teaching

573Currently online
20Today's Reading
27Share Today
Multilingual display

How to Play a drum kit tutorial 6 methods

2018-01-11 22:24:00

Drums are one of the most popular instruments in the world, so being a drummer is in high demand. It may take an afternoon to learn to play the drums, but it may take months or even years to learn to play the drums well. But as long as you keep practicing, no matter how complicated the rhythm and pattern are, you will not be difficult. Now let's begin our study.

Tools/Materials

Earbuds Drum sticks Drum practice mat Metronome drum spoon Mat or blanket drum set Drum set If the drum teacher (if necessary) can't find a suitable place to practice, you may need to use a drum silencer

Method 1: Master the rhythm
1

When you first learn to play the drums, you only need two hands. Do you know Neil Peart from Rush? He is arguably one of the best drummers in the world. You don't need a full kit like he does, not even a drum set. Because you can learn the basic rhythm of drumming with your hands and thighs. Many beginners sitting in front of a drum set may not be able to complete a simple rhythm. It's definitely a blow. So develop a sense of rhythm before you spend money on a drum kit to avoid getting beat up.

2

First we'll learn to beat a quarter note. You need to know what a 4/4 is. It means that there are four beats in each measure of music. You beat four times with one hand at a constant speed, and each beat is equivalent to a quarter note. When you're just starting out, count each beat out loud. This helps you feel and grasp the rhythm and helps you develop a strong sense of rhythm. Metronomes and beat tracks can help with practice. You can find it online or in an app. An even easier way is to beat to the music.

3

Learn to count eighth notes. One quarter note is equal to two eighth notes. Beat quarter notes in a row with one hand, then try to beat the same beat with eighth notes, counting as you go: "1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and" keep a constant pace as you count, so that the count is exactly the eighth note beat.

4

Join your other hand. Again, use the hand you used before to beat eighth notes on the table or on your lap. Now add your other hand to the count of two or four, just like you would on a drum kit.

5

Now it's still a two-handed beat, just add a foot to the count of 1 and 3. The beat it hits is called a downbeat, which is the beat you need to hit the bass drum. So you've got a simple rock drum beat. Learning to play the drum kit is divided into two parts: rhythm and technique. You can't learn technique without a drum set, but you can learn rhythm. Learn all the knowledge of rhythm and develop a good sense of rhythm before really playing the drum, so that you can learn better and learn faster.

Method 2: Familiarize yourself with drums
1

Let's look at the basic components of a drum kit. The choice of drums is not the same, the combination of drums will be different. Different brands, models, drum sticks, intonation, and any other subtle differences will affect its overall effect. But the basic composition of most drum sets is the same, including: a bass drum, driven by the foot of the mallet rod striking, producing a bass roar. A snare drum, also known as a snare drum, is usually placed in the direction of the non-dominant hand and played by the non-dominant hand. The snare drum has a chord stretched under the skin of the drum. When struck, the chord makes a rustling sound due to resonance. A Tom. There are many kinds of Tom drums, but the three most common are the falling Tom (the lowest note), the middle Tom (the middle note), and the high Tom (the lowest note of the three middle drums). In general, a very basic drum set may have only one Tom, and other drum sets may be possible. Various Tom drums are combined to create a range of different pitches.

2

Learn about different cymbals. There are many kinds of cymbals, and the shape and timbre are very different. Cymbals are round pieces of metal that make a sound by tapping. The four most commonly used cymbals are cymbals, tinting cymbals, water cymbals, and hanging cymbals. Cymbals consist of a pair of cymbals connected to a foot. This pedal is usually operated with the left foot, and when stepped on, the two cymbals come together, and when the pedal is released, the cymbals also follow apart. You can play the cymbals directly by stepping on your feet without a drum stick, changing the rhythm and feeling different sounds. Ding ding cymbals, also known as overlapping cymbals, are lower and more subtle than other cymbals, and are often used to tap a fixed beat. It has a long drawdown and is often used at the end of music as a closing note. Water cymbals, as the name suggests, have a short sound that sounds like splashing, and are often used to modify a fixed beat. Hanging cymbals are similar to water cymbals, but have a louder and longer-lasting sound. Pop music can be heard at the end of every bar and at the climax of the strings.

3

Learn to hold a drum stick. There are two main ways to hold the drum stick, one is symmetrical and the other is standard. Symmetrical: Hold the drum stick with thumb and forefinger about a third of the way from the bottom. The other fingers naturally bend to hold the stick. This is the most commonly used grip, the wrist is used for force, and it is comfortable to beat the drum. Standard: Right hand (left hand for lefties) or symmetrical holding. Hold the drum stick in the jaws of the left hand and support it on the ring finger. The rest of the fingers naturally bend to hold the drum stick. Many jazz drummers operate the snare drum in the standard style to play a variety of complex rhythms with a completely different feel.

