Bored with your beats? If you’ve already mastered basic rhythms, you’re probably itching to play something a little more creative. But where do you start? For those who have already hit the drummer’s rut, consider these great ideas for adding some spice to your drumming, as originally published on the Rock Drumming Underground website:
1. Alter the Voices
Changing up a beat can be as easy as changing the sounds that make it up. This can include moving your lead hand from the hi-hats to the ride cymbal, crash cymbal, floor tom, or even a cowbell. Another option would be to change the snare shots to rim clicks or broken up snare/tom patterns. The main idea is take something you already know, and give it a new voice.
2. Change the Timing
This doesn’t work for every setting, but sometimes you can mix things up by changing the structure. For example, taking a straight 4/4 beat and playing it as a triplet or swinging pattern. You could even add a quarter note and make it a 5/4 pattern to really mix things up.
Believe it or not, this can actually be used within a musical setting with a band, too. No, you cannot alter the timing of what they are playing, but you can take a beat you already know and change it to match the timing of their song. You just have to pick a beat that doesn’t already work. This is where you really start to think outside of the box.
3. Play the Beat Backwards
Virtually every beat you play can be completely changed by reversing it. This is more experimental than the last tips, but it is still a great way to mix things up during practice. Sometimes it will work, and sometimes you will end up with something that is just not musical. However, either way it is likely to challenge you in new ways and perhaps even give you some new ideas.
Continue reading the article here for even more tips!
Now that you have a few starting points, the fun can begin. So pick up those drumsticks and start experimenting. You never know what will work or what won’t until you try, so don’t be afraid to try something new. Jam along with some CDs, listen to other drummers, and do whatever you need to keep that inspiration going!
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– How to Play Drums Without a Drum Set
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Photo by Mr. T in DC.
Suzy S.