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As someone who has never even been around drummers, let alone taken classes, and thus has to pick up the technique on his own, those slow-motion close-ups are invaluable.
Exactly! It was interesting to see that he almost let go of the stick with his thumb and pointer finger as he caught the back of the stick with his other fingers..what to do with your damn fingers is something that I don’t see a lot of
I can’t believe that I actually understand what I have to do now. I’ve been looking for this slow mo for a few days because I thought the exact same thing you did. VERY resourceful. I can actually do doubles after just seeing how to push back with my 3 fingers.
Been looking for this video for a long time. Agreed, the slow motion was the key. My left (non dominant) hand doesn't have that natural bounce in it and was very wrist driven. Looking forward to sitting down and working on this for a while!
I’m a self taught “drummer”... never bothered to learn rudiments, went straight into playing advanced stuff. Biggest mistake I’ve ever made. My skill set is all over the place. There is some basic stuff I struggle with and some advanced stuff I find easy. It really limits you. My right hand is so much faster than my left. PRACTICE YOUR RUDIMENTS
Makes 3 of us. I been playing in a covers band for 10 years and can’t even to double strokes well. Right hand more advanced than left also. The slow mo is great in this video and I’m now working hard on my doubles.
@@bigdrummerboy777 practicing doubles with a metronome and just getting into that flow/trance state for an hour levelled up my left hand like crazy. Within a couple weeks I was comfortable adding subdivisions wherever during improv.
Thanks Bill. Im 54..I have played since I was 12 years old [42 years now] but stopped 2 years ago. And I wasnt sure if I could 'get back in the saddle'. I think Ill use this to get me back in shape ... Thats for the encouragement ! :)
Too many drummers are obsessed with rudiments? Man....getting my students to practice rudiments was like pulling teeth. I wish I could find students who would put the time in on rudiments. Everyone wants to be Neil Peart in 2 weeks and they get bored with anything except playing songs. To some extent, you learn proper technique WHILE learning rudiments. Technique developed because of how the rudiments need to be played. I do think it’s important to embed technical development in the musical devices that drove it. But I also agree that it’s important to make sure proper technique is being achieved before moving on.
Joel Stucki I think this really depends on the stage of a student. This exercise is for students who really want to master the hands. For most of the normal students it is just to boring. That is okay, they want to have fun and play music.
I didn't start practicing drum rudiments until I saw Thomas Lang on drumeo. Dude can do anything hands or feet. What got me going is left hand leading practice. The barrier to good rudiments and good drumming is getting your left hand (or right if you are lefty) up to the same caliber as the leading arm.
Hi Stephen, I am a self taught drummer for past 2 years. This lesson was amazing. All I ever heard was wrist, wrist, wrist, and have never been shown finger control. Thank You so much. You have really changed my whole way of drumming!!!!
I love this video. I played doubles for 8 months and I couldn't realize why they were not coming out good. After going back and practicing fundamentals like moeller, rebound, finger control, hitting with the wrists, and playing with relaxed hands (in both left and right hands) I am much more confident in not just my ability to play a single stroke roll but playing anything on the drum set. Developing good technique is key for being able to play consistently and fluidly. Thanks Stephen! Wish I could have watched this video sooner but to be honest failing is all part of the learning process.
Friend, of the many videos I've watched on how to drum (very beginner here) yours is the one that offered the best instruction so far. All these other pros out there that claim to be great teachers are quick to show us all the fancy moves - when the majority of us can't even properly hold a stick. Your double stroke is such a fundamental, important lesson. Thanks for giving us the slow-mo of it. Couldn't have figured it out otherwise. Wish I had seen your video a while back, would have saved me a ton of frustration and I"d be further ahead by now. Thanks for this. PS: really hard to get the left hand to keep up. It goes all over the place and I can hardly get the stick to rebound when moving it around the toms. Much practice ahead for me. But at least now I'm on the way to making real progress. Not to mention my hits sound so much better now. Many thanks.
