Amateur Mistakes

[larryace]

Let's start a list of things amateurs do, you know, like playing a fill every 4 bars, so the newer drummers here can read them and try to avoid them.
I'll start.
Ending every fill with a crash.
I think it's cool to not "end" a fill with a crash, but just go right back to the beat.
Any others?

[LM201]

How are these mistakes? Beginners are learning and they'll eventually learn to branch out and not do rolls every four measures. But sometimes it's the right time for rolls.

I think ending a roll with a crash isn't a mistake. It seems like a pet peeve of yours.

Sorry buddy

[805Drummer]

Hold the drum stick with their index finger pointed straight up.

Playing way-too-repetitive beats.

Trade drum sets without doing enough research first.

:D

[caddywumpus]

No matter how good of a musician you are, showing up late for a gig is an amateur mistake!

[larryace]

LM201 you're right, they're not really mistakes, how about amateur pitfalls?

[bojangleman]

Trade drum sets without doing enough research first

hahahahahahahahaha...

good one man!

im glad we can laugh about it now!

i agree with the fills every 4 bars..

and one of mine is if its a five piece kit, they always are like...4 on snare, 4 on each rack tom, and 4 on the floor, then a crash...

annoys the heck out of me....its just not creative enough....but then again...they are just learning..

and i dont look at them as being mistakes, just they havent branched out yet..

Alex

[k3ng]

learning stick twirling before stick control.

Coming on to drummerworld and putting up another double bass thread. XD

Just kidding with that last one.

[LM201]

[QUOTE=k3ng;480651]learning stick twirling before stick control.
/QUOTE]

I can't even twirl a stick.. I've been trying for so long. I must be doing something wrong because it hurts super bad

[stasz]

Valuing crazy sick beats and insane fills over steady time and dynamics. Crazy sick beats are so awesome and insane fills are even better, but you can't put the cart before the horse.

[bermuda]

Amateurs... or beginners? There's a difference!

I think overplaying in general applies to both. The difference is, with a beginner, there's a possibility they'll grow out of that trait. But an amateur will overplay forever, and won't get paid very often as a result.

Bermuda

[jay norem]

Well, but these are amateurs we're talking about. They're not expected to play up to any other level than an amateur one, right? So if they're having a good time as amateurs, who really wants to spoil it for them?
Now the "newer drummers" may aspire to be professional musicans, which is a whole other thing.

[Wavelength]

Playing with bad technique, bad posture and insufficent hearing protection, causing severe pain or permanent injuries.

Overtightening the nuts and bolts on your hardware, causing equipment failures.

Overplaying cymbals and drums, causing some more equipment failures.

Substituting excessive muffling for tuning.

Skipping past the basics, and jumping on the double pedals on day one.

[rogue_drummer]

I think not knowing when to hold back. Some drummers want to do "Neil Peart or Buddy Rich" fills on every song to show off and not realize it could really damage the song as to what others hear.

A song may only need basic timekeeping duties and not have good spots for 3 or 4 measure fills, crashes, etc.

my 2 cents!

[Drumsword]

Trade drum sets without doing enough research first.



ROFLOL, I'm refinishing the ddrums, Black hardware probably on ebony stained shells. Send you pics when I'm done.

[wloeb]

Hold the drum stick with their index finger pointed straight up.

Playing way-too-repetitive beats.

Trade drum sets without doing enough research first.

:D

Beginners make many mistakes but way-too-repetitive beats is not usually the problem.
The problem is more often the opposite - complexity without keeping good time.

[BattleArmor]

HUGE Mistake:

Hitting your crash cymbals at a perpendicular angle.

Then complaining when your cymbal breaks

[805Drummer]

ROFLOL, I'm refinishing the ddrums, Black hardware probably on ebony stained shells. Send you pics when I'm done.

Woah, that'll look cool.

I can't wait!

[Ironcobra]

- "Iron Cobra VS Eliminator, WHICH ONE?"
- Using the arm more than the wrist.
- Afraid of changing speed on the hi-hat or ride.
- Not hitting the bass when crashing.

[Ian Williams]

Hello,

Mistakes are part of life, nothing wrong with them. We shall take it as lessons learned also as areas of improvement, makes life more interesting and less boring.

Cheers,

[Drummer Karl]

I personally think that the word "mistakes" is some kind of misleading.
Generally making mistakes in music/arts always involved an antithesis for me. There just occurs a lack of knowledge and experience in my humble opinion.

Purely musically, things like technique or certain expressions should never be considered "wrong", "false", "bad" or whatever, it should rather justified with crudity or the (already mentioned) lack of knowledge/experience.
With time one learns, experiences and finally earns the ability to decide what to do, to chose from a libary.

Broadening the ken will automatically banish this lack of knowledge/experience and at the same time - and this I find interesting - it seems to cause more insufficiency or at least it makes one realize more imperfection.

Taken en masse I think that the existence of the word and meaning of "mistake" combined with arts like music is a fast moving and inconvenient expression. It may mislead and make people think that it is a taboo at the same time.

