Frustrated!!

tredfern011 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:59 AM

Hello fellow drummers, I have started playing drums two months ago, I bought a set of Percussion plus drums, re-skinned the heads w/ evans g2s. (But not the resonance(??) side), cymbals (SUCK). Waiting on a pair of planet Z3s to come in. when I play them as they are I get REALLY frustrated with the way they sound and stop playing. I try to play rudimants and get frustrated also. Should I slow down and concentrate or keep trying to play faster?? Being 50, I enjoy the time I try to play. But get annoyed that I have not progressed in my playing. Any suggestions from you people would be great. Thanks

**Tainojim** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 12:05 PM

Evans G2 clear or coated?

Clear on the bottom, coated on the top.

Take your time with the rudiments and get a practice pad for that.

tredfern011 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 01:34 PM

hey Tainojim, They are Clear on the top, and clear (Remo cheapies) on the bottom. Snare is coated on top and clear on the bottom ( Again a Remo cheapie that came with the set.) I do have a drum pad already. I also use the "Stick Control" book for the snare drummer by george stone. I have a metronome that I use for the most part of my practice.

**Tainojim** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 02:49 PM

Coated heads on top would make the toms sound much better.

Double coated on the snare will make a huge improvement.

Cheapies or not, this will sound allot better on beginner's drum kit or any kit for that matter.

I've been playing since 8 and have been at it for as old as you are.

I would keep the bottoms for now and see how it goes from there. Always try the cheapest way first.

Also check out this guy,he uses clear heads on the top. Click below for the link:

http://www.drumsetconnect.com/drum-f...html#post29857

tredfern011 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 03:30 PM

Thanks for the info. I just bought these heads two months ago. So I don't want to waste them. I'll get coated ones some other time. The bottom heads to me not quite up to par so I wish to change them at some point. what ones do you suggest? I had actually bought the drums for my youngest son (13 tomorrow). But he doesn't seem too interrested in them. So, I figured Hell, I'll play'em. (50) or not. It's fun.

slingerland59 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredfern011

...he doesn't seem too interrested in them. So, I figured Hell, I'll play'em. (50) or not. It's fun.

Rock on tred! That's the attitude. Drumming is an awesome hobby and way of relieving stress. If I were you I'd try tuning the toms up a bit higher and check out the threads here related to tuning. Crappy heads or not, if you can tune them well then the drums will have a fuller tone. I find it easier to get the right tone -- the drum should vibrate for a while after one stroke instead of making a dull thud -- when you tune them higher. You'll start to realize that your drums sound like those of Joe Morrello or one of the other jazz greats! They did a lot with small kits and their videos on YouTube are very inspirational.

tredfern011 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 07:48 PM

Thanks for the vote. I like jamming on this set. I have a 22" bass,12&13" tom and a 16" floor. Yeah, I'm not quite sure on the tuning thing yet. But love to try and get it right. Thanks

Lukeykookey · #8 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 01:06 AM

Ive been playing for a while, every available opportunity, and I know I need more more more practice. I know I am now infinately better than when I started, but your ear will get better, and you will annoy yourself with the way you are a smidgenth of a millisecond out of time.

I cannot overestimate how important it is to start slowly and be able to keep the time before speeding things up. Although I do love to play fast, it doesn't sound good if the basics arent there.

tredfern011 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 12:56 PM

Yeah, I do sometimes catch myself trying to play faster than my brain goes. I slow the rudiments down so I can play in time. It will all come in due time. Its kind of tough getting one hand to do one thing and the other another. all the while trying to get my feet to plat hi-hat and bass. maybe I should just try working on the snare first? or bass and hi-hat. I watched several DVDs on drum lessons. Kind of hard not to go SLOW.