TECHNICAL PAGE

technical Stuff:

Developing as a technical drummer can acutally be fun and very rewarding. Learn more about timing, reading, the many different styles, and the rich collections of rhythms available to learn.

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HELP: gottaDRUM provides drum tuning services at an hourly rate of $36.00. Tuning services include getting the best punch out of your snare and the best tone from all your toms. The tuning can be done at your place or at gottaDRUM. If interested, send an email to info@gottaDRUM.com.

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Timing:

In simple terms, having good timing means playing both accurately and precisely. Accurate playing means to keep a consistent tempo during an entire song without slowing down or more likely speeding up. Typical rock tempos are at approximately 120 beats per minute; however, many drummers find it real challenging maintaining accurate time at slow tempos like 80 beats per minute. Precise playing means that each stroke consistently lands right on the beat each time. In drumming terms, you are playing in the “pocket”. If the drummer develops a solid pocket and the other musicians are hanging to it, then the band is playing “tight”. More advanced players also learn to consistently play slightly ahead or behind the beat to achieve a desired artistic effect, but the key word here is consistently. This can have a choral type of effect and helps the music sound more human and less artificial.

Fine Tuning Your Inner Clock. I believe in one simple timing precept; all drummers can improve their timing. In other words drummers need to constantly be fine tuning their inner clock. There are many ways for a drummer to improve timing; the best place to start is to play with a metronome. A metronome is a device that has all kinds of tempo markings on it, both fast and slow. The metronome keeps a steady tempo. The drummer then needs to play with the metronome and keep the tempo or timing steady. If you consistently play with good time you will begin to recognize good time, and truly appreciate good time. If you consistently perform or practice playing bad time, you will get really good at… you guessed it… playing bad time. See the equipment page for metronome recommendations.

Site Reading:

Why should you learn to read drum music? It is well noted that being able to read music does not necessarily make you a good musician. There are many examples in the music business. In fact, you could make a counter argument that a good musician should be able to play without having to follow a regimented script. There are, however, many benefits to knowing how to read drum music as well addition opportunities that may come your way.

One primary benefit is empowering yourself to learn. Written music is much like a written language. It fosters better communication. This communication can be between you and your teacher, from a drum magazine, or to yourself if you go a step further and learn rudimentary transcription. Jotting down notes in a structured format will enable you to capture a thought for yourself to be explored at a future time. Having an increased ability to communicate can give you a competitive edge and help you get a highly sought after position. It will demonstrate to your auditioner that you are a serious musician that is disciplined and eager to learn.

Specifically, a drummer should be able to read basic music written for the snare drum and an expanded form that is well suited for the drum set. There are lots of web sites dedicated to explaining these forms, and it is highly recommended that you spend some time with a private teacher to be sure you get a well rooted understanding. Go to gottaDRUM Home Page and Policy Page to learn more. Unlike other forms of written music, there is not an exact standard that is used, especially music written for the drum set. Most follow a basic form, but any well written drum music will offer a key to verify the exact form used.