4:00 - When I was a kid (way before the internet), I was self-taught, just jamming to Metallica or whatever else and nobody showed me proper technique... "Hit the Lights" was impossible to get through, I knew I was doing something wrong. I finally had lessons with a jazz drummer, a guy who toured with Chuck Berry at the time... he showed me how to stop playing from the elbows and play from the wrists instead and it unlocked everything for me. Literally and figuratively.
@@mikemurphy5898 Oh really? Thanks :) Yeah, it was all Metallica at first... every album until the Black album. Lars plays pretty straight time, though, but his stops and tightness with the guitars are what I was focusing on at the time. I couldn't do "Hit the Lights" for a while, because my technique sucked them... all arms. After I learned correct form, it was a lot easier... still not "easy." I LOVE jamming with Metallica still but so many jazz songs are harder, I think, with the odd times that challenge me more. I love playing anything though, always fun to just jam at home or with new bands.
@@ronineditor9920 Me too, man! Did you measure your progress by songs? I remember for double bass in particular it was "get through fuel, then get through Shortest Straw, then Fight Fire, then Battery, then Dyers Eve etc. ?
@@doodlebob3758 Absolutely! My "holy grail" was "One." At the time, I could do quick double bass fills, just a couple hits in a row, then back to a single bass feel. I had an old school Ludwig bass pedal, not today's speed ones and I wanted to nail One's double-bass with a single bass. I finally did it and then felt, okay, maybe you're decent now. I'm also left-handed but I knew when I got good, I'd have to play on other kits as a righty, especially at gigs when they have house kits. So, that took some getting used to, bigger learning curve learning backwards but it taught me to not have a dominant hand so I'm a lot more free on the kit than I would have been. But yeah, being able to play the hardest songs note for note was the test... but I think, honestly, for me it's being able to drift from the original beat knowing what it is but being able to freelance around it then pop back into it. All those years of jazz lessons put a little 'swing' into my rock drumming.
New players are very lucky to have videos like this. I spent years figuring this stuff out. Pay attention new players. Stephen is saving you lots of time with these tips. Nicely done, drummer PSAs
Yes you're exactly right I spent countless hours watching other drummers and their techniques to learn off of them luckily I had a good friends that took percussion in high school and I always went to their shows they taught me a lot of these basic techniques and how to tune drums and stuff these days it's all on video the kids got it made
No shit, these kids are spoiled these days, they don't know how good they have it. Bottom line though, if u avoid the click you'll play like a dick....and DYNAMICS are everything! Ok no more free tips from me! Lol
1.) Not using a metronome. 2.) Playing too tense. Arms, shoulders locked and stiff. 3.)Volume in the wrong places (otherwise known as "dynamics"). 4.) Sitting posture while playing. Sit on your butt, not your tail bone. 5.) Not counting while playing. 6.) Inefficient set up. otherwise know as ergonomics. 7.) Not taking lessons. (Learn to read music) *note: if the instructor plays more then the student during the lesson, get a new instructor. 8.) Moving to quickly through materiel. Moving on to new materiel too soon. 9.) Unorganized practice routine. 10.) Waiting too long to play with other musicians. You're welcome!
420.) Too much pot makes you think you're great. My step son has chops but can't read music which is very disappointing to me. He also is very impatient and walks off of the set when he's bored. He has no discipline. I honestly don't know why he's disservicing himself by getting more drums. Also arrogance feeds mediocracy.
@@jonpowell4157 Don't worry too much about it. If he's got the chops and is interested the rest will come eventually. I played guitar like that for a long time and eventually I figured I wanted to dig deeper into it. Hope he keeps playing, take care!
I'd like to add one thing. NOT LISTENING. Not listening to songs enough before trying to play them; not listening to enough music in the genre that you are trying to emulate; not listening to what your band mates are playing in rehearsals or gigs; not listening to other musicians advice or requests; not listening to yourself (directly or through recordings) in order to sound more balanced and tighter... I could go on. There two quotes I'd like to share: "You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time"; "The art of conversation lies in listening" (and music is a conversation).
I practice listening to the music through my earpieces, and being familiar with the music eliminates the need for a metronome, counting, and score, especially if you're capable of singing along to the music while playing. But it only works if I've spent weeks listening to the music.
Exactly. I can count a million times when I played with someone who is not even such a beginner and there was always problem with listening. Not playing the accents or playing too much. What is more is not paying attention to how you sound. Many people thinks that if you buy yourself a decent, expensive gear you will suddenly became a professional player with perfect sound.
I strongly encourage #9. I’m 15, and I recently got to play a jazz gig with a 93 year old trombone player who just has amazing sound projection, tone, feel, and seeing and hearing him play has inspired me to get better. No matter your age, take opportunities to play.
As a long time teacher I completely agree with you. I’ve also added….stop comparing yourself with other players. Be inspired instead of comparing. Music is a personal journey that will last a lifetime. Great video. You’re very articulate.
Matt Thompson i’ve always noticed that i “suck” when listening to myself, i critique myself, it’s why most actors don’t always watch their own films because they’ll critique themselves
Great subject matter, content and presentation. And Stephen, you're the right person to do this. Just a few things I'll add. (1) Striking Cymbals: Let me preface by noting that I worked with a major cymbal company for many years. Yes, avoid direct strikes into the edge as these are damaging for the both cymbal and stick. Your suggestion of striking downward is better, but with so many players hitting so hard, that too can destroy cymbals (due to stress around the bell area, especially when bolted down too tightly). It can also choke the sound the same way 'sinking' the bass drum beater does. Also, the downward inertia means a recovery motion is required to pull the stick back into play. (One reason Neil Peart went to Freddie Gruber for lessons - he felt like he was swinging for the floor and the snare got in the way, at which point he had to reverse his muscle motion to bring the stick back up.) The optimum is to slice across. This more circular motion (ditto when playing rhythm patterns) means the cymbals will perform better and last longer, while the stick stays in what I call 'flow motion'; there is no recovery required. Ringo's hi-hat motion is a good example to apply across all cymbals. (2) Seating: A seat with a back rest is a worth consideration. Even better, I have a Gibraltar seat with a small rest that targets the lower back. And the seat itself is of the bicycle type with the cutaways, so one's legs can move freely. Both factors make a massive difference. (3) Filling Spaces: Too many drummers calculate their self worth on the basis of how many cool fills they can do in a tune. Ironically, everyone else in the band wants a clean groove played with commitment and solid time. Drum fills are like widdley-widdley guitarists...you need to be in the 'right' band to get away with that. And even if you can get away with it, don't take for granted that it sounds good out front. (4) Self Medicating: I've known some great players whose personal anxieties caused them to drink before and/or while onstage. Though not so prevalent these days, it remains an issue that is concealed when players have 'a few pints' during the performance - one on stage, a couple during each break.... They add up. It's bad for one's playing and bad for one's health. Drink culture bands are bad bands to be in. (5) Play the Right Stuff: The late, great Jon Hiseman noted in a Modern Drummer interview that players learning a lick out of a magazine should consider where that lick is most suitable before attempting it onstage. As Sting is keen for all his great drummers to understand, a killer fill done for Frank Zappa, Gino Vannelli or Jeff Beck is likely much too much for the former Police man's music. Give him a deep groove, a sense of musical creativity (versus technical bombast) played in great time and the gig is yours. (6) Venue Size: The bigger the venue, the fewer the notes. There is a reason AC/DC keep things simple and big. If they played like a fusion band - a thousand notes per bar - in a huge arena the sound would be total mush and their impact lost. Smaller rooms, okay, if they're not too 'live' sounding. Always consider the pros and cons of the venue when determining how hard to play and how much to play. It is always best to play softer. If volume is needed out front, the sound tech can boost that. Besides, boosting the volume results in a far better sound than bashing on the drums. Once again, a great clip, Stephen. Though I've been a player for (too) many years, some of what you said made me rethink my own attitude on a couple points. It's never too late to learn.... Thank you.
Some great points Wayne...and thank you for the correction and clarification on my cymbal point. I usually explain it as a “glancing blow” but for some reason didn’t do that this time. Thanks for such great insight and some additional great tips brotha!
