Larry
"Uncle Larry"
Here's the solution I came up with to solve my own coordination issues when trying to play something that I can't. Whatever limb is throwing me off...I rest that limb. I substitute my voice instead of playing the part. If I'm truly getting thrown off, just singing the part will throw me off too. That's a mental coordination issue. If I can sing it easily but still can't play it in time...then it's a physical coordination thing. I'm at the point where if I can sing it easily, I can play it.
It's not hard. The first time I figured this method out, it took me 30 minutes to get over the hump that was beating me then. Now I can usually get over the mental hump within 10 minutes. It's much easier to sing it than play it at first....just to get over the hump. The mental coordination (vocalizing) has to be dealt with first before the physical part stands a chance. When I can sing it in time without being thrown off...now I try playing it, and I am usually 95% there by that point..
Mental coordination starts in my brain first, always. New circuits are actually being wired in my brain as I go through the process.
ALL my drumming problems starts in my brain.
When I say vocalizing, short caveman sounding grunts are the only thing I can muster...at first. It's pretty pathetic sounding ha ha.
Suggestion: Playing unison quarter notes at whatever tempo you please, to a click, using ALL your limbs, and listening for flams (and correcting) is fairly easy, fun and helps to build the necessary precision you need. So all your hits across all your limbs...all land at the same point in time. Kind of essential.
The very best way to improve that I found, is to record myself and listen back hard. When I'm not playing, I have all my brain power available to me to pick apart what I'm hearing to pieces. I close my eyes, listen to the recording, and mentally pick out what I don't like, and at the same time, figure out how I can do it in a way that doesn't bother me. Most times, it's not the note choice, it's the execution and delivery. But bad note choices happen for sure. I hear myself as others hear me, absolutely priceless.
It's very possible to improve by subtraction. I just keep the beat through all the bad parts that detract, instant improvement. Being a solid drummer is a great goal at first.
Chops need a good foundation, and that's where you are now, building your foundation.
Consider getting a teacher.
It's not hard. The first time I figured this method out, it took me 30 minutes to get over the hump that was beating me then. Now I can usually get over the mental hump within 10 minutes. It's much easier to sing it than play it at first....just to get over the hump. The mental coordination (vocalizing) has to be dealt with first before the physical part stands a chance. When I can sing it in time without being thrown off...now I try playing it, and I am usually 95% there by that point..
Mental coordination starts in my brain first, always. New circuits are actually being wired in my brain as I go through the process.
ALL my drumming problems starts in my brain.
When I say vocalizing, short caveman sounding grunts are the only thing I can muster...at first. It's pretty pathetic sounding ha ha.
Suggestion: Playing unison quarter notes at whatever tempo you please, to a click, using ALL your limbs, and listening for flams (and correcting) is fairly easy, fun and helps to build the necessary precision you need. So all your hits across all your limbs...all land at the same point in time. Kind of essential.
The very best way to improve that I found, is to record myself and listen back hard. When I'm not playing, I have all my brain power available to me to pick apart what I'm hearing to pieces. I close my eyes, listen to the recording, and mentally pick out what I don't like, and at the same time, figure out how I can do it in a way that doesn't bother me. Most times, it's not the note choice, it's the execution and delivery. But bad note choices happen for sure. I hear myself as others hear me, absolutely priceless.
It's very possible to improve by subtraction. I just keep the beat through all the bad parts that detract, instant improvement. Being a solid drummer is a great goal at first.
Chops need a good foundation, and that's where you are now, building your foundation.
Consider getting a teacher.