Nevertheless I guess we know what is meant by "mistake" in this particular case. Just my thought when I read it... :-)

Karl

[larryace]

Yea I picked the wrong words. Pitfalls is what I meant. Beginner Pitfalls.

[MatchedAndNumbered]

I don't know if these are more amateur pitfalls or personal pet peeves but here we go.

- Foregoing any lessons on or experimentation with tuning.
- Cranking their snare drum batter and throw-off at all times, thus producing a hideous snare drum sound.
- Foregoing learning any basics on dynamics, thus playing as loudly as they possibly can.
- Double bass(period,) - I kid. I'm just not a fan.
- Refusing to learn rudiments besides double stroke rolls and POSSIBLY paradiddles.
- Refusing to protect their hearing because they don't know any better.
- Refusing to learn to keep time with their hi-hat while playing elsewhere.

[crdirtRider856]

Drinking before ANY type of public appearance....







and yes, I have been guilty of this at one time or another.....
















Learned my lesson with the playback of a video.......

[jeffwj]

Adding extra beats at the end of fills. No, wait - that's Molecularization. LOL

[aydee]

I think Bermuda said it in 1 word:

Overplaying.

Thats this single biggest, most glaring, wrongest thing that amateurs tend to do.

[schist]

Overplaying
Hitting 'through' cymbals
Speeding up/slowing down dramatically (unless the song calls for it)
Buying an elaborate top-line kit/setup after only playing for 6 months and still sounding like a n00b drummer

[Wavelength]

Buying an elaborate top-line kit/setup after only playing for 6 months and still sounding like a n00b drummer

I'd hardly call that a mistake. Jumping right into the high-end is cheaper than going through multiple rounds of equipment upgrades. Besides, why shouldn't a beginner play a quality instrument if he can afford it?

[Big_Philly]

I think Bermuda said it in 1 word:

Overplaying.

Thats this single biggest, most glaring, wrongest thing that amateurs tend to do.

Yet it's one of the hardest things to get over.
I have been guilty of overplaying for too long... it took a recording of a gig for me to find out.
I still find it hard to play drums musically in a very vulnerable, "soft" song.
I am proud of my to-the-point-ness in most songs nowadays though :) My teacher sais that all I really need to do is play a little more open and produce tiny variations in a standard beat to make my drumming more lively.

[Drummer Karl]

Yea I picked the wrong words. Pitfalls is what I meant. Beginner Pitfalls.

No offense, just had this in my mind when I saw the thread.
Pitfall is a good word in this situation I guess. Didn`t know this word, thanks for mentioning!! =)

Karl

[Drumsword]

I personally think that the word "mistakes" is some kind of misleading.
Generally making mistakes in music/arts always involved an antithesis for me. There just occurs a lack of knowledge and experience in my humble opinion.

Purely musically, things like technique or certain expressions should never be considered "wrong", "false", "bad" or whatever, it should rather justified with crudity or the (already mentioned) lack of knowledge/experience.
With time one learns, experiences and finally earns the ability to decide what to do, to chose from a libary.

Broadening the ken will automatically banish this lack of knowledge/experience and at the same time - and this I find interesting - it seems to cause more insufficiency or at least it makes one realize more imperfection.

Taken en masse I think that the existence of the word and meaning of "mistake" combined with arts like music is a fast moving and inconvenient expression. It may mislead and make people think that it is a taboo at the same time.

Nevertheless I guess we know what is meant by "mistake" in this particular case. Just my thought when I read it... :-)

Karl

I always have to make sure I'm awake when I read your posts, lol. Your like a walking drum thesaurus..... Always a pleasure reading your replys my friend.

[BENANEB]

I think some of the biggest mistakes are getting into double bass too early, shopping for drum equipment more than you actually practice drums, and spending too much money on equipment before you actually start gigging.

[bojangleman]

I think some of the biggest mistakes are getting into double bass too early, shopping for drum equipment more than you actually practice drums, and spending too much money on equipment before you actually start gigging.

very very so true..

true, i took lessons, and if i hadn't have, i wouldn't have done it this way, but im sure as heck glad i did..

i didn't play on a full kit untill 7 months...

Alex

[rmandelbaum]

I have always felt the difference beaten and amateur and a pro is how they handle mistakes. An amateur keeps it get to them. A pro just keeps on going and does not worry about it.

[hawk9290]

Amateur Pitfalls: (n) pl. see also: !!Amazing Young Drummer!! (http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=525317&postcount=1)


Having toms 45 feet apart and angled so much that you are playing the shell.


Improper posture and position of stick holding...ie-a stick should not be held in a position where it would appear to be compensating for something of similar traits.


Not establishing a regimented and consistent practice routine (hindsight is 20/20)

[mrchattr]

I think the biggest pitfall that amatures fall into is not focusing on some of the true building blocks...learning proper snare drum technique (including rudiments), learing how to read, etc. All of this helps your development tremendously. It's one reason that lessons are such a great idea.

