Face it. You've been playing boring rudiments over and over. You are tired of hearing that "click... click... click..." of the metronome. Your hands are bleeding, you are tired, and you are wondering when you will get better.
Sound familiar? You aren't the only one frustrated by boring practice drills that seem to lead to nowhere. In fact, I'd estimate 80% of the drummers who take lessons end up quitting because they are missing one simple thing that can make drumming fun.
So what else can you do? You can play with drum play along songs! Drum play along songs have the drums removed so that you can practice drumming with a band in the privacy of your own home or drum studio.
What's cool is that unlike jamming with a CD (which can be annoying since you will obviously have to listen to the original drums at the same time) is that you can create whatever drum patterns you want. Feel like playing double-bass? Go ahead. Feel like putting a drum fill in an unusual spot... it's your song.
I must tell you that if this will be your first time playing to a drum play along track you are in for a treat. You will find that your creativity soars and that your ability to improvise over songs will grow by leaps and bounds. I've spent hours and hours playing along to drum play along tracks and find that I can sit down with songs often on the first try and improvise pretty freely.
Next step... you need some drum play along songs. Run, don't walk, to minusdrums.com and pick some up. They have over 600 drum play along MP3 songs that you can purchase and download immediately in virtually every genre.
OK. Acoustic kit? No problem. At a minimum I suggest at least one mic and a mixer. Plug the MP3 player into the mixer. Now take your mic and hang it from the ceiling on a small rope right over your kit. If you can afford more mics, plug them in too. The key here is that you are trying to get a good mix that you'll be able to listen to in headphones. Plug the mic into the mixer and have a friend play the drums while you check the levels. If you can record them while playing the MP3 even better.
If you have electronic drums, life is easy. Run the MP3 player directly into the electronic kit through its "input" jack. Adjust your levels and then you are good to go.
You now need some cans (headphones). Put them on your head. Very good. Now get those sticks in your hand, navigate your MP3 player to your favorite drum play along songs. Cool. Press play. I'll wait. My advice here is to listen to the song at least once through before you start drumming. In truth, I never take my advice and I just start banging away, but I still recommend it. You'll build confidence on your first run through. Try a few different ideas and patters. No matter what, the band will be patient with you while you continue on your drumming journey.
Sound familiar? You aren't the only one frustrated by boring practice drills that seem to lead to nowhere. In fact, I'd estimate 80% of the drummers who take lessons end up quitting because they are missing one simple thing that can make drumming fun.
So what else can you do? You can play with drum play along songs! Drum play along songs have the drums removed so that you can practice drumming with a band in the privacy of your own home or drum studio.
What's cool is that unlike jamming with a CD (which can be annoying since you will obviously have to listen to the original drums at the same time) is that you can create whatever drum patterns you want. Feel like playing double-bass? Go ahead. Feel like putting a drum fill in an unusual spot... it's your song.
I must tell you that if this will be your first time playing to a drum play along track you are in for a treat. You will find that your creativity soars and that your ability to improvise over songs will grow by leaps and bounds. I've spent hours and hours playing along to drum play along tracks and find that I can sit down with songs often on the first try and improvise pretty freely.
Next step... you need some drum play along songs. Run, don't walk, to minusdrums.com and pick some up. They have over 600 drum play along MP3 songs that you can purchase and download immediately in virtually every genre.
OK. Acoustic kit? No problem. At a minimum I suggest at least one mic and a mixer. Plug the MP3 player into the mixer. Now take your mic and hang it from the ceiling on a small rope right over your kit. If you can afford more mics, plug them in too. The key here is that you are trying to get a good mix that you'll be able to listen to in headphones. Plug the mic into the mixer and have a friend play the drums while you check the levels. If you can record them while playing the MP3 even better.
If you have electronic drums, life is easy. Run the MP3 player directly into the electronic kit through its "input" jack. Adjust your levels and then you are good to go.
You now need some cans (headphones). Put them on your head. Very good. Now get those sticks in your hand, navigate your MP3 player to your favorite drum play along songs. Cool. Press play. I'll wait. My advice here is to listen to the song at least once through before you start drumming. In truth, I never take my advice and I just start banging away, but I still recommend it. You'll build confidence on your first run through. Try a few different ideas and patters. No matter what, the band will be patient with you while you continue on your drumming journey.
About the Author:
Looking to find the best deal on drum play along songs? Then visit www.minusdrums.com to find over 600 drumless backing tracks for you.
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