Post your Greatest Weakness

[Lee Mangano]

Everyone Post you greatest weakness & let the world of drummers help you fix it...I'm certain we have all been there or not there yet !!!....You may recieve multiple tips on how to overcome any drumming problem...

Peace! Lee

[neilpscuz]

Spend to much time on forums, not enough practicing.

[DrumGod]

I have a realy short attention span so when i try do rudiments (i starting learnig them again slowly to build up accents control etc) i get distracted and do other stuff or start playing something else etc

[Vic_Rattledeth]

Ghost notes and the "swing" style in general.

[k3ng]

Overconvidence. Self Indulgence. Not nowing how 'noobish' I am.

[centralzeke]

Left hand? Also, rushing.

[Tuxido]

left foot

.....20.....

[cdawg_2010]

Spend to much time on forums, not enough practicing.
this and my left hand doubles

[Lee Mangano]

Neilpscuz " Too much forum & not enough practice"
A: Practice more !!!!! Only if it's that important to you

DrumGod "Short attention span when practicing rudements"etc..
A: 99% of the time you go off & just play, you are only playing what you already know...in order to grow & move forward, you absolutley must learn discipline & realize how important new rudiments are & how they can enhance your abillity & versatility

Vic Rattledeth " Trouble with gost notes & Swing style drumming"
A: Vic I wouldn't worry so much about ghost notes just yet, there not there anyway.... lol !!!.. I also have a problem with Swing style drumming....Everyones body & mind is completely differant & reacts towards differant things in many differant ways...drumming is all about feel...and either you have it or you don't...every style needs your body to respond a certain way...for instance...aggression for "Rock", Groove for "Funk" and Finess for "Jazz" and Independance for "Progressive Fusion"...you can force yourself or learn a specific style, but my advice is play the way you play...and administer your feel to each style, and you may just be an individual...

Centralzeke " Problems w/ Left hand & rushing"
A: OH !! Boy !! havn't ever heard of these problems before...Get Oliver Stone's "Stick Control" book & go buy a metronome & practice, im 47 and still on page 1

[FloEy]

left foot (gets better everyday), swing style, and I cant do polyrythms.

[fusion_bigband_rock]

my greatest weakness is reading music

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

not practicing rudiments nearly enough

[stevo]

Left hand not as quick as right. However, my car has this one flat spot on the dash on the left side, perfect for practicing with my left hand. I have increased my left hand ability exponentially.
Other weakness is learning how best to play really fast on single kick pedal.

[Chip]

Probably my double pedal ability, or lack thereof. I used to be ok, but I've pretty much lost it now. I've got to learn the free stroke and slowly rebuild my ability, no problems there, I'm not afraid of a little shedding.

Other than that....... me typing this post, too I guess. I could be practicing. My left hand is up near my right, it probably has more control, probably from the huge amounts of ghost notes I play. I can't play without them!!!

I have a pretty bad attention span, too. A little discipline will fix that.

[finnhiggins]

Oliver Stone's Stick Control? Is that the one where it turned out that JFK actually shot himself because of paradiddle-related frustration?

[Mista Bob]

My greatest weakness...
My left foot and I guess endurance with feet in general, obviously endurance is a bigger problem with my left.

Also my left hand, its fine and all. Except I tend to use my wrist way less, especially with doubles. Which can be problematic, and I'd imagine could possibly lead to future problems.
I'm working on fixing this and have made great improvements so far.

[jangus]

Uuurm...
Polyrhythms I suppose?
And I'm never satisfied with my inability to do stick spins when people with an eighth of my playing ability are awesome at it, which pretty much explains why they have an eight of my playing ability.
Ooh heres one. Working in bass drum with tom grooves.. like I was having a hard time getting the intro to "Over the Mountain" by Ozzy Osbourne for a kid that wanted to jam with me.

[Mista Bob]

Ha, stick spins.
I guess you could consider that one of my weakness's. Even though I'm really good at them.
Its become such a bad habit, whenever I have a stick in my hand and I'm not playing. I just have to spin it.
Right hand, left hand, or both at the same time. =P

[syaoran05]

left hand - very very slow and weak, slightly twisted forearm bone wont allow much control
left foot - weak, never on time
right foot - stuck to right hand, ie, cant do quick bass doubles or ruffs or extremely syncopated bass rhythms.

[DrumGod]

Neilpscuz " Too much forum & not enough practice"
A: Practice more !!!!! Only if it's that important to you

DrumGod "Short attention span when practicing rudements"etc..
A: 99% of the time you go off & just play, you are only playing what you already know...in order to grow & move forward, you absolutley must learn discipline & realize how important new rudiments are & how they can enhance your abillity & versatility

Vic Rattledeth " Trouble with gost notes & Swing style drumming"
A: Vic I wouldn't worry so much about ghost notes just yet, there not there anyway.... lol !!!.. I also have a problem with Swing style drumming....Everyones body & mind is completely differant & reacts towards differant things in many differant ways...drumming is all about feel...and either you have it or you don't...every style needs your body to respond a certain way...for instance...aggression for "Rock", Groove for "Funk" and Finess for "Jazz" and Independance for "Progressive Fusion"...you can force yourself or learn a specific style, but my advice is play the way you play...and administer your feel to each style, and you may just be an individual...

Centralzeke " Problems w/ Left hand & rushing"
A: OH !! Boy !! havn't ever heard of these problems before...Get Oliver Stone's "Stick Control" book & go buy a metronome & practice, im 47 and still on page 1


Thanks actually nothing like a motivationall speech to get the ball a rolling cheers for that

[sclaude1964]

Rushing fills in the transition parts (Verse to B, B to chorus) and I still have trouble getting real single stroke speed on fills and rudiments.

[NaturalRaZ]

Quads with my left/weak foot. One day it will come...lol

[figure_02]

My two main problems is my lack of understanding how to read music, and my left hand...

[bighaibigdrums]

Lack of practice time.

[jiltednut]

Jesus where to start.....eh...

Independence - more or less non existant,
Left hand and foot doubles - very uneven,
Feet speed and control - terrible,
Reading - can't read,

well thats what ya get from just playing along with cds.

[NaturalRaZ]

well thats what ya get from just playing along with cds.

It appears that you like Lombardo. (looks like him in your avatar) If your into challenging drumming... try playing along with Fantomas's (AMENEZA al MUNDO)

[Class A Drummer]

My weakness?

Bullets.

Really i would have to say double bass. I can get a pretty fast speed, but i cant keep it going for more than a few seconds.


(good thread)

[RudimentalDrummer]

( 1 ) Drum Rudiments - So much to learn and wondering when I can really develop speed on it.....but for now Techniques, Techniques on getting the right sound.

( 2 ) Very Fast Swing - not really good at it - needs plenty of Practice.

( 3 ) Double Pedal - just started to get a feel - Gosh !..my damm legs really ache man.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To me - Toughest & Greatest Weakness is in - Practicing Rudiments.

Eric

[pdp 9091]

3 big weaknesses

1. I cant do a shuffle (either purdie shuffle, nor fool in the rain) just cant do it...mind block

2. I dont practice enough rudiments

3. I cant keep time with my left foot on the high hat while riding....gotta practice that

[beatsMcGee]

left hand and reading and independence,,

[aahznightsky]

The thing I need to work on (not now, cuz more things are important) is my left foot slide technique with shoes on. I had gotten it down great with barefeet months ago, but now that I've switched to playing with shoes again, I can't do it very well again ... so off to the woodshed!

[neilpscuz]

Everyone Post you greatest weakness & let the world of drummers help you fix it...I'm certain we have all been there or not there yet !!!....You may recieve multiple tips on how to overcome any drumming problem...

Peace! Lee

So whats yours Lee ?

[Wegadrummer]

My weakness?

Bullets.

Really i would have to say double bass. I can get a pretty fast speed, but i cant keep it going for more than a few seconds.


(good thread)

yes, me too.. I love double pedals, but cant play it..

[ege_the_drummer]

For me I'd say either double bass or my left hand independence and speed.

[Fullback32]

Greatest weakness? Probably playing the drums...yep that would be it. Better pick that bass back up.

[Mike Newland]

Everyone Post you greatest weakness & let the world of drummers help you fix it...I'm certain we have all been there or not there yet !!!....You may recieve multiple tips on how to overcome any drumming problem...

Peace! Lee

Playing snicky little hi-hat glissandi where open and shut occupies one eighth. Getting the feel right al la David Garibaldi is so so difficult I find. And worse in pairs. One leading into a beat and one just after.

[Lee Mangano]

So whats yours Lee ?

Neil
As a drummer, 4 part independance I have trouble with, and unpopular time signatures like 7/8 and 6/8 etc...were my biggest problems...I was a rock solid 4/4 ... I could perform other time signatures, but needed extra concentration, so it took away from my performance & natural playing ability.

I see these jazz players & every limb is doing something differant...it's so natural & it's literally way beyond me & I love listening to & watching them.

My real weakness...I have a few other problems, but to be honest, my live drumming career is basically over..I had a lung removed because of cancer, have meneires, MS & Coronary Artery Desease & medicated to prevent a heart attack..so drumming is tough with all this..but so am I....

The rest of my drumming career will focus on teaching privatley and internationally thru DvD, Book & CD's etc...

Peace...and you have a "Great" Day...Lee

[Lee Mangano]

Fusion Bigband Rock "Weakness reading music"
A: I can read but im also not great at it...I think chops & abilty is alot more important, theres alot of ways to learn how to play other than being a chart reader. If your future is to be a studio drummer, it's mandatory to learn, so start now.

Finnhiggins " Oliver Stone's frustrating paradiddle exercises are responsable for JFK puttin a gun to his head & blowing his brains out.!!!!!....Still laughin my ass off ....
A: Yes...buy the book, but make sure your on ground level...there are no guns in the house, park the car outside the garage, and hide the knives & razor blades...Good Luck

Sclaude1964 "Rushing Fills & rudiments"
A: Hear this over & over again...Manditory, can't say it enough, a metronome is the most important tool a drummer can have, buy one & use it daily untill you can hear the meter in your head. tictoctictoctictoctictoc...again hide all weapons in the house if you think paradiddles can kill you...wait till you see what a metronome will do to your brain

Bighaibig Drums "Lack of Practice Time"
A: Whenever your awake, wherever you are, whatever your doing you can practice...i found work & school was were i got most of drumbrain work done, memorizing sticking patterns & exercising my feet & rudiments on the desk tapping with my fingers & pencil...I worked on my timing while haveing sex...lol...and when i wasn't working, going to school or having sex, I was playing my drums...then when i went to sleep the last thing on my mind was "Drums"

[hotsauce3n]

I have a realy short attention span so when i try do rudiments (i starting learnig them again slowly to build up accents control etc) i get distracted and do other stuff or start playing something else etc

i do this with other things like when i get to the end of a song that i have been laying after it is done i will just march right into some other groove and forget about the next thing i was going to do

[neilpscuz]

Lee, good luck with the teaching and I most always have a GREAT day !

