What have you learned/improved (significantly) so far???

[b_jizzle20]

Wussup Fam,

Near the beginning of the year there was a thread about goals for 2008. Ive been keeping track of my goals and I can say, music-wise, I've made significant improvement and have learned alot so far this year.

A few things I've learned/improved:

-Timing has improved
-Developed a better ear and feel for music (even when I'm playing with new musicians I can now feel when the breaks come, dynamic changes etc. even though we havent reheased together)
-Several new grooves (latin, jazz, rock)
-Drum tuning
-Technique (before I was using my whole arm instead of my wirsts)
-Heel-up pedal technique (I can now do consistent doubles at 140bpm)
-Different sound characteristics of different woods/materials
-Hardware was a big effect on the sound of the drum
-Reading music (its comming slowly but surely)
-I can also truly say I am closer to God now than I was a few months ago


These are just a few. So what have y'all been working on and gained so far this year?
Fills/licks, dynamic control, knowledge, discipline etc. Anything.


Ben

[CJKeyboardPlaya]

Yo bruh, i feel ya on everything you said. I can do alil of everything but hasnt really perfected any area. Technique and Heel Toe moves is what i really really wanna build on!  But im still determined to be a drummer and play till I cant NO MO!!

[fretai03]

Musical improvements: Left foot counting, General Tempo/Time.
Kit improvements: Drum placement (Getting toms to the same height as the snare) & Tuning.

[L.V.Drumma]

Truth

[L.V.Drumma]

Sorry wrong thread but i havent exactly significantly improved on these things but here are some things i want to:

-Master single & double strokes at 300bpm(8th notes) at diff. dynamic ranges
-Improve control with heel down technique
-Dramatic improvement with heel-up technique
-Improve traditional grip
-Have a better ear for music
-Improve reading skills(I have no idea how to because no one can help)
-Learn more grooves and fills
-Finish Stick Control and start on another book by the end of the year
-Work on more rudiments
-Learn more songs piece by piece

[sugabear]

I've developed some new couch potato techniques.

Naaahhhh! just playing. In lew of inspiration from Mr. Marvin McQuitty's interview with Modern Drummer, I decided to learn a melodic instrument (bass guitar). It's a hard process being that I have to divert some of my attention from the drum set to practice bass. I haven't found the right practice regimen yet, but I've set some attainable goals for myself throughout the remainder of the year. Prayerfully, by then, I'll be a better bassist than I am now.

[min_amw]

To be honest, I've gotten a little behind with my practice schedule and all. I haven't quite found a good time slot with the new job schedule and 5 month old baby boy that demands to see his father ALL THE TIME (can't deny him either, or he'll yell at me!). So with that my reading has slumped. But, on the flipside....the business aspect is what I've been doing well in. I'm working with a few projects with some new artists as well as my regular band. That is something that I can do from home most of the time until I record. Lastly, my relationship with God has been better than it has been in a long time! Even with all that's going on around me, I've been able to stay focused on HIM and do some real seeking! Not a bad start to '08 for me.

[bigblackdrummer]

Normal people relate to simple and good better then chops and awesome!!!

[L.V.Drumma]

Sorry wrong thread but i havent exactly significantly improved on these things but here are some things i want to:

-Master single & double strokes at 300bpm(8th notes) at diff. dynamic ranges
-Improve control with heel down technique
-Dramatic improvement with heel-up technique
-Improve traditional grip
-Have a better ear for music
-Improve reading skills(I have no idea how to because no one can help)
-Learn more grooves and fills
-Finish Stick Control and start on another book by the end of the year
-Work on more rudiments
-Learn more songs piece by piece
-Improve independence
-Improve open handed technique(im a righty)

[JFunky]

...good thread.

...for me it has to be musical awareness.  When I'm not practicing...I'm listening to tons of different music.  I've also improved on getting some of the hand & foot combos I've been shedding on as of late cleaner and more controlled which are now creeping into my playing.  I've noticed and others have noticed so that's always real encouraging.

...I'm also doing a lot more practicing and have a steady practice regimen once again thanks to my mentors: MENDOZA, j_kay and Dr. Sabianknight.  (Gotta have Mentors/Teachers.)

[MENDOZA]

Great thread!!!!!

I've been working on a couple of things.  More specifically Gary Chester's New Breed with a few concepts that I kind of created.  It has helped  me SOOOOO MUCH!!!  Not only timing wise, but making sure the limbs line up, making sure the SOUND that I'm producing is consistent especially great for Studio work.  Making sure the Groove FEELS good. 