Another pitfall that I see, and it sometimes goes beyond amatures, is to assume that their favorite drummers don't really "study" the instrument, or know different styles/techniques/how to read, etc. I don't know why this happens, if it is because a lot of the rock drummers seem to just like to party and have fun, or if people think that because they have 100 tattoos, they can't be serious musicians...but time and again, I hear and read people saying stuff like, "Tommy Lee probably can't play latin," or "The guy from (insert band here) probably can't read." And 9 out of 10 times, it's just not true, and makes the drummer think that success is easy to obtain without doing all the work that these guys have done.

[king fail]

I think a huge pitfall/mistake/whatever is separating one's ears and emotions from their limbs. If you can't feel it, there's little hope (in my opinion).

When amateurs hear something played, and immediately assume/boast that they can play it because rhythmically, it's fairly simple. When they put their money where their mouth is, they proceed to play it, but with little or no sense of dynamics/tempo/feel/time/its place in music.

[paradiddler]

Hey guys.

This is a cool thread! We all need a dose of humility on occasion - it keeps us honest! I recently entered an online drum-off, and I made a few mistakes of my own that I need to own up to! I wrote all about it on my web site, and I'd love to share it with you all. I called it Education of The Paradiddler (http://theparadiddler.com/2009/01/11/education-of-the-paradiddler/) (ahem, that's me). Let me know what you think, there and here!

Hey, if you can learn something new, we're all the better for it!

Drum on.

[what the funk of it]

When it comes to playing, there are no mistakes. Well, there are - let me rephrase this...

Making mistakes in your playing is the only way to improve. I find that about one in every hundred mistakes I make, actually turns out okay and I get a new idea from it. From errors comes creativity.
Boring fills and crashes without bass are certainly not mistakes, maybe to you they are. If it sounds good, do it. I think what I'm trying to get at here is when it comes to music, there is no right or wrong, only good and bad ;)

However, there are all kinds of practical mistakes you can make as an amateur. For example, another drummer at a gig approached me after my set asking to borrow my sticks because he had left his at home... Seriously?

[805Drummer]

I think what I'm trying to get at here is when it comes to music, there is no right or wrong, only good and bad ;)



Good=right
bad=wrong

[what the funk of it]

Good=right
bad=wrong

Woah! Don't sneak up on me like that :P

I think you're on to something...

[805Drummer]

Woah! Don't sneak up on me like that :P

I think you're on to something...

There's definitely such a thing as reading into something so much that it eventually becomes redundant. And I say that from experience.

[what the funk of it]

There's definitely such a thing as reading into something so much that it eventually becomes redundant. And I say that from experience.

I must have missed something. Can you explain this to me?

I'm no vegan, but please spare me the beef.

[805Drummer]

I must have missed something. Can you explain this to me?

I'm no vegan, but please spare me the beef.

Was that a joke...?

Nevermind. I was just commenting on your use of vocabulary.

[dea]

Hitting the cymbals without bass drum is not necessarily a mistake.

[what the funk of it]

A pretty lame one yeah. If I didn't know any better I'd say you're beefin' with me. Then again I could be wrong seeing as I'm still pretty clueless as to what you meant in the first place. In any case, I'm glad you like my words. I like yours too.

Anyways, this stupid little argument fits in here just fine considering the title of the thread. Time to get back on topic.

Friends?

[drummer girl09]

Having a drummer play 4rth notes on a really fast song instead of half notes. It just makes the song sound horrible to me, it creates to much tension in the song.

[805Drummer]

A pretty lame one yeah. If I didn't know any better I'd say you're beefin' with me. Then again I could be wrong seeing as I'm still pretty clueless as to what you meant in the first place. In any case, I'm glad you like my words. I like yours too.

Anyways, this stupid little argument fits in here just fine considering the title of the thread. Time to get back on topic.

Friends?

Yeah, I didn't mean any offense. When you said that instead of saying wrong and right, we should say bad and good, I was just pointing out that ultimately, they are the same thing.

[what the funk of it]

Yeah, I didn't mean any offense. When you said that instead of saying wrong and right, we should say bad and good, I was just pointing out that ultimately, they are the same thing.

Ahah! You're sort of right, but I think you're still missing my initial point. Ultimately what sounds good is right, right?

BUT! When it comes to music, it's all about exploration and creativity. So you really can't go wrong. Then again if you play something that's bad, although you're not wrong, people generally won't listen to music that is bad. Whether you care or not is entirely up to you.

For example, say you're jamming with some buds. Whether you play your ostinato with quarters or half notes, as long as you're in time, it's going to sound right. Personally I'd go with eights, cause who the hell rides half notes anyways. (I think Drummergirl is in a 2/4 state of mind and there's nothing wrong with that either!) You don't even have to play an ostinato, you're free to do whatever you want be it a jazz ride pattern, batucada or even the cha cha cha.

My point is that in the end anything you play will either sound good or bad and there's no such thing as a wrong groove - unless you play in a cover band.

Ya Dig?

[805Drummer]

A pretty lame one yeah. If I didn't know any better I'd say you're beefin' with me. Then again I could be wrong seeing as I'm still pretty clueless as to what you meant in the first place. In any case, I'm glad you like my words. I like yours too.

Anyways, this stupid little argument fits in here just fine considering the title of the thread. Time to get back on topic.

