A few questions . . . please help!

[Arf!]

While it is not the most important thing, I am very serious about developing a high level of control, endurance and speed with hands and feet.

With that said, I would like to ask some advice from some of the more experienced and knowledgable players here (or anyone, I guess:p) . . . maybe Virgil, even:D?

When working on things such as endurance and speed, do you recommend working on certain exercises every other day, as one would do, say, working out at the gym? By this I mean, once I have played something like the Power Drumming exercises (not that I can play those high tempi yet), and I can feel a good amount of physical fatigue, should I take a day break to let my muscles rest and build or should I work on it every day? I haven't quite analyzed my improvement enough to tell which would be better, so I'm interesting to get some answers.

And if taking a break every other day is the answer, would anyone recommend, say, working on single stroke speed/endurance (with the feet) one day, and then doing the same for doubles the next day and alternating that way? The same applies for the hands; would working on wrist strokes one day and then finger strokes the next be ideal?

Thanks,
Chris

[DavidPartay]

The best way to build speed and endurance, etc outside of specific practise, is when you're actually playing in a band, along with a song. Work on ACCENTS, and that actually helps your control and speed. Try and move around the kit as much as you possibly can with both arms, and most importantly - stay relaxed.

But at the same time, don't overplay. If you play with a band a lot, you will learn a lot faster than if you just practise.

Work on double strokes as well if you want to learn real control. Make sure you control each and every stroke.

[jimi]

To answer on the amount of practice, i would say that its not exactly weightlifting at the gym so if you want to, and have time everyday to do something, just even the 40 min power drumming exercises, why not!

On what david said, i concur! Good advice:)

[Arf!]

Originally posted by DavidPartay
The best way to build speed and endurance, etc outside of specific practise, is when you're actually playing in a band, along with a song. Work on ACCENTS, and that actually helps your control and speed. Try and move around the kit as much as you possibly can with both arms, and most importantly - stay relaxed.

I don't know about that. Playing with a band does more for me musically (interaction, locking in a groove, etc.) than it does technically. That is, I don't just play endurance and speed building exercises while playing a tune.

But at the same time, don't overplay. If you play with a band a lot, you will learn a lot faster than if you just practise.

Yes, that's true, but that's not what I'm asking about. I love playing with other musicians, most definitely one of my favorite things in life; but I also love to practice and increase my technical facility! That is what I'm asking about.

Work on double strokes as well if you want to learn real control. Make sure you control each and every stroke.

Of course. That is just the beginning of great control.

To answer on the amount of practice, i would say that its not exactly weightlifting at the gym so if you want to, and have time everyday to do something, just even the 40 min power drumming exercises, why not!

Ok. I think I should add another query: Does anyone have any other suggestions (outside of stretching and actually playing) to build endurance? And Jimi, what I am also saying is: Should I let my muscles relax for a day after or just do the same exercises every day?

I've been suggested to use free weights for overall strength, and that it would help my drumming overall. Anything else suggested would be of great appreciation, even if they are lengthy exercises (I try to put aside at least 6 hours a day for my drumming and music).

Thanks again,
Chris

[peter]

I'm not going to talk about
exercise because it's clear
that your general condition
can contribute to your success
behind a kit, in a general way.

What I will talk about is what
I have understood from Billy
Cobham and drumming great,
Alex Sanguinetti.

Playing the drums is not just
a physical thing. It's a mental
thing and what's more, it's
mostly a mental thing.

You tell your body what to
do. You make demands and
it performs. It works this way.
When you do something with
your body, your brain channels
this and the memory of the
experience is stored in your
mind and arguably, the cells
in your members, which are
associated.

When you practice and I mean
REALLY practice - not play the
drums... what you should be
doing is stretching the limits
that are known and not by me
but by you. We are about self-
imposed limitations on the drums.

Whatever you do, do it with an
attitude that you will get better
at it. Figure out the best way
for you to do it, with you the help
of your brain, yes but remember
that you must tell the body to
perform. Do this and it will.