I’m confused by a lot of these comments about rudiments being hand training. Rudiments are almost exclusively brain training, in my opinion. If you’ve ever worked through George Lawrence Stone’s “Stick Control,” you know that it’s not your hands holing you back from unfamiliar patterns of singles, doubles, and flams. It’s your mind that holds you back. In my experience, working through these roadblocks and wrapping your head around many combinations is what allows you to eventually have your musical brain lead your playing, rather than “muscle memory.” To be clear, I think this video is absolutely valid and proper technique is hugely important. Keep making more!
I'd say 2 biggest reasons for overemphasis on rudiments-in-isolation is they're "low bandwidth" for teachers ("did you do page 3 of Stick Control for this week?"), and they play into the "fast-hands-are-all-that's-important" mythology, sort of like people who only do bench and bis at the gym. Figuring out what actually works takes work. Great lesson!
Rudiments also help a lot with coming up with original fills and beats and stuff. 90% of drummers just play singles all over the kit. If you break up a paradiddle the possibilities are endless. I personally love the 5 stroke roll. I throw those in everywhere
Man, this is amazingly helpful. I still can't believe guys like this guy would be willing to spend time and energy and share knowledge like this for free to learning drummers like myself! He needs more subscribers!
As a drummer who's played thousands of hours for pay, then stopped playing for fifteen years and gotten really out of shape, I can attest to this 100%! You gotta have clean fundamentals or else the rest won't work out well. I'm getting back into getting my hands together, and this is golden advice.
Man, after playing for 30 years It has become massively apparent to me that I've been gripping those sticks way too tight and I've been hitting way too hard to even think about relaxation and controlled doubles.. this video and around 4 - 5 hours of practice of this relaxed grip technique is changing the way I play and has opened up the whole kit to me! I wish this had been rule number 2 taught to me all those years ago! Rule number 1 being how to hold the sticks. Bravo!
Dude you are the best teacher ever!!!! I've been playing for a while even semi-professionally and stopped for years - just started again and want to relearn everything and i'm LOVING your videos thank you!!
I really appreciate the slow mo. I've been trying to analyze my rebound and although I've watched many other videos no one has taken the effort to do slow mo.
Each minute we spend in front of the computer we`re not ''living'' it ''activelly''. Stephen makes the time spent watching him worth. Significant information, for our significant time, light, fun and always humble. Kudos
You are exactly right! It works this way with everything in life. It's just like math...you have start with arithmetic, then move up to algebra and trigonometry before you can begin working on becoming good at advanced calculus. We should all think about our dumming skill progression the same way. Great video!
Stephen, thank you. This kind of great, kind, practical instruction is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm self-taught and have played all my life without any instruction quietly wishing I could improve but ignoring my resistance to learning. To look at the basics, which I never learned properly, at this point in my drumming history is an exercise in ego release. However, your energy and non-shaming approach help me surrender and take the information in. I look forward to getting a practice pad (my first one) and seeing what can happen with some focus. I'm 57 and have been playing all my adult life. It comes from my soul and is simple but my playing conveys my spirit and emotion but there are many times I just wish I could do a good kick double without feeling like I'm jumping off a cliff wondering if my chute will open. I will be checking out more of your video's, this is very very good. Thanks again! Jim
You have no idea how valueable this information is to me. Honestly. A lot of frustrations I've had has disappeared because of this one tutorial. THANK YOU!!!
I’ve been playing drums my entire life, and have always had a weak left hand. This video made me realize I need to relearn the basic technique and work that hand out from the ground up.
he is exactly right ... I spent years going through all of these rudiments and wondered why I could not play them fast .. even though I practiced them every day.. Was not until I started working on finger technique that I finally got that speed I was working towards. Very slow process but so worth it !
Man you are so Right! Ive been playin drums 16 years now and i started doing this 3 years ago and really change my sound and my drumming. You have to feel that your hand muscles are working out and when tired rest a couple minutes and right back on it! Great video man
Thanks so much for this channel! I am an elementary music teacher. I never studied percussion, but I play piano. Suddenly I have a student who wants to learn drums. I can’t get find anyone else to take on this responsibility so we are going to learn together, using a beginning band book and RUclips. Again, thank you so much! I would be lost without your channel.
This level of detail of hand mechanics is exactly what I have been looking for. I'd love to see even more on grip and finger motion during these simplest strokes. Thanks!
thank you Stephen. Yes even though I've been drumming for over 54 years, this technique is something I'm always working on which would also include my grip.
