[DrummerXXX]

Hi. I'm a new drummer and had only 2 lessons can you give me some tips to help me improve? 10x.

[STNDRUMS]

Give a general idea of what you want to improve on and everyone on the forum would be glad to help.

[skinslapper]

Make sure you stick with the lessons and always use the metronome.

[mouse]

Work on getting your wrists loosened up. Many learners are stiff at first and tend to use arm movements which are restrictive. After some warm ups ( your tutor should have shown some) and using a correct grip, do some even repetitions of singles, slowly and evenly building up the speed to as far as you can go until they become ragged or uneven. Don't over do it, takes things as far as you can until you start to feel tired, stop, and then go back to it when you have relaxed. Stones Stick Control book has plenty of easy exercises to work with.
Learning to relax is as important as having fun with it.
Important to work the weaker hand to match your stronger hand, work the feet using the same exercises as the hands.
You can't learn to be a drummer in 10 simple moves, it takes a lot of practice, patience,perserverance and learning for a lifetime. Keep trying, you will get there. The rewards are simply outstanding.

[Church Drummer]

I am fairly new to set drumming myself, I did play some mallet percussion, and other percussion parts as required back in highschool. I've found that warming up with the rudiments has been very helpful to me. Starting slow and gradually picking up speed. Like Skinslapper said use a metronome. It's challenging, and frustrating but definately worth while. It's made me realize how much as a guitarist I depend on the drums to keep my tempo steady. Now that I'm the drummer it's up to me, and practicing with the metronome at home has definately helped me keep steadier time when I play with the band at church.

[UPSTROKE]

church drummer-- Just listen to Mouse. He is absolutely right.
My only advice--the first 5 minutes--go extremely slow--metronome set at about 40 for 1/4 notes. Use your arms at that level. As you pick up speed (about every 5 minutes) -gradually bring the motion down to you fore arms, wrists, fingers.
It's great hearing some one trying to start out right. Keep it up.

[Church Drummer]

Quote from Upstroke: church drummer-- Just listen to Mouse. He is absolutely right.

I don't disagree with him, the first thing I do is warm up using a single stroke role very slowing gradually picking up speed as he described. Then I move on to the other rudiments in the same way. Definately agree with him, and I plan on picking up the Stick control book he recommends also.

[Smee]

I have been playing many years but I am still learning, you never stop you hear something one day and think that's good I will have a go at that.
Never be afraid to try something new......................

[silentbelle]

i did a few lesson, but when i never made drumline i was a bit discouraged, so i stopped them. Wish i hadn't. But when not in a lesson find a song with a drum beat you like and try to mimic the sounds, that's what i did and i'm doing pretty good. and also just play, because the more you play the better you get. But keep up thoose lessons. There is no 'quick' way to get better.

[mouse]

This is something i read on Simon Phillip's web site, (one of my favourites)
and it is IMO good advice worth sharing. Not to say you can get away without a good basic study of rudiments as they are so helpful.
Following his advice my pick of a great video showing playing un-technically and feeling good is Steve Jordan The Groove is Here. If you have some spare pocket money, add to your collection.
Another example of simplicity but effective is a fill i like to use (Steve Ferrone's uses it heaps) is simply in a bar of four, playing a single beat and 3 rests, very effective.

Simon Phillip's
" ... i'm not really up to speed with what drum books or teaching methods are available these days. I had to figure out most of that stuff on my own as when I was starting out there weren't so many books available and certainly no videos. I would suggest that if there is a particular drummer you like then find out whether he or she has a book out and get a copy - or a video might be more entertaining. However please don't forget the main reason to play is to play music - not execute rudiments at blinding speed. It's a nice party trick and certainly nothing wrong with a formidable technique - but it is more important to be able to play different styles with a great feel and musicality. I learned pretty much everything I know from playing along with records! "