[grahamo87]

it doesn't happen TOO often, but sometimes girls come behind the kit and try and sit in my lap and stuff like that. I always start screwing up and stupid stuff like that, not paying attention. Its not really a bad problem per say, but its definately a weakness

[bigfatbobby]

I have big problems learning new techniques as the moeller, one-handed roll and heel/toe. Read notes and actually know where I am if I'm going to play more than a page. I'm do not have enough diciplin, I often sit on my MAC too long and hanging with friends many hours after school. But at the same time I think it's good that I'm not perfect, because if I would go home and not sit by my computer and just practice, I would become a nerd. Than I would maybe loose my friends and get an outsider and get unhappy. My parents are professional cellists, and my mom told me that when she was at my age (14) until she was about 19 she practiced all day and had no contact with other people and she became a nerd. She says that that was the worst period of her life. So I think it's important to do other things as well, such that you get developed as a human. And it's often that I have travelled to other countries and experienced new things and seen new stuff and got to know new people, and that also gives inspiration to my playing. And I'm not saying that you should stop practicing, as I said, I should practice more, anyway. But I don't think that you should practice so much that you're breaking all connection to friends and family.

[math_metal_182]

Timing, Balance, Double Bass, Iinnddeeppeennddaannccee, Right Hand Moeller, Left Hand Moeller, Right Hand Fingers, Left Hand Fingers, Right Hand Push/Pull, Left Hand Push/Pull, Right Foot Heel/Toe, Right Hand Heel/Toe, Left Foot Heel/Toe, Right Foot Heel Down, Right Foot Heel Up, Left Foot Heel Down, Left Foot Heel Up, Practice Time, Anger Issues, Polyrhythms, Linear Patterns, *Feel*, Grooving, Playing what fits the song, Big Ego, Obnoxiousness, Accuracy, Movement Around the Kit, Relying on Cliche's, Trying to be inventive and failing, slutty girlfriend who doesn't care about me, and a grumpy dog.

And I don't even play the drums, I'm 4 years old and just come in here to piss you guys off!! I know you love me...

[finnhiggins]

Timing, Balance, Double Bass, Iinnddeeppeennddaannccee, Right Hand Moeller, Left Hand Moeller, Right Hand Fingers, Left Hand Fingers, Right Hand Push/Pull, Left Hand Push/Pull, Right Foot Heel/Toe, Right Hand Heel/Toe, Left Foot Heel/Toe, Right Foot Heel Down, Right Foot Heel Up, Left Foot Heel Down, Left Foot Heel Up, Practice Time, Anger Issues, Polyrhythms, Linear Patterns, *Feel*, Grooving, Playing what fits the song, Big Ego, Obnoxiousness, Accuracy, Movement Around the Kit, Relying on Cliche's, Trying to be inventive and failing, slutty girlfriend who doesn't care about me, and a grumpy dog.


You missed a few, I think...

[PreppieNerd]

Speed and double bass, not necessary for my style, but still don't have them. Oh, and I haven't even dabbled in polyrhthyms yet.

[Stu_Strib]

without a doubt, all things latin....

[Pocketman]

Double bass playing. I've never been able to do it and probably never will. But it's never been required (or wanted) for any band that I've ever been in. Something like that can lower your motivation to really work on it. I love hearing drummers play cool double bass stuff but I guess that is were it ends for me. But never say never...

[Jay.B.]

Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle just won't fit in my pocket just yet, it's coming along though, the more I relax and switch off to my surroundings the easier it starts to get, but then I realise what I'm trying to achieve and it goes out the window quicker than that dog chasing a ball in something about mary... need to conquer this one for a couple of songs were going to start working on in a week or two

[MyNameIsRyan]

I'm lefty but I play righty so im stronger with my right hand from playing the hi hat or ride, but my left hand has more stick control and I can play Moeller a lot easier (since better stick control). This problem also causes me to drop my right stick a lot.

[Just Drums]

That's easy. Switching my LF from HH to BD smoothly while playing. I can play some pretty fast double bd patterns and my feet fairly fast but I have a hard time switching from keeping time with my LF on the HH to going straight into a dbl db pattern. It's all in my head though.....

[thousandtears]

im a girl and im only 14..bass pedal is difficult for me in drums..like double bass..
i want to be a pro drummer.. drums is my passion..since when i was a kid a want to be a drummer... i know how to play drums but im not so good with it..can u please help me?? pls

[Lee Mangano]

im a girl and im only 14..
i want to be a pro drummer.. drums is my passion..since when i was a kid a want to be a drummer... i know how to play drums but im not so good with it..can u please help me?? pls

In my eyes...you are already a professional, and "Thousandtears", hate to be the one to tell you...but your still a kid..so enjoy these years, and don't miss out on anything because of this instrument

You have already helped yourself with your insight & personality...you know your passion, you set your goals & are dedicated to improve just by being here seeking help because you realize your weaknesses need to be strengthened in order to accomplish your destiny. That is the definition of a professional. If you could put that in a bottle & sell it..

I hope all of the drummers here read your post & help you with their experience, ideas, tips and knowlege for you to grow as a drummer & give you confidence & support...my only advice to you is to find a great drum instructor in your area, join the school band, or even better yet if there is a drum corps in your area, join it..it's the best & you'll meet a ton of friends around the world.

Good Luck..I'll keep in touch with more..Lee

[photon]

Too many to mention....but since I have to choose I would say rudiments. I have been working very hard on them for the past 6 months, but I'm 45 now and never paid any attention to them when I was younger.

More recently I would have to say motivation. I took a summer break from lessons and I've found myself getting lazy. Funny thing is I still work on the practice pad like a madman but getting motivated to sit down behind the kit and practice has been a chore lately.

[beatsMcGee]

for motivation.. i often find that watching videos or something really creative helps me to want to play.. you need to find those few magic videos that work for you and watch before you practice for that extra zing

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

for motivation.. i often find that watching videos or something really creative helps me to want to play.. you need to find those few magic videos that work for you and watch before you practice for that extra zing

i'm the exact same way and just experienced this haha. i was watching some

drummerworld videos in the clinic section and then... boom i was on my kit for half an

hour. although watching stuff like gadd doesn't motivate me haha. it brings my drumming

self esteem down a bit.

[ledzeppelins666]

I think my greatest weakness is lack of knowledge in anything other then classic rock music. I don't really expand my horizons. I sometimes go into Funk or Jazz, but mostly rock.

[beatsMcGee]

i'm the exact same way and just experienced this haha. i was watching some

drummerworld videos in the clinic section and then... boom i was on my kit for half an

hour. although watching stuff like gadd doesn't motivate me haha. it brings my drumming

self esteem down a bit.

it shouldnt bring you down, but give you ideas and such to run off to the kit with.. well that is what it does for me.. i just would love to have a pc or tv in my storage unit so i can watch stuff then try it... i tend to forget what i came there to practice haha

[jazzsnob]

Non-drum theory has always been a major challenge for me, mainly because I'm an idiot.

Using polyrhythms musically is pretty hard for me too.

[Lee Mangano]

I went through these posts & 75% of the weaknesses listed boil down to basically 4-5 common problems so far.

Left Hand & Foot Problems listed are weak, uncoordinated, slow & sloppy
A: Well we all either still have or had this problem...for some it will never get better...I think practicing differant hand to hand sticking patterns with "Accents" placed on both hands in differant parts of the rythm will help this problem.

Another suggestion is to really feel every muscle & bone in your arm, wrist, hand & fingers when hitting with your Right hand, llok at all the these parts of your arm & see exactly what they are doing...then go to your Left & see if you can notice anything that looks or feels differant & you try & fix it by making it do exactly what you right hand is doing.

Rudiments & Reading One can help the other, you'll never learn new rudiments & rythms if you don't buy a book !!!...Most all books will give you a Staff Key and a Note chart including rests with step by step instructions on how to approach the lesson.

Drums are problably the easiest of all instruments to learn how to read notation...quickly you only have a Right & Left hand & foot to deal with, no fingering positions or chord progresions etc...etc...then you just deal with placement of 1/4 - 1/8th - 1/16th - 32nd & 64th notes & rests...

Double Bass Listed are coordination, speed & control
A: I was surprised how many drummers want to be great at playing double bass...I actually have a DvD entitled Hand & Foot combinations with 1/4, 1/8th & 1/16th notes on the Bass drums with rudiments around the kit.

If you go to the Wishlist here on Drummerworld.com under "M" Lee Mangano you can click my website & view the "Free Download Lesson" and there is a Double bass exercise in 3 seperate levels...60 BPM - 100 BPM - 120 BPM..

Practicing Listed is concentration, lack of, it's an effort, no inspiration
A: I was surprised how many drummers were honest enough to even mention they weren't practicing enough etc...I bow to your honesty but have to question how important are the drums & music really to you...and what level do you really want to reach as far as goals & achievments & or accomplishments ? Thats all up to you....no one esle can answer that question for you...

See all the problems listed above & in all these posts.....Practice is the "ONLY way you will conquor these problems & solve your weaknesses...unless you are a natural prodegy

Peace! & have a "Great" day...Lee

[rendezvous_drummer]

I cannot read music very well. Other than that, double bass is another big weakness of mine.

[Drummerboy3940]

1. Rudiments
2. Right and Left foot independence
3. Single Foot Doubles ( I play one bass pedal, no double bass)
4. Reading Music

[low-tech]

double kick needs alot of work

tempo at slow speeds

consistancy at high speeds

stuck, at times, in a "one feel, one approach" to everything. same fills,similiar beats and so on. when i practice jazz this is the case, where i think id be more free to do whatever, improvise, in doing the same routines,same remembered parts in mixed succesion. same deal with rock beats if there are 2 songs at similiar tempos. i catch myself repeating the same stuff.

more for loud playing, not enough focus on quiet stuff and the mixing of the two. i literally bash out swing parts on instinct. i need better volume control.

bassdrum accents with either single or double kick

hands are way ahead of feet

i also have a tendency to, when working on a song, to match beats per notes thruout a song, moreso than give the song room and support the guitars differently. i dont have to follow everything so forcibly.

[xrossingsouth]

The left hand! It's getting better with practice but still slow to develop......

[Ashton Drum's]

Left hand and my double bass although Im not really a metal player I would like to be able to double bass

[Johnny from the block]

My greatest weakness is my left foot, although I'm working on it.
My left hand is pretty sucky too, I can mostly do the same things with left and right, but lef is always more tensed.

[Lee Mangano]

I didn't make this up, Did you ever hear that saying ...

"You'll only get out, what you put into it...it's true !!!!

[d.c.drummer]

Independence, left hand "stiffness" and keep time with left foot.

[brian_a_guzman]

i practice once a week.....

[CurlzOfRawk]

Multitasking..ha ha lolz

I'm a newbie to drumming through =)
I just find it hard to keep a steady beat with my bass drum and snare and then hit something else say for instance a crash and keep that going as well. I think too much about one thing going so what ever i'm trying to do with my other hand just well..stops lolz

I'm sure in time i'll get better though =)

[Tuxido]

i Changed my mind, my real greatest weakness is letting out emotion, i can feel it in me, the emotion is there, it just dosent know how to come out.

[aetrh]

Improvisation. Flat out.