I think the point is that given how good the content is, you might expect the channel would have more subscriptions and views. I share that perspective.
Thank you so much for this video, it helped me a lot. I spent like around one whole week searching for the apt video that could help me figure out what in the world i was doing wrong that i was not even able to play double stroke rolls smoothly. This was the video that made me understand! Btw i love your channel
I remember reading an interview with some old-time drummer who had managed to talk Billy Gladstone (a drumming legend from the Thirties and Forties) into giving him a lesson. And it consisted, entirely, of what you're covering here: getting the most basic, fundamental techniques of stick control as absolutely perfect as possible.
I started taking drum lessons in 1981 and I worked hard on rudiments (superior degree in 1987 at one of the best drum schools in Paris) and you know what ? No teacher ever taught me proper hand technique ! I found out about Moller technique and how to use rebound 3 years ago thanks to RUclips and it competely changed my way of drumming. Playing loose and using rebound has got me to lightning speed level on singles, doubles, triplets and paradidles. Also same thing for foot technique. It's gotten real easy to play drums at fast tempos and my grooves are sooooooo much better so follow this guys advice and get back to basics, it'll change your drumming for life.
fully agree from my own experience. If those basics are in place,natural, smoothly then you might be surprised how quickly everything else on the kit gets to another level.
I've been playing for 30 years and this one tip just unlocked all my frustrations. Mind blown. By the way, only took lessons in middle school and high school. I have somehow made it through life without this technique. I'll start asap. Thank you
Good lesson. I'm 63 and a pretty basic drummer trying to improve but it's been really slow. I don't have a teacher but watch drumeo and other videos to try and improve. Progress has been really slow so I hope watching these videos and starting basics will help. Thanks.
Honestly this video has been a bit of a revelation for me. I've struggled for a long time to really improve my paradiddle speed, and now I see it's because I was trying to do it all via the wrist. The slow-mo video of the finger technique is so useful, as I've never been sure how to apply it properly As a sidenote, this video also helped me finish decorating my back bedroom. Weird huh? But my kit and practice pads have all been packed away while I decorate, but that's been dragging on for weeks. When I saw this video I had an overwhelming urge to practice again, and to do that I had to finally finish decorating :-) Thanks!
Master class Stephen ! Going on 6 months playing drums at my 56YO - child's dream come true - and your advise is amazingly appreciated it ! I wrote a bad review about starting with a practice pad....but how right on cue you were (but seeing my drum kit and playing with it still beats me just starting with a pad)
Love this advice especially the slow mo. I’m late to drumming (60) but loving it! I just want to be as good as I can and have fun in the process. Going to treat myself to a Carlsbro csd600 in January, can’t wait. Thanks once again, very much appreciated
I'm 46yrs young ☺ I decided I wanted to learn how to play the drums. I've look at a lot of videos and this is by far the best for beginners. Love the slow mo parts... great video. Subscribed ;)
Man I love you, I never really learned rudiments due to being self taught, this is the best video I have ever seen regarding playing doubles etc. Honestly I will be showing people this video. Love from Liverpool England 🤘
Beginner drummer here. I love practicing rudiments! So I avoided watching this video because I didn’t want to hear that I might be wasting my time. 😄 But what you’re saying is dead on. I’m still working on staying loose while increasing speed. Seems every time I try to go faster I tighten up. This video is wise and helpful. Thank you!
1. Develop your single strokes 2. Develop your double strokes (diddles) 3. Combine your developed single and double strokes to learn the paradiddle and all its inversions 4. Develop your flams If you follow this system you'll be able to play any of the rudiments well, as all of the rudiments are simply combinations of single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles (combinations of single and double strokes) and flams. And in my humble opinion, I've never considered a literal application of rudiments to the drumkit to be very musical. Rather, hearing an idea in your head and being able to replicate it on the kit is what's most important. The execution of the musical idea will naturally default to using some combination of rudiments. Great video BTW.
So true Stephen! I used to work on all the crazy rudiments and then realized I was wasting a lot of time trying to make the strokes even because hadn't perfected the basics. This is one of my favorite videos on your channel.👍
Yes, you are spot in this lesson... Well done... Rebounding loose and relaxed properly is really important and key to further development... I love the way you slow things down to show the technique in detail...
