What is a better way to practice?

[kettles]

I'd like to know what is more effective

I could spend an hour every day doing all of the rudiments and gradually improve on them all,

or....

I could just pick one, eg flam paradiddle. Focus on that until I've got it mastered, and then move on to the next one, and repeat.

I've started thinking the second option is the better way to go. I've picked up a few books (stick control etc) and am so overwhelmed by where to start and how much to do at a time :)

[Mighty_Joker]

I disagree, I think the first method is preferable. The reason is this. Drumming is made up of combinations of rudiments. If you practice your rudiments together, you will become more adept at mixing and matching your rudiments.

If you spend time "mastering" rudiments one at a time, you'll never get anywhere. Where do you draw the line at "mastery"? When do you say "ok, I have sufficiently mastered this rudiment, now onto the next"? While you may find that you become very sufficient at individual rudiments, assuming you draw up criteria for satisfaction, you will still run into the problem outlined above regarding the ability to mix and match. In my opinion, a decent single stroke roll and a decent paradiddle are useless if you can't comfortably switch between the two consecutively and cleanly.

Therefore, in my humble opinion, study them all at once. You have to remember, they are all essentially made up of the same strokes, so practising one will invariably help the others.

[Thaard]

What I did, and still doing now is to make a training schedule which I go through most days.

First technique for ex. 20 min singlestrokes - 20min double strokes - 20 paradiddles and so on. Later though, I've come up with ideas to practice many things at the same time, so when I'm playing singles(to a metronome) I also keep 8ths with hihat and 4's with bassfoot to increase independance and precision. Then I have 15 min break, and on to independance based stuff, 15 min break and then grooving or recording myself. This is what fits me, so you need to find what you need to practice and stick with it until you find it comfortable enough to play, and move on to something more challenging. Try recording yourself with mics and camera, and then find out what you're doing wrong. You can also put your vids on youtube and get feedback from the drummers here at DW.

[Boomka]

I'd like to know what is more effective

I could spend an hour every day doing all of the rudiments and gradually improve on them all,

or....

I could just pick one, eg flam paradiddle. Focus on that until I've got it mastered, and then move on to the next one, and repeat.

I've started thinking the second option is the better way to go. I've picked up a few books (stick control etc) and am so overwhelmed by where to start and how much to do at a time :)

Somewhere in the middle is how I practice. Taking on too much leads to unfocussed practice sessions and facility that is a mile wide, but only 1" deep. Trying to do just one thing means that other areas of your playing won't be getting due maintanence, and can also lead to boredom which leads to getting off track, etc....

To use your Stick Control example, you'll notice that Stone recommended playing each at least 20 times before moving on to the next. To his students, he suggested even more repetitions. To build strong connections in the brain that create movements, purposeful, controlled repetition is key. Athletes, martial artists, dancers, musicians, even carpenters must perform the same motion many, many times in the same way to enable the brain to repeat that motion "automatically" when called upon.

In the end, however, the quality of attention you bring to your practice is more important than any other factor. My own teachers, like Jim Blackley, have me work on new material for at least 5 minutes slowly, concentrating as much as possible on relaxation and really feeling the motions that I'm making. But it isn't the time that matters, but how fully I can get into what I'm doing. There are two kinds of practice - the kind where you make the motions over and over while watching TV, or thinking about the cute girl/guy next door, or worrying about whether you'll ever be a great drummer, and the kind where you empty your mind completely of everything that is not doing the exercise you're doing: where you can sense every muscle working, feel the temperature of the sticks in your hands, and hear the vibration of the sticks as they strike the pad or drum.

The first one - done enough - will eventually bring certain results. The second one will put the stuff so deep inside you, you'll never get it out. Oh, and you'll likely forget all about the time. :)

[Jeff Almeyda]

I'd like to know what is more effective

I could spend an hour every day doing all of the rudiments and gradually improve on them all,

or....

I could just pick one, eg flam paradiddle. Focus on that until I've got it mastered, and then move on to the next one, and repeat.

I've started thinking the second option is the better way to go. I've picked up a few books (stick control etc) and am so overwhelmed by where to start and how much to do at a time :)


The second option is the way to go, with an important caveat: Focus on one or just a few rudiments and work on them until you have brought it up to a new level. Don't use terms like mastery because you could use that as a justification to never move from the single stroke roll.

Stick with a program for about 4-6 weeks of steady practice. Re-evaluate after that time and work on whatever is needed next. Always keep singles and doubles in there though.