[Blue]

Practicing Listed is concentration, lack of, it's an effort, no inspiration
A: I was surprised how many drummers were honest enough to even mention they weren't practicing enough etc...I bow to your honesty but have to question how important are the drums & music really to you...and what level do you really want to reach as far as goals & achievments & or accomplishments ? Thats all up to you....no one esle can answer that question for you...

See all the problems listed above & in all these posts.....Practice is the "ONLY way you will conquor these problems & solve your weaknesses...unless you are a natural prodegy

Peace! & have a "Great" day...Lee

Practice is my biggest issue, and the cause of this is a negative mindset, which is what I would label as my biggest weakness. My goals are quite lofty, and the gap between my goals and my current skill level is quite large. This lends itself, in my case, to major discouragement. Everytime I sit down, all I see is everything I can't do, that I want to be able to do. So, I definetely need to work on this somehow, and I think its just by enjoying the drums again, and forgetting about everyone else...

[Lee Mangano]

Practice is my biggest issue, and the cause of this is a negative mindset, which is what I would label as my biggest weakness. My goals are quite lofty, and the gap between my goals and my current skill level is quite large. This lends itself, in my case, to major discouragement. Everytime I sit down, all I see is everything I can't do, that I want to be able to do. So, I definetely need to work on this somehow, and I think its just by enjoying the drums again, and forgetting about everyone else...

Blue..

Thanx Blue...you just stated for everyone with a practice issue the most common problem "Discouragement" and the feeling of stabilty & not improvement gets frustrating & your mind shuts down...

I suggest to all...keep searching & try to find new ways to practice & improve your skill...it's like a new girlfriend or boyfriend..the feeling is strong when new & diminishes as time goes by...keep trying new things to keep your interest & the love for your instrument "Alive"...from Dear Mary !!! LOL

[y0avz]

My feet are awful, And im kinda slow on the hands.

[T.Underhill]

Left hand strength/speed and independence.

[Zackman]

My biggest weakness is when I hit the practice "wall" as I call it. I've gotten through it before, but right now I can't find the door (I should write a song about it!). Anyways, when I first started drumming I soared almost vertically up in skill, because everything I did made me noticably better. Then I hit a wall, it felt like I was going nowhere, I didn't know what to practice, how to practice it, and for how long. Finally I found the right thing and it opened a "door" leading to many other doors, and I watched myself get better, not as fast as when I first started mind you, but I noticed the increase of chops and such. Now I'm stuck here again, but I'll get through. Another big thing for me is that I can't see myself getting better, but I know that I am. There's so much to practice now that it's all just adding up to a big picture. But when you're zeroing in on things, sometimes it's so subtle, that I myself don't even notice that I did it. Anyways, happy drumming, I'm going to practice :D.

[emmerson]

polyrythms, attention span, feet

[low-tech]

My biggest weakness is when I hit the practice "wall" as I call it. I've gotten through it before, but right now I can't find the door (I should write a song about it!). Anyways, when I first started drumming I soared almost vertically up in skill, because everything I did made me noticably better. Then I hit a wall, it felt like I was going nowhere, I didn't know what to practice, how to practice it, and for how long. Finally I found the right thing and it opened a "door" leading to many other doors, and I watched myself get better, not as fast as when I first started mind you, but I noticed the increase of chops and such. Now I'm stuck here again, but I'll get through. Another big thing for me is that I can't see myself getting better, but I know that I am. There's so much to practice now that it's all just adding up to a big picture. But when you're zeroing in on things, sometimes it's so subtle, that I myself don't even notice that I did it. Anyways, happy drumming, I'm going to practice :D.

i get something similiar when you feel you are about to learn a set of moves that you are not concious of, be it a combination of snare and bass hits in a certain beat and tempo, a kind of rudiment or a passage of strokes that are elusive when improvising.even a simple, small like quark thats not very significant but just trips you up etc.

when you get close to this new, foriegn material your playing is sabatoged at that tempo, in that context until you can do what your limbs want to do,meanwhile your mind is confused cause the learning is not intentional, so you think you are just having a bad day"why am i slipping?, i should know this". you are simply arriving at a point where the the body needs the brain to "reign it in"

its like the wall you speak of, a mental block that until you can control this strange input from your limbs. i get this once and awhile and i figure everyone does. its like a key to open a door that will incorperate the new data and stabilize your playing for a time until the next wave. but literally itll take weeks, sometimes months to get there and in those weeks you are like

"wtf is wrong with my playing!"

[Just Drums]

Actually, I'll change my answer to "women".

;)

[Spacehog]

Timing on fills... playing along with a click, generally. Also, the more intricate my parts get with my hands and left foot, the more my right foot tends to drift.

[TopCat]

Brunettes.



and hot lights.

[funkydrummer1818]

My weekness is the bass drumpedal technique.. My feet are very slow comapring with my hands... My hands are fine,can play singles up to 200 bmp..

I am just finding hard to execute doubles on bass drum in 32 notes or 16ths... Sometime me feet would play the double but it would not come out as double just as a single.. Something like a choke.. Mmmm.. I find it s much harder to train your feet and legs..
Any usefull tips? I really want my feet be as good and as fast as my arms..

Thanks

[Lee Mangano]

My biggest weakness is when I hit the practice "wall" as I call it. I've gotten through it before, but right now I can't find the door (I should write a song about it!). . Another big thing for me is that I can't see myself getting better, but I know that I am. There's so much to practice now that it's all just adding up to a big picture. I'm going to practice :D.

Zack....excellant idea...write a song about it & make sure it has a real kick ass groove that shows off your stuff...

My other advice is I saw your still young, so you better get used to these so-called slumps and utilize these times to really attack & fine tune to profection everything you do know...believe me you'll feel great by cleaning up your chops...and the time will be worth it

You don't have to constanly learn new things to feel a sence of accomplishment...So don't let that feeling destroy your incentive for the your instrument...we can all improve in many areas no matter how long or what level of drummer we are...ask Neil Peart if he;'s done learning or fine tuning differant aspects of his playing...

Peace...Lee

[pearl_floyd]

Keeping time with my left foot...at first i couldn't do it at all but i'm gradualy getting it.

[MEL]

Not rushing, especially fills; relaxing when playing fast tempos.

EDIT: That and spending too much time on line, not enough practicing while making long rambling posts. However, as you can see, I've set a character limit and I'm getting bett

[ness]

i feel like whenever i pratise i do the same thing every time i pratise. aside from that im trying to get my rolls and fills cleaner and im trying to work on some fills using the double bass also

[darkcherryfade]

My greatest weakness in drumming is getting caught up in thinking that I suck, that I'm a horrible drummer. I feel my other weaknesses are nothing a little practice and more lessons won't fix.

[Dan Den Drummer]

-I can't play a song two times same without reading it.
-I'm also horrible in playing the whole time the same rhythme when I'm supoosed to do it in Jam-sessions, my rhtyhme altnernates a lot with the bass and snare drum
-More complex, spontaneous Fill-ins don't fit and I'm often supposed to play longer or to play less
-I've also difficults to play the Hi-Hat with the left Hand when I'm playing weird Ride/Hihat systemes
-I use to often play more on the nearest crash as to play on the crash which fiits better with the music and the emotion I want to exprime

--> Short, I'm bad in playing good ...

[Lee Mangano]

I would like to start hearing along with your weakness's, anything you have done to try and improve your problems & the results if any, positive or negitive results...

Lee

[jmontroy]

-Left hand
-Consistant practice habits
-Confidence (it shows a bit when a bass hit or snare hit ocmes in a little late. this will hopefully come with more experience)
-Rudiments/marching band-esque snare work (confident snare work, basically)
-Coordination

The main greatest weakness is probably left hand.

I've been working my ass off on this stuff but I'm sure twenty years from now this stuff will be still be a problem, of course.

[DillingerEscp]

HMM. I dont know, Id say my biggest weakness is not being able to play all the time, but once I go to college, and have my set right behind me at all times (instead of it being in Indiana) OH MAN, every day, day and night.

I cant wait.

[deltadrummer1]

My biggest weakness is when I hit the practice "wall" as I call it. I've gotten through it before, but right now I can't find the door (I should write a song about it!). Anyways, when I first started drumming I soared almost vertically up in skill, because everything I did made me noticably better. Then I hit a wall, it felt like I was going nowhere, I didn't know what to practice, how to practice it, and for how long. Finally I found the right thing and it opened a "door" leading to many other doors, and I watched myself get better, not as fast as when I first started mind you, but I noticed the increase of chops and such. Now I'm stuck here again, but I'll get through. Another big thing for me is that I can't see myself getting better, but I know that I am. There's so much to practice now that it's all just adding up to a big picture. But when you're zeroing in on things, sometimes it's so subtle, that I myself don't even notice that I did it. Anyways, happy drumming, I'm going to practice :D.

This is me too. I sometimes believe that my playing is not improving but it really is. It's just hard to convince myself of it.

[hitsthingswithsticks]

Have too many ideas. 6/8? I can't help wanting to alternate between 3/4, 12/16, etc. and now that I've got these quituplets down, my licks is messing with most of the people I play with. maybe I just need to join a math-rock band.

[T.Y]

I think mine would be independant play, such that my hands and legs does not have a mind of its own, i can't do something on my hands while my legs play something completely different or in a different time, still working on it though!havent gave up!

and i think it would be good if i were able to read music notes fluently either lol

Btw if anyone knows how to help me, feel free to let me know

[Lee Mangano]

I think mine would be independant play, such that my hands and legs does not have a mind of its own, i can't do something on my hands while my legs play something completely different or in a different time, still working on it though!havent gave up!

and i think it would be good if i were able to read music notes fluently either lol

Btw if anyone knows how to help me, feel free to let me know

Hi TY
I wouldn't flip out just yet over this .... your problem is real common & difficult for most all drummers at all levels to accomplish..included some of the world reknown "Rock Stars"

Independence is one of my greatest weakness's also...so i always stuck to my strengths as a drummer ..could play some independent rythms, but with great concentration, and you should do the same until you master independence & are fluent in playing differant time signatures between your limbs.

There are books & DvDs...its not going to be easy and the best & only advice i can give you is be patient & don't let the difficulty discourage you...know what your doing is extremely hard for any drummer.

I saw your profile & your 18, i assume you havn't been takin drums seriously for more than a few years...so im gonna guess your reaching pretty high at this point and i bow to your enthusiasm & practice ethics...tough goals for 18...& im sure you'll succeed...good luck !!

Lee

[Lee Mangano]

I think mine would be independant play, such that my hands and legs does not have a mind of its own, i can't do something on my hands while my legs play something completely different or in a different time, still working on it though!havent gave up!

and i think it would be good if i were able to read music notes fluently either lol

Btw if anyone knows how to help me, feel free to let me know

Hi TY
I wouldn't flip out just yet over this .... your problem is real common & difficult for most all drummers at all levels to accomplish..included some of the world reknown "Rock Stars"

Independence is one of my greatest weakness's also...so i always stuck to my strengths as a drummer ..and you should do the same until you master independence & are fluent in playing differant time signatures between your hands & feet. There are books & DvDs

I saw your profile & your 18, i assume you havn't been takin drums seriously for more than a few years...so im gonna guess your reaching pretty high at this point and i bow to your enthusiasm & practice ethics...tough goals for 18...& im sure you'll succeed

Lee

[T.Y]

Gee thanks

To be honest, Ive only been playing for a year and a half with me only being serious in the last couple of months, perhaps 4 or 5 months?
So yea i guess I'm progressing well, and I'm fully self taught, just analysing videos and music and learning. Theres still so much more to learn for me, I just think it'll be a long time before I'll be satisfied with my level of drumming, perhaps never, lol.
But i do find that with me practising everyday and learning new techniques my independence plays are also gradually improving indirectly. So I just have to be patient and keep working on it, I'll get it one day.