Friends?

Ahah! You're sort of right, but I think you're still missing my initial point. Ultimately what sounds good is right, right?

BUT! When it comes to music, it's all about exploration and creativity. So you really can't go wrong. Then again if you play something that's bad, although you're not wrong, people generally won't listen to music that is bad. Whether you care or not is entirely up to you.

For example, say you're jamming with some buds. Whether you play your ostinato with quarters or half notes, as long as you're in time, it's going to sound right. Personally I'd go with eights, cause who the hell rides half notes anyways. (I think Drummergirl is in a 2/4 state of mind and there's nothing wrong with that either!) You don't even have to play an ostinato, you're free to do whatever you want be it a jazz ride pattern, batucada or even the cha cha cha.

My point is that in the end anything you play will either sound good or bad and there's no such thing as a wrong groove - unless you play in a cover band.

Ya Dig?

I see was you're saying...what's good is right, but bad isn't necessarily wrong.

[drums_n_surf]

Expecting that success comes easy.

This is a bit more general, but i find alot of aspiring young drummers think that they can become pretty pro by just goin to lessons and doing what they're teacher tells them to do. Well i know a few of em, not too sure about the rest of you.

[Pachikara-Tharakan]

If it sounds good to majority of the audience listening, there is no mistake at all.

my 3 cents.

[sk8erpnkmt369]

Number one thing. more drums/cymbals DO NOT = better drummer/playing.

also in my neck of the woods(btw this is a pet peeve) everybody wanting to play drums because they want to show off with a double bass pedal. Now DO NOT get me wrong, I love some double bassing, but basics first, also along with that do not start a band the first year/two you are playing.... UNLESS it is a jam band, and used ONLY for purposes to make yourself better

[Wavelength]

If it sounds good to majority of the audience listening, there is no mistake at all.

my 3 cents.

...and if it didn't get recorded, the mistake never happened.

[Funky Crêpe]

for any amateurs....or just drummers who feel they over play too much....
watch steve gadd!.....his philosophy is "simplicity isnt stupidity"....(well i think steve jordan said that, but gadd goes by this principal)/......and look at how much of a well sought after drummer he is.

[Old Doc Yak]

Pitfalls can hit anybody at any level. When Buddy was with Artie Shaw in the late '30s, Shaw had to keep after Buddy to lay back early in the tune and build up to the heat. Buddy always wanted to go all out early on. Shaw wanted Buddy to build up the excitement and then knock 'em dead. Good advice for any drummer.

[PQleyR]

do not start a band the first year/two you are playing.... UNLESS it is a jam band, and used ONLY for purposes to make yourself better

As opposed to what, exactly?

What might happen if they started a band for some other reason? Would that really be so awful in every case?

[lewisn27]

I think some of the biggest mistakes are getting into double bass too early, shopping for drum equipment more than you actually practice drums, and spending too much money on equipment before you actually start gigging.

So why can't beginners have a ride or a snare that sounds good (like a Bosphorus or a black beauty)?
The have the right to everything the same as people that have been playing for 40 years.
I used the crappy cymbals that came with my kit until I had enough to upgrade, I was going to get xs20's, but for that little bit extra, and a free splash, I got AAX's instead. Ihave never looked back. Then again, why would I? I saved for about 7 months to get them by the way.
I bought a used set of HH hi hats not too long ago, for £120. That is about the price of, just a bit over, a set of Paiste Alpha or XS20 hi hats. Would you choose the Alphas / XS20's over HH's?

[mrchattr]

So why can't beginners have a ride or a snare that sounds good (like a Bosphorus or a black beauty)?
The have the right to everything the same as people that have been playing for 40 years.
I used the crappy cymbals that came with my kit until I had enough to upgrade, I was going to get xs20's, but for that little bit extra, and a free splash, I got AAX's instead. Ihave never looked back. Then again, why would I? I saved for about 7 months to get them by the way.
I bought a used set of HH hi hats not too long ago, for £120. That is about the price of, just a bit over, a set of Paiste Alpha or XS20 hi hats. Would you choose the Alphas / XS20's over HH's?

I don't remember the exact statistic, but something like 1% of 1% of all drummers stick with it past 3 years, if that. All you have to do is look at the member list here, and poke around, to see how many people come on here as new drummers, then disappear after three or four months. So, it is a mistake in that a lot of people blow thousands of dollars on gear that ends up sitting in their basement then getting sold for 30% of what they paid for it.

Then there's the fact that a lot of beginners have horrible technique, so break gear quickly.

And we also see a good number of threads on here from new drummers who can't get their awesome, top-end kits, to sound ok, and think it is the kit's problem, instead of realizing that they just don't know how to tune it.

I'm not saying it is wrong for a beginner to have high-end gear. Just saying that it might be a mistake to start off with it, if only because the odds are against you knowing how to use it (both for sound and for the breaking thing), and are actually against you sticking with it.

[Pavlos]

... lot of people blow thousands of dollars on gear that ends up sitting in their basement then getting sold for 30% of what they paid for it.

I don't think that's a mistake. I think it's great. I'm the one buying it for 30%.