Always ask more of your body
each day, behind the kit. Always
move to the place where it's
almost painful and then stop.
Pick it up the next day, after
a good night's sleep and every
now and then, take a couple
of days off or the weekend.
You will find yourself getting
better and better.

"No pain, no gain." really does
apply to our condition.

My two cents... as inspired by
the greats - Billy Cobham and
Alex Sanguinetti. :)

[Arf!]

Originally posted by peter
I'm not going to talk about
exercise because it's clear
that your general condition
can contribute to your success
behind a kit, in a general way.

What I will talk about is what
I have understood from Billy
Cobham and drumming great,
Alex Sanguinetti.

Playing the drums is not just
a physical thing. It's a mental
thing and what's more, it's
mostly a mental thing.

You tell your body what to
do. You make demands and
it performs. It works this way.
When you do something with
your body, your brain channels
this and the memory of the
experience is stored in your
mind and arguably, the cells
in your members, which are
associated.

When you practice and I mean
REALLY practice - not play the
drums... what you should be
doing is stretching the limits
that are known and not by me
but by you. We are about self-
imposed limitations on the drums.

Whatever you do, do it with an
attitude that you will get better
at it. Figure out the best way
for you to do it, with you the help
of your brain, yes but remember
that you must tell the body to
perform. Do this and it will.

Always ask more of your body
each day, behind the kit. Always
move to the place where it's
almost painful and then stop.
Pick it up the next day, after
a good night's sleep and every
now and then, take a couple
of days off or the weekend.
You will find yourself getting
better and better.

"No pain, no gain." really does
apply to our condition.

My two cents... as inspired by
the greats - Billy Cobham and
Alex Sanguinetti. :)

Thank you!

I guess I'm just kind of being impatient in a way. I really feel behind in my drumming, compared to my heros (I've only been playing 4 years, and I'm 16).

I always keep a positive outlook on music and my drumming. But, I do have a bad habit of getting discouraged. I set such high standards for myself that I get discouraged after watching or listening to players sometimes. But after a short while that discouragement turns to a want and NEED to get better.

I guess I've gotten the answers I've needed now (from here and HOD), but any other tips would be appreciated!

Thanks once again,
Chris

[quitou]

I agree Peter, not just drumming but most things in life I think are more mental than physical...if you ask most high-level athletes for example, they'll all tell you it's way more mental than physical...after all, without a good, sound mind, the body is pretty useless...it is your mind after all which controls your body so that it can perform physical tasks...

And ARF, Everybody gets discouraged sometimes, but I think it's important to just be persistent...be stubborn and keep working at it...I have really bad days where nothing is working for me and I'm just barely getting by, but I just try to stay happy and realize that if I keep working at it, I'll get better...I always try to think long-term...I try to picture my playing a few years from now, and I try to imagine how good I will be if I just keep pluggin away...that's usually enough to keep me in an upbeat mood...I look at the past year and see how much I've improved and then I realize that if I keep practicing hard and I'll improve again this year...Any one else have ideas, thoughts, suggestions????

[peter]

Well, being here, with Virgil is likely
the most humbling experience we
can have, as drummers; his having
set the bar as high as Mount Everest
BUT that's not without his encourage-
ment - his everlasting commitment
to his/our art and to us, collectively.

He is constantly touring and doing
clinics and there's more coming. Add
to that the great group of guys here,
committed to getting better, sharing
ideas etc. and you have the means
to begin the miracle.

Let me tell you, if you would asked
me if I could do what I'm doing on the
double-kick just a year ago, I would
have laughed at you and it was all
because Virgil encouraged me, along
with his contingent here.

Another thing that I just remembered
and it is important, Billy talked about
visualizing in your mind's eye, your
doing what you're setting out to do.
Picture yourself doing it. He feels this
is one of the most important things
that you can do.

I can attest to this being a workable
idea. If you can concieve it, it can be!

Let me encourage you to be all that
you can be on the drums and chances
are, from your attitude, you won't
need any luck at all. :)

[alencore]

Hey Pete! as if i'm reading a song on your long post, heheh.

well, drumming is just drumming. You just have to keep doing it...and have fun of course.

[peter]

Sorry, AC - I get carried away sometimes...