Dorset Percussion

leaving school?

When you leave school, wherever you go, try and find yourself another drum teacher. No matter how good you are (or think you are!) you’ll always learn something new off a good teacher. If you can, try and get lessons off several people – different teachers will teach you different things and often there is no right or wrong way to do things, just diverse approaches – another teacher can help you explore that.

If you really want to learn, go for consultation lessons with a big name in London (but make sure you thoroughly prepare several pieces first otherwise you’ll waste your time and and a lot of money) or try one of the numerous summer courses available. If you’re off to university, find the music department and ask if they have a drum teacher. Find the local music shop (or even better, drum shop) and ask if they keep a list of teachers. Or search in Rhythm magazine or on the net (www.mikedolbear.co.uk is a good place to start).

self study:

Hopefully by now your reading skills are developed enough to allow you to pick up a book, read the dots and teach yourself a lot of things, that’s been the idea of reading in lessons – to develop your understanding so that you can become independent and think for yourself. There are thousands of books out there, some of them are not worth the cover price and you can easily waste a fortune. So below are a few that I’ve found helpful – they tend to lean towards the technique side of playing.

• Rock School – Grade books with CD published by Rock School
• The All American Drummer – Charley Wilcoxon published by Ludwig
• Modern Rudimental Swing Solos – Charley Wilcoxon published by Ludwig
• Perpetual motion around the drums – Joel Rothman published by JR Publications
• Practical Percussion by Kevin Edwards published by Kirklees
• Matt Savage Rudimental Workshop
• Rhythm and Fills Mike Dolbea
• Stick Control – great for hands but also for developing double bass drum technique!

Also try some of the DVD’s on the market – especially those from well-established drummers.

Always try and remember though that musicality is far more important than technique. Technique is just a tool to get you where you want to go but try not to be too obsessed by the latest trick or fashion (and that goes for gadgets too!).

practice, practice, practice:

As you should have guessed by now, regular practice is the only way that you can improve as a drummer. However, if you’re heading off to university regular shed building (that’s practice to you) presents a big problem with halls of residence and shared houses and the like. A practice pad or practice kit (they fold up real small) comes in really handy.

playing

If you’re not playing regularly then you’ll soon loose interest in playing drums full stop. So get yourself into a band. Again, find your nearest drum/music shop and see if they have a notice board – drummers are often highly sought after. And don’t turn down gigs, no matter how small or odd they may be – you never know who’ll be in the audience waiting to offer you a decent gig if you impress. If you have to audition for a band try and prepare a couple of pieces from memory; a solo (try adapting one of your grade pieces) and a cover version in a style similar to the band you are hoping to join.

broaden your listening & Playing

One way of improving is by listening to and playing in as many different styles of music as you can. Don’t just stick with your favourite type of music (although many will forgive you if you don’t include country and western in your listening list!).

Keep in touch & Good Luck in the future!