ATTENTION NEW DRUMMERS: Always buy the best really expensive gear brand new!

[spirit]

Let's start a list of things amateurs do, you know, like playing a fill every 4 bars, so the newer drummers here can read them and try to avoid them.
I'll start.
Ending every fill with a crash.
I think it's cool to not "end" a fill with a crash, but just go right back to the beat.
Any others?

Why would you want to start a thread like this?
People learn in many ways at differant speeds, what works for one may never ever work for another- I know this as I teach...This thread is a starter was to take it seriously would make one too afraid to play ever....

I am always learning..... from watching at listening-.........I really do wonder sometimes!

[randrade89]

Putting 3 pillows in your bass drum. Moving your head excessively faking that youre excited just to look like travis barker.

[lewisn27]

Then there's the fact that a lot of beginners have horrible technique, so break gear quickly.

And we also see a good number of threads on here from new drummers who can't get their awesome, top-end kits, to sound ok, and think it is the kit's problem, instead of realizing that they just don't know how to tune it.
Thats why I got a teacher that taught me good technique, one of the few things he did teach me.
I can get a fairly decent sound from my CB kit, I just applied my self and picked up a tuning key and started tuning my drums. Maybe it's due to the fact I love buying and tuning new heads.

[Jeremy Bender]

An amateur pitfall that comes to mind I haven't seen yet: NOT discussing the money aspect of a gig or project. Make sure there's a clear written understanding about your compensation. I wouldn't dream of working without a written agreement in my day job. Why would somebody assume the money will somehow take care of itself ? Just a thought.

[diosdude]

Poor posture, stick handling that may lead to carpal tunnel.
Idolizing 1 single drummer and not being open minded to learn from others.
Thinking that because you can play "run to the hills" on expert level in Guitar Hero makes you a badass.
Lining up gigs before your band is ready to play out.
Not understanding how to set up your drumset.
Buying an off-brand set of drums, brand new, instead of a used name brand set
Playing drums for the wrong reasons ie.- to impress girls.
Being inconsiderate to roommates, family and neighbors with your playing schedule

[king fail]

Number one thing. more drums/cymbals DO NOT = better drummer/playing.

Even more important imo - better/more expensive gear DOES NOT = better playing.

[techristian]

Let's start a list of things amateurs do, you know, like playing a fill every 4 bars, so the newer drummers here can read them and try to avoid them.
I'll start.
Ending every fill with a crash.
I think it's cool to not "end" a fill with a crash, but just go right back to the beat.
Any others?

Very seldom do I end a roll with a crash. Good to tell new drummers not to play rolls every 8 bars.

The listener will get tired of hearing them and they will be too predictable.

Dan

[ProggyFunk13]

Good to tell new drummers not to play rolls every 8 bars.

The listener will get tired of hearing them and they will be too predictable.

And what about Keith Moon? I think playing smaller fills and more subtle ones (like a cool ghost note type thing along with a hihat fill) can be very cool. And its possible to still be unpredictable with the right choice of dynamic contrast and effects.

One pet peeve of mine is when the new guys don't know of any of the great drumming legends. They think a more modern alternative drummer is amazing, or someone like Travis Barker. He's alright and plays well for what fits in a song, but hes way overrated. Many older drummers blow him out of the water.

[elpol]

don't drink the headliner's rider...

[DrummerDavid]

don't let the girlfriend tell you to quit the band.

[SGT_Drummer]

don't let the girlfriend tell you to quit the band.

and don't bring her to band practice!!

anyways, i think that we as observers are going to be unable to find "mistakes" in other people's drumming, or on any instrument for that matter, because everything can collectively be wrote off as 'creativity' or 'that was my interpretation of it' and on and on. the only time an actual mistake happens is when you are doing something that wasn't what you intended to do. and even this at times isn't really a mistake becuase, like stated earlier, that 'mistake' may fit perfectly and then (to steal the quote) mistakes breed creativity. but you are really the ONLY person who is going to 'know' it was a mistake(cept maybe your fellow band mates). depending on your level of humility or pride will determine if you left other people in on the secret.

when actually watching someone else you can obivously observe a lack of technique, a repetiveness in the beat, maybe a missed cymbal, or n00bness. but these can be fixed over time and remedied when the person responsible is made aware of such deficiencies by either a friendly suggestion or even them becoming self-aware. (i find some type of recording or video of them playing shown to said individual works wonders).

at least thats my take on it. but seriously, keep your significant others out of the practice space! that's sacred ground and they do nothing but distract the frickin guitar player with googly eyes and adjustments of the breast so that he misses all his damned cues!!! ...oh...wait, i think i'm having a flashback.

[DrumEatDrum]

Buying an elaborate top-line kit/setup after only playing for 6 months and still sounding like a n00b drummer

If it weren't for people who did that, most drum companies would be out of business.


Although if said noob drummer buys said kit, records a drum solo and then posts it to youtube, well, then I think you're on to something. LOL.

[ryctor]

To use heavily dampened heads, in a High end kit, and swearing by them, because they gives them the illusion they are sounding like the tune in the radio, some call it the studio sound, its the cardboard sound, if you ask me.