[Tryitagain]

I would have to say practicing with a metronome. It can be very discouraging! I tend to rush fills and sometimes I'll yell at the metronome and call it a "liar", but I know it's really just me jumping time :) At first I would have to concentrate so hard on playing on top of the click, that all my artistic expression would disappear and I'd just be "hitting drums" trying to please the "Almighty Quartz Metronome". However, I'm sticking to it and getting better at it, but still rushing the fills a bit... and still yelling at the metronome from time to time. Would it be better to play with a big loud "CLICK" with a set of headphones?

[TehMook]

My greatest weakness would have to be quick disappointment in myself. I dont know, if that is grammatically correct.
Basically, when I practice something, I try it for a couple of times and if I cant do it, I become depressed and think that I can never do it.
Of course, this is just a psychological thing and I know, that I have to practice.

And sometimes (Read: "Pretty often.") I lack the interest in practicing. When I go and practice, I practice for a few minutes, then start to play same old stuff that I always play.

Technique-wise, my basics are pretty poor. (By basics, I mean single stroke/double stroke rolls, coordination, etc. etc.)

[mikei]

My left hand!

I have started practicing playing open handed for about 15 to 20 minutes a day. I know it isn't much, but it has already started making a difference.

[sumwatt]

Well, my biggest problems keep changing from week to week as my drum teacher keeps piling stuff on to work with :)

I need a lot of practice (since I'm new to playing) but the hurdles I've hit recently is mostly counting mixed with LH and RF coordination (playing open handed). I've had to learn to count screwed up on the 1-2-3-4 because when I throw the "an" inbetween in my head, I foul up. I've found if I try to nail the pattern musically, I can usually hit it and then go back and slow it down and start adding the count. Now throw in trying to read the music at the same time and I will usually fall apart. But I'm getting better day by day and session by session.

Today I was mucking it up doing 4/4 with a { 1, #, #, an, 3, #} bass drum pattern and switching to {1, #, #, #, 3, #, 4} pattern but I think I got it licked finally.

[TakaTakaTa]

I got problem to find a foot technique for fast double bass drum.

[Lee Mangano]

Well, my biggest problems keep changing from week to week as my drum teacher keeps piling stuff on to work with :)
I think I got it licked finally.

You sound like a serious drummer who really wants to succeed...I'm a teacher and I pile on at times also...every now & then I come to my sences & back down & ask my student if I'm moving to fast..and we have a few weeks of review to fine toon is just as..if not even more important than learning something totally new.

I suggest you discuss with your teacher that you may be missing things because the amount of work he may give you is too much from week to week & you really want to absorb some of the material & master it to profefection..

Lee

[Lee Mangano]

I got problem to find a foot technique for fast double bass drum.

I Jog & Run on my peddles with heel up....i'm fast but not a speed deamon...it's more i lose stanima than speed..but as an example once you are running on your peddles try and get your ankles to react like an old mans wrists shaking...it's that tecnique that will get your feet to the next level...

The old mans shakin wrist is the only way i can describe & explain what your ankles have to do..also get a metronome, set it at like 80 BPM as 1/4 notes, play a simple beat with 1/8th on HH & 2 & 4 on SD,

then play 2 measures each of 1/4 notes 1/8th notes and 1/16th on your feet....keep repeating over & over untill you feel your perfect and all 3 BD patterns feel comfortable & then keep adding 5 BPM to the metronome until your ankles are swollen & the veins are stticking out ready to burst, and every toe is numb

Peace!!!.....................Lee

[dunkerton12]

Have too many ideas. 6/8? I can't help wanting to alternate between 3/4, 12/16, etc. and now that I've got these quituplets down, my licks is messing with most of the people I play with. maybe I just need to join a math-rock band.

Try counting in your head while you play. 1-2-3-4-5-6.

[I wish I was good]

The fact I have to work forty hours a week to pay for the dang things I need to keep practicing, but wishing I could quit my job so I could practice even more! It's a vicious cycle.

[Lee Mangano]

The fact I have to work forty hours a week to pay for the dang things I need to keep practicing, but wishing I could quit my job so I could practice even more! It's a vicious cycle.

Man !!!...I don't have a degree in phycoligy but it's obvious you have got some negitive stuff goin on... your screen name says it all...

Your problem is easy to solve...your goin thru the exact same thing the whole world has to deal with...surviving !!!....LOL...do what i did to survive,,, I used my kit as an outlet to get away from all the pressure of life & took all my frustrations out on them..

Just don't quit your job if you have responsabilities just to practice...you'll find the time if you really want to get better....Good Luck...and be more positive...Lee

[CVdrummer]

16th note tripplets on the bass drum :/

[kickit100]

lately for me its been focusing on practicing technique and reading instead of just playin with music. Also my double pedal playing is weak its something i really want to develop though.

[skunkyjoe]

Time. Time is my greatest weakness.

-AG

[Lee Mangano]

16th note tripplets on the bass drum :/

CV
You obviously know how to play 1/16th note triplets on your hands... so just take a nice slow meter play 1 count of 1/16th note triplets on SD & 1 count on your BD's....and keep alternating until you feel it & it's clean & even in perfect time...then build your tempo slowly

It'll click for you...just keep sweating....jogg on the peddles

Have a "Great" day...Lee

[h3r3tic]

I think my greatest weakness is not being able to use my left foot on the hat stand while using other cymbals instead of the hats...

[h3r3tic]

I think my greatest weakness is not being able to use my left foot on the hat stand while using other cymbals instead of the hats...

[Lee Mangano]

I think my greatest weakness is not being able to use my left foot on the hat stand while using other cymbals instead of the hats...

I'm not promoting this because I have the same problem playing for 35 years & never fixed it, but I will tell you to keep practicing utilizing your HH foot for timing & effect...

Although i didn't play using my HH for meter... I did play in drum corps for years & worked with a metronome hours upon hours practicing ...perfect time is in my head & I can feel it because of the time i put in with a metronome... and a Batrillion hours in the recording studio playing in perfect time.

I can also use sound, the....bap...bap...bap of the SD for my time & i know if it fluxuates...my ride or HH playing will always be solid & even & i will use that formy metronome...I will place all SD & BD patterns on or inside the HH without loosing time...

Your life as a drummer will not end or your abilities & talent will not decrease if you just don't feel that timing in your left or right HH foot to keep meter....there are ways for adjusting & compensating for it..and thats what I did to strengthen a weakenes you must focus on your strong points to compensate.

:Lee

[DrummerT]

greatest weakness... hmmm...

1) diddles sounding like crap on set
2) single pedal speed, i want that speed!!
and
3) disciplined practices... i just go off and jam, trying to do things quiker and quiker always focusing on form =\

[Lee Mangano]

greatest weakness... hmmm...

1) diddles sounding like crap on set
2) single pedal speed, i want that speed!!
and
3) disciplined practices... i just go off and jam, trying to do things quiker and quiker always focusing on form =\

[1] .......Oh no they don't, Funny you say that,,I can definatly help you with this one..I actually just produced a DVD with rudiments around the kit....i have a few lessons on my website so you can hear what they sound like, go to www.drumschool.net Click "Free" download lesson,,,,I also play drags, ruffs, single, double & triple paradiddles etc...around kit.....you will get an idea of how useful & distinguished rudiments can be on the kit.

[2] single pedal speed...why ???? is that so important when it's easier to use both feet for speed...no one cares how you do certain things just care that you can.....

[3] Disciplineis something you need to talk about with yourself & you decide how important it is & if you have the strength & patience to be a disciplined person

Good Luck...Lee

[TomasHakkesBrain]

Left Hand
Endurance
Sight Reading
Independence
..playing the same ol beats which i was repremanded by a 8 year old neighbour about (hey it was Jazz Fusion what the hell!)

[FFFF]

My weakness in drums are fill ins.
Yeah funny, but every time I do it, I either slowed down or just, stucked. I have problems hesitating while improvising(like what to hit, in what notes).

Maybe another one will be reading tied notes, especially when the "dashes" that tell you to roll or flam or diddles make it even more confusing.

[quikstang2]

I'd say inconsistancy between limbs.

My left hand can play weird rythems and off time all day long, but I can't do it with my right once.

My left hand can't play as fast or hard as my right.

My left foot will fall off and get back on tempo when doing double bass for extened periods of time (endurance I guess). It also isn't as strong as my right.

My right foot doesn't play quick singles, I have to rely on double bass.

My hands can keep time while my feet play different rythems but my feet can't keep time while my hands play gdifferent rythems.

Once I get rid of my current sets and get a new one I'm going to set up my vintage set in a left handed configuration so I can work on those differences.

[morbius25]

I have a number of problems, other than I suck. But one of them is when I do fills and I mean simple ones I will hit the drums backwards ie.. I lead off with my right hand (RLRL) the second time my right hand hit say the floor tom then my left will hit the high tom. So if I start on the snare with 3 &, (snare) then 4 (floor tom) & (high tom). So am I broken? The list would go on for years, you guys have better things to do then hear them all.

[Michael Beechey]

1.Spending more time on forums and Ebay than practicing

2.Practicing what I do well and avoiding what I don't do well

3. Spending more time sleeping than practicing

4. Spending more time doing anything else than practicing

5. Losing sight of the end goal of practicing

6. Practicing more than playing

7. Repeat from top

[Eric]

Weaknesses? But I have so many! Oh well, here goes;

My time is so solid it tends to intimidate bass players
My solos are too exciting-the audience can barely control themselves.
I'm in such demand, I sometimes forget to leave some work for the other drummers
Also, I don't think I give myself enough credit.

[Vinnysimmo]

HAHA Cool post Eric!

[intooder]

Confession time, eh?
- No practice routine/not spending time working on rudiments
- Not spending enough time in improving technique (I know my arms and legs will suffer in the long run, if I keep this up)
- Bad posture
- Not making it a point to relax and breathe properly while playing
- Pretending like I'm the greatest drummer ever, while conveniently ripping stuff off others and refusing to acknowledge it

I guess there's no redemption for me.

[JCM]

Hands & Feet still not solid enough ...

[TheGroceryman]

My biggest weakness is my left hand. It can't do half the things my right hand can do.

That's why I've been meaning to get Oliver Stone's Stick Control, but I was looking at Groove's online shop (BTW, I'm probably gonna buy a good amount of stuff from your shop, Groove) and I only saw George C. Stone's Stick Control, is it the same book?

Oh, and what's a polyrythem?

