Sing what you want to play, create your personal play-along soundtrack.
Move how you want to sound…like a dancer, and how you want others to respond to you…like a conductor.
Drumming: motion in time, realize time, space and subdivision within your motion.
Drumming is like treading water: relax and you’ll stay afloat…be rigid and you’ll sink
When you strike a percussion instrument, your goal is to put it into vibration.
Be in control of your technique – don’t let your technique be in control of you.
Your two hands should create one airstream – using even, balanced technique.
Balance your limbs like you walk – with an even gate, not like you have a sore foot.
Wind players strive for a beautiful tone, then alter the sound with articulation and tone variation. First, create a full, natural sound on all percussion instruments.
Make sure you are listening to other musicians – not just yourself.
The Learning Process: Imitation (copy others); Application (incorporate what you hear into your playing); Innovation (use these tools to create your own musical personality).
You will rarely be asked to play more complicated or to play more notes.
Think of dynamics like a jar of sound: raise and lower the sticks for volume.
The rate of a stroke is analogous to bouncing a ball: bounce the ball faster by being closer to the ground; to be slower, bounce it higher.
Maximum resonance comes with rebound, or a stroke that emulates rebound.
Grasp the stick like a pencil or a piece of paper – use only the tension necessary to hold it.
The grip point (fulcrum) is like a door hinge – a tight grip reduces movement and fluidity.
Sticking combinations will create a smooth flow of sounds and varied phrasing.
Try playing with one stick – it can often simplify and clarify your ideas
Think of your set-up as a cockpit of a sports car – everything is within easy reach.
Set up your drums for the style of music you play, not for the music someone else plays.
Over time, technical development may slow down, but musicianship can always improve.
