age old question

[chops-licksandfunk]

Practice with a pillow or no pillow? I have used a pillow alot, for practicing doubles. I think it turned out just fine. But I have heard alot of people say its really bad for technique. Whats the scoop?

[Ironcobra]

Practice on both a pillow and a surface with rebound. A pillow will make your arms physically stronger, allowing you to play faster and longer. A surface with rebound is better for practicing things like technique/rudiments.

I bought the HQ real feel speed practice pad. It has a gum side with lots of rebound, fantastic for practicing rudiments and technique. Unfortunately, I wish I had bought the speed/workout pad that has a softer side for workouts, as well as the gum side for regular practice. This might be a great investment for you, check it out.

Long story short, do both, because both have their benefits.

[rockinrider]

Here's some age old answers:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2090&highlight=pillow

[brittc89]

Thats the age old question? Really? How about how do I practice musicianship? Or how do I speak through my instrument? I guess the pillow things pretty cool too though.

[caddywumpus]

Dude, have you checked out the new Ludwig pillows? They're making them like they used to in the 70's, but they just don't have the same retro vibe. They sound a lot better than the high-end Pearl and Yamaha pillows, IMHO. I've had my eye on the new DW pillow, lately. The Horizontal Low Slumber technology is impressive, but I think they're just too expensive...

[prempex]

Dude, have you checked out the new Ludwig pillows? They're making them like they used to in the 70's, but they just don't have the same retro vibe. They sound a lot better than the high-end Pearl and Yamaha pillows, IMHO. I've had my eye on the new DW pillow, lately. The Horizontal Low Slumber technology is impressive, but I think they're just too expensive...

You could probably pick one up in good shape on Ebay fairly cheap.





haha

[Toza]

you shouldnt practice whit pilows. it doesnt offers you a rebound like drumms

[caddywumpus]

you shouldnt practice whit pilows. it doesnt offers you a rebound like drumms

that's kind of the point of doing it...

[Sera]

I usually practice with silencing pads. I made those myself: 5 mm rubber, and 15 mm foam, glued together. And I silenced bass pedal too, by removing beaters. I don't need them to practice with that foot technique I use. Feel is close enough, and without noise, which pleases my wife.

Of course, there are no rebound at all, so I have to do all movements with my fingers and hands. I play without those pads maybe 4 or 6 times in month. Usually when I try to get so close perfection as I can go. I record it on video and after analyze those videos, and try to improve next time I record something. Last time I realized that my cymbal playing is totally maneric and almost predictable. Not good. Now I have listened music, not only played it, and tried to repeat those cymbal fills I heard.

Drums also stays almost in tune under those rubber pads, and when I got inspiration to really play, not only practice, tuning is quite minimal. I mean, usually. Most of the time, cross my fingers and pray. But Moongel or pieces of jelly plastic helps tuning a lot.

My opinion: I like practice without rebound, and I practice with pillow too, but it doesn't belong those training methods I usually use.