre

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The Band depends on you for dynamics. Try to find places in music that can be played softly. dynamics are a vital part of songs. - Chris

Getting bored with crappy pop drummers with no talent other than playing simple crap and acting like they are gods of the drumset? listen to some metal for a while and you'll never go back...i recommend the technical metal bands for example cryptopsy (best metal drummer in the world) between the buried and me (most talented metal band i've heard) dillinger escape plan (runner up to most talented) and so fourth, also prog metal like dream theater, etc. is very inspiring. i know it's not easy to listen to some of this because its just really intense, but listen to the drums and you'll realize that you've been missing out and also that you have a long way to go before you're a really good drummer...broaden your musical horizons and you will be that much better - osh

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ALWAYS REMEMBER!: Any song can be played with the right amount of practice and concentration. Start slow and keep at it, improving your speed as you go along. - ROBO MAC
If you have an spare/old pair of hi-hats set them up seperatly like a cymbal, The top hi-hat has a crash like tone whereas the bottom hi-hat has a ride cymbal texture - Tim wells

If you play a lot of brushes and are stuck somewhere with a smooth snare batter, sandpaper doesn't always do the trick. Try lightly scoring the head with the back of a knife point in a cross-hatch pattern. This will extend a head's brush life for weeks. - Peter Couling

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Bass drum technique: all you do is to have ur foot flat on the bass pedal. you then hit the bass while lifting your and then drop you foot heal first. ya get a pretty cool double bass drum sound. {who ever didnt know this is an idiot} haha - army.3
Try using a flicking motion with your hand to get a faster hight-hat or cymbal beat - ddd
Always carry a spare drum key with you at a gig! coz if your playing a gig in the dark the bastards can be difficult to find. - sam.g
Don't play for money play for fun - lindsay Gilreath

To play like tre cool hit the symbols alot - josh

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If you have a steel snare drum that is rusty use steel wool(the kind you use for washing the dishes) and a little bit of water, stip the snare of all parts to clean the whole snare, you can also clean the hoops. BRAND NEW SNARE DRUM! - Tim wells

Practice dosent make perfect with drums but it helps more than anhthing! - next_big_drummer

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If you're playing a relatively simple straight 8th's pattern such as:

H |x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-|
S |----xx-G-G--X-XX|
B |x--x--x-x--x-x--|

That you think could use a little spicing up, instead just playing your right hand on only the hats... try alternating your hits between the hats, and ghost notes on the snare.

Your right hand will be like...

H |x---x---x---x---|
S |--G---G---G---G-|

And the beat, therefore, will be...

H |x---x---x---x---|
S |--G-xxGG-GG-X-FX|
B |x--x--x-x--x-x--|

It's a very simple, useful technique when your beat needs some funkyfying. Just don't use it where it's not needed, such as in the middle of a rock-ballad keyboard solo!... - Jimmy Jimmyson

After you have done a fill and you want to hit the cymbal , hit the bass at the same time if you want to go back in to a rock beat. - Marc Pitsos

I just wanna say how much of a great site this is and how much JOEY JORDISON rocks. He is my inspiration and thats why I am going to better than him in a few years time. Peace out! - JOEY JORDISON

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I've found that Gibson Pump Polish in the orange bottle makes shells shine. - Carl Holz
Hey, younger drummers. If you're just starting out with a practice pad in your school, and there's another drummer there who makes fun of you, DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THEM! I remember, when i was your age, i was in your situation... there was this one guy named Mike who was way better than me, and he just insulted me and kept telling me to give up, and generally tried to make every time i went to a band practice miserable for me. But hey, i ignored him the best i could, never gave up, always tried my best, and look at me today. I can play relatively hard drumset beats, while Mike can't even play quarter notes on a bass to accompany quarter notes played on a snare. - Jimmy Jimmyson
Transcribe the drum part from a song that you have learned by ear. Strive for accuracy and be patient. You'll gain a new appreciation for the artist and sharpen your ears and analytical skills. - CHRIS RYAN
Someone said to not play double bass when you first start out; to wait a couple years. I think that if you start out on double bass and practice everything with both feet, you will save a lot of hassle trying to even them out later. (Eg. When I got my double bass pedal, my bass player could double kick better than me, because his right foot was just as strong as his left, and he can't drum to save his life.) - Kyle Burns