It's amazing that I come across this video today, because the main message here is exactly what my teacher covered in my lesson yesterday. He also told me to make sure I get the technique first and then work on speed, because going for speed in lieu of technique will slow my progress in the long term.
Best intro ever! Yeah I agree with you on this. I used to be ham-fisted and I'd knacker out easily, until I went to a drum show and actually watched what other drummers were doing. I paused everything and went back to basics. It paid off big time!
Some good points! This is why (almost) all rudiment books start with a single, then a double stroke. You need many hours alone or, better yet *shortcut* a good teacher to help you develop the hand technique to play those first 2 rudiments at maximum efficiency.
like the slow motion part...and so happy to find this tutorial...I'm a beginner and I needed a simple and effective vision of practice paradiddle on a drumpad.thank you so much
I am a guitarist, I have a music school in Canada. I’ve recently started playing the drums and truly enjoy the instrument, I have the book called stick control and have been trying to do some of the fancier stuff, but to be honest this video made me realize that it’s those basics that I should really focus on. Thanks for this video!
I think another good add to this might be to engage the whole arm. A lot of beginners and people with good rhythm who don’t necessarily play drums often engage only the wrist or rely solely on their fingers to produce volume which may result in minor injury such as tendinitis or worse carpal tunnel. Great vid, definitely a discussion worth having!
Using a metronome is also a key factor in advancing your playing. When I was young the only metronome available was the mechanical device, and I was told that it was a important part, but never bought one. I now realize this was a big reason for not advancing in my playing. Nowadays with electronic metronomes there is no excuse.
This video, among many others in this channel, is very helpful for begginer drummers. Many teachers and books don't focus on this true. Nice job Stephen. Keep bringing up what matters.
Rudiments are great...been at it 36 years I know a few but I play 15-20 but I couldn’t tell you their names..just get on your practice pad or kit and play your heart ❤️ it works for me..
100% agree mate! I think it's also worth mentioning, there are multiple techniques, and it's worth learning the theory of them all and then experimenting to find which one you feel most natural and comfortable playing! 🤘🏻
Damn. I just realized that I haven’t been there in so long that I almost forgot I ever was there. Literally almost typed out a snarky lil comment but then I remembered that before I was good at playing and incorporating rudiments dynamically I was here. Can’t forget that we were all beginners once, It’d be a mistake.
all of the most valuable drumming tips i've ever got was from your channel. i love how honest your content is. we sure had enough of all the crazy lick breakdowns and crazy affirmatives to learn fast and develop (quickly) speed and all that. the more non-glamourous the content, the better it is for me hahah. keep going, man!
Bingo! Ive been immersed in rudiments (Im a beginner) for serveral months and it has been a SlowGo until I finally sat down and thought about getting the basic sticking right before going back to rudiments. You are correct in that beginners need to have some correct mechanics before even trying to go to rudiments. This all makes sense. Thanks for this video lesson.
Glad I came across this video. I was just telling a friend how much I suck at playing and it's because I don't have the finger and stick control you're referring to! Back to practice I go! 😁
That slow motion action during double strokes was exactly what i was looking for. Thank you! I started practicing double strokes a few weeks ago and i feel your video and your tip on focusing and these hand technique aspects will save me from unneccessary frustration.
recently I’ve spent a large amount of my time watching rudiment related videos and I never can quite seem to understand or be able to accomplish those skills. I’m a complete noob when it comes to this form of practicing and I’m greatly appreciative to find this video to help me at that spot I’m at skill wise. And work to improve my technique from the basics instead of consistent frustration with the challenging rudiments. Thank you for the content you create! It truly provides hope that at 24 with almost no prior experience I can master the drums to the best of my ability, thank you!
I guess it's like starting to learn guitar without scales first? Maybe not? Stick control is important, holding the sticks correct. Learning the rudiments helped me progress a lot. Practice slow, then increase speed. If you can't play it slow you can't play it fast (correctly).
That's what I've been doing for a while. My left hand and wrist weren't so in sync with my right hand and wrist and I've been focusing my exercise and practice routine on these tips. And I can say it's improving quite nicely. Cheers from Brazil, Stephen!
