The Secret That All Pro Drummers Know (Here's what you should be practicing)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- As a drummer, nothing is more important than consistency when it comes to playing a reliable and solid feeling groove in a band setting, whether on stage or in the studio. But here's the truth: consistency is not something you're born with. It's a skill that can be learned.
In this video, I'm going to reveal the secrets that will help you play with the same precision and intentionality as your drumming heroes like Steve Jordan, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jeff Porcaro.
You can practice what I show you in this video and see amazing improvements in your grooves, fills, and pocket TODAY! Get ready to take your drumming to new heights with these game-changing tips!
DOWNLOAD THE EXERCISES:
brianstephens.com/lineup.pdf
**If you dig this lesson with Brian and want to learn more, go to www.DrumCorner.net. There you will find video lessons, drum-less play-along tracks, and much more!
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This is a must video for drummers who actually play with other musicians - somewhat of a novelty these days! Pearls of drum wisdom from a veteran drummer who has the “lived experience” and ability to articulate and demonstrate how to groove a band into next week! It’s all about the importance of “pocket.”
Thank you so much, Newell!! Can’t wait to show you the sequel to this video!! STAY TUNED!!
Totally agree Newell! 👏🏼💯🥁 This is the kind of videos that REALLY help develop as a serious and professional drummer!
I think just practicing basic grooves to a metronome and playing it as long as you can without straying and getting distracted and being disciplined is insanely hard for drummers. Probably 98 percent of players I see overplay and do not have dynamics and just want to be flashy. I am constantly chosen for main drummer most places I go because I do not stray away from the most important things. Groove. Steve gadd said it best. Fills bring the thrills but grooves pay the bills .. you would be amazed how many drummers don't practice to a metronome.
Preach!
I've recently polled many of my students to ask them why they play what they play as they're playing with their bands. Many said they get "bored" with playing only what's needed for each song. So, instead of playing in service of the music, they're playing for their own personal amusement (a topic for a whole other video, I'm sure).
I sat 30 feet away from Atlanta's most recorded drummer, Scott Meeder, last night and watched him play only exactly what was needed. He had a room full of drummers there and he didn't ever take any opportunity to "show out" for us. It was a masterclass in playing exactly what was needed in the moment for the music and those musicians he was playing with on stage.
@@BrianStephensOfficial as another local, Lil John Roberts, puts it: Feels Over Fills.
I think also, with today's fast access to everything and such low attention span... between TikTok and shorts especially, a lot of people are looking for all of the flash and excitement. So many tik tok/ TH-cam drummers that are viral right now are either playing as many notes as they can or turning it into a spectacle. So I could see why the younger guys almost feel like they HAVE to show off to be "relevant". But then you look at the music that remains "classic" and popular year after year and generation after generation, and it's the stuff that had feel, soul, purpose. Depth. I hope there's only a matter of time before people recognize that and go back to the beauty of making music. Not just a circus trick. I'll admit I'm guilty of trying to "impress" on some of my videos. But there's a time and place for that stuff.
One of the best ways to stand out, if you’re under 35 (in my opinion), is to not get caught up on that social media hamster wheel. Total paper tiger from a marketing standpoint and what it does to your dopamine reward system takes a long time to undo (again, another topic for another video).
This is an awesome lesson.. brings me back to where I started. .. I think there are too many “ party tricks” on you tube. Fun ,but pointless for playing music with other musicians.. nice job cousin! Thank you ! 🥁😎
Thanks! Glad you dug it! And if you liked that one, the next lesson (that I’m working on now) is even better. That will be up in another few days. This sort of stuff is the “free throws and layups” kind of practice that most drummers completely forget to explore, especially if they have been playing for a long time. Thanks for watching and for hanging out with me here for a while! 🤜🏻🤛🏻
I gotta kid that I’m trying to lay this exact same foundation with - awareness is so important
Well that makes a difference. Good thing I found this.Thank you Brian!
You’re welcome!! Thanks for watching. Just wait until you see the next video (that I’m working on right now)
There are a bunch of other lessons here on my channel. (Check out the channel playlist that features most of them)
Fantastic!
Thank you for breaking down the basics!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment. If you really dig that, there’s a bunch more stuff here on the channel for you!
Great lesson, wonderful example also for my Students, thanks for sharing !!
