how can I work the uptempos ?!?!?!?

[superbatmat]

Hi everybody !
I'm now working some uptempo swing exercices and I have one question !!!

Do you think I should work with a metronome or not ????????

thanks a lot...

[Wavelength]

Do you think I should work with a metronome or not ????????


Yes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (twenty-ish exclamation points)

[superbatmat]

thank you !!! BUT...

Why should I work with or without a metronome ?????

[jazzgregg]

thank you !!! BUT...

Why should I work with or without a metronome ?????

The metronome will keep you in time. The faster you go, the more likely you are to drag (or in some cases, speed up!). Let the metronome tell where the time is in the beginning, until you can comfortable feel it yourself. Playing super fast is no good if you can't maintain it. A metronome keeps you honest. It also keeps your subdivisions even, something that gets harder the faster you play!

A couple of other pointers since I'm posting anyway.

-You can do what John Riley says and do it in sprints (play slower for a few bars, then double time it). Or you can just work on playing fast for longer and longer periods of time (minutes to build stamina, not bars). For example, start by playing 3-5 minutes of a tempo you're almost uncomfortable at. Gradually over day/weeks (depending on how you practice) up that time to longer. Once you have the right technique, it becomes about the stamina.

- don't just do the lazy way of shoving the stick at the cymbal to get the rebound, use the drop/pull technique (the same one in Pope's videos). That way you'll have clear, precise notes rather than DUHduhduh.

-Think in half time, or longer (say, whole notes) when playing comping ideas. A big mistake that many make is trying to think the same at 400bpm's as they do at 170.

Hope that helps.

G

[Auger]

Nice post Gregg,

Another thing that I've always thought was a good reason to advocate practicing with a metronome is that, the same way it teaches you to be honest, it can help teach you to listen. Technique and stamina issues notwithstanding, I think much of the time when we drift from the metronome it's because we stop really listening to it in order to concentrate on what we’re playing. It's kind of like learning to watch traffic when you’re driving a stick-shift car instead of looking at the gearshift. If you don’t get the chance to play with other musicians much, practicing with a metronome -especially practicing stuff that’s difficult for you personally- can help get you used to listening to others and not just your own playing, which is essential in a group setting.

[superbatmat]

thanks a lot ! Very nice post greg !

thanks again !

[z0mbie]

I found that setting about 10 - 20 minutes of practice aside to simply work on hand rudiments and simply playing straight 16th note's helpped build up my speed, endurance and consistency around the kit. However, you should get a metronome as you can then pace yourself and work out where you are and where u want to be and what you have to do to get there. I found that doung 5 minutes of quarter notes with the click then after that speed up to 8th notes for 5 and then finish off with a set of 16th notes for 5 enabled me to build up alot of wrist power. Do this about 3 nites a week and u'll see drastic improvements. Put some triplets in there aswell if you want lol its up to you, but the only way I see to develop good technique, endurance, consitency and goal achievement is to use a metrenome whilst practicing.

[jazzgregg]

I found that setting about 10 - 20 minutes of practice aside to simply work on hand rudiments and simply playing straight 16th note's helpped build up my speed, endurance and consistency around the kit. However, you should get a metronome as you can then pace yourself and work out where you are and where u want to be and what you have to do to get there. I found that doung 5 minutes of quarter notes with the click then after that speed up to 8th notes for 5 and then finish off with a set of 16th notes for 5 enabled me to build up alot of wrist power. Do this about 3 nites a week and u'll see drastic improvements. Put some triplets in there aswell if you want lol its up to you, but the only way I see to develop good technique, endurance, consitency and goal achievement is to use a metrenome whilst practicing.

Superbatmat is talking about swing, not straight notes. Practising isn't necessarily the same for both.

G

[z0mbie]

but irrespective of whether he is playing swing or anything else, practicing with a metronome is essential. Look at Danny Carey of Tool, he says he hasnt used a metronome in his life, but come on even with natural ability and constant practice a metronome is required to guage ones progress. What I am trying to say superbatmat is that practicing with a metronome is a good investment, u might want to try some latin beats which a metronome will help alot with, i wouldnt be able to play the latin beats i know without a metronome im sure.

[jamndrummer]

Superbatmat,

Absolutley yes, the metronome will assist you with time, but allow you to see progress in time. But even just as importantly, once your time is established, you can work on YOUR sound within that time frame. Keeping in time while creating the sound that is your personal sound...

[jazzgregg]

but irrespective of whether he is playing swing or anything else, practicing with a metronome is essential.

Right, no argument there.

G

[jazzin']

-Think in half time, or longer (say, whole notes) when playing comping ideas. A big mistake that many make is trying to think the same at 400bpm's as they do at 170.

Hope that helps.

G

This is so important in uptempo's. Great post all round Gregg but way to go with the think in half time or more comment. Like you said it's a big mistake that many make. I certainly did and for a long time had trouble getting ideas across as it was all rushing by at 14,000 miles an hour and i was trying to pick up on every bar for phrasing instead of using eight or more as one or two. Try starting to think like this Superbatmat before you make a habit of thinking short.

[Tony'sWilliam]

if your time is suspect use a metronome. if your time is good, then you dont NEED to use it to correct a problem and you can be more liberal w/ using the metronome.

[jazzin']

I think it's a good idea to get into a habit of using a metronome every single time you practice whether it's an improvised happy jam or a serious technical session. A funny thing with most drummers is we always think we're better than we actually are at certain things. I think time is especially true in this case.
You can think of it in simple terms as well. Get into the habit now and in five or ten years (especially if you're trying to get into a career) time or when you're doing some serious gigging or even casual playing, you will never have a problem with time and your bandmates will never have a problem with you.
Never forget...a drummers principle function is to keep time. That's it. If you don't have great time, forget it... Or start practicing with a metronome every time.

There are a few certainties in drumming practice. Practicing with a metronome is a definite and big one.