Overloading playing

[k3ng]

Everytime I exercise something and actually get the hang of it I find myself incorporating it into my playing almost every single time.

When I finally got my ghost notes down, I filled my rhythms with em.
Then I got some good flams down and I've been using them almost everywhere possible.

Thing is, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Is there such a thing as overdoing something? Where do you draw the line on what things give 'colour' and when they become too much then?

[LostRythym]

IMO it is both good and bad. Firstly, it shows that you are creative and that you can incorporate different ideas into your playing. But sometimes, i feel that trying to add too many colours into your playing may cause it to become unmusical and messy(in a band situation). I may be wrong though.

[Shinx]

I do this too, I think its natural. I think as long as you can realize you might be overusing a certain aspect, you should be ok. If you think about it, overdoing something is really just practicing it until you get it locked in and can bust it out whenever you want. Plus, if there are certain things that you do often, you are starting to establish your own style. Of course, don't get locked into one style, unless thats what you really want

[FunkyDrummin]

I think that once you get to a certain point, you start to listen more to the music and understand what needs to be played and what doesn't.

Unless you're Travis Barker, in which case anything goes at any time.

[Wavelength]

Definitely not a bad thing; the more vocabulary you learn, the more musical choices you have. Naturally, if you practiced just ghost notes and flams, your playing will consist mostly of that. But add to that a gazillion of other things and your playing will be pretty colorful and varied -- and of course your musical ear will develop and you'll learn what to play and when to play. Learning a lot of things will not overload your playing -- bad musical choices will.

[gusty]

You will (hopefully) be able to tell when your playing gets to messy with things. When that happens, just let it breath a bit. Although sometimes its quite hard to tell until another drummer points it out.

[andrew_carter]

It all depends on context. I think the best way to teach yourself moderation will be with a band. Don't worry, other members of the band will soon tell you if you're crowding things! :) It's a very important skill to have and knowing when to fill up a groove and when to keep it simple will be hugely valuable. It'll allow you to contribute so much more to the direction of the songs you play and it'll be really fulfilling.

Good luck!
Andrew

[djp132]

Wavelength put it best when he used the word "vocabulary". It's important to have a wide vocabulary as a drummer just as it is to have one as a speaking human being.

I would think the same rules apply when speaking and drumming. It's good to know those things for when you need them, but they don't need to be in every sentence or musical phrase you play.

I could say "Nerve endings in my opposing hand digit are firing signals to the thalamus area of my brain and then to the somatosensory cortex in the cerebrum causing me to become consciously aware of a negative sensation in the previously mentioned digit."

Or I could just say "My thumb hurts."

Which is more effective?

[k3ng]

Although sometimes its quite hard to tell until another drummer points it out.

That was what I was worried about. I should record some samples and have you guys check it out to be sure =)


And I use that kind of language alot when I write, Derrick. But speaking it... I'll go with 'My Thumb Hurts'. Cheers.

Thanks for the input guys.

[matt rodriguez]

yeah. adding to what all these guys have said, for me its usually compared to what i like to call "Guitar Center" mode. you learn something cool/new/difficult or whatever so then you go up to guitar center and play it over and over showing off. i know ive done it before =] but i dont see anything wrong with it as long as you dont get into a rut or anything with your playing. just keep introducing fresh techniques.