mvm.

So – – you wanna be a drummer. *sigh* come on then, get aboard. There’s just enough room for one of yous.

Before I let you go any further, I must give you some ground rules first …

1. Enjoy the journey – because otherwise, what’s the point?
2. Listen just as much as you play – listening can broaden your playing skills – especially if you’re listening to the best of them all.
3. No drummer/musician is your enemy – respect the drum community; help other drummers out – they may need help just as you do
4. Be patient – like with every instrument, learning progressively will take time – and you should accept that; the sooner the better.
5. Jokes will fly your way. You’re a drummer, that’s what you have chosen, you must deal with the consequences. When the bassist is not there, you will face the brunt of the jokes. If they start getting to you just remember; you are the time-keeper; they’d be god awful without you. They solely rely on you to look good. Remember that.
6. Expect to spend a LOT of money. The drums is definitely up there with the most expensive instruments to play, as there are so many separate parts that come with it.
7. Stick tricks are pointless. Every kid and dog when they start playing drums want to not actually play the drums but waste time, fiddling with their sticks trying to flip them in the air and catch them again. I know there’s drummers who love doing it, and it looks cool within a groove, but me – I’d rather learn my instruments then deal with showboating. Let your drums do the talking.
8. As soon as you pick up those sticks, your life won’t be the same ever again. So get ready.

Right, so now that’s sorted, we can proceed!

I’ll give you another list of need-to-know basic terms for you to get your head around. Because – everyone loves lists.

• RUDIMENTS – when you begin drumming, you’ll come across these bad boys. They’re something that sticks with you throughout your drumming journey. Because, they are so damn important. I had forgotten how important they actually were. They help you develop your hand speed, your stick comfort/control and developing fills across your kit.  So get learning ’em! SINGLE STROKE ROLLS (RLRLRL) DOUBLE STROKE ROLLS (RRLL) PARADIDDLES (RLRRLRLL) These are three most common rudiments – but of course, there’s loads more.
• THRONE – this is where your behind sits when you’re bashing away; we call it this, as it makes us feel more important. Height and position of the throne is important, as it can affect how you play; so get it right!
• MATCHED/TRADITIONAL GRIP – there are two types on how we hold a drumstick. Matched grip is the populous choice, and is the more “pop-py,” modern grip as opposed to the traditional grip, which jazz drummers and military drummers fashion.

• COMMON TIME – this is the time signature of 4/4 (common time) – the most popular and used time signature within music; signifying 4 beats in a bar. Of course, you get different time signature with varying stages of difficulty that comes along with it (3/4, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8 etc.) – these are counted differently, so the groove is shifted in accordance to the time signature. {more on this in the future}
• CLICK TRACK / METRONOME – This is a drummers’ most handy tool; it helps you keep in time with a metronome and as time-keepers, it’s important to get this locked down as soon as possible.

For now, this is all I’m gonna give you for part 1. Be sure to be around to catch part 2, when I get around to it …

That’s all from me.

Alex