@@StephenTaylorDrums Thank you. And you're welcome. Might I suggest you do a clip on how players might set their kits up specific to their own physical ergonomics. I, for example, find it difficult to play the 'typical' kit with standard sizes and cymbal heights. So for decades now I've used smaller drum and cymbal sizes, all positioned (cymbals high and angled) for ergonomic sense. There was a time when we could differentiate drummers just by looking at their kits; now too many are set up the same. Surely not everyone is physically comfortable with that.
@@wayneblanchard97 the main problem is people worry about their kit looking cool to the audience rather than an efficient arrangement of their pieces. *edit* commented before i got to that part
@@joethelowbudgetdrummer7743 Yes, a hard rock drummer (his band was all Marshall stacks and 125 lights...like Def Leppard, but playing bars - once sat behind my kit...and loved it. "I don't need to move or reach for anything - it's all right there," he commented. That was 40 years ago - I played a 14" snare, 20", 10", 13" (mounted as a floor tom) w/cymbals relatively high and sharply angled. (A cowbell, cup chimes and other 'treats' were also in there.) So, I asked him (he was quite a short lad whose kit had double bass, toms from 6" to 18" and an arsenal of cymbals ): "Why don't you reduce the size of your kit? His response was: "No, it wouldn't look cool." I saw him a couple years later with a high-caliber pop band. In a Police tune he did a fill from the smallest to the largest tom...and the tempo dropped about 30bpm. He was a prisoner of his own kit.
@@wayneblanchard97 I envisioned Lars Ulrich as I was reading that, lol. I had a guitarist that, when realizing his rig sounded better through an half stack, insisted on having the other cab sit on stage unplugged because it looked cooler.
I'd also add not taking time to make limbs equal. It's often the case when one hand is super coordinated and another is barely keeping up, or one foot is loud and on point while another is a weak and mostly off-beat shade.
What about using the right cymbals? I may end up using the crash in place where the ride or open hat should be, or end up using hats where they should be closed.
I swear by #6. I spend so much time fine-tuning my setup. I had a day of playing that came out horrible- missing cymbal hits, hitting my hoops that throw off my fills, not being able to so a snare/hi-hat fast fill to save my life! I tweaked my setup and put my stuff to where my body naturally ends up when aiming for a crash hit, adjusting my toms, everything - and I had a perfect day of drumming! My covers have come out so much cleaner sense :) Great list!
Been playing drums for almost 30 years, but haven't been able to for about 8 months now due to my studio being under construction (and very much delayed). These kinds of tips are great reminders even for us veterans. Especially the ones about productive practicing. Thanks for the insight brother!
Everything this man said, is spot on! I've been playing drums since I was 10yo at my church and learned from the veteran drummer there. I became a "play it by ear musician." When I finally joined the band program in middle school, I was broken of all the bad habits I learned. Practiced with a metronome, learn how to read music, and basic hand techniques. Even after 26 years of playing, I still work on basic fundamentals. Learning an instrument takes TONS of patience and hard work, but in the long run, it was well worth it!
Great advice! I have been teaching drums since 94, when I finished my super ultra fancy music education degree, and haven't looked back. To add to your comment about unorganized practice, I once read in an article in Modern Drummer, about how one of the publisher/editor/contributors (can't remember exactly who) used Tom Landry's practice method. It was divided into 3 sections. Let's say it is 45 minutes (random number). 1st 15 minutes: warmups. Rudiments, stick control, hand or foot speed, etc. 2nd 30 minutes: The meat. Working through Syncopation, New Breed, Progressive Independence, or jamming to songs for your upcoming gig, etc. 3rd 15 minutes: Reward. Have fun making noise. Whether it's doing a drum solo, practicing along with a favourite drummer for fun, spinning sticks, whatever. That made a huge impact on me, and I have used this practice regimen ever since. I tell all of my students this, and some of them even try it! lol
DUDE, i learned to play the drums somewhat the same way. The main drummer of our church didn't show up and i was asked (mostly because we shared the same name) and have been playing ever since. That was about 15 or 16 years ago, didn't know anything about drumming
Spot on, agree with everything said. I'd add ( and please don't kill me ) - No 11 : Learn to read drum notes/score .... I know that some of you drummers will hate me for that but being able to read rhythm and drum notes makes you better understand what you play and visualize the pattern as well as play it ... I strongly recommend !
I noticed that. On the other hand, his “too-tense” example sounded kinda cool. Certain mistakes are easier to demonstrate than others once you’ve gotten over making them yourself.
Thanks for the video, very helpful. My problem is I'm always scared while playing, so it puts pressure and tension on how I play. Its getting better with time, but I'm still finding it holding me back to have more fun while learning.
These are all spot on. Taking drum lessons is my favorite rule. I self-taught for 20 years, but I'm just completing my first year of weekly drum lessons, and I grew more in one year than I did the previous 20. A currently developing rule of mine is to NOT STOP NOR START OVER when I make a mistake while playing/practicing. It has really helped my playing to keep moving in time, and as I come to the end of the measure, pick the pattern back up on beat one without stopping. 🛢🔃
Rythm is a headache. Unless your used to your wife talking to you. I like to walk my own walk unless I fall down. Find one as in 1 for the beat. It should be tolerable then.
Ohh did it? 🫢 awwww I’m sorry you’re just so musically inclined that you can’t even hear someone play incorrectly without getting a headache! That must be so hard.
Great stuff, Stephen! Love your comment at 15:57 - "The reason you're learning to play (drums) is to play MUSIC." Subtle but incredibly important concept. We're not just learning a physical skill on the drums. It's not just exercise. It is an artistic skill, meant to communicate with others. When we speak, we don't yell all the time. Same with the drums: learn the dynamic control needed to play musically. You only know you are communicating when others (especially musicians) respond appropriately to your musical message. Blessings!
Wow this is exactly how I started drumming a few months ago. I am a 43 year string player and for some crazy reason I volunteered to help on drums at our local church, mostly because they were desperate for a drummer and they knew that I am a long time string player from another church. So, I had it in mind it would take a while to learn before jumping in on the pastor’s yamaha stage custom kit, but nope lol. I was a practice that very Monday night, after a quickie session with Jared Falk and my kitchen counter. The rest as they say is history and here I am still learning like crazy and thinking drums are for sure my new primary instrument. So much fun🥁
With #10 I had the opposite problem: I began playing with people early, realized I sucked, and have spent the last decade just playing by myself. Playing with other people, at least in my experience, will kill your confidence quicker than anything (even though it can be way more fun!).
Same, especially when you realise that certain ideas or phrases would sound good in response to what other people are playing, but then you can’t actually execute it
Good advice. I am a guitar player not a drummer, but I find it useful to know something about other instruments. Most of these points apply to learning any instrument.
Good stuff here. I’m a bass player not a drummer but i know the sound of all these mistakes. I’ve made the bass version of most of them. I’m sure your students are blessed to have you. Thanks for the post.
Thank you Stephen. I can add that recording myself playing along with other musicians has been my most humbling realization that I had erratic timing and overall sloppiness. I was very disappointed in myself and felt like actually quitting. I'm taking what I heard very seriously and more concerned with how I'm sounding clean and not so much how impressive the grooves and chops that lost timing are. I've gone completely back to the basics. A very weird feeling to accept myself as a 'beginner' drummer after playing for 30yrs.
I never gave up playing after Allstate, county, drum section leader, concert band, symphonic band, Atlanta Symphony, and home drumming. Now and again I get in front of an instructor such as Dr. Hoyt Lacroix. You are never too old to play or learn.
I started drumming about 15 years ago. I wish I would’ve had someone to tell me this stuff back then. Now just to take the time to learn how to tune my kit. 😂
I'm glad I found this video! I used to play drums, but things happened so the ties I had to play were cut and now I realized all the mistakes I made and if I get back to play I'll use what you told in the video
Im 14 and i feel i have some potential in playing drums and i know i have a lot more time to learn. Whats giving me trouble is timing and when to hit the bass drum. Those are the struggles for me. And i do feel i hit the cymbals way too much haha.