4

Get a drum set for your first year. If you are really interested, ask and compare the prices of different kinds of new and used drum sets before buying. Ask someone at the music store to help you find the right one. The best way to get started is to buy cheap new drum sets or second-hand ones. After the entry also want to further study then buy a better drum set. You can also join a school band or club, which will give you access to the drums and a chance to learn. You could ask the person in charge for more time on the drum set, and the people who like music are very easygoing and might agree.

5

Try a different drum stick. Ask your drum teacher or someone at the piano shop to teach you how to hold the stick, play the drum, adjust and set the drum. Of course, you can also search the Internet for methods yourself.

6

Learn how to sit properly. It's more comfortable to practice sitting right, and it's easier to play the drums. So correcting your posture can do more with less. Close to the drum set, sit up straight, elbows tucked in, and feet at a comfortable distance.

Method 3: Practice Properly
1

Buy a metronome. The easiest way to learn to beat a steady beat is to practice with a metronome. If you can't afford a metronome, you can directly find a beat track and use a computer or MP3 player to practice while playing.

2

Practice the hand beat on the drum set. Use the cymbals to strike consecutive eighth notes, count "1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and", step on the foot of the bass drum on counts 1 and 3, and tap the snare on counts 2 and 4. At the beginning of learning and practice, be sure to count while knocking, of course, after proficiency is not needed. Familiarize yourself with your instrument as soon as possible. Get creative with your drum kit. Play any drum or cymbals on the numbers 2 and 4, not just the snare drum. Count and beat, beat as smoothly as possible, practice a lot, and gradually build muscle memory.

3

Practice using cymbal pedals. Sometimes you have to put two cymbals together in the process of tapping the cymbals. It's shorter and it sounds different. So using the left foot to close the cymbals is a common skill for drummers. Start by striking consecutive eighth notes on the cymbals with your right hand. Play the tambourine with your left hand on counts 2 and 4. Open and close the cymbals at will, and experience and remember the various sounds it makes. Try to distinguish between two cymbals that are completely apart and those that are slightly closed. Then tap the cymbals from different positions such as the edge or tip.

4

Work on your feet. Use cymbals while adding a bass drum to exercise the muscles of both legs. Try using your right hand with both feet, or all four limbs together, to improve your flexibility.

5

Learn to switch. It's the same as before, but instead of playing the tambourine for 2 and 4, you play the tambourine between the right hand cymbals. So the cymbals are interlaced with the sound of a snare drum. Then you can knock while reading "1 - e - and - a - 2 - e - and - a - 3 - e - and - a - 4 - e - and - a". Still hit the cymbals when counting "1234", but hit the snare drum when saying "e" and "a".

6

Combine work and rest. If the muscles are too tense, or the rhythm is too fast to keep up, slow down the metronome and relax.

Method 4: Exercise independence of limbs
1

Learn the basic method of playing the snare drum. The most basic exercises are clicks and restrokes, which not only improve the flexibility of the hands, but also enrich the rhythm. To click is to tap with two hands in turn, once with each hand. The reattack is to knock twice with each hand in turn (the second time is not to rely on the force of the hand, but to rely on the elasticity of the drum skin to bounce the drum stick up and ring). This is the basis for completing fast rolls and patterns. Learn and practice the 26 basic American maneuvers, and you'll soon be able to master clicks, resets, and even threes and quads.

2

Coordinate your feet. Drumming is a bit like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time, only the process is much more complicated. Compared to the simple movement of one hand up and one hand down, playing a drum set may require both hands to perform a variety of complex maneuvers in different directions. Again, count "1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and" as before. Close the cymbals when counting numbers, and release the cymbals when counting "and". The right hand taps consecutive eighth notes on the edge of the tambourine, tinker cymbals if there are tinker cymbals. The numbers 2 and 4 are played on the snare drum, so that a basic rock rhythm is formed.

3

Try playing the bass drum with your right foot. Your hands and left foot are responsible for the main rhythm, while focusing all changes on the right foot. It gets a little messy from here, but don't worry, because practice makes perfect. What you need to do is keep the movements of your limbs separate from each other. There are no shortcuts, just take your time and think it through. You might find it easier to break down the action of each beat.

Method 5: Learn more complex rhythms
1

Learn the triplet. For a triplet made up of quarter notes, you must treat it as a half note. Try to say "1-la-le" at a constant pace so that the time value of each "1-la-le" equals the time value of a half note. The same is true of a triplet made up of eighth notes, which is equal to dividing a quarter note equally into thirds. Triplets are not so commonly used in rock beats, but are common in the use of drum sets and some other percussion instruments. In fact, the total time value of the triplet is equal to the time value of the two notes that you normally play. This will allow you to complete triplets of quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and even thirty-second notes. For eighth note triplets, we have a very common pronunciation, which is "[1-Trip-Let][2-Trip-Let][3-Trip-Let][4-Trip-Let]". You can also use any three-word word instead and practice with a metronome while saying the formula.