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm one that learns best by detailed, practical examples. The tips on finger control as well as the slo-mo footage of the exercises really helped me in understanding and appreciating the importance of finger control. I feel my playing will vastly improve after viewing this video. Thumbs up!
The drum Corp community has this figured out way better than the drum set players. I learned to play from drum-corp esque resources and most exercises don't even focus on rudiments. It's more about building the fundamentals required to play them. People ask me how my hands are so solid and I literally just spent all my time playing eight on a hand and double beat and trying to perfect the motions.
the difference is in the goal, yesterday I went to see a gig and the drummer had horrible technique, but his groove was so great... no shade just pointing out that technique is not only not the goal but sometimes not even a prerequisite to the goal
Exactly, because drum corps are judged by results, and have a fixed deadline. With those two things in place, you'll select for the most efficient fundamentals
I've been playing, on & off, for 26 years (never really had a teacher). This stuff is so helpful because I've developed some bad habits in my techniques on how to perform different things. Thanks a lot!!!
Thanks Stephan...great segment! Coincidentally, I just watched (again) a RUclips put up by Ed Soph (North Texas State & instructor/mentor to Keith Carlock) about grip, technique and this very subject. It never hurts to get back to the basics. In fact, after watching the Ed Soph segment, I re-focused on the "rebound" technique, which had started to get away from me, and had astounding immediate results with improved speed, power, sound, finess, stamina and movement around the kit. I forgot how easy and how much fun playing can be when applying sound technique with rebound. Your segment here just reinforces that concept. ML
I started drumming when I was 16 and stopped when I was 19 or 20. I NEVER did rudiments, never practiced anything beyond trying to play songs, learned some fills and learned double bass, but I had horrible hand speed. Now that I'm 27 and getting back into drumming, I'm trying to learn properly instead of just banging on the drums until I get good at what I'm playing. Using a couple mousepads on a nightstand as a practice pad (honestly works better than a cheap pad, similar rebound to a real drum) has already granted me quicker hand speed than I've ever had. I've never even been able to come close to doing blast beats but now that I'm actually working on my speed/technique, I can see the ability to do those 8th/16th notes coming. Maybe part of it is becoming more mature and being willing to take the time to work up my skills but either way, glad to be back to drumming lol. Just cant jam the same on a guitar as I can on drums
I would point out that two of the flam rudiments (flam tap and flam paradiddle) are really great for this too. A flam tap is really just three on a hand. Flam paradiddles are four on a hand. So you get a great workout going over those slowly and, most importantly, staying relaxed and focusing on technique.
what an awesome video. the slow motion on the doubles totally shows ive been doing doubles my own way for forever and they never came easy. i instantly felt way more control and a stronger louder more controlled note hit on the second note when i tried this. i cant wait to learn ond get this in my left hand. im sure you just gave me the key to a doorway on the snare ive been looking for ages,,, mind blown,,,, solid
I am just beginning and I really want to learn the proper way to hold my sticks. This is harder than I thought - and this video has been super helpful. Thanks!!
Smooth rebounds in single strokes is something I’ve been trying to work on with my practice pad for a couple of months. I’m a middle aged newbie drummer and realised this something I needed to do but it helps to see Stephen do this in slow motion. I struggle with my left hand which is my non-dominant hand so exercises to help with control of that would be helpful as I find too loose a grip results in my stick bouncing up erratically and too firm gives little rebound.
I'm 44 and just started playing about a year ago. I'm in the opposite boat. I'm a righty drummer but my left hand is more dominant and more smooth at multiple hits. I'm wondering if switching back and forth from open to closed style will help with that. But yeah, this video has made me step back and look at my basics of basic technique.
Little clickbaity of a title but can't blame you for trying to get more views. Definitely good advice to make sure your technique is solid before grinding hundreds of hours of rudiment practice.
Not sure if its different but when it comes to marching band the basic 40 rudiments include doubles and singles. So he is saying to stop practicing rudiments and to practice these rudiments
You’ll know you’re technique is better when you can Consciously watch the label on your stick roll around. You can also move that rolling label closer or further away. Great vid.
