[Tommatt]

I've noticed a lot of songs will go 1 + a 2 + 3 + a 4 +

or 1 + 2 + 3 + 4e+a

I can do the motions, but they don't sound very crisp. I generally have a hard time with the rolls on the hi-hat. Single and double, especially at speeds (Everlong for example escapes me). Any tips for striking the hats? I was taught moeler and thats generally how it plays.

My real question lies in I havn't heard exactly why its used. It sounds good, but I generally don't see it playing with anything particular. Alot of times, the "ah" is thrown in when theres a brief rest with nothing going on, but I havn't heard anyreason to do it at the end of the measure, except as a cue. A particular feel? Boredom? Something to do? When I'm just playing and going through things, I throw it in some times, and thats just cause its something to work on.

Also, if you can do the 4e+a with one hand should you?

My bid got accepted on the house so I should hopefully be able to take a few lessons again. Hopefully I havn't screwed up anything habit wise. I think I've improved alot and have gotten a much better feel for the drums, alot more hand seperation, more feel, and movements at moderate speeds much more natural and relaxed. I think I may have a problem in my technique, in not utilizing rebound enough on the hi-hat, cause at fast speeds my wrist is killing me, and I seem to not be able to play that fast. I've only been playing for 5 months, and I use heavy sticks right now as I figured it'd help me later on when I switch to some 7as, I just think I'm doing something wrong slightly, that at higher tempos breaks me down. And for some reason I have problems with 16 note beats in general :/

[shazaam]

ummm. get a metronome?cause how fast are you wanting to p;ay those patterns? not that hard until I guess you throw in random snare or toms.
I don't usually play 16ths on the hat cause whenever I do it just gives that hip hop feel. I've started to get lazy though or more technical..depending hwo you look at it... and just play 16th or sometimes even 8ths with both hands on the hat(s).

[Tommatt]

Playing both hands on 8ths sounds like it would just feel wierd at first. I'll mess around with it when I'm working on my double bass work.

For the double strokes I'm just having a hard time getting a good sound. Is it better to strike on the top of the cymbals and treat it more like the snare for these?

And the 16th note beats, I can do much faster single stroke rolls on the snare, then I can on the hats. And it sounds sloppy to me, again, maybe I need to change the way I'm striking them to achieve more of a crisp sound, or maybe just play around with how closed they are.

The single hand ones at higher speeds My arm gets quite sore, so I think I might be doing something wrong. I've only been playing for 5 months, but it feels like my speed is stiill limited to where it was 4 months ago. Although at the slower tempos everything I do is more relaxed and fluid.

And my question about throwing them into your play, In some songs I see it, it follows along, but alot of the time it just seems to be there. The guitar has a brief pause, no vocals for a second, and its just there. It sounds good, but it dosn't feel/sound dfferent if you don't do it. Just wondering if theres certain times you might want to do this, maybe at the end of a measure just as a cue.

With guitar all I did was read tab and learn songs. I guess I want to understand the drums.

[jhilldrums]

Are you having a sound problem, or rudiment problem? 1e+a2e+a3e+a4e+a is simply timekeeping, so I'm not sure I'm following you. If your having a problem counting that many beats (physically counting) go to 1+2+3+4+. All the notes will be on the same hand or foot if your keeping it straight.

If it's the sound of your hats, raise or lower them so you either use the shaft or the tips to get the sound you want. Could also be your hats. I'm HUGE on Paise Sound Edge for that clean crisp "chick" sound.

[shazaam]

If you're doubling close the hats tight for a umm more snare/tighter feel when you roll/double. Open, well I love open hats with doubles cause you can hit it with the shaft also and get that hat ring then go right back to a little high pitched clean roll on em lol.
but umm. I don't remember what I meant by 16ths and 8ths with both hands :/ I think...think and assume I meant alternate the sticking on the hat with different 16ths, 8ths, triplets or sixlet beats obviously playing different stuff/adding in other stuff around the set too.

o, and for playing em. don't use your amrs...never use your arms...to an extent. It's all in the wrists and fingers when it comes to drums. If it's keeping your arm up and level so you can play the hats, maybe lower em or just relax your arm. Something else is playing openly. If you're a righty, play hats with your left hand and snare with your right. maybe more comfy for you, iono. I personally switch between crossed and open all the time while I play.

as long as you learned rythm playin guitar, should be fine. just practice, bout it.