Are you looking to step up your drumming game? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to break down six different drum techniques that will take your playing to the next level.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tips and tricks can help any drummer expand their skill set. So let’s get started!
How Many Drum Techniques Are There?
Drumming is an incredibly complex skill that can take many different forms. There are, in fact, quite a few different drumming techniques available to help shape the type of sound that is produced and enhance a drummer’s performance, including:
- ghost notes
- double strokes
- matched grip
- hi-hat variations
- buzz roll
- Zen rhythms
- basic flames.
Each of these techniques serves a distinct purpose within the song – from providing delicate accents or crisp clicks to adding heavy thwack or a steady groove. Understanding which technique works best for each part of a song can work wonders on the overall impact your music has.
Practicing these individual techniques can help refine any drummer’s craft and perfect their own unique style.
If you’re ready to learn new drum techniques to take your playing to the next level, consider signing up for drum lessons. You’ll learn everything you need to know in order to be successful, like what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzFxOFbrFJo
What is the 80/20 Rule in Drumming?
The 80/20 Rule in drumming is the idea that 80% of your drumming should be focused on perfecting the basics, while only 20% is used to practice challenging techniques and fills.
This means spending time each day perfecting basic snare, kick, and hi-hat rhythms before exploring more intricate and complex elements of playing.
As any experienced drummer knows, all great sounds come from a mastery of the basics, and the 80/20 Rule is a great way to help achieve success in the long run. Keep consistent with this rule and you will be well-prepared to lay down tight rhythms as well as churn out impressive solos when performing in studio or live.
Basic Drumming Techniques to Help You Advance
A typical goal for any musician, whatever your proficiency level, is to make it to the next level with your instrument. Drums and percussion are the foundation of most bands and ensembles, so the skills you possess can benefit the whole group. Keeping the rhythm and adding a unique element is the goal for drummers. So how do you do it? What habits do you need to add to your practice time? Most importantly, what drum techniques will help you get there? Here are six techniques that can help you improve your individual drumming skills and overall musicianship:
1) Mind over matter
A common theme that connects the best musicians is confidence. Were you born to play? You better believe that, because your mind, motivation, and determination are what are going to get you on your way! The first technique you need to employ in your skill set, then, is the unwavering belief that you are going to succeed on drums.
2) Practice, hard work, and more practice
This could be interpreted as a habit, but also think of it as a technique. To master anything, you have to practice it every day. Even if you can only dedicate 15 minutes a day, that’s still 15 more minutes of experience than you had before. Keep in mind the more time you set aside for your craft, the faster you can achieve your goals and become a better drummer. The best in the business put in plenty of hard work, effort, and practice – they also know that you never stop learning.
3) Physically prepare
Drumming is hard work. Bodies twist and bounce; arms, feet, and legs are in constant motion; and when you’re performing or practicing, it can be physically exhausting! Think of yourself in training. Like any good marathoner, building your muscle foundation is essential to improving and going the distance. Think of it as an endurance training for drums. The more efficient your muscles are, the longer you can practice and play, and the closer you’ll be to getting to the next level with your drumming.
4) Play well with others
It’s one thing to play at home on your own, but it’s another to play with others. Working with a group of musicians helps you learn many important drum techniques. For example, it will help you focus and learn to tune in to what others are doing. You’ll learn the delicate skill of playing as a unit, a key to becoming a successful drummer, as well as being part of a successful band. Plus, if you’re regularly playing with amazing and talented musicians, you might be motivated to up your game, as well!
5) Improve each individual drum technique
Whatever route you want to go musically, it can be helpful to learn the individual techniques of each type of drum. Think snare technique, bass drum technique, and so on. Start with drumming basics, and then build upon it. The better you get, the more you can work on developing your own signature style. There are also plenty of online resources out there — videos, blogs, books, forums, etc. Musicians tend to be a friendly group willing to share the keys to their success. Take the advice from others and formulate it into your own success. The basics are there for a reason; once you master them, you can go in almost any direction you want.
6) Try different styles of drumming
The beauty of drumming is that there are so many different styles you can learn! For some cultures, drumming is a way of expressing spiritual beauty. Each style and culture offers new techniques to try and perfect. Some styles require your hands and feet, while others involve sticks, brushes, brooms, or pedals. There are cymbals, chimes, cowbells, and Djembes. The world of drumming is vast. In the end, whether you want to be a heavy metal drummer or play Latin styles, the more you know, the better!
More Drumming Techniques to Master
Let’s dive in and check out some specific drum techniques you should learn.
Push Pull Technique Drums
The push pull technique is one of the most important drum techniques for any musician who wants to sound professional. This technique involves playing two alternating strokes on a single drum or cymbal. It can be used for different types of music, from jazz and rock to funk and metal. The key is to practice this technique until it becomes second nature so that you can use it without thinking about it while performing.
Drum Mic Techniques
If you want to get the best possible sound quality when recording drums, you need to know how to mic them correctly. Microphone placement is essential; depending on what type of sound you’re going for, different mics should be placed in different spots around the drum kit. Knowing how and where each microphone should be placed is key if you want a crisp, clear sound with minimal background noise.
Kick Drum Technique
The kick drum is one of the most important instruments in any band or ensemble – but it takes skillful playing if you want it to sound its best. If you’re just starting out, make sure to practice proper posture when playing and try not to hit the kick too hard – this can cause distortion and make your recordings muddy-sounding. As with all instruments, practice makes perfect!
Drum Recording Techniques
Recording drums can seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can be very rewarding! Make sure that when recording drums (or any instrument) they are properly tuned beforehand – this will help ensure that they sound their best during playback. Also keep in mind that slight changes in microphone placement can make all the difference when recording drums; try experimenting with different placements until you get a sound that works for your song or recording session.
Basic Snare Drum Technique
Snare drum technique is essential if you want your snare drum parts to stand out in a mix or performance.
One basic technique is called “buzz rolls,” which involve multiple strikes of the stick against one head of the snare drum while varying pressure between each hit – this creates an effect similar to a machine gun or rolling thunder. You could also try something called “ghost notes,” which are short hits on either side of the snare head that occur after a main note has been struck – these add texture and depth to your performance without overpowering other elements in the mix like bass or vocals would do.
Master Your Drum Technique With the Best Drum Teacher
With these six techniques under your belt, you should now have all the tools necessary to take your drumming skills up a notch!
Whether it’s mastering ghost notes or improving stick control exercises, these tips should help elevate any musician’s performance level—from novice players just starting out behind the kit all the way up through professional session players who want even more control over their instrumentation!
The opportunities to improve and learn new drum techniques are practically endless. Arm yourself with a drum pad, metronome, practice space and time, some challenging music, and a drum teacher to guide you along – above all else, remember to have fun!
Photo by Elliot Bennett
Suzy S.