You ideas presented are sound. They point toward Moeller. Jim Chapin gives provides an excellent treatment in his explanation of techniques to improve skills and develop smooth, clean sounding rudiments. Your capsule here is awesome. ThankYou
Excellent reminder for all drummers. I’m a gigging drummer in the Boston area. This advice is particularly pertinent to me. My band plays punk w most of the songs being in the 180 bpm range. Without loose and relaxed hands fatigue sets in quick and things go to shit. I’d love a video on keeping feet relaxed and controlled and points of contact of feet on pedals.
I think of the stick ,as one sorta throws the stick, into a slot. If the stick falls either to far left or right you feel it in your fingers as if it's not quite balanced causing a little bit of strain. When you do throw the stick down the middle it makes for a stroke that's free without any wasted effort and you both feel and hear what a solid yet easy stroke it is.
Stopping you at 4:59. Here I go: 1. Gravity is key to playing the drum, as is stick balance. 2. Allowing the stick to bounce back while just guiding it beginning with the fingers. 3. Developing/conditioning nerve sensors in tandem with muscle development ( muscle is a function of nerve sensor stimuli ). It's neuromuscular at its most basic level, but little or nothing without the musical genie🥁🎼🎼🎸🥁🎸🎶🌌
Thank you for this. I just started recently - and have been really frustrated with rudiments knowing SOMETHING was wrong with my technique but wasn't sure what. This has been very helpful =)
Conquer one-handed hihat 16ths at 80bpm in 5 simple lessons! Download my FREE guide, “The Secret to Hihat 16ths." the-non-glamorous-drummer-llc.ck.page/b2413eee87
Dude. Thanks so much!
Thanx from. Malaysia
Simple yet clearer
The link doesn’t work anymore. Loving your training videos btw 🙂
Where that link go? I needs it man.
As someone who has never even been around drummers, let alone taken classes, and thus has to pick up the technique on his own, those slow-motion close-ups are invaluable.
Yep, well said.
Exactly! It was interesting to see that he almost let go of the stick with his thumb and pointer finger as he caught the back of the stick with his other fingers..what to do with your damn fingers is something that I don’t see a lot of
I can’t believe that I actually understand what I have to do now. I’ve been looking for this slow mo for a few days because I thought the exact same thing you did. VERY resourceful. I can actually do doubles after just seeing how to push back with my 3 fingers.
Been looking for this video for a long time. Agreed, the slow motion was the key. My left (non dominant) hand doesn't have that natural bounce in it and was very wrist driven. Looking forward to sitting down and working on this for a while!
AGREE
I’m a self taught “drummer”... never bothered to learn rudiments, went straight into playing advanced stuff. Biggest mistake I’ve ever made. My skill set is all over the place. There is some basic stuff I struggle with and some advanced stuff I find easy. It really limits you. My right hand is so much faster than my left. PRACTICE YOUR RUDIMENTS
Thank you! I am exactly like you! Sometimes I feel so stupid that I am even struggling basic stuff
@@GojiraMaggot666 literally same lmao
Makes 3 of us. I been playing in a covers band for 10 years and can’t even to double strokes well. Right hand more advanced than left also. The slow mo is great in this video and I’m now working hard on my doubles.
@@bigdrummerboy777 practicing doubles with a metronome and just getting into that flow/trance state for an hour levelled up my left hand like crazy. Within a couple weeks I was comfortable adding subdivisions wherever during improv.
Yeah left hand is mostly like left foot in soccer game.. it sucks
200 million drum videos on RUclips and in 6 min this guy shows you what 99.9% of the drummers currently playing don’t know. Thank you for this video.
Absolutely applicable and I have been playing for 53 years.. Never too old to learn.. thank you.. love this channel :)
Agreed.
+Bill Bacon Amen Brother, AMEN!
Like a fine wine lol..
Thanks Bill. Im 54..I have played since I was 12 years old [42 years now] but stopped 2 years ago. And I wasnt sure if I could 'get back in the saddle'. I think Ill use this to get me back in shape ... Thats for the encouragement ! :)
Played 34 years ... last week re-discovered Rock after years of Jazz. Thanks Dream Theater ....