Amateurs play for themselves, professionals play for an audience, and one need to be aware of how that audience is receiving that sound, acoustically or amplified.

Many, after the gig, go out and celebrate how good they sounded, without even asking anyone how was their sound. They think they already know, because they do not realize that the sound from the throne is never the same in front, at 3, 5,10, 20 or 50 feet away.

To not be aware of how one sounds, from the audience perspective, IMHO, is the biggest, most frequent mistake many amateurs do, because, this is indeed a mistake.

Some even refuse head selection and tuning advise, because they think they sound great and they already know everything there has to be learned about drum sound and tuning. Tuning is a complex Science, and one tuning or head choice, do not works on every situation. No oil filled head, or metal ring integrated head, will take care of, or replace good tuning and playing technique.

Experience will get you there but there must be a humble attitude and the willingness to learn, which a lot of new comers do not have. I am a sponge, and after being playing and tuning for over 25 years, I still try to learn from more experienced and more proficient drummers, because once you think you know enough, right there you will stop learning.

This have to do also with overplaying, volume, technique, tuning, taste, dynamics, every aspect of a drummer's sound. So, for me, it is lack of self awareness, the most commonly done mistake made by amateurs and newbies, just IMHO!

Cheers!


The Ryctor!

[Skulmoski]

I think the biggest pitfall that amatures fall into is not focusing on some of the true building blocks...learning proper snare drum technique (including rudiments), learing how to read, etc. All of this helps your development tremendously. It's one reason that lessons are such a great idea.


I would like to reiterate the importance of being able to read music; a critical skill.

GJS

[Skulmoski]

Here are a few mistakes I have made:

1) Jamming rather than formal practicing. While playing along to your favorite song is fun and can help to improve your skills, it should be supplemented with a formal practicing regimen. That is, open a drum book and practice the lessons.

2) Haphazzard approach to skill development: Keep track of your practice and plan future practice in a note book. Sounds a bit anal, but many top drummers and musicians at some point in their development wrote down what they were doing and planned future practice.

Completing points 1 & 2 is hard work; but with hard work, you can quickly improve your musical ability. If you want to become a great drummer, then do what great drummers do.

3) Focusing only on the drum kit: Learn hand drumming to complement your kit drumming skill set. This can not only develop your sense of timing and rhythm, but it can also expose you to other forms of music such as Latin, African, Middle Eastern, etc. You can purchase inexpensive frame drums like a tar or bendir for less than $100. You can buy a top of the line djembe (Drumskull for example) for $600. A great set of congas can be had for $500 to $1000+.

Take care everyone!

GJS

[Drummertist]

• When you're trying to teach a beginner student and instead of listening to what you're telling him he's fiddleing with the hi-hat and making noise on the snare.

• When you're trying to teach a student to do the groove or fill slowly for a while, they start slowly and then go into hyperdrive where they don't know what the heck they're hitting and they think they're being the bestest drummer in da werld and that they're only good when they go fast...


...then you try to tell them to stop but they're too loud and that goes back to point one so I grab the sticks away and tell them "NO! BAD DRUMMER"!
...I have deepseated emotional issues when it comes to teaching...

[davy]

Bringing a girlfriend to practice sessions is a pretty amateur mistake. There's one that stops by my place with my rhythm guitarist and she makes it pretty hard to jam. Always demanding his attention in between songs and constantly causing him to leave early to tend to her. ....its pretty frustrating

[ace76543]

I'd hardly call that a mistake. Jumping right into the high-end is cheaper than going through multiple rounds of equipment upgrades. Besides, why shouldn't a beginner play a quality instrument if he can afford it?

Because chances are they'll damage it. You don't buy a ferrari as your first car. why? you'll crash it. same thing with drums

[Meat the beat]

Well I didn't know I was in the company of such greatness!
Surely as Pro's you should be ambassadors for drumming? Does this not include actually ENCOURAGING "young", "new", "n00B", & amateur players to aspire to your greatness & hopefully not to your pomposity?

Wonder what the "real" pro's think....? Guess they're all out working :-)

[zafrothunder]

Well I didn't know I was in the company of such greatness!
Surely as Pro's you should be ambassadors for drumming? Does this not include actually ENCOURAGING "young", "new", "n00B", & amateur players to aspire to your greatness & hopefully not to your pomposity?

Wonder what the "real" pro's think....? Guess they're all out working :-)

only reason I got into drumming is because I heard a Nirvana song and how easy it was. I was just like "I can do that."

I would tell an amateur player that bleeding on your set isn't necessarily a bad thing...If anything its a symbol of your commitment to your instrument!

Not talking from experience or anything

[John Galt]

I think the theme of this thread has been hijacked!!!
IMHO, the thread was determined as being those mistakes that beginners make and thus, how they might avoid them. And, I'll venture further, that this was determined to be in terms of drumming as opposed to any other set of unmentioned criteria.
Instead it appears to have become the pet peeves of more senior drummers.
What on earth has buying a good set of drums at the outset or a set of Bosphorous cymbals got to do with being a better drummer?
Or being inconsiderate to neighbours, roommates etc?.......and then advocating that beginners dont practice enough!
Surely, constructive comments are required as this stage of the journey.