Hint: Singles and doubles must be smooth and powerful to form a solid base for later rudiments. So you might want to spend extra time with them for the first few months or years.

Also, check out Tommy Igoe's "Lifetime Warmup". You gradually add rudiments to it until you are doing 'em all. I study with Tommy now and he just rips through rudiments effortlessly. It's beautiful to watch. (He's such a badass.)

[kettles]

If you spend time "mastering" rudiments one at a time, you'll never get anywhere. Where do you draw the line at "mastery"? When do you say "ok, I have sufficiently mastered this rudiment, now onto the next"?


Ok so mastery was the wrong word to use :) By that I meant, to be able to play it comfortably and effortlessly at a range of volumes, on different drums/surfaces, and of course with good time. Without worrying about speed, but get the rudiment up to a moderate tempo.

Taking on too much leads to unfocussed practice sessions and facility that is a mile wide, but only 1" deep.

This is what I'm hoping to avoid :)


....will put the stuff so deep inside you, you'll never get it out.

And that is where I'd like to be.

Focus on one or just a few rudiments and work on them until you have brought it up to a new level. Don't use terms like mastery because you could use that as a justification to never move from the single stroke roll.

Yea, "suitably proficient" might be a better way to put it :)



Stick with a program for about 4-6 weeks of steady practice. Re-evaluate after that time and work on whatever is needed next. Always keep singles and doubles in there though.

Do you mean a 4-6 week program of the one/few exercises? Or to do them all over that time, and then evaluate?



Hint: Singles and doubles must be smooth and powerful to form a solid base for later rudiments. So you might want to spend extra time with them for the first few months or years.

Agree totally. I'm not just talking rudiments, but also the stick control exercises, pieces from 4-way coordination, and all the other books I have. I was thinking of choosing one rudiment, one stick control exercise, and one of the (challenging) 4 way coordination exercises. Within a week or so I could have them down pretty well, and based on my own judgement I would move on or keep going until I get to my own "mastery".

(that is, to play it well without thinking, simply getting in the zone and watching my hands/body play it flawlessly)

I have at least three band practices per week so I'm definitely staying in shape with other areas of my playing.


Also, check out Tommy Igoe's "Lifetime Warmup". You gradually add rudiments to it until you are doing 'em all. I study with Tommy now and he just rips through rudiments effortlessly. It's beautiful to watch. (He's such a badass.)

That's awesome, lucky of you to live where you can study with him! I can't find his warm up, is that on the net somewhere?

[kettles]

Anyone else?

.........................

[Hedon]

Somewhere in the middle is how I practice. Taking on too much leads to unfocussed practice sessions and facility that is a mile wide, but only 1" deep. Trying to do just one thing means that other areas of your playing won't be getting due maintanence, and can also lead to boredom which leads to getting off track, etc....

To use your Stick Control example, you'll notice that Stone recommended playing each at least 20 times before moving on to the next. To his students, he suggested even more repetitions. To build strong connections in the brain that create movements, purposeful, controlled repetition is key. Athletes, martial artists, dancers, musicians, even carpenters must perform the same motion many, many times in the same way to enable the brain to repeat that motion "automatically" when called upon.

In the end, however, the quality of attention you bring to your practice is more important than any other factor. My own teachers, like Jim Blackley, have me work on new material for at least 5 minutes slowly, concentrating as much as possible on relaxation and really feeling the motions that I'm making. But it isn't the time that matters, but how fully I can get into what I'm doing. There are two kinds of practice - the kind where you make the motions over and over while watching TV, or thinking about the cute girl/guy next door, or worrying about whether you'll ever be a great drummer, and the kind where you empty your mind completely of everything that is not doing the exercise you're doing: where you can sense every muscle working, feel the temperature of the sticks in your hands, and hear the vibration of the sticks as they strike the pad or drum.

The first one - done enough - will eventually bring certain results. The second one will put the stuff so deep inside you, you'll never get it out. Oh, and you'll likely forget all about the time. :)

oh man you probably just changed the way i practice forever

[Ami]

Wow!
there's some great advice here from everyone.
Much in the way Thaard does, I also like to practice several things at once, so co ordination and independance can improve as well as whatever else you may be working on.
One addition which has really helped me over the years: make it fun for yourself. make up exercises which challange you and are also fun for you to play, that way you will enjoy, and thus practice more, have more fun, etc.
:-)