Thanks so much for watching and please do share this one with all your students (the next video I’m working on will be equally as valuable to them)
Good stuff. This is my focus too, I will just emphasise this will take time, and you’re still developing this after years of practise.
It's like I tell all of my students: Even after Michael Jordan had several champions rings and had set a ton of records, he still practiced jump shots, layups, and free throws every single day. There's always something to refine & improve about our "groove game". Thanks for watching and for taking the time to leave a reply!!!
This is a great lesson. Not flashy but the meat and potatoes (that most all of us ignore) which is actually what bandmates as well as (I assume the studios) are looking for. I’m in a band but they always love it when I’m in the pocket which even when I’m playing in time I may not be locked into that nice warm glove that is the pocket. This not only helps the band, make people listening, and the folks dancing smile which no matter how cool your solo is( and I’m still working on that as well as well as a fan of those) 99 % of your night is supporting the band and the music. I can’t do that all of the time but I’ve finally learned this is what ultimately gets people dancing, tapping their foot, and get you hired.
Thanks for watching! I hope this is a good reminder of what’s really important. Especially live, but even on a recording, getting the listener moving (even if it’s just a head bob) with a great feeling, consistent groove is our #1 job. That same consistency is what makes a band instantly sound like they’ve played together for 20 years.
EXACTLY............................................
Wow man … I’ve been there, too. Great topic and lesson. Subscribed and liked!
Thanks, Peter!!! 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Super stuff! It is focused attention to all these small details which separates the pros from the rest of the pack. Well done.
Exactly! Glad you get it! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to leave a note. 🤘🏼🤘🏼
What a lesson, thnx so much for this, really enjoyed it and practicing it
Thanks for watching, for replying, and for *practicing*!! 🤜🏻🤛🏻 There’s a bunch more here on this channel. Just hit that Drum Lessons playlist and have fun! (Tons more coming too, including a “Part Two” to this one)
I am very pleased, at the way this video was presented. Straight to the point and stripped down to the bare bone essentials. All allowing and guiding the most important pulse, to happen naturally in harmony, with the rest of the band. I really needed to have this clearly communicated and drilled in me. That was all possible with these exercises, along with the proper count simultaneously. I am going to be so much more confident and relaxed, now that I know what to be aware of and what to drill on.
I am amazed at the amount of progress I was able to make, in such a short time frame. This is the missing link. I will use this instruction to develop a better time keeping tempo.
Thanks so much for sharing this excellent advise.
Thanks for the thoughtful & thorough follow up. I’m really happy that this lesson made such a positive impact on your playing. The sequel is coming and it’s gonna be a super fun one to practice!!
🤜🏻🤛🏻
Excellent work Brian!
Thanks Wayne!!! 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Great lesson, well explained, and demonstrated... thank you so much!!!
Thanks for watching and for taking a moment to reply, Joanne! There’s a bunch more lessons on the channel for you and several new ones coming soon!
Great Video!! Thank you!!
Thanks for watching. Should have another one up this week!
great content and helpful tips....whether pro or beginning. and nice lamps!
Thanks so much for watching and for leaving such a wonderful comment! Plenty more stuff here on the channel if you dig that video and there’s plenty more coming soon! (And for $60 each, you can find those lamps on Amazon!)
New sub here. Thank you for sharing your time & knowledge. Best of luck getting to 1K subs!!
Thanks for stopping by and watching the video! I hope it helps. (Got another one, kind of a Part 2 to this one, that just went live. Check it out! th-cam.com/video/P-EXth-bZIY/w-d-xo.html )
Even by the name of this video, I knew that it's gonna be about time. And I knew that I needed exactly that - as at the last gig I unfortunately started dragging as soon as the band lowered the dynamics... Thanks for all the advises!
Glad I could serve up a reminder. Thanks for watching and I’m sure your band mates will appreciate the time & effort you are going to put into not dragging! 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Great course, lots of good ideas.
Thanks so much! I appreciate you for watching and commenting. There’s much more to come!
Thanks very much for producing this content. All the topics you covered are exactly the type of things I’m trying hard to work on - to improve consistency, dynamics and feel. Wise words too regarding how you listen while you play with regards to yourself, click track but most importantly where you compliment other musicians.