Drum on the softest surface possiable like a pollow this will increase your speed - Mike (mundy)

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AS far as gaining good independence with double bass, which is key to playing to bands such as Disturbed, Dreamtheatre, Tool and mudvayne, practice your normal single bass on the opposite foot, so whatever your used to playing with your right, learn to play with your left. - Drummer -endless entrapment. - Jeremy Smith

"Floating" your drum heads: When you change heads,wax your bearing edges by running a crayon over them before fitting new heads. This allows for more precise tuning, and lets the head vibrate more openly and float off the bearing edge when struck. - DH

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Play with ur heart,,just enjoy it,, its like playin ur favorite playstation game,,trust me,,rock on,, -inspired drummer- - ruel
To build up your non prefered hand play the hihat open-handed with your opposite hand. So if you are right handed play the hihat with your left hand open handed and the other way around if you are left handed. - Ben

NEVER TENSE up when you play the drums. This inhibits your flexibility and dramatically slows your playing. Sit on your throne and relax for about 2 minutes before you start playing, even at gigs (who cares if the audience thinks you odd?) - Matt O.

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A fast way to warm up your hands and wrist before practice or a gig is to run them under hot water and lightly massage. then stretch; my favorite stretch is a yoga asana called reverse namaste....check it out!peace. - hodges

Drummer DVDs

Play along to CD's ANY CD's. Most modern albums are recorded to a metronome which will help your time. Also it will help with your approch to different styles of music. It will give you the perspective of the way the drummer in the song approched it and a good idea of how to approch a song in that style. Plus it gives you the chance to play with the best past and present. - Adam Greenberg
When warming up before practice or a gig, I stretch with a pair of stix in each hand. - Marke
I find that when playing double-bass pedals you are better off not using them all the time. If you are a death metal person then you have to use them a lot of the time just not all the time. When you are in a Hardcore metal band (Scars of Tomorrow, Throwdown) I really find it sounding better when you use a quick tap with each pedal instead of hitting one pedal once. Try it and let me know what you think. - Jon Fry

If you find your self tapping with your hands or with your feet alot don't stop... People may thinck it's annoying but if your do it then you can increase your speed on your bass pedal and your might just find out a great fill.

PS. If your find yourself finding out cool fills all the time but when you get home you can't remember them then carry a notebook around with you and WRITE THEM DOWN!!!

PSS. Don't leave the coffee machine on. it might just burn your drums... :) - DDD

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Mike Portnoy... Best Drummer IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check him out in the band Dream Theater or on his website. - DDD

MYTH:Ringo is the best drummer in the world.FACT:Niel Piert is - tony

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I play death metal and I play fast most of the time. When I play a part that requires fast double bass I bring my feet back to the middle of my pedals and use mostly lower calf and ankle muscles sort of twiching on key. - josh W
MAKE BEST OUT OF CHEAP SET...buy a really cheap set...then change everything from hihat stand to cybals to heads to drum pedals...youll save a whole lot of money for the time being...so when you save up enough...all you have to do is buy the shells and your sets complete!..peace!! - travwes

For beginning drummers or for drummers who ignore this exercise, NEVER avoid practicing double stroke rolls. They can make your simplest fills sound very impressive to the average crowd or observer. - Michael