Get a metronome and play the bass drum only on beat 1. Nothing else. Then only on 2... Etc. Once you have your bass drum and metronome molded into one, add steady quarter notes on your hi-hat and again work it until you don't have to think about it, and that you, the metronome and all of your moving parts are moving like a well oiled machine. Then, go ahead and add that snare on beat 3 only. Do the same molding process with all three parts working together with the metronome. Then find a new beat, and break it into individual parts again... Rinse and repeat my friend. In no time at all, you'll be on track where you can take in all the parts at once and replicate em. But as stated in the video... Start with a metronome. If only someone was around to show me a video like this when I started... I would've avoided so many bad habits, and all the lost time when trying to correct those bad habits. Good luck out there to ya, and no matter what, don't give up.
When I was around 15 years old one of my friends had a drum set we used to practice all the time but never had money or internet times to ever got any lessons. Now at 49 years old I’m coming back and your way of EXPLAINING is nail on. I got so much more knowledge as an adult from your one video that made me understand beginner mistakes perfectly 👍👍 to you sir
Brad Thomson that’s just false. Playing “ahead” or “behind” is about feel with a full band or other instruments. You still need to be able to play consistently in time, which is why you practice with a click.
Especially if the bass player practices to one. The rhythm section can be tight, but the rest of the band has to (gasp!) pay attention to what they're laying down. It's a collaboration, not a competition.
Dave Carrera , headphones. We called them, ‘cans’. I use noise cancelling earbuds in rehearsal. New songs require a certain amount of experimentation to find the tempo.
Yelling the counting. I can't tell you how many songs I have no ideas what the lyrics are because they all sound like 1 AND 2 AND 3 AND 4 AND My inner monologue is sooooo loud I can't hear much else.
As a beginner it’s good to memorize the song . Not only the drum parts but being able to sing out the guitar parts and even sometimes knowing the lyrics at certain parts . Basically , understanding the entire song not just the drum parts . It’s to understand why some drum beats will suit certain songs instead of others
Mine just sounds like the bass line... I only really count when I'm writing parts. But no, I didn't know (all) the lyrics to our songs until we recorded the album and I had to listen to them a hundred times.
Life changing video. I am a army doctor, a anesthesia guy. Playing drums for last few years. Doing all the mistakes u listed. So its time to get organized. Tnx a lot
I am a full-time music tutor, been tutoring guitar for 10 years, a bit of bass and have recently started with 2 drum students. This is great advice for music practice and progress in general! Thanks so much. Simple and straight forward :D dig it
As a drumteacher myself i have to say, spot on! I have been telling my students the same things. Nice to hear there are more people sharing the same idea. Great video 🤘🏻. I would like to add 1 tip, and that is to try and keep playing if you make a small mistake. I see too many kids startle from a mistake and stop playing. Train those reflexes to keep playing even though you might play a bassdrum too much then you wanted too. Keep the groove and fix your small mistake instead of stopping. Too many students do this, and its hard to train that reflex. But in time i see people really improve, and also get more selfassured and less scared to take a little risk to just play! Cheers from Holland, keep up the drumming 🥁👍🏻
That was great sage advice. I'm a guitar player, everything you mentioned is applicable to the guitar as well. I never practice without spending some time with a metronome, even after 30 years of playing.
Hi Stephen, first time watcher with 40 years of drumming experience. . What a great guy and source of honest information you are. If only you were around in the 70’s to guide so many of us young drummers back then. You’re making it so easy for the new guys. Great videos.
#1 for sure!!! I played professionally for 7 years and even though I have now spent 25 years practicing with a metronome. I feel like it took years to recover from not having started with a metronome from the beginning.
I can’t stress enough the importance of your point about lessons. I played for 10 years without taking them and I started lessons biweekly in July of last year. I’ve improved more since I started them than the entire time prior, and I feel a THOUSAND times more relaxed and comfortable with my hands.
You can instantly avoid making mistakes in your drumming by 90% if you only play drums at the gig and stop wasting time with all this "practice" nonsense. Its simple math people,the less you play, the less mistake ratio rankings ...And yeah, grow a beard.
This helped me a lot to focus on how to practice better thank you!... I'm working on getting to play the drums with my church's worship team... I play percussion with them now
1. Not. using metronome 2. Too tense 3. Volume in all the wrong places (lol) (Cymbals/hats way louder than the whole kit.) Should be bottom end (kick) drum heavy 4. Slouching. 5. Not counting. (We don't know what count we're on til we know what count we're on) Not true you can't play it if you can't count it. Danny Seraphine has things that are un-countable. He said so himself. 6. Inefficient setup. Note: don't take 20 minutes at a jam to re-set the whole kit, and then you don't produce Buddy Rich after all that. Play it as it lays unless it's a DIRE emergency. Like golf. 7. Refusing to take lessons. At least a few "teachers" I've run across were worse musicians than I am. Many only work out of ONE book and several have no ear. At all. If you can't teach something several different ways and have it make sense to a little kid, you don't know what you're doing. :) 8. Moving too fast. ok, then how.do you teach the ADD kids? Or adults? Because you'll lose them. :) 9. Ineffective practice. 10. Waiting too long to play with other players. (guys who play alone are the worst players). Sorry, recordings are light years different than live. :) You should broadcast at Guitar Center EVERY minute they are open. I suck as a drummer, but at least i can keep a straight beat. :) It's no big feat to be the best drummer at GC. lol
Nothing is literally uncountable. Danny's exaggerating. More likely he just hasn't taken the time to figure out how it would be counted because he doesn't need to do that; he just feels it and plays it. But if you wanted to sit down and figure out how to count it, you could.
i own a drumset for 2 years and what i wanted to learn so hard was the heel and toe techinque kick, i'm still currently trying to adapt the technique, and im greatly thankful to the people who do video lessons all around the net.
Thanks again Stephen for another cracking lesson! One thing I love about my personal journey on the drums, you mentioned, was getting out there playing with other musicians and community networking and jamming! Absolutely vital, prior to lockdown, this proved it's wait in gold! When lock eased slightly, I was able again to Socially Distanced practice at church with my fellow musicians again or at least until the more recent local lock down that came into force. Anyway, my point is this, good discipline and regular jamming with musician better than yourself is fantastic! It not only gets your engine running, but encourages you as you rightly say, and helps you lock up to the #1! Music is a shared experience, and always better for you that way I find with fellow musicians jamming together, there's just nothing quite like it! Thanks again for all you encouragement, excellent videos that always make sense, and lead me to finally live my dream 38 years on by going to University to study a BA Honors Degree Course in Music Performance and Production in September!
In my experience, checking my ego took several years to figure out was my biggest roadblock to conquering these mistakes. Humility and willingness to listen to constructive criticism are priceless traits to acquire. I used to struggle with many of the mistakes here, thinking that if I needed things like lessons or a metronome, I wasn’t a real drummer. Fortunately, since figuring this out I’ve been able to learn and grow much more dynamically in my playing 😊
Lol, for sure. I was talking to a professor from Berkeley recently and he was telling me that he had guys coming in to audition playing that stuff. He thought they couldn’t keep time until someone told him that was a current trend in drumming.
@@StephenTaylorDrums Yeah, Questlove talked about when D'Angelo played him that stuff. He was like "what?" I like using a metronome to get that feel and play around with it, flamming the hi-hats and accenting upbeats. Steve Jordan talks about how a quarter note has a length to it, and you can drop the beat anywhere within that note. I always think of that and often set my metronome to give me a quarter note tone to help me place the beats. Good stuff.
In all honesty, I learned playing drums because I had some friends who didn't have a drummer. Hence I learned playing in a band setting, as opposed to just buying a kit and sitting at home, and I thank my lucky stars this is how I learned to play. You get a grasp on time and dynamics a hell of a lot quicker, as opposed to sitting at home with ear muffs and no click.
@@luckypotato6973 Wearing sleeveless metal tee shirts and carrying drum sticks in your back pocket everywhere you go is a surefire way to look like a drummer.
I so much appreciate your going straight to the point and no monologues. You covered every area of importance so well. Thanks for sharing your wisdom in these matters, it has inspired me so much.
Good video as usual. # 10 is paramount. I had a drum set that went mostly untouched for several years as I slogged through books on a practice pad becoming an expert in rudiments and snare. Looking back, it would have been easy to start showing me some basic beats in addition to the rest, and it became alot more fun when I finally started doing what I signed up for.