You’re very welcome. There’s other lessons like this already on the channel, and I’ll have many more videos in the weeks and months to come. Hit that Subscribe button and let’s talk about it all together! 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Awesome, thanks Brian. I’ve subscribed to your channel. Look forward to joining the discussion
Just discovered your channel and this lesson is just what I needed. Thank you!
Btw..video looks and sounds great! Already I can see you're someone that focuses on quality rather than quantity.
Thanks for watching Jerry!! Glad it came to you at just the right time. There’s a bunch more of this stuff already on the channel and tons more coming in the very near future!
Make sence. Good Feeling this Guy!
Thanks for hanging out & watching! (And for the comment!)
Great information and concepts!
Thanks so much! There’s a bunch more here on the channel and tons more to come! 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Try it when you are in a long turning lane with the blinker going. you can work through lots😁
The blinker is a great metronome.
You too?! I thought I was the only one!
🤜🏻🤛🏻 #BlinkerPractice 🤣😂
@@BrianStephensOfficial it's addictive 😂
Good stuff! Consistency is the key to almost anything. Sounds great!
Thanks so much!! I’m working with a band in pre-pro today to produce their next studio recording and this is the exact thing that we’re dialing in. The difference, once you hear it, is night and day!! (Thanks for watching!!)
Excellent!
Thanks so much!!
Thanks for the download! It's weird every time I sign up for a Patreon or something similar because my monkey brain was hooked by the next TikTok "awesome" linear fill I get a video like this in my feed basically telling me to slow down there rookie and work on the basics! The fill is cool and all but my original band needs me to keep a solid groove and they don't really care about a flashy fill. Subbed and look forward to more of these foundational concepts.
Thanks Mike!! If I have to choose between playing linear fills all by myself all week long or playing grooves with/for other people, you know which one is the better choice, right?! 😉
Maybe next I’ll do a video on a cool linear fill that won’t get you fired. 😜
Tons more stuff already on the channel and a bunch more coming soon!! Enjoy!
Danke schön!!! Gratuliert!
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
this is gold👍, thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom. Personally I think of a click track as a sort of trigger that externally relates to your (hopefully well developed) inner sence of timing. Sometimes I even forget its there?😆
Thanks so much! If you’re forgetting it’s there, that’s a good first indicator that your clock is in sync with that clock. Keep it up and thanks for watching! 🤜🏻🤛🏻
thanks!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!
A fellow ATLien! Great lesson, man. Too often drummers skip the basics and go for the fireworks. You can't have an excellent fireworks show if the show doesn't have a foundation and details ironed out.
Yes! And it's not something that you ever really stop working on. Michael Jordan never stopped practicing free throws, layups, and jump shots even after all of those championships. There's always room for improvement.
We just did a big ATL Drummers hang last night at the Tin Roof. Many of the guys who showed up have been playing around this town and on the road for decades. You should come hang out at the next one and get in the mix! It's a small, tight knit circle of great people in this very big town!
@@BrianStephensOfficial Absolutely! Will you let me know? Or is there a way to stay up to date on those events?
If you’ll swing over to FB and search for a group their called “Atlanta Drummers”, I’ll make sure it gets posted there the next time a meetup gets set. (It’s a pretty regular thing that when we meet to hang out, we do it on a Wednesday night because Mike Veal’s band is playing.) Their current drummer, Chris Burroughs, is absolutely amazing and a lot of us that hang have subbed that gig off and in through the years. (It’s kind of a rite of passage for working professional drummers in this town to run the “Mike Veal Band Gauntlet”)
As a former music major, but really a drummer at heart, listening to everyone else and playing to them has always brought out the best drumming. The challenge is totally blocking everything else out of your mind and surroundings and immerse yourself into playing the song that you actually become the song because you bring the song to life.
Directed focus (micro and macro). That’s exactly what I’m talking about in the video (I probably should have used that term, huh?) Block out distractions, cue into anything that helps with mentally drilling down into the song.
Now, I also tell my students that there are times to ignore other musicians who are around you. For example, if you have a vocalist or instrumentalist who is constantly rushing, you have to learn how to ignore them (or direct your focus away from that person’s sound) so that you’re not pulled into the next beat to quickly as well.
@@BrianStephensOfficial Yes, and there have been times when other musicians are rushing and that is why listening is so important for drummers to maintain composure and maintain the correct tempo if playing to a click or maintain your internal clock to pull everyone together.