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If you are a right handed drummer, during the beat of a song, use your snare hand to hit the toms while still keeping the beat with the hi hat and bass drum. - brian
When you practice drums dont just practice on your good side practice on both sides to gang more strength in your weak hand for more speed - Matt
Dynamics - When doing you single stroke roll,start at a tempo of 60 then go up untill your fastest(play 16th notes), try to do your singles at about 8in. from your snare then go smaller(about 3in.). Try this all around your set and during your fills to build up your dynamics. - Clinton ''Sypher'' Dutton
Go to see different bands all the time, and watch the drummers. A lot of the time you'll see a great drummer. If you do, just remember or take notes of some of the things he did, or how his kit was different from yours. TRY IT OUT! Also listening to drummers on CD is good. - Steve Beynon

Hmmm lets see....o if u want to make an louder and lower bass sound put like a blanket or pillows or some of those leather things and put it in there it really sounds good! - John

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IF YOU KNOW HOW TO COUNT DRUM STEPS:heres a basic one to play...:1=hit the bass and the high hat at the same time..2=hit the high hat..3=hit the high hat again and hit the snare drum..4=and then the last one just hit the high hat again!lol if u jus want it to sound a lil bit better, hit 2 basses at the count 2 after the first whole thing it sounds great if u play it fast o and one more thing if u do it 4 times, hit the snare 2 times alternating ur left and rite hand, then hit the snare again with the left and and the rite hand hits like the drums at the sides and then do the snare again with ur left and rite hand his the other part of the drum then hit the cymbal loudly.. lol this is alot of typing for me hehe - JOHNNY

Hey, advice? Never play more than you can handle. When I first started off I was way over my head... I wanted to play Dream Theater, System of a Down, and all that good stuff but I was sh*t. Everyone made fun of me at school, I had my head phones on and i was drumming away to my favorite song while in reality it was merely noise. Moral? Play to YOUR potential, not someone elses ;)... O and if you guys are wondering, my band can now EASILY play stuff like Stream of Conciousness, or As I am (both by Dream Theater)... Practice is the key man! ~ Rock on! - Neville

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If you're having trouble counting in a song at the right tempo, sing or hum a few bars of the chorus first. This will help getting the tempo right. - Steven Crew
Have fun with drums we it is a really fun thing to play - brian

Try not to slice. Slicing is when you don't hit the drum straight up and down. When the drumstick comes down on the drum at an angle, it bounces the other way. This means you have to use a little more work to bring the stick back to the next playing position for the next hit. (Tip: Play in front of a mirror with you sticking pointing toward the mirror and see if you are slicing.) - Scott Goodmundson

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In order to increase strength, endurance, and speed in your non-dominant foot for the double bass, drive your car by using your non-dominant foot to accelerate and break. it may be a little uncomfortable at first, but it works. and i got better because of it. this is perfect for long trips. feel the burn!!! - lewis
Dont be sacred to lay it into your drums.. you are the boos.. be a little bit aggressive... AND ALWAYS HAVE FUN... DO IT BECAUSE IT IS FUN, DONT DO IT FOR ANY OTHER REASONS< BECAUSE YOU WILL END UP HATING IT. - omar Ahmed
When learning to play faster on the bass, theres an exersize that may help. if u play with out a pedal and go "heel down" and with one foot pick your foot up and hold for a second and go back down, and do this 10 times , and on the 10th one hold it for 10 seconds. then alternate feet - dane milanovic
I've been playing the drums since i was 3 and my tip is to lead your self on with what ever hand you do more stuff with. - patrick

To strengthen your weak hand, do things with them that you would normally do with your dominant hand such as: brushing your teeth, combing your hair, eating, writing, etc. - angel leon guerrero

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If you keep tuning your tom's and snare all the time but you cant get the sound you want... try buying a muffeling rings thier like 12 dollars and inprove your set alot. - Zac E.