2

Learn sixteenth notes. We've actually encountered this before when we learned to use our hands in different directions. Its mantra is "[1 e + a] [2 e + a] [3 e + a] [4 e + a]". The formula for a sixteenth note triplet is "[1 trip let and trip let] [2 trip let and trip let] [3 trip let and trip let] [4 trip let and trip let] ".

3

Learn the thirty-second note. They are pronounced "[1 e + a + e + a] [2 e + a + e + a] [3 e + a + e + a] [4 e + a + e + a]". A triplet of thirty-two notes can be difficult to pronounce because it is too fast. But you can listen to "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix, which has a lot of triplet playing in it. These notes are not easy to play because not only do you have to hit them evenly, but you also have to complete the other drums and keep up with the rhythm of the whole song.

4

Be sure to practice with the metronome. Each strike must be in time with the metronome. After this proficiency, you can also catch the fast rhythm.

5

A rest in a song means that the note does not make any sound. Listen to any song you like, count the beats on eighth notes, sixteenth notes, etc., and you'll find that many beats don't sound at all. These are what we call rests.

6

Practice using only the snare drum to complete the beat and rest exercises. The goal of this exercise is to make both hands sound equally loud. That is to say, whether it is a strong beat or a general beat, the effect of two hands is the same. To beat hard means to hit harder than the other beats (usually the edge of the snare drum, called the edge of the drum). Downbeat makes our music more dynamic. The musical notation uses the mathematical greater-than-sign (>) to indicate downbeat.

Method 6: Finish filling and adding flowers
1

Add flowers to the music you play. The filling of the drum set is like the finishing touch. If the guitarist has an impromptu orgasm, the lead singer must scream and dance, while the drummer must add flowers. These are usually done by toms and cymbals, interspersed between the main beat. For adding flowers, I suggest you listen to the works of John Bonham.

2

Let's start with the basic beat. As before count "1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +", left hand percussion snare, right hand percussion cymbals, right foot control bass drum. This is kind of a warm-up exercise. Then the count is the same, but only "1 + 2 +", "3 + 4 +" and nothing. At this point, "1+2+" sounds similar to the sound of "move and hit." "3 + 4 +" is where we add flowers. You can play all four limbs at the same time, and if there are cymbals, you can also hit cymbals.

3

Use your creativity to make various combinations and creations on basic rhythms. That is to say, the "3 + 4 +" part is whatever you want to play. Of course, some combinations sound good and some don't. You can just play the snare drum, you can play the bass drum twice and the snare drum twice, or vice versa. As long as it's in time and in time.

4

Try a more complicated floral addition. The "1 + 2 +" part remains the same. Later, the notes can be broken down and made into the aforementioned triplets. Then count the beats while tapping, while working your limbs, as before adding flowers. Now the number "3" and "4" part can be used "[3 +] [4]," or "[3] + [4 trip let]" or "3 e + a] [[4 +]", etc. In fact, it is very simple to add flowers, as long as you knock steadily, do not exceed the value of the time, how to combine and match. It's not just "3" and "4" that can be used to add flowers. In fact, the whole subsection can be processed, "[1 e + a] [2 trip let] [3 +] [4 trip let]". Count out your beat out loud, use your limbs flexibly, and create boldly.

5

Add flowers at the right time. No matter how good you are, enough is enough. Some songs have little or no flowers at all. Don't gild the lily by trying to add a finishing touch. There is no need to add flowers at the beginning of the beat. So the "1 and 2" part is still the same as the previous method, the right hand hits the cymbals, the left hand hits the snare drum, but to the "and 3 and 4 and" part, you don't have to wait until "3" to start, from "and" you can add flowers.

Matters needing attention
1

Learning to play drums is not easy. Don't be discouraged. Keep your mind on the beat and your hands and feet on it. Slowly you will find that your hands and feet will move naturally. You have to put the music first and the drums second. The best drummers are always about the music, and the drums are just what they use to add color to the music. Even if there is no drum kit at hand, or only ten minutes of time, but also insist on practicing every day. Because it's better to practice five minutes a day than 35 minutes every other week. If you want to buy a drum kit, buy a cheap one first. It's usually a cymbals, a cymbals, a snare drum, a bass drum, or two or three Tom drums. You can buy the rest of the equipment later. At the beginning of learning, do not only figure fast, but pay attention to the stability of the level, every rod should be equal. Learn to take advantage of the elasticity of the drum skin instead of pounding it. Otherwise, it's easy to get tired. Wear earplugs every time you play a drum set. Because a drum like a snare drum is usually used throughout the music, the sound is extremely loud. In addition, the sound source is too close to the ear, so there must be certain precautions. Take a class with a teacher and see if you really like playing the drums. Check your drum kit for any loose spots. Just relax. Take your time. If you stress too much, you may not see results.

2

Always wear earplugs before playing a drum set. Be sure to choose a good place to practice your drum set so as not to disturb others.

Recommendation