[JRH7]

My Greatest WEAKNESS: DRUMS

My Greatest Strength: INBRED ALIEN LOOK A LIKE

[Morgoe]

Im amazed at the number of people who struggle with double bass! I got my first pair of dbl bass pedals at Christmas after playing with a single for 2 years. I got on the kit, popped on some Dream Theater and..failed. I tried again, and again, and again but my feet WOULD NOT co-ordinate at anything past 40BPM 16ths. I began regretting spending $350 on pedals that I couldn't even use.
I hopped on YouTube, and...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbhAepnLT3Y. It didnt come to me immediately..it took about 2 minutes ;p My chops weren't even, but they WERE fast (150BPM?). It took me a week to get them pretty perfectly even at that speed, then over the next month I got em up to 200BPM 16th.
Some tips:
--THE most important thing I think, is what you're wearing on your feet. I used to play with thongs when I did single bass pedal, as its easier to do doubles that way. Now I play with socks. Why? You want something that DOES NOT grip the pedal. Bare feet grip, shoes grip, thongs grip, socks don't. With socks its like you're playing barefoot so you've got the freedom and all, but you can move your foot around the pedal to the sweet spot as you change tempos or whatever.
--Tight springs. I didn't notice the video I just linked actually said "Make your springs as tight as possible" when I first watched it (only realised that now actually), but when I first got my pedals I just thought tighter=faster, and tightened them as far as they could go. Of course my spring just broke a few weeks ago (after like 4 months), but I find it does help.

My speed hasn't improved that much after the past four or so months (it improved dramatically in the first month), but if I get the momentum going by playing at, say, 115BPM 16ths for about 30 seconds I can double time it to 230BPM 16ths, but I can usually only last about 15-20 secs before I tire out. I need to work on my endurance at speeds past 170BPM (I only take up the Flat Foot technique at about 185+BPM, past that I just play as you would with a single pedal), and I really wanna get my doubles working on my left pedal...although after 2.5 years I still cant get the doubles fast on my right foot so it'll take a LONG time for my left foot to work :(

[anp27]

My greatest weakness(s): Chocolate and Dunkin' Donuts.

[HardcoreLogo]

My biggest weakness is my left hand. It can't do half the things my right hand can do.

That's why I've been meaning to get Oliver Stone's Stick Control, but I was looking at Groove's online shop (BTW, I'm probably gonna buy a good amount of stuff from your shop, Groove) and I only saw George C. Stone's Stick Control, is it the same book?

Oh, and what's a polyrythem?

Oliver Stone is a movie director............the book you want is the second one you mentioned............a "Polyrhythm" is two or more rhythms played at the same time that contrast each other, many use the word "against", like 3 against 4 etc.

[Drumms]

I'm deaf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .....

[zambizzi]

Fast women and fast cars...

[zambizzi]

OH...and as far as my drumming:

- Lack of focus during practice. I might get 3 hrs. in on a Saturday but spend 1.5 of that dinking around w/ some groove I made up and can't quit playing for some reason.

- Timekeeping w/ my left foot: I often use it on 2 and 4 when I use the ride but am working on using it on 1, 2, 3, & 4 - especially w/ syncopated kick beats (coordination.)

- My right foot is definitely progressing more slowly than everything else, I doubt I'll ever be satisfied w/ it entirely.

- Using the metronome...I used to use it a lot...these days I barely ever touch it. I know my timekeeping is probably suffering as a result.

...I could honestly go on forever. I'm gonna go practice now :)

[dom]

Practicing....i tend to get board and play what i feel like playing not what i need to learn

[d.c.drummer]

Playing cleanly. Sometimes even though i can play some hot licks sometimes i get lazy and dont articulate

[JIM_fear]

I'm gonna say my left hand, but it is getting a lot better. Also, my doubles need a lot of work.

[kung_f00]

1) Locking up in the pocket. When I want to move from the pocket to a fill, sometimes my muscles lock up and I strain to move away from snare-bass-hats.

2) Managing volume. I usually enforce that my fellow musicians wear ear protection (which I usually provide) because I can get loud without meaning to get loud.

3) Female musicians. They distract me from practicing or playing the drums, because I'm too busy gawking/admiring.

[Mario]

Sight reading, I learnt to play before I learnt to read, and don't have the patience to really get my reading chops together.

[Lee Mangano]

My greatest weakness(s): Chocolate and Dunkin' Donuts.


As long as the Chocolate doesn't melt on your Snare Drum & the Donut doesn't fall on your right Bass Drum pedal in the middle of a song you should be just fine ...but please !!! be very careful.

Lee

[fourstringdrums]

I'm lactose intolerant.

[Lee Mangano]

1) Locking up in the pocket. When I want to move from the pocket to a fill, sometimes my muscles lock up and I strain to move away from snare-bass-hats.

2) Managing volume. I usually enforce that my fellow musicians wear ear protection (which I usually provide) because I can get loud without meaning to get loud.

3) Female musicians. They distract me from practicing or playing the drums, because I'm too busy gawking/admiring.



[1] Muscles Locking up...Is it from fear you'll totally mess up, or just lack of confidence you won't nail the drum fill in meter...or maybe you actually have a serious muscle problem you may want to see a doctor about..

If it's fear...your in trouble & you need to losen up & have a drink...if it's lack of confidence, just practice more and always with a metronome until you can feel perfect meter in your whole body & inside your head.

If it's a muscle problem, I wish you good luck... I recently had a Lung removed a Plate & 6 screws put in my neck & other issues...I will light a candle for you that this isn'y your problem, because I have stopped playing drums full time & proffesionally & it is killing me to stop what I love most in the world & wish that on no one.

[2] Managing Volume....The hell with them.....sounds like you have great attack...hopefully your in a Rock Band & not a wedding type of Jazzy band you need to be dynamic...Let me know...

[3] Females OH !!!!!....and you think your the only one with this problem... I lose concentration with watching the girls in the audience, driving in a car, going to the market, watching TV, working, reading the paper, etc..etc..etc..Let me know if you find a cure for this problem so I'm sure not to ever take it....

Peace!!! Good Luck & stay in touch...Lee

[ledzepjb]

Well, my speed, my lack of attention when practising rudiments( i get distracted and play grooves instead) and NOT ENOUGH PRACTISE, TO MUCH TIME ON DRUMMERWORLD!

[evanj]

playing latin styles on the drum set, I know just enough to get by in jazz band at school

[schist]

Timing (occasionally)

Single-strokes

Moeller technique (full)

Doubles with left foot

and much more that I can't remember right now ...

[Lee Mangano]

Timing (occasionally)

Single-strokes

Moeller technique (full)

Doubles with left foot

and much more that I can't remember right now ...

Your going to be simple to fix

[1] Timing
Practice...Practice..practice...till you feel the time...practice with metronome forever and when it gets to boring, play to records, get a nice closed ear headphones...like Koss

[2] Single Strokes
Practice...Practice ...practice...with a metronome just start off slow & gradually increase the tempo...you'll get it, just practice

[3] Moeller technique
To be honest...I never studied the Moeller tecnique so Im not qualified to give you advice..Ill look into it...a

lthough I will tell you this... getting or learning the Moeller Tecnique is definately "NOT" the end of your drumming career...every drummer is an individual & learns many ways...you just need to find "Your" way to progress ... just don't let anything frustrate, dissapoint, or destroy your incentive to be a drummer...

[4] Doubles with Left Foot
Now your confusing me....you say you have trouble with single strokes on your hands...the # 1 and most basic of patterns you'll ever learn...and your worried because your Left Foot of all things can't do Double strokes...are you kidding me !!!!

Unless you play lefty "DON"T" ever in your life play a double stroke on your foot...I am a professional drummer on a record that sold Millions of copies & DvD's..I toured as a 2nd billing act with Judast Priest, Nazareth, Blue Oyster Cult & Kix etc..etc...in the 80"s I wrote, directed & produced Drum Instructional DvD's that have sold throughout the World

AND I HAVE NEVER EVEN ONCE PLAYED A DOUBLE STROKE ON ME LEFT FOOT

[5] And as far as much more....I'm still right there with you & i have been playing for 35+ yrs......Peace!!! and Good Luck & keep in touch...Lee

[volume_3]

For me its Theory. I am just nnot motivated atm to learn the theory, mainly because i fear that it will make me lose interest. I love playing drums along to music, and thats all ive done on drums, ive been playing 9 months, and if you watched me play i'd like to think you'd think i was at the right level for someone whose been playing that long, BUT obv... i dont know any theory. I think i'm gonna start soon, because since joining this forum ive been motivated a lot more, and my interest in the drums is getting greater and greater, i order Gavin Harrison's Rhythmic Visions DVD, so hopefully that'll come soon.

Oh, AND playing constant double pedal, like 8th notes, can keep it going at all. Not for long anyway

[groovemaster_flex]

I can do blazingly fast double stroke rolls, but cause of that, that's all I practice.
My paradiddles are pathetic, and my single stroke rolls are dismal at best.

[Lee Mangano]

1.Spending more time on forums and Ebay than practicing

2.Practicing what I do well and avoiding what I don't do well

3. Spending more time sleeping than practicing

4. Spending more time doing anything else than practicing

5. Losing sight of the end goal of practicing

6. Practicing more than playing

7. Repeat from top

Your too funny.....I had to respond....no one can help you focus or make you dedicated...drums can be just a hobby you know !!!

So just have fun with them whenever you get the chance, and you'll keep getting better anyway even if it isn't playing everyday...

Have fun...Lee

[Joel Woody]

i broke my wrist about a year ago....i got a cast on it, but then i went to Europe and had it removed....and got mugged....i tried to fight back but they broke the wrist again.....

so....just my left wrist
hahaha

[brittc89]

i broke my wrist about a year ago....i got a cast on it, but then i went to Europe and had it removed....and got mugged....i tried to fight back but they broke the wrist again.....

so....just my left wrist
hahaha

Man, Im not gonna lie, that totally sucks, thats a nightmare Ive had before.

[Vic_Rattledeth]

I would say my biggest weakness as a drummer is my left foot. Mainly keeping my left foot as a steady ostinato then soloing over it, I still don't have that 100% independance thing going on.

[Lee Mangano]

i broke my wrist about a year ago....i got a cast on it, but then i went to Europe and had it removed....and got mugged....i tried to fight back but they broke the wrist again.....

so....just my left wrist
hahaha

Joel...99.9% of drummers will always mention or have this problem with weakness & coordination with their Left hand...and it's always recomended to Get George Stone's Stick Control Book or do everything for 4-6 weeks with your left hand, eat, write, throw a ball, turn your set around & put your HH on the right side etc..

But your left hand is just fine...anyone breaks their wrist, gets a cast off and immediatley to protect himself in a fight leads with a good Left hook & breaks it again, definately has confidence in it...and has no fear of it's strength..

Your only problem is lack of so much practice time being in the hospitol and wearing casts......LOL....OUCH!!!.................Lee

[Joel Woody]

Joel...99.9% of drummers will always mention or have this problem with weakness & coordination with their Left hand...and it's always recomended to Get George Stone's Stick Control Book or do everything for 4-6 weeks with your left hand, eat, write, throw a ball, turn your set around & put your HH on the right side etc..

