Down on One Side
- Dexter Verrill
- Feb 10, 2016
- 3 min read
There are real struggles when it comes to drumming. Many of which are extremely frustrating and make us want to throw our sticks across the room, fling our hand in the air and scream out "I've had it!". The awesome thing is that we turn around, about five minutes later to try again, and again--and again--(and again).
Some of us at this point, however, are completely uninspired beacuse of the lack of ability.
Tip #1: Don't do this.
Tip #2: Don't work on something so hard you don't want to play the instrument you love anymore. If you don't get it right off, keep working at it in bits. Try it, practice other things, try it again. If you still can't get it, maybe it's time to put up the sticks (they're not throwing knives).
Probably the most frustrating delema we face is that weak hand and foot. This is the thing that prevented me from learning new patterns, fills, grooves and what drove me away from practicing rudiments. I couldn't play the rudiments the right way because my left hand was so weak, compared to my right hand. Instead of disciplining and training my left hand to do what my right hand did, insteading of leveling my control and dynamics, I created bad habits for myself--I found ways to play the "rudiments" wihtout actually playing them. In other words, I used singles, strict rebound and accents to make it sound like I was playing a rudiment.
There are a few things that a drummer with this problem needs to know.
First of all, recognize your strengths and weaknesses; being aware of both helps you as a drummer to focus your overall practice to make it more efficient. If your left, or right, side is weak know it is weak and strive to improve it. Denying it gets you nowhere. Ignoring the problem is a step backwards.
Second, you'll need to gain more control with your weak side; try to match the technique you use for your stronger hand/foot with your weaker hand/foot. Start by hitting/kicking together, then separate them, focusing on the motion of your weaker hand/foot. With your gain of control will come muscle memory and speed. Practice at a tempo that pushes you a little. Use the magical machine called the metrenome. Ability to play "in the pocket" = control. Voila!
Tip #3: Take it slow. It's just you and your hands (or feet), which means no one is comepteing against you for speed. Start slow, then increase the speed. Control it first, then speed it up.
Third, work on your independence. Being able to play four different patterns, one for each limb, requires discipline which is another form of control. When you can subconsciously play a different pattern with your left hand from your right, you've pretty much got the hang of it. Add two more limbs and...wow. No more weak side.
Gaining all of this knowledge is different then applying it. So, from a well-known and one of the best drum instructors, Pat Petrillo, I picked up a excersize that forced me to start my singles with my left hand. This pattern contains five strokes, which causes you to alternate leading hands.
RLRLR and then LRLRL. Leave a short pause between each pattern (if each stroke was an eigth note, then pause for one eigth note (1 + 2 + 3 pause, 1 + 2 + 3 pause). Then, do the same thing only with three strokes (RLR and then LRL). And lastly try this as a loop: RLRLR, LRLRL, RLR, LRL.
Tip #4: Do it right the first time. Trying to relearn something after learning it the wrong way is frustrating. Learn that pattern or fill or groove witht the right sticking AND the right dynamics.
If you have any questions, please send me an email at dexter.verrill@gmail.com or use the contact form on the website, STIX Drumming Instructing.
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