I’m not a new player but I just started playing again after almost 30 years ago. 4 years ago I had a birthday surprise. Had a live band was feeling froggy because I was the birthday boy and asked if I could check out the drum set. I ended up play a handful of tunes with them and managed to not embarrass myself while gaining a lot of respect. Just recently I’ve decided to get back in the saddle plus practicing guitar, keyboard, and learning DAW. I really like your style as I just found you and feel very blessed to have done so. I’m enjoying learning to practice correctly and seeing the key is to do it everyday. Losing track of time when I don’t realize how long I’m practicing I think is a good sign that maybe I have found a long lost passion being reborn. I decided to subscribe with new video alerts. Thanks for all you do. Live your background too🥁👏👏👏
One of the few instances where a top 10 list is actually worthwhile to sit through. Thanks a lot for this video, from someone who is ready to step up from playing at home to my favourite songs, to a higher level of music. I would add to this list the most important thing in music: hearing protection. Drums are super loud, especially if you play the louder genres like metal or rock. Your ears are the sole bridge between you and music, so be careful with them, don't end up with tinnitus at 25 because you're too cool for ear plugs.
I love your teaching style! I'm in the process of getting my groove back after a long hiatus. I can totally see you have been teaching a long time. It's funny, I'm a seasoned enough drummer to totally understand and agree with everything you're saying while at the same time my chops are totally at all the bad examples right now. My body has forgotten wait my brain knows - if that makes sense. This is really helpful for getting your "ole Chops" back too. Thanks man!
It’s a totally different thing coming back to the drums after time away. Welcome back to the fam! Give yourself a reintroduction period of a few months to brush up on old skills. That will make it much less stressful for you.
(June 9th, 2019) Man, how I wish I had you as my teacher back in high school. My Instrumental teacher (who was in fact a professional drummer, as well) just basically said, "ok, you want to play drums, here you go" and left me to it. I was the only one on drums in the entire class and was coming from a flute and piccolo playing background. So, I'm sure one can undersand the bit of a mind--fk drums / drumming were for me. He was such a lousy teacher... made me even more mad because he was a 'professional' drummer during his 'off' time away from school. Guidance is key, to everything in life, not just drumming. Thanks, Mr. Taylor! : )
Many drummers that are great at playing are horrible teachers. Teaching is a whole different skill set. I’m sorry you had that experience but I’m glad you’re getting so much from the videos.
Shyeah, Right! I don't even own _A_ drum, let alone many drums that would necessitate an entire RACK! What am I gonna do... with a drum rack? ... uhh ... sorry GUN rack!
Great value add here. Very simple things to avoid however a lot of artists/musicians have a hard time with structure. Until.... Until they realize that it actually brings the freedom and growth they actually wanted and we're desiring. Love the simplicity of this group of tips.
Wonderful. Especially the beginning parts and showing off the wrong techniques - doing something wrong is easy, but being good at it and "acting" wrong is pretty hard sometimes.
10:14 I'd been struggling for such a long time to play the right thing on a badly set up kit until I finally got around to make a few changes and tweaks. My snare was off to the side, the toms were almost facing my body, the beater was heavy and the hi - hat way too high, so I was living a nightmare. I'd still pull off some stuff but it was tiring and counterproductive mainly because I felt way to tired even after an hour worth of practicing and learning songs. Thank you for bringing this up so that more people could take their time and set their kits to their personal preference!
I have been playing drums for over 20 years, starting in middle school marching band. This is a very true list. I really enjoy the compassionate way you put these things out there. Nobody knows they're doing it wrong until you tell them lol
Love the advice, been playing and learning for 35 years. Only thing I would want to add is find a song when you're learning and play it through to perfection. The detail and the confidence will pull you through a lot. It doesn't have to be the most technical drum part, something you can play with confidence.
New subscriber here, and long time drummer (I'm almost 44 and have been drumming for at least 25 years) and you have some very helpful tips. One that sticks out is the posture for me, being tall this is hard to obey at times, so THANK you for that. Your words will be in my head for a while ( do NOT sit on the tailbone! ) rock on brutha.
You gave me a deja vu memory. 50+ years ago, my drum teacher absolutely insisted that I count while playing and it drove me NUTS and made me feel like a dork (I was 8-9 years old). Her mantra was 'if you can count it - you can play it' (your comment at 10:08). After about 2-3 months or so, I quit fighting and I realized that she was absolutely right...even to this day, I still say, 'if I can count it...I can play it'. Works especially well playing odd time signatures! ALWAYS gotta know where the '1' is... Nicely done (as usual).
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
4:00 - When I was a kid (way before the internet), I was self-taught, just jamming to Metallica or whatever else and nobody showed me proper technique... "Hit the Lights" was impossible to get through, I knew I was doing something wrong. I finally had lessons with a jazz drummer, a guy who toured with Chuck Berry at the time... he showed me how to stop playing from the elbows and play from the wrists instead and it unlocked everything for me. Literally and figuratively.
You _started_ being self taught w Metallica? Damn bro, good for you! Lars is not an easy guy to follow imo
@@mikemurphy5898 Oh really? Thanks :) Yeah, it was all Metallica at first... every album until the Black album. Lars plays pretty straight time, though, but his stops and tightness with the guitars are what I was focusing on at the time. I couldn't do "Hit the Lights" for a while, because my technique sucked them... all arms. After I learned correct form, it was a lot easier... still not "easy." I LOVE jamming with Metallica still but so many jazz songs are harder, I think, with the odd times that challenge me more. I love playing anything though, always fun to just jam at home or with new bands.
@@ronineditor9920 Me too, man! Did you measure your progress by songs? I remember for double bass in particular it was "get through fuel, then get through Shortest Straw, then Fight Fire, then Battery, then Dyers Eve etc. ?
@@doodlebob3758 Absolutely! My "holy grail" was "One." At the time, I could do quick double bass fills, just a couple hits in a row, then back to a single bass feel. I had an old school Ludwig bass pedal, not today's speed ones and I wanted to nail One's double-bass with a single bass. I finally did it and then felt, okay, maybe you're decent now.
I'm also left-handed but I knew when I got good, I'd have to play on other kits as a righty, especially at gigs when they have house kits. So, that took some getting used to, bigger learning curve learning backwards but it taught me to not have a dominant hand so I'm a lot more free on the kit than I would have been.
But yeah, being able to play the hardest songs note for note was the test... but I think, honestly, for me it's being able to drift from the original beat knowing what it is but being able to freelance around it then pop back into it. All those years of jazz lessons put a little 'swing' into my rock drumming.
@@ronineditor9920 Yeah at a certain point every drummer has to get to jazz if they want to go the distance. Hardest style to master IMO.
New players are very lucky to have videos like this. I spent years figuring this stuff out. Pay attention new players. Stephen is saving you lots of time with these tips. Nicely done, drummer PSAs
Yes you're exactly right I spent countless hours watching other drummers and their techniques to learn off of them luckily I had a good friends that took percussion in high school and I always went to their shows they taught me a lot of these basic techniques and how to tune drums and stuff these days it's all on video the kids got it made
Learned it by my cousin with a large pause from 6 to 9 grade now I'm playing again without everything
No shit, these kids are spoiled these days, they don't know how good they have it. Bottom line though, if u avoid the click you'll play like a dick....and DYNAMICS are everything! Ok no more free tips from me! Lol
I’ve playing for 14 years but I’m not that good because I didn’t have anyone or any tool like youtube to help.
Yeah me too! Beginners these days have it made......🙄
1.) Not using a metronome.
2.) Playing too tense. Arms, shoulders locked and stiff.
3.)Volume in the wrong places (otherwise known as "dynamics").
4.) Sitting posture while playing. Sit on your butt, not your tail bone.
5.) Not counting while playing.
6.) Inefficient set up. otherwise know as ergonomics.
7.) Not taking lessons. (Learn to read music) *note: if the instructor plays more then the student during the lesson, get a new instructor.
8.) Moving to quickly through materiel. Moving on to new materiel too soon.
9.) Unorganized practice routine.
10.) Waiting too long to play with other musicians.
You're welcome!
