[Tommatt]

lol, but seriously. It seems for the most part, they're only used in fills. Thats all I have been using them for (been drumming 3 months or so) but theres some songs that have some really cool tom beats. They don't sound like a typical 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and beat though.

I"m trying to add some variety to my drumming, as I seem to fall into certain beats I really like.

Anybody care to shed some lite on those magical toms?

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I didn't want to make 2 seperate posts, but does anybody have any good pratice tips for double shots? I can do 16th notes in between high-hats, and am even working on getting a triplet in there, but the double shots just are missing something. I'm guessing I need to work on my double stroke rolls for this technique am I right? If so, could somebody explain the technique of a DSR using moeller method? ( I had to stop my lessons for a couple months as I'm house shopping)

Thanks everyone.

[skinslapper]

I like your attitude. Let me never be content, always look for something different. You've only been at it for three months, so those tricky tom beats won't be coming to you just yet, but don't fret. sooner or later, with practise, you'll figure out how to fit them together. Pick some songs you like with the beats and have a go at emulating them. Don't afraid to stuff up, just keep going.

As for the double strokes, I can totally sympathise. I had trouble with those myself. My teacher always told me not to push the stick into the headto get the bounce, but I found that if I did that repeatedly, then worked on the subtleties, I got much better results.

Get that house of yours, then get back to lessons. Seriously, you'll regret it if you don't.

[Church Drummer]

There are a couple of tunes we do that I use the toms on, and hardly use any cymbals. Try moving your ride patern onto the toms instead of a cymbal. this is really effective on the floor tom for a real deep driving sound. Probably works best if you do it for a section of the song (like the bridge, to give it a little contrast). Experiment and play around a little.

[CJDG]

As far as the toms go… just keep at it. If you really want to work your creativity then remove your snare out of the picture for a few weeks. It is easy to rely on the snare for
Everything… but if it isn’t there…

Moeller is a tool for the tool belt. It is a great system that I have been working over a year to perfect… I have a ways to go yet. Most of the advanced sticking revolves around being able to utilize the balance point of the stick. I’d suggest ensuring that you take time to feel what your hands are doing, feel the rebound, then feel the rebound off the different elements of your kit. What makes it tough is unless you are using electronic pads every drum will feel different.

I have heard several tricks to doubles. Try them out and see what works for you.

1. Accent the second tap of the double and slowly build your speed.
2. Rock your wrist… meaning let the rebound of the stick move you wrist back… then snap the wrist on your upstroke with the fingers to get the second beat.
3. Work on a pillow… which offers no rebound and you have to rely on your muscle strength alone.

My personal favorite… in the car… My dashboard hates me. I carry sticks in the car. Whenever I reach a light or even just driving I select one hand to play whatever I am listening to on the dashboard. Be creative with it. You can play the bass and snare, or the hi-hat/ride, and most important… try to copy the drum fills with just one hand. Over time you will build up strength… and if you have a long commute you will have a long practice. Now I wouldn’t recommend doing this if you are a poor driver…. And I drive stick as well so it can be done driving stick

[ded548]

Well, welcome to the drumming community! My advice... Don't let those toms go unused! I like to keep a nice beat goin' on the bass while thumpin' around on the toms only. Then throwing in a cymbal when the mix is just right. You can really build up some wrist control by doing things like the old "Chips A'hoy" song.

Jazz licks always have some cool tom sounds... Tinker and enjoy!

[CJDG]

A nice album to hear some good tom licks is:

Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese

If you have never heard Tim "Herb" Alexander play he does a great job with toms. He had just got a set of Pork Pie Percussion drums and wasn't familiar with playing that kit. They recorded the album while he was still learning the feel of that kit. Pretty cool stuff from him.

	Pork Pie Percussion Shop for Pork Pie Percussion at Musician's Friend

[Funkee Drummer]

Originally Posted by CJDG

A nice album to hear some good tom licks is:

Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese

If you have never heard Tim "Herb" Alexander play he does a great job with toms. He had just got a set of Pork Pie Percussion drums and wasn't familiar with playing that kit. They recorded the album while he was still learning the feel of that kit. Pretty cool stuff from him.

Tim is a monster! But anywho. Remember that the toms are the melody of the drum kit. Here is a list of songs you should download and listen to to see what I mean.

Tool- Lateralus (jungle groove starts at 1:38)
Tool- Aenima
Rick James- Give it to Me Baby
Primus- Over the Electric Grapevine (Tim is the drummer on this track)
Primus- Kalamazoo (Brain plays on this one)
Alien Ant Farm- Attitude (samba type groove)
Tool-Jambi

Take the time and really listen to those tracks. You'll thank me later =)

	Pork Pie Percussion Shop for Pork Pie Percussion at Musician's Friend

[hitman311]

Listen to Mike Portnoy ... 'nuff said.

[bouncingstick]

you can checkout those tom's intresting beats on Toto concert, live in amsterdam..simon philips play his tom's real nice dude..

[shazaam]

Obviously good advice from everyone and lol to deds ships a hoy referencel, our rival school's drumline did it at the drumline battle last year lol...it was perty stupid but o well.
Anyways, doubles...the way I learned was starting with slow 16ths and progressing faster. RR-LL RR-LL etc... 1e-&a 2e-&a. Keep it slow though but always think of them as 16ths

For the tom discussion, the best style of music I could recommend listening to other than jazz for drummers who use the tomes with some creativity is the screamo groups. The Devil Wears Prada drummer daniel williams. If you'd like a nice tom/bass intro beat listen to their still fly cover If you like the big tymers...yea, IMO TDWP's cover is better than the original
MySpace.com - The Devil Wears Prada (HURLEY STAGE @ WARPED TOUR) - Dayton, Ohio - Hardcore / Metal / Christian - www.myspace.com/tdwp

I'd recommend listing to their other songs too cause he like to play around the kit...also Job for a cowboys drummer...ummmmmm what's his name... anyways yea he likes playin around the set also, granted he likes cymbals more than toms though.