Hold your drumsticks at a comfortable position, where you want. This makes you have more control. - chris scott

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If you cant play somthing take it bit by bit then build up speed and make it perfect - locky chong
Drum hoops. Make sure when purchasing any drum set check for any defects from the hoops as dented hoops might cause damage to shells. - Martin soh

Do not lubricate tuning lugs as it will cause your drums to go off tune more drastically due to vibration when hitting it. - Martin soh

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When your drumming you should always be subcontiously using dynamics. Lets say you take evrything you know about druming and put it in a "tool box" when you take 2 seperate ideas and put them together you almost always end up with something really cool and origional. use syncopation - mark
If you really want to develop good double-bass chops, practice every day. I usually sit behind a desk, and pretend the floor is the pedals. Keeping doing that to develop some good racehorse-like legs. - Kalvin
If you use a pillow with a single-headed 28" bass drum, you've always got somewhere to sleep! - John Prior
Be sure there are no splinters in your drumsticks before you play a gig - jick bumbleblu

DO NOT USE A MARKER PEN to make where your cymbal stands were last. Use the memory locks on the stands as these are what their made for. - mogs

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Practising: When you are learning new patterns/ grooves...you must, not only, repeat these again and again, and again (we're not talking 16 or 32 measures) but play them, depending on your skill-level, in some cases for 5 minutes straight without stoping! You must play them "Realistically"...So what does that mean? Play them with the same dynamic level, intensity, feel, tempo, relaxation, etc. that you will ultimately be performing them for your live audience. Practise as a Professional...Perform as a Professional! - Jacob Kaye

When always using a cymbal. If you hit and close right away it makes a new sound or should i say pitch depending on how tight you clench it. - joe

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It doesent matter how good you are, someone will allways be better than you.You might thin your all that but it doesent matter, drums is like a sport, no one likes a show off saying there the best. - Matt v
Listen to John Bonham's drum solo in "moby dick"(Led zepellin) - nicky

Before drumming, put your wrists under hot water to loosen up the muscles - Lucas

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Quite often, you will be listening to our favourite metal track, and you'll notice that the double bass beats have a very definite thud to them rather than the more boomy sound most drum kits give. You can emulate this sound by buying a set od double bass skin reinforcer stickers, and sticking a two pence piece on the underside of it. You'll get a very definite click type boom from your drum that sounds very metal! - Pete
Respect all kinds of musicians, and music. You'll learn more! - Greg
When you are playing if you drop ur sticks try using them up side down - eric
People who list Ringo Starr as the best drummer,obviously have not heard of any other drummers. - Jason

When playing lots of double bass dont limit yourself to solid patterns such as straight 16th or triplets, and alternate your "heel up" and "heel down" techniques for differnt patterns. I've found that I can play long shows without fatigue if I play heel-down for simple patterns and play heel-up to articulate more complex patterns. Practive is good, but bad practice leads to bad habits, perfect practice makes perfect - Adam R

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If you have an old cracked or keyholed cymbal DONT throw it away! Make a clock out of it. Just get a clock like at the dollar store and take it apart and line the clock part up with the cymbal and hot glue it on. There you go. - TJ

I have found that the faster your hands are moving the faster and more consistant your feet will be. - Ky Richardson

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Mount your cowbell on the leg of your floor tom closest to your low rack tom. Lower the floor tom just a little bit so you have more access to the bell and play some drum rudiments and fills with your low rack tom, your floor tom the bell is attached to and the bell itself. You should get nice, random sounding sharp sounds from the bell mixed with a sort of tribal tom pattern. Play the bell with the meat of your stick(thick neck section) so it is louder than the toms. - adam weston, best drummer in ireland

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Try using tympani mallets on your kit. Toms get less overtones and more of the true note of the drum, cymbals sound more dry, try doing a buzz roll on a crash, starting lightly and then getting heavier , makes a real sort of orchestric effect - adam weston, best drummer in ireland

Don't drop your drums on the pavement. That's bad. Play every instrument you can, but don't be a "jack of all trades". Pick one (drums in this case) and focus most of your attention to it. But work to be proficient at other instruments, especially the rhythm section (drums, piano, guitar, bass). Singing is good too. - ???? Flanders