PS...............I own a brand new set of Yamaha Tour Customs, Bosphorous cymbals all round, 4 different set of sticks, any number of books from Syncopation to Art of Bop drumming, music stands, and have just bought a powered monitor to hear the backing tracks, and an HD camera to record my practice sessions.
All this after 6 months of practice.

I am guilty as charged of all the mentioned mortal sins. I lie here prostrate and beg for forgiveness, I am a beginner and I know not!!!
Please cast me out from the immortal crew here at Drummerworld!!!

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I would tell an amateur player that bleeding on your set isn't necessarily a bad thing...If anything its a symbol of your commitment to your instrument!

Not talking from experience or anything

No, you're really not.

Bleeding on your set is not a sign of commitment. It's a sign of a lack of control. I would know, I actually HAVE experience in bleeding on my set. It's not exactly a whole barrel of laughs either. I find it quite funny that you're posting in the 'technique' forum where by saying things like this it's evident that you have no idea of what 'technique' constitutes. It's like saying 'blisters are ok because it shows that I'm really trying!' Well, sorry to break it to you, but blisters are another sign of poor technique and a lack of control - there's just no other way of putting it.

What you might find quite funny is that I'm also rather fond of Dave Grohl (as both a drummer and a guitarist/singer) but you seem to idolise him to the point of pushing others out. Go and watch some Elvin Jones - you'll see a lot of Elvin in Dave Grohl (mainly the attitude) and maybe your eyes will be opened to another seriously committed player. One of - if not the greatest - that has ever lived.

[Meat the beat]

I think the theme of this thread has been hijacked!!!
IMHO, the thread was determined as being those mistakes that beginners make and thus, how they might avoid them. And, I'll venture further, that this was determined to be in terms of drumming as opposed to any other set of unmentioned criteria.
Instead it appears to have become the pet peeves of more senior drummers.
What on earth has buying a good set of drums at the outset or a set of Bosphorous cymbals got to do with being a better drummer?
Or being inconsiderate to neighbours, roommates etc?.......and then advocating that beginners dont practice enough!
Surely, constructive comments are required as this stage of the journey.


PS...............I own a brand new set of Yamaha Tour Customs, Bosphorous cymbals all round, 4 different set of sticks, any number of books from Syncopation to Art of Bop drumming, music stands, and have just bought a powered monitor to hear the backing tracks, and an HD camera to record my practice sessions.
All this after 6 months of practice.

I am guilty as charged of all the mentioned mortal sins. I lie here prostrate and beg for forgiveness, I am a beginner and I know not!!!
Please cast me out from the immortal crew here at Drummerworld!!!

LOL John, think we better go get the sack-cloth & ashes... ! :-D

[Pollyanna]

Ah, John Galt, I have been playing on and off for over 30 years and feel like a complete nothing in this land of musical giants! So all I can share with beginners are the mistakes I've made that resulted in me working rather than playing to make serious money.

So here is my little chamber of horrors, ... let's call it "How not to be a professional" :)

1. Not getting lessons. After 5 years of playing in bands (back in the Paleozoic Era) I decided to improve my technique. So I arranged to study with a respected jazz drummer who had a minor apoplexy when he saw my bodgy rock technique and insisted that I do boomp boomp on a pad at about 30bpm to get the proper bounce and stop playing my rock way. That would have meant quitting a gigging band to go boomp boomp at 30bpm on a rubber pad. I lasted for five lessons and opted to enjoy drumming as a hobby and do a normal job (that I enjoy) earning maybe double what I might have earned as a pro musician. Whatever.

2. Not using a metronome. Again, boring for me but if you're patient, it really helps. Even the occasional session with a metronome helps keep me honest - to physically understand a groove rather than pushing the tempo to make it kick.

3. Not reading music. Well I can - if you give me all night to go over a score. Somehow I feel that reading would help with conceptualisation of music, but of course there are many ways of perceiving music.

4. Playing along with records too much. Ideally should be the exception rather than the rule. Why? Because you are being carried by the music and as a drummer it's your job to be the main groove carrier of the band. It's a bit like singing in the shower; you sound great at the time but when you take away the "crutch" it's not so easy. Fifteen minutes of disciplined practice is worth a few hours of banging along to records.

5. Only doing cursory rudiment practice. I did single stroke, mamma-dadda, paradiddles and flams (maybe para diddle diddle a couple of times) and only my single stroke was at speed. The other rudiments have come in handy, though, in certain songs, especially Latin grooves. I'm a bit like a keyboardist who can play in C, Am, G, Em, F and Dm but when there are a lot of black keys as in A or E, well ...

I can almost hear the tut-tutting from the experts from here :)

One piece of positive advice I can give is, if you don't want to do the work needed to be technically strong, don't be tentative or intimidated in case you don't do things "correctly". In the end, music is about the joy of life and expression so don't worry about anyone's judgement. If you have fewer tools for expressing yourself musically than others, a smaller vocabulary, it's not the end of the world. After all, some people have a great command of the language and are full of self-serving blah (like me! *grin*) while others may say less and with less aplomb, but they get to the nub of issues.