But your left hand is just fine...anyone breaks their wrist, gets a cast off and immediatley to protect himself in a fight leads with a good Left hook & breaks it again, definately has confidence in it...and has no fear of it's strength..

Your only problem is lack of so much practice time being in the hospitol and wearing casts......LOL....OUCH!!!.................Lee


hahahaha.......oh that was nice.....well, see....i have HORRIBLE arthritis in it.....because even thought i broke it again, it healed- it healed wrong.....my capitate and hamate somehow fused together and now it blocks blood to travel thoroughly(sp) through my hand.......but all i need is a quick surgery...(which i think ill get).........but it used to be fine....i could do doubles and triplelets with it fine........but now it......it just hurts........the word is 'burden'......hahaha..but o well.....i dont really like to let it hold me back....

--even though my mom now wont let me play football....but thats a mom thing

[Lee Mangano]

hahahaha.......oh that was nice.....well, see....i have HORRIBLE arthritis in it.....because even thought i broke it again, it healed- it healed wrong.....my capitate and hamate somehow fused together and now it blocks blood to travel thoroughly(sp) through my hand.......but all i need is a quick surgery...(which i think ill get).........but it used to be fine....i could do doubles and triplelets with it fine........but now it......it just hurts........the word is 'burden'......hahaha..but o well.....i dont really like to let it hold me back....

--even though my mom now wont let me play football....but thats a mom thing

Yea !!! get the surgury if possable before it gets worst...then maybe talk your mom into playing football again when you get the cast off !!! So you can break it all over again....OUCH !!!!!.........LMAO !!!

Only kidding my friend...you sound exactly like me 35 yrs ago..I played football 4 yrs in Pee Wee & 3 yrs in High School & started drumming at 14....I broke my colorbone & shoulder 3 times playing football....

Peace!!! you have a "Great" day...Lee

http://www.DRUMSCHOOL.net

[MaT]

Lack of time to practice.
More speed with double bass drumming.
I'd love to play jazz and latin styles more efficiently.
I can't play polyrhythms, I don't even know where to start on this one.

Nice Thread BTW!!!

[Shinx]

My feet are probably my biggest weakness. I think so at least. I just don't work them enough.

@MaT, for polyrythyms, look for the real simple ones like 3:2. I'm sure you've seen this, but it couldn't hurt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyrhythm
Pretty interesting, though I haven't read through much of it
http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&entryID=38294800&groupID=100003031&adTopicID=21&Mytoken=1F66292B-298D-4126-BE759AC9EA7AA25628048127

[Lee Mangano]

So whats yours Lee ?

Neil...I have been mentioning many of my weakness's in my replies, they are mostly typical, but I have overcame most of them through time...thats why I posted this thread...thought it could help people earlier than later with differant drummers tecniques on fixing problemed issues...

To be honest, my biggest weakness right know is trying to just deal with not being able to Drum for the rest of my life professionally because of health issues... It's not me..Im not a Quitter so its hard...& tough..but Im getting better with it..

After 35 years of putting 210% into this thing & it consuming my life, and the sacrifices I made trying to grab that gold ring can't just end while Im still alive...that just can't happen

Im like Dan marino....I have all the records but no rings...my accomplishments all make me proud as can be...as I said in posts to others you have to ask yourself, "What is Success to you"? ...

I am still trying to reach my ulimate goals, and that will keep me alive in the Drumming World & take away some of the pain...and hopefully I can reach new levels of success

Peace!! and you have a "Great" day...Lee

[stasz]

I suck at fast shuffle time, I can barely play double kick, and my left hand is no competition for my right hand.

But hopefully that will all come with practice.

[sir_willy]

I overplay. Even when soloing, I just dont correctly utilize the powerful tool of not playing a note

[Halidman]

Weak right hand, weak right foot. No control when fast, need to be better at showmanship. tend to stick my tongue out when playing..... but practise makes permanent. not perfect

[Lee Mangano]

Weak right hand, weak right foot. No control when fast, need to be better at showmanship. tend to stick my tongue out when playing..... but practise makes permanent. not perfect

Halidman...are you left handed?? or just weak on your right side?...work on the strength before showmanship...believe me no one cares how "Cool" you look as long as you get the job done...

Got to work on keeping that tongue in or you'll be sure to bite it off one day...I can't even chew gum & drum at the same time...thats scary stuff !!!!

[Jimothy]

My greatest weakness is a lack of confidence in my playing.

[Acronomic]

My greatest weakness is not having enough energy to practice on the set every day. I really need to get out of that ditch because music is very important to me.

[Drummertist]

Not practicing rudiments enough/at all.

I have problems with my bass. I've been playing for 4 years, but I still have problems doing eighth notes and sixteenths with my bass foot. I don't know what to work on with my bass foot. All anyone ever writes about is getting better snare technique.

I just don't have quick feet.

[spartacus1989]

Thats a hard one, definatly the fact that I can never stick to one grip!

I go from holding the stick on my left hand between my 2nd and 3rd finger to holding the stick between my 1st and 2nd.

Every now and again, I slip into my 'block everything' mode and just drum on my nearest table and end up missing something that is important that is being said.

[Mr. Pasquini]

Fear and self doubt keep me from being all I can, though I'm overcoming that a lot now.

[ZildjianMan1023]

Fear and self doubt keep me from being all I can, though I'm overcoming that a lot now.

drums are my escape ian make them that.. and then you will become all you can

[Mr. Pasquini]

It really has to do with my family. Quite a few great musicians, and I'm a good vioinist, I expect way too much of myself.

None of this is to say that drums are a chore. Playing drums is one of my favorite things on earth.

[ZildjianMan1023]

[QUOTE=Mr. Pasquini;342420]It really has to do with my family. Quite a few great musicians, and I'm a good vioinist, I expect way too much of myself.

None of this is to say that drums are a chore. Playing drums is one of my favorite things on earth.[/QUOTE


hmm, so ive heard.. i expect alot from myself but not to the point where i get frustrated and decide to smash my drums (not saying you will) but i guess im trying to level with myself here.. but hey ian more power to you!

[Joe_Ita]

In order of priority:
- ensemble/big band charts reading. That's very different from reading regular drum charts and I recnetly found that I am very bad at it
- First sight reading
- Foot technique
- double bass (very bad at it)

[aydee]

.. keeping time ostinatos going on the hi-hat, while playing through fills ( guess I got independence issues)...plus of course a whole lotta stuff , i wish i could play but cant.

[a1DrummerT]

discipline, i have my mindset down, i know how good i am and can point out what i need to work on, its just staying with what im working on.

[4DMNYC]

This may have been covered. I didn't read through every post.

I tend to get stuck in a rut as far as creativity and style are concerned. Sometimes I feel like I repeat myself too much on the kit. I try to listen to different styles of music to help me creatively. But sometimes I'll be jamming with some buddies and I'll do a fill or pattern while improvising that I probably have done a million times before. What does everyone else do to overcome these musical ruts?

[Anchein Vouivra]

Left foot (I never kept the beat or syncop with my hi-hats)! Counting the time in my head and being able to move around while keeping the beat into asymmetric rythms! Concentrate on the same exercise for a whole hour without messing around every minutes!.........and very shamful, still don't know how to tune my drums correctly!

[Truburdz]

Keeping tempo when doing fast long fills
And not enough confidents when playing at church

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

My greatest weakness is definitely overplaying. Besides being a nuisance to listen to, overplaying can also have more subtle consequences. I listened to myself on tape not long ago and for the first several minutes it sounded really good. I wasn't playing too loud, I was with the band, plying off of their lines. But then I got bored listening to myself. And at the end of the song I was wishing for the drummer to do something else, something new.

I realized that overplaying in this case was showing my entire bag of tricks in two minutes. If I had held back longer and only done "stuff" when it was really called for, the same drummer (me) would have sounded much better. DPS

[4DMNYC]

I used to feel the same way about my drumming. For the first few years that I played, I felt I had something to prove to other musicians. So I always over did it. I'm much more relaxed now and my playing is much more digestable to other band members and listeners.

[King Of Drums]

Hmm I'd have to go with my 4 way independence. My overall 4 way co-ordination though not that bad for how long I've been playing, would be my greatest weakness. Especially when it comes to Latin beats because you need really good 4 way co-ordination. I can play some of them but when i speed them up i always fall apart. My individual limbs are not that bad but when i put them together it's difficult. I'd love to have total independence with them. Does anyone know any good books that deal with 4 way co-ordination and or polyrhythms?

[Jon Cable]

drinking beer instead of practising...posting illconceived playing on here...getting faster...getting slower....not knowing my rudiments....can I stop yet??

[centralzeke]

Wow, just from reading some of these posts, I think drummers have the lowest self esteem.

Maybe not self-esteem, but I'd bet they're some of the hardest on themselves.

[Talon]

Getting really into the music while playing. If we're playing something I really feel for, on an emotional level, I end up doing sloppy doublebass drum work and tend to rush or slow the tempo. :P

Also self-confidence. It's a regular inverse roller coaster of confidence and performance quality for me; I'll go somewhere and think I'll suck, then it'll turn out really well; which makes he confident for the next show, which makes me suck. I don't know what to do, lol.

[Lee Mangano]

drinking beer instead of practising...posting illconceived playing on here...getting faster...getting slower....not knowing my rudiments....can I stop yet??

Thats hysterical...I don't know who brought you up young man !!! or who your teachers were..but I know for fact you can drink beer when your practicing !!!

It's the live concert playing in front of audiences that pay to see you need be sober !!!

[Lee Mangano]

I overplay. Even when soloing, I just dont correctly utilize the powerful tool of not playing a note

This is a good post..most drummers don't even realize they are over playing or doing way too much..I learned that dicipline early on & from listening back to recordings there was way too much clutter & when I cutt it down it exposed the real important parts of a song..like words...melody...rythm and groove and I sounded better & more solid...

AC/DC music and Phil Rudd made me see the way !!! How many typical non musical people can even tap their foot to a proggresive Rush Song compared to an AC/DC song? The reason why AC/DC sells so many records to non musicians is because the normal joe feels they can get involved in the music & relate to the band just by tapping their feet in time...

Cool Hah!!!

[Slazaar]

I suck at fast shuffle time, I can barely play double kick, and my left hand is no competition for my right hand.

But hopefully that will all come with practice.

lol, im the exact opposite, my right hand is barely keeping with the other at 'paradiddles'(not sure how its spelled)

[DrumsAreMyLife]

Hitting shots within a jazz groove. Even if I know exactly where the shot is...I still miss it...I think it's a mental thing more then a skill thing.

[Lee Mangano]

Getting really into the music while playing. If we're playing something I really feel for, on an emotional level, I end up doing sloppy doublebass drum work and tend to rush or slow the tempo. :P

Also self-confidence. It's a regular inverse roller coaster of confidence and performance quality for me; I'll go somewhere and think I'll suck, then it'll turn out really well; which makes he confident for the next show, which makes me suck. I don't know what to do, lol.

Your situation is original...I would suggest to just concentrate on your playing ... not each song individually, not the crowd & wondering what they think and definately don't let your emotions dictate how you will play.