TruthAndMoreTruth * too
420.) Too much pot makes you think you're great. My step son has chops but can't read music which is very disappointing to me. He also is very impatient and walks off of the set when he's bored. He has no discipline. I honestly don't know why he's disservicing himself by getting more drums. Also arrogance feeds mediocracy.
TruthAndMoreTruth k
@@jonpowell4157 Don't worry too much about it. If he's got the chops and is interested the rest will come eventually. I played guitar like that for a long time and eventually I figured I wanted to dig deeper into it. Hope he keeps playing, take care!
#10. What is to long?
I'd like to add one thing. NOT LISTENING. Not listening to songs enough before trying to play them; not listening to enough music in the genre that you are trying to emulate; not listening to what your band mates are playing in rehearsals or gigs; not listening to other musicians advice or requests; not listening to yourself (directly or through recordings) in order to sound more balanced and tighter... I could go on. There two quotes I'd like to share: "You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time"; "The art of conversation lies in listening" (and music is a conversation).
So true 👊🏻
I practice listening to the music through my earpieces, and being familiar with the music eliminates the need for a metronome, counting, and score, especially if you're capable of singing along to the music while playing. But it only works if I've spent weeks listening to the music.
Well said my dude!
So right! Well written
Exactly. I can count a million times when I played with someone who is not even such a beginner and there was always problem with listening. Not playing the accents or playing too much. What is more is not paying attention to how you sound. Many people thinks that if you buy yourself a decent, expensive gear you will suddenly became a professional player with perfect sound.
I strongly encourage #9. I’m 15, and I recently got to play a jazz gig with a 93 year old trombone player who just has amazing sound projection, tone, feel, and seeing and hearing him play has inspired me to get better. No matter your age, take opportunities to play.
As a long time teacher I completely agree with you. I’ve also added….stop comparing yourself with other players. Be inspired instead of comparing. Music is a personal journey that will last a lifetime. Great video. You’re very articulate.
I'd add not recording yourself, I think listening back to what you actually sound like has got to be one of the best learning tools.
Yes! Recording is such a vital and instructional tool
@@StephenTaylorDrums this is where eDrums are easier, record is one button press ;-) lol I got kids leave me alone.
Matt Thompson i’ve always noticed that i “suck” when listening to myself, i critique myself, it’s why most actors don’t always watch their own films because they’ll critique themselves
@@thereverend6512 I do the same thing. Seems alright while I make the recording...until I listen back and I am like: *face palm* - "That was awful!"
Couldn't agree more. It highlights our strengths, and exposes our weaknesses. Love it.
Great subject matter, content and presentation. And Stephen, you're the right person to do this. Just a few things I'll add.
(1) Striking Cymbals: Let me preface by noting that I worked with a major cymbal company for many years. Yes, avoid direct strikes into the edge as these are damaging for the both cymbal and stick. Your suggestion of striking downward is better, but with so many players hitting so hard, that too can destroy cymbals (due to stress around the bell area, especially when bolted down too tightly). It can also choke the sound the same way 'sinking' the bass drum beater does. Also, the downward inertia means a recovery motion is required to pull the stick back into play. (One reason Neil Peart went to Freddie Gruber for lessons - he felt like he was swinging for the floor and the snare got in the way, at which point he had to reverse his muscle motion to bring the stick back up.) The optimum is to slice across. This more circular motion (ditto when playing rhythm patterns) means the cymbals will perform better and last longer, while the stick stays in what I call 'flow motion'; there is no recovery required. Ringo's hi-hat motion is a good example to apply across all cymbals.
(2) Seating: A seat with a back rest is a worth consideration. Even better, I have a Gibraltar seat with a small rest that targets the lower back. And the seat itself is of the bicycle type with the cutaways, so one's legs can move freely. Both factors make a massive difference.
(3) Filling Spaces: Too many drummers calculate their self worth on the basis of how many cool fills they can do in a tune. Ironically, everyone else in the band wants a clean groove played with commitment and solid time. Drum fills are like widdley-widdley guitarists...you need to be in the 'right' band to get away with that. And even if you can get away with it, don't take for granted that it sounds good out front.
(4) Self Medicating: I've known some great players whose personal anxieties caused them to drink before and/or while onstage. Though not so prevalent these days, it remains an issue that is concealed when players have 'a few pints' during the performance - one on stage, a couple during each break.... They add up. It's bad for one's playing and bad for one's health. Drink culture bands are bad bands to be in.
(5) Play the Right Stuff: The late, great Jon Hiseman noted in a Modern Drummer interview that players learning a lick out of a magazine should consider where that lick is most suitable before attempting it onstage. As Sting is keen for all his great drummers to understand, a killer fill done for Frank Zappa, Gino Vannelli or Jeff Beck is likely much too much for the former Police man's music. Give him a deep groove, a sense of musical creativity (versus technical bombast) played in great time and the gig is yours.
(6) Venue Size: The bigger the venue, the fewer the notes. There is a reason AC/DC keep things simple and big. If they played like a fusion band - a thousand notes per bar - in a huge arena the sound would be total mush and their impact lost. Smaller rooms, okay, if they're not too 'live' sounding. Always consider the pros and cons of the venue when determining how hard to play and how much to play. It is always best to play softer. If volume is needed out front, the sound tech can boost that. Besides, boosting the volume results in a far better sound than bashing on the drums.
Once again, a great clip, Stephen. Though I've been a player for (too) many years, some of what you said made me rethink my own attitude on a couple points. It's never too late to learn.... Thank you.
Some great points Wayne...and thank you for the correction and clarification on my cymbal point. I usually explain it as a “glancing blow” but for some reason didn’t do that this time. Thanks for such great insight and some additional great tips brotha!
@@StephenTaylorDrums Thank you. And you're welcome. Might I suggest you do a clip on how players might set their kits up specific to their own physical ergonomics. I, for example, find it difficult to play the 'typical' kit with standard sizes and cymbal heights. So for decades now I've used smaller drum and cymbal sizes, all positioned (cymbals high and angled) for ergonomic sense. There was a time when we could differentiate drummers just by looking at their kits; now too many are set up the same. Surely not everyone is physically comfortable with that.
@@wayneblanchard97 the main problem is people worry about their kit looking cool to the audience rather than an efficient arrangement of their pieces.
*edit* commented before i got to that part
@@joethelowbudgetdrummer7743 Yes, a hard rock drummer (his band was all Marshall stacks and 125 lights...like Def Leppard, but playing bars - once sat behind my kit...and loved it. "I don't need to move or reach for anything - it's all right there," he commented. That was 40 years ago - I played a 14" snare, 20", 10", 13" (mounted as a floor tom) w/cymbals relatively high and sharply angled. (A cowbell, cup chimes and other 'treats' were also in there.) So, I asked him (he was quite a short lad whose kit had double bass, toms from 6" to 18" and an arsenal of cymbals ): "Why don't you reduce the size of your kit? His response was: "No, it wouldn't look cool." I saw him a couple years later with a high-caliber pop band. In a Police tune he did a fill from the smallest to the largest tom...and the tempo dropped about 30bpm. He was a prisoner of his own kit.
@@wayneblanchard97 I envisioned Lars Ulrich as I was reading that, lol. I had a guitarist that, when realizing his rig sounded better through an half stack, insisted on having the other cab sit on stage unplugged because it looked cooler.
I'd also add not taking time to make limbs equal. It's often the case when one hand is super coordinated and another is barely keeping up, or one foot is loud and on point while another is a weak and mostly off-beat shade.
What about using the right cymbals? I may end up using the crash in place where the ride or open hat should be, or end up using hats where they should be closed.
You are such a caring teacher. Many students need to hear instruction repeatedly - you never know when they will "get it"
I just started drums..and that helped..thanks!🙋♂️
You’re welcome my friend
I swear by #6. I spend so much time fine-tuning my setup. I had a day of playing that came out horrible- missing cymbal hits, hitting my hoops that throw off my fills, not being able to so a snare/hi-hat fast fill to save my life! I tweaked my setup and put my stuff to where my body naturally ends up when aiming for a crash hit, adjusting my toms, everything - and I had a perfect day of drumming! My covers have come out so much cleaner sense :)
Great list!
Been playing drums for almost 30 years, but haven't been able to for about 8 months now due to my studio being under construction (and very much delayed). These kinds of tips are great reminders even for us veterans. Especially the ones about productive practicing. Thanks for the insight brother!