Very good lesson. It’s like a golfer who goes to a range and bangs 300 yard drives all day while the GOOD player is working on three foot putts for hours.
Exactly!! It’s that “short game” work that makes all the difference in the world in your end result.
Hi Brian. In konnakol, the syllables are “Ta ka Di Mi “ not “Ba Ta ka ka”
Oh, I know. I probably could have explained it better, but I was borrowing the idea of vocalizing rhythm from Konnakol but changing the syllables (mainly because I could say “Ba ka Ta ka” easier at faster tempos).
I use the “Ta Ka Di Mi” syllables when first teaching this concept to my students. Young students, especially those from age 7-10 love this way of voicing rhythms. It often gets them smiling and giggling!
wow
I’m hoping that’s a good “wow”… can’t really tell how to reply. I hope you enjoyed the video and got something useful out of the lesson.
I was there too with the kick snare flam'ing, the producer took me in the control room and I heard it and immediately was like "shit". Took a while to really get the kick and snare to hit exactly on time. The thing with time aligning is that since theyre flam'ing, you cant fix that. You can maybe fix it with close mics, but the overheads will always have that flam in it.
So, when I’m talking about flamming, I definitely don’t mean the time differential between the close mics and the overheads or the kit mics and the room mics. That’s a physics thing. (Mics further away “hear” later)
Pull up just your kick and snare close mics (or like I talk about in the video, use one mic either right behind your head or directly over the kit about a foot or two). In the case of the close mics, you should be able to get the kick and the snare mic hits to land at the same time on the track waveforms. For the one OH mic, you should only see one attack point in the waveform.
The other part of this is consistency. Can you land them at the same time, beat after beat / measure after measure? If it’s in your muscle memory, you’ll get them to land exactly together 99.5% of the time (we’re all human right?! 🤔😉)
@@BrianStephensOfficial Hi Brian, yes this is exactly what Im talking about, sorry if there was any confusion. What I was trying to say is that if you take just the Overhead mic, you cannot fix the flaming issue, the hits are happening at different times and you cannot edit them to hit at the same time, wheres with just close mics since theyre more isolated you can kinda fix the problem, but it's a mute point since surely there will be Overhead or rooms mics on the kit.
I've been sloppy for over a decade. Just playing to a click didn't work for me. I only started hearing an improvement using a gap click. The benny greb app is a few bucks. Best investment every. Also try playing with the click as one of the subdivisions. I'm still working on this but I'm improving fasters. It's all about groove and this is the core necessity to drumming. Don't quit!
Don’t quit. That’s the best thing I’ve read all day!!
@@BrianStephensOfficial I quit for about 10 years. But then I discovered one drop by Bob Marley when my dad was dying. I’m enjoying it finally. Hearing the pros made me think I was alone and hopeless. But I have always loved drums and it’s meant to be. I’m hopefully going to do a video when I’m tight to tell people how. I think it will help in all areas of life. I noticed I struggle to focus on a point for long so I’m trying that too. But yeah, don’t give up!
Weekend warriors? Never heard that term applied to drummers.
Yep, not meant as a derogatory term at all, but often used to delineate drummers / musicians who spend the bulk of the week in activities other than music as their primary means of income.
Of course, in a more literal sense, I’ve had students that only play on the weekends, never during the week. I had a student for several years who was a dentist Monday-Thursday, took the day off to spend with family on Fridays and then played drums most of the day, either by himself or with his band, in his basement on Saturdays and Sundays.
If you want to bring the community of drummers on board who are also fans of European / South American football (what some people wrongly call 'soccer') you could work with Tik I Tak A. Just saying. Not explaining.
Go sportsball!! 👍🏻👍🏻🤣😂
Every audition I got was due to not being the best player or the best gear etc. it was because I was easier to get along with and flexible. When you tour on a visa and live with people like a dysfunctional family the last thing they want is a butthole. Of course you have to play well but there are thousands of great players. Be a good human and be humble and get them gigs!!
At a certain point, especially if the audition is a direct call (not cattle call), your reputation for being able to play well enough for the gig is what gets you in the room. Bring a great hang and a good person keeps you in the room.
Excellent lesson. Subbed
Thanks for the sub! Many more lesson videos coming! 🤜🏻🤛🏻