Explain a few things to me...

[DrummerForJah]

Ok this one's for all the noobs out there. Including me. Can anyone explain the up-stroke/ down-stroke thing to me? What is it? Also, ANY advice on singlestroke technique would be much appreciated. Thanx!

[Jonesy]

Down-stroke is the part of your stroke that goes downward (First movement)

Up-stroke is the part of your stroke that goes upward (Second Movement)

[Crusto 62]

Practice your single strokes to a metronome. Slow at first and don't increase the speed until your single strokes are smooth and even. This is best done on your practice pad first and you can apply them to the kit later.

[DrummerForJah]

awesome thanx. the downstroke and upstroke thing is so simple I wanna kick myself... anyway, any more advice on single stroke technique?

[Toza]

awesome thanx. the downstroke and upstroke thing is so simple I wanna kick myself... anyway, any more advice on single stroke technique?

you should start very slow and gradually increase speed until you come to your top speed (when you feel tension, and then gradually come back to slow speed where you started, try to play as slow as you cant and watch your motions carfully. do you know what is france grip? you could use it to play single stroke, its very good for the "same" mechanical fast 16 notes!!! roll is trying to SOUND LIKE ONE LONG NOTE:) (Using fingers you can go pretty fast with this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXgSkYsM-d4!!!) If you want accent the first stroke. you could use german grip, with moller technigue???

you should also practice very slow to the metronom. try to play down strokes and not to lift hands high, because you are learning technique which you use to play very fast . so start slowly to metronom and play this same motion as long as you can 5 min, 10, 30 or even more, this will program your brain:) do this every day for at least 5 min.


here are good exercises (16 notes and 8 notes)

1)RLR R R R R R R LRL L L L L L L
2)RLRL R R R R R R LRLR L L L L L L
3)RLRLRL R R R R R LRLRLR L L L L L

and finnaly

RLRLRLRL R R R R LRLRLRLR L L L L.

when you learn to play it fast you can use "sprints" to develop speed, power and endurance something like
R L R L RLRLRLRL R L R L RLRLRLRL R L R L R L R L RLRLRLRLRLRLRLRL

[rmandelbaum]

The key is evenness.

Imagine this, there is a string tied to both of your sticks and it runs around the back of your neck. So as one stick goes down the other has to go up at the exact same rate.

Start slow and envision this as you practice single strokes. Always keep the sticks even in both directions, up and down.

[DrummerForJah]

Ok, thanks guys I will definitely apply these to the practice sessions.. Only, could you please describe to me what is German grip and Matchstick grip or any other grips.I feel like such a noob but I need to know..

[Toza]

Ok, thanks guys I will definitely apply these to the practice sessions.. Only, could you please describe to me what is German grip and Matchstick grip or any other grips.I feel like such a noob but I need to know..

you should check out Jojo mayers "Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer" !!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matched_grip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0n8opXtAsI

[ermghoti]

Down-stroke is the part of your stroke that goes downward (First movement)

Up-stroke is the part of your stroke that goes upward (Second Movement)

I have seen another usage for the same terminology. An upstroke finishes with the stick high, prepared for a full stroke or accent, the rebound is uninterrupted. A downstroke, by contrast, is caught low, in a position for an unaccented or ghost stroke.

Rmandelbaum's tip is good as well,.

[aboylikedave]

As a beginner, learning up/down really revolutionised my playing. Basically its about hitting a drum and then getting your hands ready for the next position,dependent upon whether that next note is gong to be loud (needs to be away from the head to get a good 'run up') or soft (just needs to be close to the head to 'tap'.) this speeds you up incredibly as your hands are in the right position in advance and also gives you really clear dynamics (difference between loud and soft notes) .

There are three types of note:
full - starts high, ends high - a loud hit and the next note is also loud
down - starts high, ends low - a loud hit and the next one is soft as the stick starts close to the head
tap - starts low , ends low - a soft hit and the next hit is soft
up - starts low, ends high - a soft hit and the next one is loud.

It requires a lot of patient practice and probably a teacher to demonstrate. In particular the down stroke took me a lot to get right. But as a newb, this is one thing at will take your laying to a new level, and is the essence of fast fills with accents.

[Jonesy]

I have seen another usage for the same terminology. An upstroke finishes with the stick high, prepared for a full stroke or accent, the rebound is uninterrupted. A downstroke, by contrast, is caught low, in a position for an unaccented or ghost stroke.

Rmandelbaum's tip is good as well,.

That works too, but I'm guessing the context in which he heard those terms was the more common usage.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Forget about everything else and learn the free stroke. You will be glad you did. I studied this with Dom Famularo and practiced it for at least a year, almost exclusively. If you are serious about your single strokes, look no further.

Casper

[DrummerForJah]

The free stroke? ooh.. tell me more!

[R Furb]

Hey DrummerForJah, you seem to have lots you want explore and learn, I recommend finding a professional teacher who can give you the advice your seeking. A teacher can not only teach you new things but, keep your technique in line and keep you progressing at a good pace. Anyway, if you can afford lessons they are really worth the money.


P.S. Not saying this forum right here can't help you with your questions but, having someone there with you to watch your playing is invaluable.

-Robbie.

[Toza]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cb75dgldnY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dOaIUgVppk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6ia0WViEa0

[DrummerForJah]

Aweh good idea I am going to start looking for a good teacher. I had one but that didnt go too well. I'm gonn see what I can do.. thanx