Everything this man said, is spot on! I've been playing drums since I was 10yo at my church and learned from the veteran drummer there. I became a "play it by ear musician." When I finally joined the band program in middle school, I was broken of all the bad habits I learned. Practiced with a metronome, learn how to read music, and basic hand techniques. Even after 26 years of playing, I still work on basic fundamentals. Learning an instrument takes TONS of patience and hard work, but in the long run, it was well worth it!
i'ts 2 O'clock and i dont even play the drums
You do now !
Hang in there and you'll be a drummer by dawn.
I'm trying to learn the drums because our drummer got in a fight and can't come to the performance
I'm a bass player with absolutely no timing
Best comment ever
ICantThinkOfAUsername That comment was 3 weeks old... I hope everything worked out for ya 😅
Great advice! I have been teaching drums since 94, when I finished my super ultra fancy music education degree, and haven't looked back. To add to your comment about unorganized practice, I once read in an article in Modern Drummer, about how one of the publisher/editor/contributors (can't remember exactly who) used Tom Landry's practice method. It was divided into 3 sections. Let's say it is 45 minutes (random number).
1st 15 minutes: warmups. Rudiments, stick control, hand or foot speed, etc.
2nd 30 minutes: The meat. Working through Syncopation, New Breed, Progressive Independence, or jamming to songs for your upcoming gig, etc.
3rd 15 minutes: Reward. Have fun making noise. Whether it's doing a drum solo, practicing along with a favourite drummer for fun, spinning sticks, whatever.
That made a huge impact on me, and I have used this practice regimen ever since. I tell all of my students this, and some of them even try it! lol
DUDE, i learned to play the drums somewhat the same way. The main drummer of our church didn't show up and i was asked (mostly because we shared the same name) and have been playing ever since. That was about 15 or 16 years ago, didn't know anything about drumming
Spot on, agree with everything said. I'd add ( and please don't kill me ) - No 11 : Learn to read drum notes/score .... I know that some of you drummers will hate me for that but being able to read rhythm and drum notes makes you better understand what you play and visualize the pattern as well as play it ... I strongly recommend !
How do you play deliberate bad time so well!? I find that really difficult.
I noticed that. On the other hand, his “too-tense” example sounded kinda cool. Certain mistakes are easier to demonstrate than others once you’ve gotten over making them yourself.
I’ve practiced a long time to sound this bad...
@@StephenTaylorDrums Ha! World's best bad drumming!
@@StephenTaylorDrums hahahah lol
I agree. Great "bad" playing. It's a great teaching technique. I also still think rudiments make players with good/ great chops.
love the way you explain it Stephen ! been a follower of your tutorials for a long time ! great vids everytime !
Thanks for the video, very helpful.
My problem is I'm always scared while playing, so it puts pressure and tension on how I play. Its getting better with time, but I'm still finding it holding me back to have more fun while learning.
These are all spot on. Taking drum lessons is my favorite rule. I self-taught for 20 years, but I'm just completing my first year of weekly drum lessons, and I grew more in one year than I did the previous 20. A currently developing rule of mine is to NOT STOP NOR START OVER when I make a mistake while playing/practicing. It has really helped my playing to keep moving in time, and as I come to the end of the measure, pick the pattern back up on beat one without stopping. 🛢🔃
That off rythm gave me a headache
Rythm is a headache. Unless your used to your wife talking to you. I like to walk my own walk unless I fall down. Find one as in 1 for the beat. It should be tolerable then.
That off rhythm reminded me of my practice earlier today
Ohh did it? 🫢 awwww I’m sorry you’re just so musically inclined that you can’t even hear someone play incorrectly without getting a headache! That must be so hard.
Great stuff, Stephen! Love your comment at 15:57 - "The reason you're learning to play (drums) is to play MUSIC." Subtle but incredibly important concept. We're not just learning a physical skill on the drums. It's not just exercise. It is an artistic skill, meant to communicate with others. When we speak, we don't yell all the time. Same with the drums: learn the dynamic control needed to play musically. You only know you are communicating when others (especially musicians) respond appropriately to your musical message. Blessings!
I took drum lessons from Don Geroge (Neil Peart's first drum teacher). He was big on counting out loud and knowing your rudiments.
For sure. Counting is so important
Wow this is exactly how I started drumming a few months ago. I am a 43 year string player and for some crazy reason I volunteered to help on drums at our local church, mostly because they were desperate for a drummer and they knew that I am a long time string player from another church. So, I had it in mind it would take a while to learn before jumping in on the pastor’s yamaha stage custom kit, but nope lol. I was a practice that very Monday night, after a quickie session with Jared Falk and my kitchen counter. The rest as they say is history and here I am still learning like crazy and thinking drums are for sure my new primary instrument. So much fun🥁
With #10 I had the opposite problem: I began playing with people early, realized I sucked, and have spent the last decade just playing by myself. Playing with other people, at least in my experience, will kill your confidence quicker than anything (even though it can be way more fun!).
Same here
Same, especially when you realise that certain ideas or phrases would sound good in response to what other people are playing, but then you can’t actually execute it
Good advice. I am a guitar player not a drummer, but I find it useful to know something about other instruments. Most of these points apply to learning any instrument.
Good stuff here. I’m a bass player not a drummer but i know the sound of all these mistakes. I’ve made the bass version of most of them. I’m sure your students are blessed to have you. Thanks for the post.
Thanks jason!
Thank you Stephen. I can add that recording myself playing along with other musicians has been my most humbling realization that I had erratic timing and overall sloppiness. I was very disappointed in myself and felt like actually quitting. I'm taking what I heard very seriously and more concerned with how I'm sounding clean and not so much how impressive the grooves and chops that lost timing are. I've gone completely back to the basics. A very weird feeling to accept myself as a 'beginner' drummer after playing for 30yrs.
I've been playing for 8 years but I still watched this (to make sure I'm not doing something horribly wrong!)
XD
I’m exactly the same, although i’ve played for 13 years.
It’s always nice to be assured that you’re doing it right.
This is an abusive relationship.
Me2
Honestly I'm impressed with how you were able to switch from beginner to pro (in the metronome segment) seamlessly!
Thankyou steve. Ive been drumming for 20 some years. This information helped
I never gave up playing after Allstate, county, drum section leader, concert band, symphonic band, Atlanta Symphony, and home drumming. Now and again I get in front of an instructor such as Dr. Hoyt Lacroix. You are never too old to play or learn.
I started drumming about 15 years ago. I wish I would’ve had someone to tell me this stuff back then. Now just to take the time to learn how to tune my kit. 😂
I'm glad I found this video! I used to play drums, but things happened so the ties I had to play were cut and now I realized all the mistakes I made and if I get back to play I'll use what you told in the video
Im 14 and i feel i have some potential in playing drums and i know i have a lot more time to learn. Whats giving me trouble is timing and when to hit the bass drum. Those are the struggles for me. And i do feel i hit the cymbals way too much haha.
I'm in the same situation too
Get a metronome and play the bass drum only on beat 1. Nothing else. Then only on 2... Etc. Once you have your bass drum and metronome molded into one, add steady quarter notes on your hi-hat and again work it until you don't have to think about it, and that you, the metronome and all of your moving parts are moving like a well oiled machine. Then, go ahead and add that snare on beat 3 only. Do the same molding process with all three parts working together with the metronome. Then find a new beat, and break it into individual parts again... Rinse and repeat my friend. In no time at all, you'll be on track where you can take in all the parts at once and replicate em. But as stated in the video... Start with a metronome. If only someone was around to show me a video like this when I started... I would've avoided so many bad habits, and all the lost time when trying to correct those bad habits. Good luck out there to ya, and no matter what, don't give up.
@@mimmkey thanks for your advice! It really helped
When I was around 15 years old one of my friends had a drum set we used to practice all the time but never had money or internet times to ever got any lessons. Now at 49 years old I’m coming back and your way of EXPLAINING is nail on. I got so much more knowledge as an adult from your one video that made me understand beginner mistakes perfectly 👍👍 to you sir
When you play with a click, and the click disappears, you know you're right on.
Smart TVs don’t allow comments.
You’re only talking to the fringe of humanity from now on.