Your job as a professional musician is to go out there & play your best every night with consistancy....your inconsistancy is most likely coming from un-nesessary brain work & the confusion is fluxuating your ability to play at one level.

Good Luck...Lee

[Jeremy Bender]

No doubt my left hand. The problem is getting it to do in traditional grip what it can do in matched grip. That is to say I started out matched grip 20 years ago account of timpani and mallets. That led to the snare drum learned with a matched grip. I developed power and a good backbeat snap with the traditional over time, just not a good buzz roll. I'm always trying for that "tearing silk" smoothness of an orchestral roll.

[hauk]

I know what you're after.... You want to destroy us all! I'll never tell my greatest weakness!


But seriously, probably lack of focus when I'm practicing.

[Lee Mangano]

I know what you're after.... You want to destroy us all! I'll never tell my greatest weakness!


But seriously, probably lack of focus when I'm practicing.

Maybe if you get a little TV & DVD player next to your kit so can watch "Girls Gone Wild" video's while you practice might help your focus a bit more...and it'll be just like a normal Rock Concert !!!!

[slingerland755]

Thanks to Drummerworld, I am learning all sorts of interesting patterns, exercises and fills. Too bad my "feel" is in the crapper.

[Lee Mangano]

Thanks to Drummerworld, I am learning all sorts of interesting patterns, exercises and fills. Too bad my "feel" is in the crapper.

Sounds like your just learning...lots of great stuff on this site...once the material you learn becomes second nature to you, the feel & groove will just happen...right now your focus is on what your learning, once you learn it, then rip it to shreds !!!

[schist]

Unfortunately, I never learnt the proper technique for doing single-strokes consistently and effectively until April (?) this year - and I've been playing for 3 years :(

That said, I can only go up to 75BPM 32nds for 5 minutes (or 150BPM 16ths) - not slow, per se, but then again, I'm apparently way behind the 8-ball in this area ...

My feet are much faster than my hands - 80BPM 32nds in 5 minutes (160BPM 16ths) - and I've only had my double-pedal since May this year! Control, though, is a whole other story ...

Because I work full time and don't get to practice on an actual kit much, I practice mainly rudiments on a pad (singles, doubles etc.)

[Spartacus]

bass drum: I've been drumming for over a year now without a pedal and so when I do play on a kit with a bass drum my foot is very weak,

but my left foot is good thanks to drumming to Muse (have to make some err adjustments)

[Erik Lund]

Time.

Time is my greatest weakness. There isn't enough time in the day to do what I want.
There isn't enough time to work on everything I want to work on. There isn't enough time to get what I want when I want it. I am now 26. Just 5 years ago I was 21. I was planning on ruling the world in 5 years at 21. Where'd the time go? My Red Sox have won a World Series, my Patriots have won a few Super Bowls, and my Rockets haven't done squat. My drumming hasn't terribly improved in 5 years, thanks to relocating across the country and wasting time playing in a band with people I thought were my good friends. My high profile opportunities saw the light of day and have closed a bit. Where'd the time go to take advantage of them? Didn't I have more time?



Can't I have one more drink? Is it time already?


Where's my hair going? Is it that time? I was recently told by a band that is "blowing up" right now that I was the best drummer they auditioned but my look wasn't quite what they wanted...Shaved head isn't working for them...I'm trying out with another band with dudes with hair, toured with Duran Duran - selling out shows and makin' the money - and that's my only concern: Where'd the hair go? Look at that picture of me last year! I had a full head of the stuff! Thanks, Time...

Time is destroying me. Making me impatient. Making me do stuff or try to do stuff that I would have laughed away 5 years ago. Making me stumble - get clumsy...Why'd I agree to play with these guys? They are obviously going nowhere...I need to get out of this before I waste a few more years! What'll I be like then?

A close 2nd for weakness is "Friends" or "The inability to say 'NO'" - I knew I shouldn't move out here to Los Angeles. My parents heard the band and said "are you kidding me?!" But I couldn't say no to my friends. I figured something magical would click and we'd be on our way. Bands are getting signed every other day out here, right?

I'm working on stuff now that I *know* will not help get me out of my day job. The tunes in my head - I feel THOSE will get me going - but not this stuff. This stuff might expand my playing in some ways (got this bitchin' tune in 10/8 - with groupings of 3/2/2/3 and then 2/2/3/3 that have some great phrasings that you can totally mess and still doesn't sound "technical" - which is something I never want to sound like) but I know it's not gonna do too much in terms of what I *really* want to do, and in terms of financial stuff

One of my best friends is in one of the biggest touring bands in the world right now, and I'm so happy for him, but it just reminds me that I'm running out of TIME. Gotta get to the practice pad. Gotta get to that piano and come up with my new greatest song. Gotta find musicians who understand what I'm going for and can take the ideas out of my head and make them better - But that all takes Time.

Time, I thought I conquered you with a metronome but you are still finding new ways to cause me grief...

[jonescrusher]

Er, not to be glib, but if time is in such short supply, why are you spending so muh time on an internet forum?

[Erik Lund]

'cause I sleep 4-5 hours a day - and I can't practice on my pad when my roommate is sleeping. I also use this time to listen to a butt-load of music.

[drummingman]

speed is my greatest weekness. i im trying to build up my speed through proper technique so i can go fast and stay that way on my hands and feet.

[GNRFAN]

Buying crappy cheap cymbals all the time.

GNRFAN

[schist]

Buying crappy cymbals all the time.

GNRFAN

Zildjians?

OH SNAP!!! :P

[nebula821]

- My right foot sucks

- I play the same fills all the time habitually

[bonzolead]

Redheads LOL but like in others posts left hand & foot they're good just not as good as the right.

Keep Swatting,
Bonzolead

[slingerland755]

Sounds like your just learning...lots of great stuff on this site...once the material you learn becomes second nature to you, the feel & groove will just happen...right now your focus is on what your learning, once you learn it, then rip it to shreds !!!

Thanks,
I have actually been playing since 1979 (professionally for 13 years). However, I have been off the road for 10 years and trying to get back inot the swing of things. I have really missed playing everynight. I think what I meant was to say that my "feel" is in the crapper because I have not been playing live and I have nothing to compare it to playing in the basement. But thanks for the advice. You're right Drummerworld is a resource I could have really used 10/20 years ago. It's probably good it didn't exist. I would have never gone to school!

[Tomtom123]

My greatest weakness...........wine and women!!!

I'm sorry, but I just couldn't resist that.

[dw D]

PATIENCE
................

[frank0072]

I have just got a metronome and I've noticed that my left hand technique is really bad. I can play 8th notes with one hand left and right at 140 Bpm, but left feels so much weaker and I can't keep that up for more than a minute.
My time has gotten better since I've purchased "The Groove Essentials", because I can play along to that.
I also lack a teacher.

[Lee Mangano]

PATIENCE
................

Hold on...Just wait a minute, "Ill get back to you on that !!!!!

[Lee Mangano]

Thanks,
I have actually been playing since 1979 (professionally for 13 years). However, I have been off the road for 10 years and trying to get back inot the swing of things. I have really missed playing everynight. I think what I meant was to say that my "feel" is in the crapper because I have not been playing live and I have nothing to compare it to playing in the basement. But thanks for the advice. You're right Drummerworld is a resource I could have really used 10/20 years ago. It's probably good it didn't exist. I would have never gone to school!


Sorry about miss stating your experience...I have been through this a few times in my career, whenever you get away from it for awhile, it takes a bit to get it back...thats normal with everything...just keep playing...page 2 on this thread explains a little why I have been in & out of playing...but I keep involved....I love this sport...

[bobby_m]

bass drum during blast beats!
i cant do it all 16ths one foot, and i cant get my double 16ths to match up with my hand.

[Lee Mangano]

bass drum during blast beats!
i cant do it all 16ths one foot, and i cant get my double 16ths to match up with my hand.


Bobby...I play double bass pretty solid & fast, but Im not a Blast Beat drummer, but this advice may help...I m assuming 2 things here,
[1] your hands are not on top of feet & in perfect meter and in sink with your BD pattern

A: split the blast beat up to clean it up & feel were evrythings supposed to be...just play these limbs of the beat until you feel the placesment.
- RT Hand - RT Foot
- RT Hand - LT Foot
- LT Hand - Rt Foot
- LT Hand - LT Foot

[bobby_m]

Thanks! i'll give it a shot when i get home tonight.

[JAM]

Spend to much time on forums, not enough practicing.
Well, maybe I shouldn't have joined. LOL [second post]

[AveyTare]

lacks of motivation to practice and definitely too much time spent on forums.

[NIMBY]

double bass patterns,
like even straight 16th's, i just cant seem to keep it in time or get any decent speed.

anyone know anything that could help my situation?

[gusty]

double bass patterns,
like even straight 16th's, i just cant seem to keep it in time or get any decent speed.

anyone know anything that could help my situation?

Slow it right down, you have to take double bass slowly. Don't move up the tempo until you're absolutely comfortable with it. I've just started working on double bass a couple of weeks ago.

[Lee Mangano]

Slow it right down, you have to take double bass slowly. Don't move up the tempo until you're absolutely comfortable with it. I've just started working on double bass a couple of weeks ago.

I have a free download lesson on my website regarding Double Bass Patterns utilizing 1/4, 1/8th and 1/16th notes & applying rudiments around the kit.

the lessons are in 60-100-120 bpm check them out my www.drumschool.net or YouTube under leemangano22 and subscribe, Ill be adding other lessons

[grue]

my greatest weakness is that i feel that when it comes to the ability to learn drums i have no weakness.

[mddrummer]

pocket licks are my weakness

[dblinkhorn]

I definitely need to practice and apply more of the rudiments to my playing as well as becoming more comfortable with the triplet inside of a non-triplet-based groove. Triplets and other rudiments add such diverse style to playing that I really need to work on this more than I do. Also, shuffle-based grooves are still giving me difficulty as far as coming up with great-sounding fills. I suppose my Moeller technique could be improved, though it is working well for me.

[Lee Mangano]

I definitely need to practice and apply more of the rudiments to my playing as well as becoming more comfortable with the triplet inside of a non-triplet-based groove. Triplets and other rudiments add such diverse style to playing that I really need to work on this more than I do. Also, shuffle-based grooves are still giving me difficulty as far as coming up with great-sounding fills. I suppose my Moeller technique could be improved, though it is working well for me.


Sounds like your an open minded drummer exploring all styles of music, I would not be so hard on yourself or dissapointed things don't come together so quickly. Some feels take years to absorb in your body & some you'll just never have. It just may not be in you.

This sounds weird, I found that even though I couldn't feel a certain groove & felt I kind od sucked at it, I was actually playing it great, my body just wasn't enjoying it...

Tape yourself, then judge & compare what your actually doing to how your body & mind feel doing it.

Lee

[Lee Mangano]

pocket licks are my weakness


What is a pocket lick ? I truly never heard of that term..

