3 Steps to Increase Your Level of Drumming
3 Steps to Increase Your Level of Drumming
by: Dan Brown
There are many ways to increase the quality of
your drumming and they can all be summarized into
these 3 vital steps...
1. Develop Confidence
Many wanna-be musicians will choose the drums
because they are shy and want to remain in the
background (that's where I was when I started
drumming back in 1976).
The truth is your body may be in the background,
but your musical presence will definitely be
noticed!
If you are going to be the drummer in a band, then
you will be the anchor of the band. The other
musicians will be relying on you to provide strong
beats that will keep everything together.
Everything you do behind your drum set will not
only be heard, but felt, simply because you will
be the all-important time keeper.
This notion of wanting to be a drummer so you can
hide behind a drum set is ridiculous. You're gonna
hide from no one! That's why it is imperitive to
develop confidence in your drumming, and the first
way to do that is to forget about the notion that
you are hidden. Your mind set should be to
establish your place in the band. Know who you are
and why you're there. The rest will then fall into
place.
2. Love Your Instrument
If any musician really wants to master their
instrument they must absolutely love it. What do I
mean "love it?" The best way to understand this is
to relate loving your drums to loving a person.
Many people think "love" is a feeling, but it's
not a feeling. For example; I love my wife, but I
don't always like her (I suppose she can probably
say the same thing about me).
Love is an action word. It means to adore, care
for, learn about, edify, be loyal to, be devoted
to, be committed to, support, protect, and
promote. When you do these things the feeling of
love automatically comes.
So, how can you tell if you really love your
drums? You can tell if you love your drums by the
priority you put on them. They must have some
priority in your life , otherwise your drums are
just a little hobby that you will only be mediocre
at.
3. Remain Humble
If a drummer really wants to increase his or her
level of playing it is critical to remain open
minded.
The mind is like a parachute, it only functions
when it is open. That's why it is so important to
remain humble. Arrogant drummers never grow
beyond their current level of drumming because
they don't think there is any more they can learn.
How foolish! There is always more to learn... and
any advanced drummer can learn from an
intermediate, or even a beginner!
As you continue to learn you will then be able to
teach. When you begin teaching, you will be amazed
at the additional things you will learn (if you
are currently teaching you will understand).
It's critical to continue to learn and grow if you
want to increase your level of drumming, and
remaining humble is the only avenue through which
you can do this. As with anything else, you must
absolutely be confident in what you're doing and
knowledge can make you confident.
Please don't mistake confidence with arrogance.
Confidence is what makes a good drummer a great
drummer. Arrogance is what makes a good drummer a
lonely drummer! I don't know about you, but I
certainly don't want to play music with some cocky
jerk who thinks he or she is better than everyone else.
Conclusion
When you develop confidence in your purpose as a
drummer, learn to love your drums by giving them
some priority in your life, altogether with remaining
humble, your level of drumming will increase
considerably.
About The Author
Dan Brown has been drumming since 1976. Sign up for his
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http://www.dbdrumtips.com/
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