I play heel up, and I teach this to my students. There are two types of bass drum technique – heel up or heel down. The bass drum provides a powerful low-end of a drum beat, and it should be played with power and consistency. When it comes to playing a bass drum pedal, you must be consistent with your playing technique. You will naturally learn to feel when to begin the motion of striking a drum head and anticipate the rebound. This rebound is a pivotal part of drumming and becomes a large part of your ‘playing feel’ as you develop as a drummer.
The drum sticks should be allowed to bounce after striking a drum head, and this rebound will help you out significantly to achieve fast speeds. It’s key that you don’t hold the drum sticks too tight. The main area of grip is between the thumb and the second knuckle of the index finger, and the remaining fingers wrap around the stick. You will use your left and right hands to hold the drum sticks in the same way. The most common and grip technique is called ‘ matched grip,’ and this is what I teach to my students. Good drumming posture is essential for a relaxed and enjoyable playing experience. Don’t sit too low either sitting higher will keep a healthy position for your spine and lower back whilst you play. Your snare drum will sit a couple of inches above your knees and directly in between your legs.Ī supportive drum throne is one of the best investments you can make early on. You’ll want to position your bass drum pedal and hi-hat stand where your feet naturally fall on the floor. Whilst setting up your kit, ensure that all the drums and cymbals are comfortably within reach.ĭon’t angle your rack toms or cymbals too aggressively try to have them relatively flat. Perform some research, and take inspiration from your favorite drummers by checking out how they set up their drum kits. A correctly set up drum set lays down the foundation for your playing! The bottom line is that a poorly constructed drum set will inhibit your playing, by restricting your movement and fluidity around the kit. Most beginner drummers tend to set up their drum kits incorrectly. Without further ado, let’s dive right into my top drumming tips! 1. These drumming tips will help you instill good habits early on, and will allow you to get the most out of your playing.
In this article, I’ll be sharing with you some of my most valuable drumming tips for beginner drummers. They find their home in every musical style, in every culture, and across every continent! Drummers are in-demand musicians, and they play a supporting role in the band – by driving the beat forwards and keeping everyone in time. The drums are the heartbeat of all music. It’s an incredibly rewarding activity, and research shows that drumming offers a huge number of benefits. You’ve decided to learn to play the drums, that’s great news! No other instrument is quite like drums. This article comes from drummer and music educator, Gideon!