Once I got the hang of it, I used to stop in the middle of the song because I couldn't hear the click anymore!
Brad Thomson bit harsh
Brad Thomson that’s just false. Playing “ahead” or “behind” is about feel with a full band or other instruments. You still need to be able to play consistently in time, which is why you practice with a click.
@@lucabloor1086 that was awfully nice of you to say. the guy is an idiot!
Good comment about getting a teacher early. I was far too late taking lessons in my life. This is a crucial point.
Now all us drummers need to do is convince the rest of the band that metronomes have value
Especially if the bass player practices to one. The rhythm section can be tight, but the rest of the band has to (gasp!) pay attention to what they're laying down. It's a collaboration, not a competition.
Realise smart TVs exist and comments aren’t seen.
Dave Carrera , headphones. We called them, ‘cans’. I use noise cancelling earbuds in rehearsal. New songs require a certain amount of experimentation to find the tempo.
It’s shocking how musicians sound decent by themselves but have zero clue on how to groove in an ensemble situation.
I'm an old drummer and I made all the mistakes you said. Everything you say is a great truth. Thank you!
Yelling the counting.
I can't tell you how many songs I have no ideas what the lyrics are because they all sound like
1 AND 2 AND 3 AND 4 AND
My inner monologue is sooooo loud I can't hear much else.
As a beginner it’s good to memorize the song . Not only the drum parts but being able to sing out the guitar parts and even sometimes knowing the lyrics at certain parts . Basically , understanding the entire song not just the drum parts . It’s to understand why some drum beats will suit certain songs instead of others
Mine just sounds like the bass line... I only really count when I'm writing parts. But no, I didn't know (all) the lyrics to our songs until we recorded the album and I had to listen to them a hundred times.
Life changing video. I am a army doctor, a anesthesia guy. Playing drums for last few years. Doing all the mistakes u listed. So its time to get organized. Tnx a lot
2:31 Listens to Dilla once:
Lol
I am a full-time music tutor, been tutoring guitar for 10 years, a bit of bass and have recently started with 2 drum students. This is great advice for music practice and progress in general! Thanks so much. Simple and straight forward :D dig it
Making these “Commandments” into a poster in my lesson studio.
As a drumteacher myself i have to say, spot on! I have been telling my students the same things. Nice to hear there are more people sharing the same idea. Great video 🤘🏻. I would like to add 1 tip, and that is to try and keep playing if you make a small mistake. I see too many kids startle from a mistake and stop playing. Train those reflexes to keep playing even though you might play a bassdrum too much then you wanted too. Keep the groove and fix your small mistake instead of stopping. Too many students do this, and its hard to train that reflex. But in time i see people really improve, and also get more selfassured and less scared to take a little risk to just play! Cheers from Holland, keep up the drumming 🥁👍🏻
Love your channel Stephen, your advice helps me every day. Thank You
Rock on! Great video, thanks for the tips & advice.
Solid advice. I spent my first ten years on drums as a complete ignoramus. Start off right!
That was great sage advice. I'm a guitar player, everything you mentioned is applicable to the guitar as well. I never practice without spending some time with a metronome, even after 30 years of playing.
#3’s an often-overlooked one 🤜🤜
Hi Stephen, first time watcher with 40 years of drumming experience. . What a great guy and source of honest information you are. If only you were around in the 70’s to guide so many of us young drummers back then. You’re making it so easy for the new guys. Great videos.
#1 for sure!!! I played professionally for 7 years and even though I have now spent 25 years practicing with a metronome. I feel like it took years to recover from not having started with a metronome from the beginning.
I can’t stress enough the importance of your point about lessons. I played for 10 years without taking them and I started lessons biweekly in July of last year. I’ve improved more since I started them than the entire time prior, and I feel a THOUSAND times more relaxed and comfortable with my hands.
You can instantly avoid making mistakes in your drumming by 90% if you only play drums at the gig and stop wasting time with all this "practice" nonsense. Its simple math people,the less you play, the less mistake ratio rankings ...And yeah, grow a beard.
HidefVince I think this is solid reasoning 👊🏻🧠
Lol
hmmmm......
@Penumbra fucking genious
Works for me.
Great video man! Really informative and interesting too watch! :)
To the 6th point i really like it when my toms are a little bit angled towards me bc if they arent i miss them 😂
This helped me a lot to focus on how to practice better thank you!... I'm working on getting to play the drums with my church's worship team... I play percussion with them now
1. Not. using metronome
2. Too tense
3. Volume in all the wrong places (lol) (Cymbals/hats way louder than the whole kit.) Should be bottom end (kick) drum heavy
4. Slouching.
5. Not counting. (We don't know what count we're on til we know what count we're on)
Not true you can't play it if you can't count it. Danny Seraphine has things that are un-countable. He said so himself.
6. Inefficient setup. Note: don't take 20 minutes at a jam to re-set the whole kit, and then you don't produce Buddy Rich after all that.
Play it as it lays unless it's a DIRE emergency. Like golf.
7. Refusing to take lessons.
At least a few "teachers" I've run across were worse musicians than I am. Many only work out of ONE book and several have no ear. At all.
If you can't teach something several different ways and have it make sense to a little kid, you don't know what you're doing. :)
8. Moving too fast.
ok, then how.do you teach the ADD kids? Or adults? Because you'll lose them. :)
9. Ineffective practice.
10. Waiting too long to play with other players. (guys who play alone are the worst players). Sorry, recordings are light years different than live. :)
You should broadcast at Guitar Center EVERY minute they are open. I suck as a drummer, but at least i can keep a straight beat. :)
It's no big feat to be the best drummer at GC. lol
Nothing is literally uncountable. Danny's exaggerating. More likely he just hasn't taken the time to figure out how it would be counted because he doesn't need to do that; he just feels it and plays it. But if you wanted to sit down and figure out how to count it, you could.
i own a drumset for 2 years and what i wanted to learn so hard was the heel and toe techinque kick, i'm still currently trying to adapt the technique, and im greatly thankful to the people who do video lessons all around the net.
I AM THE METRONOME
-MR COCKY
Proud of you Stephen. Great advice and you are making a difference in our little corner of the world. But your corner is getting pretty big!
my biggest struggle is basically that i don't have a drum kit lol
Stephen is right on! This is such great info that will position you to WIN at drumming. Such a great communicator!
I Iike the tip about sitting properly. I'm still trying to find the right balance with that cuz I struggle playing the kick at times.
Thanks again Stephen for another cracking lesson! One thing I love about my personal journey on the drums, you mentioned, was getting out there playing with other musicians and community networking and jamming! Absolutely vital, prior to lockdown, this proved it's wait in gold! When lock eased slightly, I was able again to Socially Distanced practice at church with my fellow musicians again or at least until the more recent local lock down that came into force. Anyway, my point is this, good discipline and regular jamming with musician better than yourself is fantastic! It not only gets your engine running, but encourages you as you rightly say, and helps you lock up to the #1! Music is a shared experience, and always better for you that way I find with fellow musicians jamming together, there's just nothing quite like it! Thanks again for all you encouragement, excellent videos that always make sense, and lead me to finally live my dream 38 years on by going to University to study a BA Honors Degree Course in Music Performance and Production in September!
Love it ! :D I concur with you, 100% , Stephen :D Thank you for these great lessons :D
In my experience, checking my ego took several years to figure out was my biggest roadblock to conquering these mistakes.
Humility and willingness to listen to constructive criticism are priceless traits to acquire.
I used to struggle with many of the mistakes here, thinking that if I needed things like lessons or a metronome, I wasn’t a real drummer.
Fortunately, since figuring this out I’ve been able to learn and grow much more dynamically in my playing 😊
Kinda playing that f'd-up Dilla beat there in the beginning. I had to unlearn to play like that.
Lol, for sure. I was talking to a professor from Berkeley recently and he was telling me that he had guys coming in to audition playing that stuff. He thought they couldn’t keep time until someone told him that was a current trend in drumming.
@@StephenTaylorDrums Yeah, Questlove talked about when D'Angelo played him that stuff. He was like "what?" I like using a metronome to get that feel and play around with it, flamming the hi-hats and accenting upbeats. Steve Jordan talks about how a quarter note has a length to it, and you can drop the beat anywhere within that note. I always think of that and often set my metronome to give me a quarter note tone to help me place the beats. Good stuff.