I've also been working off of Marc Atkinson's book "Unreel", which is really an out of control book.  Really listening to ALOT of music, especially Vinnie and trying to get in the mindset of him.  He's such a deep player that it's sometimes sooo overwhelming because you wonder how he thought of that LOL!! I was working on a Chris Dave transcription that I posted a while ago, but haven't really touched that because there's sooo much to do and transcribing Chris's stuff is too time consuming right now.  Well I gotta go, but take care and God Bless.

Carlito

[mingusfingus]

Great thread!!!!!

I've been working on a couple of things.  More specifically Gary Chester's New Breed with a few concepts that I kind of created.  It has helped  me SOOOOO MUCH!!!  Not only timing wise, but making sure the limbs line up, making sure the SOUND that I'm producing is consistent especially great for Studio work.  Making sure the Groove FEELS good. 

I've also been working off of Marc Atkinson's book "Unreel", which is really an out of control book.  Really listening to ALOT of music, especially Vinnie and trying to get in the mindset of him.  He's such a deep player that it's sometimes sooo overwhelming because you wonder how he thought of that LOL!! I was working on a Chris Dave transcription that I posted a while ago, but haven't really touched that because there's sooo much to do and transcribing Chris's stuff is too time consuming right now.  Well I gotta go, but take care and God Bless.

Carlito

Just 1 question: do you use the New breed bok as it`s described in the very beginning of the book? I know that so many drummers (including me) are afraid of new breed ... lol ... because don`t know exactly how to use it properly.

[yamahaboy]

Man I have improved on a few things. One is my Foot. It has gotten alot better over the past months. My consistency has been improved as well. I have really been listening to  A LOT of music and I have learned things I didn't even realize I knew. Like Funky said, Its slowly creeping into my playing. I have also learned to make better decisions behind the kit.

[MENDOZA]

Just 1 question: do you use the New breed bok as it`s described in the very beginning of the book? I know that so many drummers (including me) are afraid of new breed ... lol ... because don`t know exactly how to use it properly.

Hey man!!!!! 

Dude, I was scared of New Breed for real LOL!!  I messed with it a couple of times, but figured man this kind of seems impossible and why do I need to go through this book?  Man, was I stupid LOL!!!!  This book will open up your playing SOOOOOO MUCH and everyone hears about this book and fears it.  However, when you really get into this book and stop scratching the surface, you see how great this book is.  It's not a normal method book, it really gets your creativity going, your reading improves, your coordination, your FEEL and GROOVE happening, in addition your weak limbs begin to be used creatively!!!! 

Now I practice the book, just the way Gary described in the beginning of the book.  This is a challenge in itself.  However, I don't have have 3 hi-hats, but I substitute a cymbal on my left side of the kit to get through some of the systems.  It's really straight forward.  However, I HIGHLY recommend practicing this book (and any book, music, etc.) with a metronome.  Don't try to take it too fast.  You'll be humbled at how much coordination you do have and DON'T have LOL!!  You'll find systems that you can play easily and then you'll find systems that you can barely get through the first measure of the reading through because of coordination issues.  Once, you get comfortable with the Reading exercise, then go back and REALLY LISTEN to yourself.  Record yourself and listen to see if it is grooving, if it feels good or if it's just a mess.  You will really hear what your playing sounds like. 

I also have come up with some of my own exercises to play through the book.  I would share them with the LGM fam, but they are kind of at the baby stages.  I don't want to expose something that is not mastered yet.  However, when I feel comfortable with the concepts I will definetly hook you guys up.  I hope all is well and FEAR NOT NEW BREED!!!!! It will open up your ears, coordination, and creativity.  Just be consistent, practice consistently and have short and long term goals!!!!  PATIENCE is key and DETERMINATION (NEVER GIVE UP!!!)!!  Take care and God Bless.

Mendoza

[sugabear]

Hey man!!!!! 

Dude, I was scared of New Breed for real LOL!!  I messed with it a couple of times, but figured man this kind of seems impossible and why do I need to go through this book?  Man, was I stupid LOL!!!!  This book will open up your playing SOOOOOO MUCH and everyone hears about this book and fears it.  However, when you really get into this book and stop scratching the surface, you see how great this book is.  It's not a normal method book, it really gets your creativity going, your reading improves, your coordination, your FEEL and GROOVE happening, in addition your weak limbs begin to be used creatively!!!! 

