Need some tips...

stangfromhale · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 03:04 PM

What can I do to increase speed with my hands? Are there excersises that I can do? My friend keeps telling me it will come with time and practice, but I don't know how to practice to get the coordination and speed. Should I just focus on the rudiments and try to increase that way?

Thanks in advance.

Harry · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 05:01 PM

Hi Stangfromhale,

What worked for me was reversing the tasks of the hands, in other words, (in my case) try to work the highats and ride cymbal with the lefthand, (I am right-handed) for it is the weaker hand that holds us back. My progress was remarkable.
You might even end up to be able to play open handed, which I have not achieved yet1

Cheers and happy drumming,

Harry

stangfromhale · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 05:11 PM

Thanks Harry. I'm actually more comfortable using my left hand on the high hat rather than crossing my hands to play the snare and high hat (it's weird I know). I'm right handed, so I will definitely try your suggestion. What I'm really having trouble with is fast rolls. My coordination isn't good enough yet to nail those super fast rolls. Any input on what I could do?

Also, when you say open handed, what do you mean? This is only the 3rd day I've had my kit, so my knowledge base isn't that great yet.

Church Drummer · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 07:02 PM

Besides working on increasing your speed with the Rudiments there is a book that you should check out I think might help. It's George L. Stone's "Stick Control for the Snare Drummer"

**skinslapper** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 08:56 PM

Firstly man, it's awsome that you are learning open-hand technique. That is such a great way to play. Opens you up to many different possibilities that we cross overs just don't have.

Secondly, you hit the nail on the head. Keep doing as many rudiments as you've got, with as many different grips, with the metronome going (always), keep increasing the speed and before you know it you'll be burning holes through your skins.

jhilldrums · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 10:01 PM

Rudiments Rudiments Rudiments....... I still hate my drum teacher. I thought he was nuts.....DUH. Keep doing the rudiments and work the offhand. I like that line, "for it is the offhand that slows us down". Biblical.

stangfromhale · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 11:27 PM

Thanks for all the tips guys. I'm sure everyone has been where I'm at when they first start out (wanting to be Neal Pert on the first day, lol), but I know it's gonna take a lot of practice. I'm glad I've got a place to go now for support.

On a side note, I was thinking (while I was trying to get my snare where I want it to be today), it would be cool if we had a section on different snare sounds and how people got them tuned to achieve the sound that they wanted. Just a thought...

juan (the ping-pong ref.) · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 03:45 PM

well, it is true, it does come with time, and if you're a beginner, you shouldn't be worrying about speed. focus on your beats.

but, with me it was kind of weird because i got much faster after i bought brushes for my church, and then jammed with them late at night. i don't know why. eigther way you'll get some good speed with in a year of playing.

hitman311 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 08:54 PM

Really the only advice is to practice, practice, practice. There are no short cuts, no magic device that makes you faster.
Like Juan stated, you're a beginner and you should be more concerned with clean, precise execution more than speed at this point.
Practice your rudiments and always make time in your practice session to work on your weak side, both feet and hands, and just to jam and stay loose. The faster you try to play the more tendency you have to tighten up. Aim to play as fast as you can without tensing up and the moment you tighten up slow down again and start slower. The speed will come eventually.
Good Luck!

stangfromhale · #10 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the tips. I was fooling around today and think I came up with a good little exercise to get me warmed up. It's the basic rock beat, but I move my right hand around the cymbals. I do 4 beats on high hats, 4 on crash, 4 on ride and 4 on the china. Then I just move back across. I know it's simple, but it seems to help me loosen up some. It's actually 1/16ths on the cymbals and 1/8th on the bass and snare. I'm starting to have fun. Now if I could just get my left foot to cooperate...