Many years ago I asked a professional rock player for advice. He said "hit the drums with conviction". It took me years to really understand why.

In the end, it's all about getting in there and having a great time with other musos you can relate to and audiences. Enjoy! :)

[zafrothunder]

No, you're really not.

Bleeding on your set is not a sign of commitment. It's a sign of a lack of control. I would know, I actually HAVE experience in bleeding on my set. It's not exactly a whole barrel of laughs either. I find it quite funny that you're posting in the 'technique' forum where by saying things like this it's evident that you have no idea of what 'technique' constitutes. It's like saying 'blisters are ok because it shows that I'm really trying!' Well, sorry to break it to you, but blisters are another sign of poor technique and a lack of control - there's just no other way of putting it.

What you might find quite funny is that I'm also rather fond of Dave Grohl (as both a drummer and a guitarist/singer) but you seem to idolise him to the point of pushing others out. Go and watch some Elvin Jones - you'll see a lot of Elvin in Dave Grohl (mainly the attitude) and maybe your eyes will be opened to another seriously committed player. One of - if not the greatest - that has ever lived.

dude it was a joke.

I broke this thing in my nose a while back, so i get bloody noses really easily. So one day, i was drumming, and i got a bloody nose and i got some blood on the floor tom. You thought I bled on it because I cut myself because i suck or something? How do you even pull that off?

and when did i say i idolize dave grohl? He's just my biggest influence. I also like

Stevo32 from Sum41,
Fabrizio Moretti from The Strokes,
Sean Kinney from Alice in Chains,
Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters,
Matt Cameron from Soundgarden/Pearl Jam
Steve Shelley from Sonic Youth
Chris Dangerous from The Hives
Hamish Rosser from The Vines

I have more influences, but those are the ones that have significantly impacted my style

[zambizzi]

Sean Kinney from Alice in Chains,
Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters,
Matt Cameron from Soundgarden/Pearl Jam


Three pretty incredible drummers that don't get enough love, IMO! Well, Hawkins gets a lot of mention here...but Kinney and Cameron are incredible...two big influences of mine as well.

Sorry, just chiming in. I've been watching this thread on-and-off.

JG - I bought a full-on DW kit w/ a full collection of Zildjian A and K Customs after my first 6 mo. of playing. How ridiculous is it for anyone to insinuate that a "n00bie" isn't deserving of good drum gear?

How dare you...return those items to the dealer immediately and get some plastic tubs from the shed, to bang on. Don't believe that you should use the same pro sticks that a professional would use, either! No sir...just wooden spoons for you.

BTW - have you posted pics of your kit on here yet? I'd love to see what ya have!

[otway]

Sorry i didn't read all the posts yet so i'm not sure if im making this repetitive..
Any way..
I'd say the two biggest Amateur Mistakes i can think of are:
1)Trying to look good playing before learning to even sound good playing.
2)Trying to walk before learning to crawl.

[yesdog]

I think beginers need to relize it takes years to develop good technique. . Even Steve Smith was a beginner and made mistakes. I feel it is very inportant to learn and practice rudiments and use a metrinome. Take drum lessons and listen to all types of music.
I have seen so many drummers overplay it sounds horrible. Drummers need to listen to the band and the song they are playing. I have been guilty of overplaying. I think every drummer reading this thread has done the same. Its easer to play a bunch of fills than
it is to lay down a solid groove. Everything comes in time. if drumming was easy everyone
would do it. You have to be bad before you are good.

[dairyairman]

as an amateur drummer let me tell about some "rookie mistakes" i've made.

not keeping good time. i used to play with a lot of tension and constantly speed up. i still do that a little bit, but i've gotten a lot better. recently i listened to some of our old live recordings and it's almost comical how i'd be playing faster and faster until by the end of song we'd all be playing at warp speed! now i try to think about the space between notes and i try to focus on relaxing. that definitely helps the speeding up syndrome.

not using dynamics. i used to play loud all the time, no matter what or where we were playing. i still play loud, but i'm a lot more sensitive to dynamics and what they can do to enhance a song than i used to be. it makes the music so much better, no matter what the genre!

repeating fills. after listening to our old recordings i noticed that i'd be playing the same fills over and over again throughout a song. i now try to mix it up a lot more.

playing beyond my ability. i used try to play a lot of things i really had no business attempting. on the old recordings it makes the drumming sound shakey and uneasy or just plain bad. now i only play complex things if i know i can pull them off.

i'm just saying that these are some of mistakes i've made in the past and managed to fix. some of these flaws don't require any skill or practice to correct. you just need to be able to recognize them and be willing to deal with them. i recommend recording yourself as much as possible and critiquing your own playing. it's amazing what you'll learn!

[Fiery]

playing beyond my ability.
Guilty as charged. It's been five years and I'm only starting to back up on myself in order to make what I sort of can do solid before trying to learn something new.

The biggest beginer pitfall is not being able to hear how bad you are at even the basics.