In all honesty, I learned playing drums because I had some friends who didn't have a drummer. Hence I learned playing in a band setting, as opposed to just buying a kit and sitting at home, and I thank my lucky stars this is how I learned to play. You get a grasp on time and dynamics a hell of a lot quicker, as opposed to sitting at home with ear muffs and no click.
Is the number one mistake not having a super amazing beard? Because if that's the case then genetics of screwed me over big time.
Fat Samurai Productions - I just shaved mine for summer lol / any advise what else one can do to "look more like a drummer" lol
@@luckypotato6973 Wearing sleeveless metal tee shirts and carrying drum sticks in your back pocket everywhere you go is a surefire way to look like a drummer.
Jacobi Mattheson - haha thanks man! Any kind of sticks in particular? Do any certain sticks give you some sort of "credibility" over others 😁
@@Jackson-df3rv oddly enough that is completely true. Even the country music scene all the drummers look exactly like this.
@@luckypotato6973 I would go with a head, metal sticks to me make you look more intelligent.
I so much appreciate your going straight to the point and no monologues. You covered every area of importance so well. Thanks for sharing your wisdom in these matters, it has inspired me so much.
"One must count, in order to know where one is." - Clyde Stubblefield
Truth
Good video as usual. # 10 is paramount. I had a drum set that went mostly untouched for several years as I slogged through books on a practice pad becoming an expert in rudiments and snare. Looking back, it would have been easy to start showing me some basic beats in addition to the rest, and it became alot more fun when I finally started doing what I signed up for.
Nr. 11: Last but not least, not working on your scales.
Dude practice your drum scales 10 times a day it will help so much with notes
@@spartandrew8672 I do the arpeggios every day. But remember to practice all the keys, both major and minor!
Ok thanks for the tip hope I get better at picking the base drum
I'm having trouble with drop D on the high tom. :)
Same bro
I’m not a new player but I just started playing again after almost 30 years ago. 4 years ago I had a birthday surprise. Had a live band was feeling froggy because I was the birthday boy and asked if I could check out the drum set. I ended up play a handful of tunes with them and managed to not embarrass myself while gaining a lot of respect. Just recently I’ve decided to get back in the saddle plus practicing guitar, keyboard, and learning DAW. I really like your style as I just found you and feel very blessed to have done so. I’m enjoying learning to practice correctly and seeing the key is to do it everyday. Losing track of time when I don’t realize how long I’m practicing I think is a good sign that maybe I have found a long lost passion being reborn. I decided to subscribe with new video alerts. Thanks for all you do. Live your background too🥁👏👏👏
Great fucking video thanks man!
You bet!
One of the few instances where a top 10 list is actually worthwhile to sit through. Thanks a lot for this video, from someone who is ready to step up from playing at home to my favourite songs, to a higher level of music. I would add to this list the most important thing in music: hearing protection. Drums are super loud, especially if you play the louder genres like metal or rock. Your ears are the sole bridge between you and music, so be careful with them, don't end up with tinnitus at 25 because you're too cool for ear plugs.
For sure. So important. You can’t ever get your hearing back
That drove me nuts lol
Thanks Dan!
I love your teaching style! I'm in the process of getting my groove back after a long hiatus. I can totally see you have been teaching a long time. It's funny, I'm a seasoned enough drummer to totally understand and agree with everything you're saying while at the same time my chops are totally at all the bad examples right now. My body has forgotten wait my brain knows - if that makes sense. This is really helpful for getting your "ole Chops" back too. Thanks man!
It’s a totally different thing coming back to the drums after time away. Welcome back to the fam! Give yourself a reintroduction period of a few months to brush up on old skills. That will make it much less stressful for you.
Love this guy!! IM A GUITAR PLAYER BUT HATE THE DRUMMERS THAT ALWAYS PLAY TO MUCH ALL THE TIME!!! LESS IS MORE!!!
The same goes for guitar players that constantly play over the top with every run they know.
Wouldn't know about that!
commanderK admiralkrunch lol typical guitarist trying to tell the drummer how to drum
@@fukndrums367 cause drummers have small brains!
(June 9th, 2019) Man, how I wish I had you as my teacher back in high school. My Instrumental teacher (who was in fact a professional drummer, as well) just basically said, "ok, you want to play drums, here you go" and left me to it. I was the only one on drums in the entire class and was coming from a flute and piccolo playing background. So, I'm sure one can undersand the bit of a mind--fk drums / drumming were for me. He was such a lousy teacher... made me even more mad because he was a 'professional' drummer during his 'off' time away from school. Guidance is key, to everything in life, not just drumming. Thanks, Mr. Taylor! : )
Many drummers that are great at playing are horrible teachers. Teaching is a whole different skill set. I’m sorry you had that experience but I’m glad you’re getting so much from the videos.
I don’t even have a drum and I’m watching this lol.
Yes again!!!
Shyeah, Right! I don't even own _A_ drum, let alone many drums that would necessitate an entire RACK! What am I gonna do... with a drum rack?
... uhh ... sorry GUN rack!
Same, I can't afford it.
Me too😒.. Btw hm per session master steph? Here it cost 160 dollars per session😔
Lolz I’ve seen you on 66samus live stream
Great value add here. Very simple things to avoid however a lot of artists/musicians have a hard time with structure. Until.... Until they realize that it actually brings the freedom and growth they actually wanted and we're desiring.
Love the simplicity of this group of tips.
OMG Playing in bad timing on purpose seems the harderst thing to do
Thanks so much Mr. Taylor, that was true,but are will work on it.
Jump over to www.stephensdrumshed.com Check it out, from beginners to seasoned players Stephen has it all.
Wonderful. Especially the beginning parts and showing off the wrong techniques - doing something wrong is easy, but being good at it and "acting" wrong is pretty hard sometimes.
Thanks!
Kratos is a great teacher.
Bruh that's good stuf
10:14 I'd been struggling for such a long time to play the right thing on a badly set up kit until I finally got around to make a few changes and tweaks. My snare was off to the side, the toms were almost facing my body, the beater was heavy and the hi - hat way too high, so I was living a nightmare. I'd still pull off some stuff but it was tiring and counterproductive mainly because I felt way to tired even after an hour worth of practicing and learning songs. Thank you for bringing this up so that more people could take their time and set their kits to their personal preference!
So what happens to smart tv watchers? Comments are banned in smart technology world.
Long story short/tl;dr :
Just take band in school. You learn most of the fundamentals in school.
I have been playing drums for over 20 years, starting in middle school marching band. This is a very true list. I really enjoy the compassionate way you put these things out there. Nobody knows they're doing it wrong until you tell them lol
🙏🏼👍🏻
My only criticism...at 3:23 ...nobody who's that bad could play that fill that well lol
i play too loosely and sometimes the sticks would fly lmao
Same! Sometimes when I play Metallica my sticks fly all over the room. I definitely have to learn to have a little more grip on my sticks.
Love the advice, been playing and learning for 35 years. Only thing I would want to add is find a song when you're learning and play it through to perfection. The detail and the confidence will pull you through a lot. It doesn't have to be the most technical drum part, something you can play with confidence.
I only do the #1 mistake when the person is not singing according to the beat
This is an abusive relationship.
New subscriber here, and long time drummer (I'm almost 44 and have been drumming for at least 25 years) and you have some very helpful tips. One that sticks out is the posture for me, being tall this is hard to obey at times, so THANK you for that. Your words will be in my head for a while ( do NOT sit on the tailbone! ) rock on brutha.
Mistake #11: Wearing a shirt that's too small for you 😂 Joking Great video man! 👏🏻👍🏻🤘🏻
You gave me a deja vu memory. 50+ years ago, my drum teacher absolutely insisted that I count while playing and it drove me NUTS and made me feel like a dork (I was 8-9 years old). Her mantra was 'if you can count it - you can play it' (your comment at 10:08). After about 2-3 months or so, I quit fighting and I realized that she was absolutely right...even to this day, I still say, 'if I can count it...I can play it'. Works especially well playing odd time signatures! ALWAYS gotta know where the '1' is... Nicely done (as usual).