Lessons/basement ideas

[Filthy]

Over the past few months as I have been getting back into playing and practicing regularly, I have had a few lessons with some of the locally recommended teachers. They are all good players and nice guys but when I tell them what I want to work on, it usually leads to a bunch of talking and not a whole lotta playing. They seem to just recommend books or websites and give me some kind of pep talk about "being creative".

How do lessons typically go for you guys? Mostly playing, talking, 50/50?

I guess I am kind of looking for someone to sit me down and just get my limbs moving and correct me as I go. (And as an aside: I am a little tired of Moeller demonstrations - I have yet to have a teacher do it well yet they seem to love yakking about for half an hour!)

When I first started playing it was in school jazz band and later with rock bands, so now I am finding it a little hard to know where to start when I am sitting by myself in the basement. I guess I am looking for some direction from a teacher but not getting it.

What kind of stuff does an intermediate player work on by themselves? I am paradiddled to death and I have the most fun playing to my iPod, but I am not sure I am really improving my playing.

Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

[stasz]

I can understand your frustrations, I have found a good teacher that knows what they're talking about and has helped me learn a lot, but unfortunately a large fraction of my lesson seems to often go to talking, and less playing. Typically, even though some lessons end up with not a lot of work done, I do progress, but it really comes from my basement. I do learn things at my lesson but it all happens at home just because that's where I play the most. I'm kind of at the point where my lesson is just sort of a check-up on the stuff I'm working on in my books, and talking about my technique etc. with my teacher. This way I can really spend most of the time at my house on the practice pad or the kit.

I wouldn't say I'm an intermediate player, I've been playing for 5 years, the past 4 years being taught and the past 2 on drumset. But typically what I cover in a lesson is a mix of rudimental snare drum (Rudimental Cookbook), and rock, jazz, and some other styles on the drumset (A Funky Primer, Essential Styles for Drumset & Bass).

I also play to my iPod which helps me to work on my time, I don't know where you stand on playing with a good pocket but I need the practice plus it's fun. As far as what as else you could work on... I would say get some good books, learn as many genres as you can, listen to more music and practice transcribing and playing, and I don't know if you can really ever play too many rudiments. Hybrid rudiments, rudiments on the drumset... etc.

Hope this helps.

YEM

[jeffwj]

When I teach, I start on the snare drum/drum pad. Here we go over technique and reading exercises. As far as Moeller, I do not discuss that with students until they have an understantding of natural technique such as the rebounding stoke and the level system.

The next part of the lesson is on drum set. Here we go over coordination, styles, chart reading, play-a-longs, and creativity exercises.

I try to have the students play for most of the lesson. Of course I do need to talk a bit to explain concepts, but the student is very much involved in the lesson. I also DVD clips DVDs from time to time when is is applicable to the lesson material.

Please note - this is in response to your question. Not everyone teaches the same way. I do not claim that my teaching methods are better than others. I just model my teaching practice after the teachers that I have studied with.

Jeff

[jeffwj]

Please let us know what area you are in. Maybe someone knows of a good teacher there.

[nhzoso]

Hey Jeff,

Know of any in New Hampshire?? I have had 3 in the last year and half and was not really impressed by any of them.

[Kappow]

I remember when I was playing in my high school concert band, the director always stressed the importance of bringing the pieces and techniques you've learned to the practice so that they can be used. The time spent with the entire band was really for fine tuning, NOT practicing.

I approach my drumming lessons the same way, I use the practice time at home to develop my technique and whatnot, while the time spent with a teacher is for fine details. It doesn't bother me if there's more talking than playing, just so long as I'm always learning.

[jangus]

Teachers will talk and talk with the idea in their heads that you are going to go home and practice with what you were taught. If you stick with a teacher, you'll probably start playing more than talking.

[caprisun3484]

yea there is really only so much a person can do in 30 minutes
what my teacher does is introduce a new idea to me by either explaining it or playing. That usually takes about 10 minutes then i try doing it with him. But most of me "getting it" comes from me practicing it at home

[stasz]

yea there is really only so much a person can do in 30 minutes
what my teacher does is introduce a new idea to me by either explaining it or playing. That usually takes about 10 minutes then i try doing it with him. But most of me "getting it" comes from me practicing it at home

I know exactly what you mean, and I even have an hour lesson! But I usually end up talking a lot because my teacher shares my taste in music and I'll talk about random stuff that happened that week or about my favorite band etc.

So yes, the real work comes from my practice at home.

YEM

[jeffwj]

Hey Jeff,

Know of any in New Hampshire?? I have had 3 in the last year and half and was not really impressed by any of them.

Here is a list of teachers in New Hampshire of the Vic Firth educator's listing. If any of the information is outdated, please let me know and I'll give my rep an email to get you their current contact info.

PDT = Private Drum Teacher
SEP = Scholastic Educator
MPS = Marching Percussion

http://www.vicfirth.com/education/edteam_roster_state.php?state=NH

Jeff