Getting the sound in your head to your hands

[FFFF]

Maybe there's a thread on this forum already or an article about it outside. Forgive me if I didn't do enough research (I search the forum though).

I kinda have a style of my own by now already; my sound. When I'm on drums, I have this quite distinctive voice played out. But when I'm not on drums, when I decided to create music in my head, the sound of drums are different from my playing. I definitely prefer the sound in my head, but I can't seem to play it out. Not only because it takes some rather complicated technique to do it, but everytime I sat on the drumkit I tend to play what I've always played.

Is this a bad habit? Am I not getting enough practice? More importantly, how can I get those sounds from my head out? It's like I have to completely impersonate another drummer, because those sounds for me are perfect. Maybe write a transcription of some common parts?

[Styx]

I think you've answered your own question there dude. If you can hear it in your head I'd suggest writing it out and fine tuning it from there. I assume it's the groove you're talking about and not the sound of your drums.

[Big_Philly]

I also heard people claim that it goes easier if you sing it while you play it.

[FFFF]

Well not just the groove, but fills and solos as well. Yeah, by sound I meant the kind of playing, not the specific sound of the drums I want. So writing it out would be one I guess.
Singing along. I can't seem to be able to do it because when I hold my sticks I tend to do something different. It's gonna take practice to do so?

[damightyquinn]

Hey, I know how you feel. But the thing I'd suggest is just sitting down on your set and laying down any basic underlying rhythm/groove, and working from there. And I find if you put all your focus on your thoughts (mental game) then your hands will do the work for you. Hope that helped. -Q

[Fett2oo5]

I had the exact same problem and the answer for me was to SLOW DOWN
just slow down what you hear in your head and then try to put it on your kit. Obviously this won't help you during a gig. But if you slow down when you practice and develope that communication between your brain and your hands, before long you will be playing a song, think of something cool for the next measure coming up, and be able to play what you just thought of.

For me, it was all about learning where the "sounds" came from on the drumset, (being able to play with my eyes closed) Then I worked on narrowing the gap between the conscience creative part of my brain and my hands&feet. So I suggest slowing down what you hear in your head and put it on the drumset.

A good practice for me was to listen to a CD on the way home from work, and try to temporarily memorize a drum beat or long fill. Then when you get in the house, put your stuff down, feed the dogs, etc. etc. but once you get on the drumset have that drum beat or fill in your head and try to put it on the kit.

It worked for me, hopefully it will work for you.
GL

[mrchattr]

Writing out the parts in your head is a great idea. My playing really started to evolve when I started writing parts out...

Another thing that helped me get out of ruts (and I'm 27 years old, but started playing when I was 3 years old, so I've had a few ruts in my almost-entire-lifetime of drumming!) was forcing myself to change up how I play, in a physical sense...let me explain with some examples:

- Switch from a monster kit to a 4-piece, or vice versa
- Learn a new grip (if you play matched, learn traditional, etc)
- Set your kit up backwards (left handed if you are right handed...)
- Learn a new percussion instrument (djembe, congas, cajon, etc)
- Switch from single bass to double bass, or vice versa.

This FORCES you to engage your brain in a different way. It also helps you grow as an overall musician, and teaches you more about the instrument you love. It can also really help build your independence. Now, I'm not saying you need to make it a permanant change...sometimes just a few weeks of one of the options above can kick start everything you do.

[FFFF]

Okay, so write it out, slow it down. Change the way you play; interesting. Now I only have a practice pad, and a couple of soft surfaces to hit. I'm kinda losing creativity on it though....

Also, I find that somethings are just not possible on me yet, like those hand-feet fill(like that Bonham thing). So definitely work on those and rudiments as well?