[mikeh23]

sounds like you guys have all the problems i have. a good way to overcome that stuff i found is organization. make up a sort of schedule for when you practise. set aside some time for rudiments, techniques for both hands and feet. maby have some time after for learning new grooves and/or cooking them up your self. and with the new stuff you learn try to apply it to what you usually play instead okay heres my cascara now ill show you my blast beat. put them together in one way or another in sequence. and pretty much just find out what you weaknesses are and make time for those too. then after the discipline take some time to goof off on drums including the stuff that just joined your drum vocab. this is what i started doing about a month ago and its going great. also do ALL of this with a metronome. do it super slow, comfort speed, and a speed that you push it and every so slowly move all three up. i find having a mirror by my drums helps too. it lets me see myself play and what i may be doing wrong. a clock by your drums is nice too. another big one that my drum teacher told me to do was actively listen to music. once you play drums i guess it comes naturally but when you listen to music imagine yourself playing and the different ways it might be played. do this with all sorts of music as well. i know alot of you also dont have time to do all this so pick out what you think is most important and do that in the time you have. seriously your imagination is your most powerfull tool, so when your not behind your drums imagine you are and practise. i hope this all helps because it sure helped me. oh and my weakness' are letting myself get frustrated, left hand/foot technique and bad posture.

[mikeh23]

sounds like you guys have all the problems i have. a good way to overcome that stuff i found is organization. make up a sort of schedule for when you practise. set aside some time for rudiments, techniques for both hands and feet. maby have some time after for learning new grooves and/or cooking them up your self. and with the new stuff you learn try to apply it to what you usually play instead okay heres my cascara now ill show you my blast beat. put them together in one way or another in sequence. and pretty much just find out what you weaknesses are and make time for those too. then after the discipline take some time to goof off on drums including the stuff that just joined your drum vocab. this is what i started doing about a month ago and its going great. also do ALL of this with a metronome. do it super slow, comfort speed, and a speed that you push it and every so slowly move all three up. i find having a mirror by my drums helps too. it lets me see myself play and what i may be doing wrong. a clock by your drums is nice too. another big one that my drum teacher told me to do was actively listen to music. once you play drums i guess it comes naturally but when you listen to music imagine yourself playing and the different ways it might be played. do this with all sorts of music as well. i know alot of you also dont have time to do all this so pick out what you think is most important and do that in the time you have. seriously your imagination is your most powerfull tool, so when your not behind your drums imagine you are and practise. i hope this all helps because it sure helped me. oh and my weakness' are letting myself get frustrated, left hand/foot technique and bad posture.

[the skin man]

Sloppy fills especially at faster tempos.

[Lee Mangano]

Sloppy fills especially at faster tempos.

Metronome... practice every day...put in your head set...eventually even-time will be in your head...you'll feel it when you fluxuate...thats what all great drummers have, solid meter...the metronome is your key to success...

[X14Halo]

One great way to improve the sound and quality of your playing is to record yourself playing, and then listen to it for any flaws. Take note of these, and that is what you should focus on improving. I have it easy because I have an electronic drumset with a built in record button, haha.

[danander11]

My greatest weakness?................ Hmmmmmmmmmmm........

The one that I am focusing on right now is my left hand, (being right handed). For some reason I just hit walls when working on it.. But a few weeks ago, one of the big studio guys here recomended that I pick up Ted Reeds Synchopation book... I found that by simply playing 8th's on the hat, and using my left hand to play the snare line, everything loosens up nicely... Then swapping hands and repeating everything...

Also, making myself work at 60bpm and being smooth at it is helping my meter in general, as well as my "crispness" of playing. It's easy to hear dynamic issues and timing issues with all of that space. If you can do it at 60, getting faster is easy enough. My reading is improving as well.

[spinupspindown]

I've been playing steadily for about 15 years now and I think I'm capable of a lot of complicated things, but one thing I have yet to nail is a really deep, solid, soulful backbeat at a nice midtempo. I can do it sometimes but not consistently.

[Lee Mangano]

I've been playing steadily for about 15 years now and I think I'm capable of a lot of complicated things, but one thing I have yet to nail is a really deep, solid, soulful backbeat at a nice midtempo. I can do it sometimes but not consistently.

I felt the same way for years, and wondered why, I finally figured out its just like golf & sex...sometimes it feels great & sometimes it doesn't...

it depends on how your body feels at the time & maybe what you did previous to playing will effect differant muscles, so maybe your actually doing the right things but yourbody & muscles don't feel comfortable & are faking out your brain..Thats all i can give you !!!

[NUTHA JASON]

my one weakness (out of many - but this one really bothers me) is the speed of my right foot. it's a constant work in progress.

j

[Lee Mangano]

my one weakness (out of many - but this one really bothers me) is the speed of my right foot. it's a constant work in progress.

j

Jason..just slow it down & you'll be fine...lol....

[cnw60]

one weakness - making transitions while playing, as either a physical or mental thing.

example 1 - taking a simple (or complicated) groove and then trying to open it up improvisationally around the kit, it can take a few bars (or longer) of what feels like pure junk before finding a variation that seems like it should have just fallen into place with the original beat. And conversely - moving back to a tightly controlled beat after playing more open and free.

example 2 - playing a beat that doesn't utilize fast footwork and then doing a fill that requires a burst of speed from your feet. It can be a speed that's not hard to play at a more continuous pace - but just trying to throw it with control into the middle of something else can be really hard.

[JWM]

"Weakness" sounds like some sort of physical deficiency.

So I don't think of it as "what's my weakness?" as much as I think of it as something that simply needs to be developed with hard work.

If your left foot is "weak," that just means that it's underdeveloped.

So develop it!

[Merkaba]

complicated rudimental fills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lee Mangano]

complicated rudimental fills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you play the complicated rudiments on 1 drum? Rudiments consist of combineing single & double strokes hand to hand. I suggest to start building the coordination moving around the kit, use your SD and Tom #1 above it. and play all the Single strokes on the Tom and all the Double strokes on the SN..then start useing other toms etc...

[bontempi]

left hand, right hand, left foot, right foot.

[Vic_Rattledeth]

Another one of my greatest weaknesses is playing in front of semi large groups of people. It seems like I drum GREAT when im practicing alone, good infront a few people, and then when it's a large group of people...I get nervous and just forget half the stuff I know. It's weird....I spend too much time watching all the greats like Buddy Rich, Thomas Lang, Jo Jo mayer and the rest that I feel like I suck when I play infront of people.

[Lee Mangano]

Another one of my greatest weaknesses is playing in front of semi large groups of people. It seems like I drum GREAT when im practicing alone, good infront a few people, and then when it's a large group of people...I get nervous and just forget half the stuff I know. It's weird....I spend too much time watching all the greats like Buddy Rich, Thomas Lang, Jo Jo mayer and the rest that I feel like I suck when I play infront of people.

I don't know how old you are or how long you been playing, but sometimes that never goes away, I know of a well known drummer that even today brings a puke bucket on stage every night...cause he gets a little nervous in the stomach...

try putting a par facing your drums so it impears your vision to everything in front so you cant see the people. then zone in on your kit & your playing, maybe if you can't see them you can build some confidence & eventually get rid of the light & enjoy the people...and let them help you perform to your greatest level...good luck!

[Vic_Rattledeth]

I don't know how old you are or how long you been playing, but sometimes that never goes away, I know of a well known drummer that even today brings a puke bucket on stage every night...cause he gets a little nervous in the stomach...

try putting a par facing your drums so it impears your vision to everything in front so you cant see the people. then zone in on your kit & your playing, maybe if you can't see them you can build some confidence & eventually get rid of the light & enjoy the people...and let them help you perform to your greatest level...good luck!
I'm 18 and i've been playing drums for about 4 years. Thanks for the advice, i'll be sure to give that a try.

[Dimroc]

My two big ones are left foot independence and the Vinny Colaiuta RH-RF. Those, and I seem to have problems making fills that don't include blurtas!

[schist]

My singles have improved - I can now, on a good day, play 16ths at 170BPM (still wicked slow, I know) for 2 minutes.

MY timiing has improved heaps from both playing along to songs and practicing on my pad in my room (when I can't use my kit, which is quite often :P)

My double bass is, quite frankly, still crap (140BPM 16ths for about 3 minutes) :(

Oh yeah, and I suck at flam accents/flam taps/flam anything, just about (minus flams :P) and French grip (which is a real b*tch to master, but I'm hoping I'll get somewhere with it soon)

The fact is, I've picked up on (and addressed) so many bad habits during my 3 years of playing that I still sound like I've only been playing for about a year. I never learnt proper single-stroke technique until April this year (when I got back into lessons) and made the mistake of putting the tempo up EVERY WEEK with double bass after I started, regardless of how even/uneven it was.

I'm hoping to reach 175BPM 16th singles with my hands by the end of the year and 150BPM 16ths with feet by the same time.

The fact is, I focus too much on the negative sides of my playing that the positives seem scarce in comparison.

[drummerjoe7]

my left foot.


i need to work on it alot more, instead of just using my right

[Lee Mangano]

my left foot.


i need to work on it alot more, instead of just using my right

Joe, do what I did...I set up a 2 piece kit w/ BD-SD & HH and practiced left footed drum beats to easy AC-DC songs etc...

[Sabian Soldier]

Rudiments on Bass Dums at any sort of speed. arrrgh.. and just about everything else when it comes to double bass drums.My 16ths suck and my stamina is absolutely useless.

[Alexdrum75]

I'm always playing behind the beat.

[Vinnysimmo]

I'm always playing behind the beat.

Metronome! Practice playing basic beats with a metronome with no fills. It helped me.

[Lee Mangano]

Happy Holidays Drummers

For the "Holiday Season" I am giving away for "FREE" my 72 Exercise Practice CD.(S&H not included). This "Drum School" CD has 24 seperate Lessons recorded with a metronome in 3 seperate levels from beginner to extreme advanced players.

The sound quality & production is 2nd to none and the lessons consist of Hand & Foot combinations applying differant rudiments, utilizing the whole kit step by step. They make for some very interesting drum beats, drum fills & rythms...

To view a sample of the CD go to www.drumschool.net
and click on "Free Download Lessons" if interested in this offer go to "Order Now" page.

Thanks & Happy Holidays
Lee

[ihitdrumz]

I am very bad when it come to using a double bass pedal, but my right foot is quite fast.
I'm not sure why I so bad when it come to the double bass pedal but the only reason I can think why is my left foot isnt very good - which is true.

So yeah I'll have to say my left foot

[Andrew C]

My left handed doubles aren't particularly up to scratch. My right hand double strokes are pretty good, but my left handed double strokes have less control and i basically just bounce the stick. I will get there eventually :)

oh and this site is incredible, i just came across it a few weeks ago which is kinda silly considering i have been playing drums for 6-7 years :)

[furbeedog@gmail.com]

Buzz roll, hand-hand-foot triplets (single BD). I always start off fine, but after I go for about 10 or 20 seconds I end up playing the bass drum at the same time as one of my hand strokes.

An idea for stage fright...Get someone doing the stage to point some lights at the drums so that when you're playing you can't see more than 10ish feet in front of you. That way you can still see the other musicians, but not the crowd.

Or...

Just play in front of crowds a lot and eventually you should get over it.

[COBHC]

my left hand sucks haha