Learn How to Play Drums DVD Quickly

By Antwan Anderson

These exercises are great for relaxing the neck muscles. When doing head warm-ups be sure to maintain good posture and execute them slowly. This is to be emphasized for all of the other exercises as well to prevent injury.

Drum sticks with plastic nylon tips are also available. Tips come in many shapes -- round, barrel, acorn or oval. Below the tip is the shoulder of the stick. It is used to strike crash cymbals.

After the seating of the heads, the brass drum lug screws should be fitted properly and subsequently the tom toms have to be mounted. While assembling the different toms, it is important to consider the lengths of the lug screws as larger toms require longer lug screws and smaller ones require smaller screws. The other pieces that have to be assembled include the bass pedal and stands such as high hat stand, cymbal stands and snare stands.

Musicality: The purpose of playing any instrument is to play music. And music should be kept foremost in mind whenever practicing. Even when playing a rudiment or technical exercise it should be thought of musically and how it can be applied to music.

Play "heel up" on the bass drum for more power and speed. The heel down bass drum technique will work but requires a bit more effort. Also, it's easier to play heel up technique with quick drum fills.

Cost: An important determining factor would be the amount you are willing to spend. Drum sets cost anywhere from $100 up to a custom built set of $6,000 or more. Most sets do not come equipped with hardware such as cymbal stands, cymbals, and kick pedals which can add to the cost, so it is best figure out your reason for the purchase and all that you need to complete the full drum kit.

Foot warm-ups, in a sitting position, raise your right foot off the floor about 10 inches. Point your toes away from you as far as you can, then point them towards you as much as you can. In a circular motion, rotate your foot to the right, then rotate to the left, repeat this exercise 4 times. After you have completed this for the right foot, do the same for the left foot.

My experience with the speed drumming is a strange one. Basically, one October day, while picking up some drum sticks at a local music store, I noticed drummers using a device called a "Drumometer. This "drumming speed" measurement device used a practice pad for a striking surface with an embedded piezo trigger. The trigger was connected to a counter-timer computer brain that had a count and a timer display. - 32368

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here