Now I practice the book, just the way Gary described in the beginning of the book.  This is a challenge in itself.  However, I don't have have 3 hi-hats, but I substitute a cymbal on my left side of the kit to get through some of the systems.  It's really straight forward.  However, I HIGHLY recommend practicing this book (and any book, music, etc.) with a metronome.  Don't try to take it too fast.  You'll be humbled at how much coordination you do have and DON'T have LOL!!  You'll find systems that you can play easily and then you'll find systems that you can barely get through the first measure of the reading through because of coordination issues.  Once, you get comfortable with the Reading exercise, then go back and REALLY LISTEN to yourself.  Record yourself and listen to see if it is grooving, if it feels good or if it's just a mess.  You will really hear what your playing sounds like. 

I also have come up with some of my own exercises to play through the book.  I would share them with the LGM fam, but they are kind of at the baby stages.  I don't want to expose something that is not mastered yet.  However, when I feel comfortable with the concepts I will definetly hook you guys up.  I hope all is well and FEAR NOT NEW BREED!!!!! It will open up your ears, coordination, and creativity.  Just be consistent, practice consistently and have short and long term goals!!!!  PATIENCE is key and DETERMINATION (NEVER GIVE UP!!!)!!  Take care and God Bless.

Mendoza

This is a elemental concept for me to grasp. I seem to always set these ridiculous goals for my self and get discouraged when I don't achieve them. I have to learn to set smaller goals for myself and achieve them, with the smaller goals working toward the bigger goal.

[b_jizzle20]

Great thread!!!!!

I've been working on a couple of things.  More specifically Gary Chester's New Breed with a few concepts that I kind of created.  It has helped  me SOOOOO MUCH!!!  Not only timing wise, but making sure the limbs line up, making sure the SOUND that I'm producing is consistent especially great for Studio work.  Making sure the Groove FEELS good. 

Carlito

I was flipping thru that book not too long ago and i was like, . But I picked something from it. Instead alternating hands for single strokes, hit with both hands at the same time. I tried 8th notes at 200bpm and could only hold it consistent for about 10 seconds. Thats something Im definetly gonna work on.

Kit improvements: Drum placement (Getting toms to the same height as the snare)

Yeh, this has been a big one for me too. I watched a video of my playing about a year ago. And my toms were staring me in my face lol. Even though I still have a beginner kit (with 12, 13, 16" toms), I now have a fairly comfortable set-up.

I have also learned to make better decisions behind the kit.

+1!

I've also improved on getting some of the hand & foot combos I've been shedding on as of late cleaner and more controlled which are now creeping into my playing. 

Man, thats sooo true! I've learned when you dont got something clean (lick, fill. etc.), you have to force it in and it sticks out like a soar thumb. But when you got good control over it, it creeps in, even sometimes unoticed cuz its smooth and it flows with the music.

[SabianKnight]

Just 1 question: do you use the New breed bok as it`s described in the very beginning of the book? I know that so many drummers (including me) are afraid of new breed ... lol ... because don`t know exactly how to use it properly.

New Breed is self explainitory as far as how to use it... simple... follow the directions in the beginning. Memorize the system ostinatos with the metronome. Get use to countin aloud and then singing  the various instrument rhythms. Chris Coleman's DVD really explains this well. As Gary Chester and Allan dawson taught, the voice is the "5th limb" of independence/interdependence.

My golden rule for student, "If you can say (count it)/sing it in time, you can play it!" As it pertain to the Christian musician, it is simply the power of the tongue - speak the rhythm and control of that rhythm into existence limb-by-limb. The true secret to this is you can only play as well as you can breathe while doing it. If you are tongue tied you are not breathing you are not relaxed and you are not in control.
. When the music is not breathing it is not grooving - the life is choked out of it. When the music is relaxed and in control it breathes and grooves and presents life to the people listening.

The fear is not how to use it really IMO (because I feared New Breed) it is the fact that these simple notes we don't truly have control of. I had the same fear as most do about the book, 4-way Coordination. Both these books improve your coordination thereby improving your timing. Both require you to learn to hear each individual limbs pattern/rhythm both collectively and independently at the same time. This is the foundation of poly-rhythmic playing - individual rhythms/voices make ONE rhythm. Bringing the body into submission (of the head).