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Handrums are a worthwhile thing to spend extra money on. It's fun, and extremely useful in alternative drumming situations. - ???? Flanders
You dont always have to seperate your two hihat symbals a full inch. it can sound really cool if you just make them just "sizzle" for a while. - Ty
CEREAL we all need cereal are bodys get tired and cereal is easy to make and not allot of work after your done you practice i know those arms get tired - Jesse
Nothing beats a steady drummer - Paul Kodzis

When im trying to teach myself something on my set i often have the urge to hit other drums and fool around so my cousin took away everything i did not need for that lesson and i actualy got focused. (we were doing some stuff with only the bass snare and high hat and i kept wailing out on everything else) - vince

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Hit harder - Fred

When i change heads on my drums i always get a dinner plate, put it in the centre of the skin and draw round it, then cut on the line and cut once again at the edge of the skin. Voila home made ozones! - james

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Keep the pieces of your kit in tight, don't spread it all out too far, bring each piece in as much as is possible to keep it looking slick, and also easier to play. Also, don't tilt your toms too much or your cymbals. UGLY look and you can't get a decent crash out of them. Try flattening them out with a subtle tilt. Also remember, less is more. Play tight with tasty fills, don't overdo it. - anonymous
GRIPPING: u need a FIRM grip when hitting unless you are rolling. this prevents the bouncing effect n it makes the sound much clearer. - DEE-ana

Want a killer kick drum sound? Aquarian superkick drumheads - locdog

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You can do one handed rolls by balancing your stick on the rim of a drum (lets say the snare) try moving the stick in a sea saw motion if done correctly you can emulate the sound of a double stroke roll with one hand - corpul8djuice
HAVE SOME CHANGE... if your a hard workin' drummer like myself, and you pratice the same beats alot so you can try in get than perfect...Dont!!!.. try and learn a new beat or a new thing that you can encorperate in your music like cowbells on the hi hat or buy yourself a trashy cymbal to get your drumming a "different" sound to your playing than the normal.... :p....- ZaC.....
When you are precting a song and dont get it right away pay attention to your mistakes some tiems a really cool beat will end up comming out of it - dustin
Travis Barker started off as a binman and practised 5 hours a day look where he is now!!! whatever you do don't give up - tom w

Dont hit th.e sticks on the edges of the cymbols - garrett shearer

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Take a couple deep breaths to come youre self domwn if you get fruterated - nick

Tto gain stick speed try this on a pillow where you have no bounce-RR LL RR LL... it really helps. - justin bensin

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I know this sounds weird but once you get used to playing with a metronome, play with it set to a different tempo. Focus on that tempo while keeping the beat to the thing your playing. If you can stand this much distraction, you;ll be able to stand anything! - Samantha Parsons
Have fun! be spontaniuos! play what you want to play dont try to play something you think some one else will like. - justin bensin

Anyone can drum, but if you can really get your body and soul into the whole groove, it will really show. No one will know why they are catching onto your beat instead of everyine elses', even if its the exact same beat, if you put heart into it, people will sense it - anonymous

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Need some mallets in an emergency situation? Put a cymbal felt on each drum stick.You should have extras in your repair kit that you carry. It works in a pinch.stick them with some tape on the stick neck. - Steve Hlabse
Play with people who are better than you are - it'll give you something to look up to. THEN go and do the same for up and coming players be their inspiration! - Simon White
Take as many gigs as you can. Play outside of your comfort zone - you never know you may just suprise yourself - Simon White

Start playing drums when you are young and start with a friend so that you can motivate each other. - Ryan

Drum Rudiments

Hey, for you drummers who like ur toms low and thuddy, i found a really cool tuning technique that can help you. Im sure you all kno that when you try to tune ur toms low, u loose all tone, but, if you tighten you bottomw head to a higher tension then the top head, you can tune the top head low and the bottom head will carry out the tone. - Trevor

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Instead of a conventional fillin, why not break into a totally different time signature (playing four bars of 3/3 in a 4/4 part). This will bring attention to the drumming in a classy way. - patch

Join or form a band. Even if its only having a mate round with his guitar, its fun and is great for improving improvisation. - Kempo

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