... releasing the snare wire is a great way to 'smooth out' the sound of the kit while developing the hands. The ears 'open' to the tuning of all the toms. -- Two things I realized today: 1) I've spent a lot of time developing reflexive strength in the fingers (that was for speed). 2) When more 'power' is needed (for controlled movement) - the wrists are not 'there' like they need to be... the elbows and the shoulders are attempting to compensate. Note to self: time to focus on the wrists (that means some hard hitting on the practice pad). ...getting a little more comfortable mixing triplets with straight-16ths. At this point - I've played left-handed about as long as right-handed... a successful experiment - new strength and coordination in the left side of the body is noticeable. Looking forward to getting the left hand on the backbeat again, soon (the right hand never has settled down [completely] in the closed position). The key to practice right now (in this beginning Jazz phase) is to keep the Hi-Hat on beats 2 + 4 in everything I do (fills included). The other thing is to get comfortable with anticipating each of the four beats in common time (with the bass drum and the snare). ... attempting to refocus. Remembering the main reason I wanted to learn drums. Decided to focus on Jazz (left-handed set-up) through July. Then switch back to right-handed set-up (indefinitely) - and relearn whatever progress I made/make with the Jazz style - through August. So... a lot of Spang-a-Lang for the next six weeks. ... been practicing drums for 155 days now. I think I'm going through a phase - like 'Animal' (from the muppets). Don't know how to describe this one... I guess it's like a drum solo -- just trying to translate some of the stick-work I've been doing (on a practice pad) around the kit. Working on mixing 16th-note-triplets (difficult) with straight 16ths -- 2-handed hi-hat stuff -- and 'traditional' grip (left-handed). "We're dealing with a lot of shit" (Bull Durham). Been reading through some marching-style snare drum music lately - then remembered this one... The first Rudiment in Alfred's Drum Method (after single and double stroke rolls) is the 'Five Stroke Roll.' There's much to explore here - as is lends itself very easily to triple meter (triplet ideas)... as well as duple meter (2-4-6-8). Being a guitar player - one thing I've never studied is 32nd-notes. Getting into the family of 'roll rudiments' in 'Alfred's Drum Method (Book 1)' this week. The practice has given me confidence to integrate 'double strokes' into fills. I have them (double strokes) pretty clear on the practice pad -- but sitting down at the kit today proved them to be muddled. The result of the attempt inspired a lot of swing. -- On a side note - thinking about switching back to a right handed set-up... to keep things fresh. ...been working with the rudiments (stick work on a drum pad) - exciting for me... but not too much to show about that practice, yet. Sat down at the kit today for the first time in over a week... decided to tool around with cross-sticks, rim-shots, etc... That thing where I felt the hi-hat 'breathing' happened again today... ... as a guitar teacher - I'm a big fan of 'Primers.' After a little more than 3 months approaching a second instrument on my own - I've hit a few walls. It's only natural that I would begin to consult a step by step guide to pick up on what I've been missing. At this point - I welcome a teacher. ... using a slow tempo tune to practice getting around on the toms. Working on getting the feet comfortable in the left-handed set-up. This will be good for the right hand too (I guess it's called 'right-hand-comping' when you're left-handed). When I'm playing a beat and begin to notice the hi-hat 'breathing' - it feels like something has come to life. For me - that's something worth remembering in 'today's groove.' ... doing what I can with this tune... it is an extraordinary beat. I didn't plan on attempting a tune so early (while getting used to the left-handed set-up) - but woke up with this one in my head and just had to try it. It begins to fall apart after 1:40 - but I accepted a little more 'slop' than usual under these circumstances. The left hand is developing strength (and a better feel) - but the right hand is still like a monkey in a cage. When I began learning guitar (30+ years ago) - I was naturally left-handed... but made the conscious decision to learn right-handed. I decided to 'start over' with a left-handed kit set-up. With Guitar - the idea of switching - after years of practice - was just unthinkable. But the nature of drumming calls for strong, independent limbs. After 75 days of practice - the right hand is 'jumpy' and the left hand is lax. I see this as the most efficient way to solve the problem... and maybe answer a few questions I've had on the subject along the way. This tune sounds straight forward (and it is)... but there are a few things going on underneath the hood I want to investigate. Here - I'm just skimming the surface and trying to keep up. A lot of potential in-between the spaces in this tune... stuff I can't do yet. -- Still working on keeping good time and gathering ideas, skills, and stamina. ...as the left hand becomes a little more assertive - I turned my attention to the left foot today. We accept the hi-hat must 'close' on beats 2 and 4 (in this style)... but it doesn't have to open (evenly) on beats 1 and 3. It can swing too. I got it to swing (in spots) in this video... but (obviously) I'm still having to concentrate quite a bit to do it. |
Ben Higgins
Began studying drums in February 2018. Loving every minute of it!. Archives
March 2024
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