Drum Sheilds

[Glorifyhim777]

I'm thinking about getting a drum sheild, a couple of my buddies said it improves the sound. Now I am going to do my own research on this but does anyone have one? Is there a better brand to buy? Certain specs/materials I should look for? How does it improve the sound and what are the pros and cons? My drums are not Mic'ed but my church isn't that big and I sometimes get complaints from the congregation saying its too loud but the auxilary leader says that its fine so I'm hoping that will cut down on the noise for them but still be effective

[Glorifyhim777]

Just did a bit of research, I think it will be a good idea for me to get one. From what I read I will need to her some sound dampener pads to go behind me on the wall. A 5 piece shield should be good @ 5 feet tall seems they are mostly around 300 should be too bad. What are the in ear monitors from? Couldnt I just use my vic fifth iso headphones if all the music is loud enough?

[SabianKnight]

So, did you ever get that plexi-shield?

If so make sure that you invest in some good over-the-ear muffling headphones like the Vic Firth ones. Being behind glass will amplify the drums sound coming back at you and can do damage to your hearing.

If volume control is your issue then you must control your volume by controlling the stick size and weight you use, your stick height and overall aggression in your playing. Play with dynamics (controlling your louds and softs). Mix your kit volume with that of the other instruments... make your performance sound like a CD. you really should be able to talk to each other (and hear) while you are playing within reason. If you cannot then you all may be too loud. The overall vibe will be better if you are not behind glass but blending with the other instruments in the band. Nothing should cause a proper singe to have to strain to be heard over the instruments.

[Glorifyhim777]

I still havent gotten one yet, what i did do is invest in a electric kit to practice with in home. it has had quite an impact on my playing. It makes me much more comfortable as far as muscle memory so that i dont have to strain when hitting the drums, im able to control my dynamics a bit more, and just more aware  of how im hitting since i dont have to think so much on what im goin to hit next, i focus more on tehcnique and dynamics during service. 

[SabianKnight]

I still havent gotten one yet, what i did do is invest in a electric kit to practice with in home. it has had quite an impact on my playing. It makes me much more comfortable as far as muscle memory so that i dont have to strain when hitting the drums, im able to control my dynamics a bit more, and just more aware  of how im hitting since i dont have to think so much on what im goin to hit next, i focus more on tehcnique and dynamics during service.

Great! Playing an electronic kit is very much like being on the practice pad... that where the muscles get trained on control. focus on the sticks getting a nice rebound and controlling them with your fingers as opposed to too much arm.

[Glorifyhim777]

Yea Control is one of my biggest feats atm. Im working on RLRLRLRL @ 170 TRYING to use wrist/finger and no arms. also working on my single strokes with Right hand only and Left hand only @ 170. its tough but a mentor told me if you leave practice and your not fustrated with yourself that you cant accomplish something than you didnt practice. So i always try to challenge myself to learn more. But also trying to master my paradiddle / double stroke tough to get them clean at a high bpm and drumming is so cool because you can take one rudiment and be so creative with it, that the one rudiment you mastered can sound like you know millions of licks if you work it right. But also man, i  am looking for praise break tips. i been studying them lately and i've come to realize that praise breaks have a structure just like any other song. I am searching some tips from a vet on complimenting the keyboard more, doing breaks and little fills that may be known to every student of drumming but that i just may not know. know any place or you got any tips. i think im going to start a thread strictly for this..

[SabianKnight]

Yea Control is one of my biggest feats atm. Im working on RLRLRLRL @ 170 TRYING to use wrist/finger and no arms. also working on my single strokes with Right hand only and Left hand only @ 170. its tough but a mentor told me if you leave practice and your not fustrated with yourself that you cant accomplish something than you didnt practice. So i always try to challenge myself to learn more. But also trying to master my paradiddle / double stroke tough to get them clean at a high bpm and drumming is so cool because you can take one rudiment and be so creative with it, that the one rudiment you mastered can sound like you know millions of licks if you work it right. But also man, i  am looking for praise break tips. i been studying them lately and i've come to realize that praise breaks have a structure just like any other song. I am searching some tips from a vet on complimenting the keyboard more, doing breaks and little fills that may be known to every student of drumming but that i just may not know. know any place or you got any tips. i think im going to start a thread strictly for this..

Any breaks should be set ups for the next section of music or complimentary response to the melody.

I suggest that you work on counting the rhythm of the melody or bass line syncopation tonally. Meaning in the tones you have available on your kit. Put the high pitches on the high pitched instrument voices, The mids on the mid voices the lows on the low voices (which can be a low tuned or deep snare,floor tom, kick, gong drum or low pitched cymbal). As if "skatting" or tap dancing. Start slow and work your way up to the speed of the given song.

Break should be your response to the musical conversation of the phrase, verse etc just played or coming up. Just as if in a verbal conversation it should be relevant to the conversation/music itself.