Too many drummers are obsessed with rudiments? Man....getting my students to practice rudiments was like pulling teeth. I wish I could find students who would put the time in on rudiments. Everyone wants to be Neil Peart in 2 weeks and they get bored with anything except playing songs.
To some extent, you learn proper technique WHILE learning rudiments. Technique developed because of how the rudiments need to be played. I do think it’s important to embed technical development in the musical devices that drove it. But I also agree that it’s important to make sure proper technique is being achieved before moving on.
This is definitely valid, I've tried to help many drummers but they don't wanna do anything but jam.
Joel Stucki I think this really depends on the stage of a student. This exercise is for students who really want to master the hands. For most of the normal students it is just to boring. That is okay, they want to have fun and play music.
I didn't start practicing drum rudiments until I saw Thomas Lang on drumeo. Dude can do anything hands or feet.
What got me going is left hand leading practice. The barrier to good rudiments and good drumming is getting your left hand (or right if you are lefty) up to the same caliber as the leading arm.
Paul Cavaciuti most drummers only know a few rudiments. That is what holds them back.
Same here!
Hi Stephen, I am a self taught drummer for past 2 years. This lesson was amazing. All I ever heard was wrist, wrist, wrist, and have never been shown finger control. Thank You so much. You have really changed my whole way of drumming!!!!
I love this video. I played doubles for 8 months and I couldn't realize why they were not coming out good. After going back and practicing fundamentals like moeller, rebound, finger control, hitting with the wrists, and playing with relaxed hands (in both left and right hands) I am much more confident in not just my ability to play a single stroke roll but playing anything on the drum set. Developing good technique is key for being able to play consistently and fluidly. Thanks Stephen! Wish I could have watched this video sooner but to be honest failing is all part of the learning process.
Friend, of the many videos I've watched on how to drum (very beginner here) yours is the one that offered the best instruction so far. All these other pros out there that claim to be great teachers are quick to show us all the fancy moves - when the majority of us can't even properly hold a stick. Your double stroke is such a fundamental, important lesson. Thanks for giving us the slow-mo of it. Couldn't have figured it out otherwise. Wish I had seen your video a while back, would have saved me a ton of frustration and I"d be further ahead by now. Thanks for this.
PS: really hard to get the left hand to keep up. It goes all over the place and I can hardly get the stick to rebound when moving it around the toms. Much practice ahead for me. But at least now I'm on the way to making real progress. Not to mention my hits sound so much better now. Many thanks.
I’m confused by a lot of these comments about rudiments being hand training. Rudiments are almost exclusively brain training, in my opinion. If you’ve ever worked through George Lawrence Stone’s “Stick Control,” you know that it’s not your hands holing you back from unfamiliar patterns of singles, doubles, and flams. It’s your mind that holds you back. In my experience, working through these roadblocks and wrapping your head around many combinations is what allows you to eventually have your musical brain lead your playing, rather than “muscle memory.” To be clear, I think this video is absolutely valid and proper technique is hugely important. Keep making more!
Day 2 practicing this and I am seeing and hearing improvement. This why I watch my unglam Drum Coach vids . THEY WORK !!
I'd say 2 biggest reasons for overemphasis on rudiments-in-isolation is they're "low bandwidth" for teachers ("did you do page 3 of Stick Control for this week?"), and they play into the "fast-hands-are-all-that's-important" mythology, sort of like people who only do bench and bis at the gym. Figuring out what actually works takes work. Great lesson!
Rudiments also help a lot with coming up with original fills and beats and stuff. 90% of drummers just play singles all over the kit. If you break up a paradiddle the possibilities are endless. I personally love the 5 stroke roll. I throw those in everywhere
Man, this is amazingly helpful. I still can't believe guys like this guy would be willing to spend time and energy and share knowledge like this for free to learning drummers like myself! He needs more subscribers!
I came here from a rudiments video getting increasingly frustrated, then saw your vid and watched it, made everything so much better! Thank you
As a drummer who's played thousands of hours for pay, then stopped playing for fifteen years and gotten really out of shape, I can attest to this 100%! You gotta have clean fundamentals or else the rest won't work out well. I'm getting back into getting my hands together, and this is golden advice.
Man, after playing for 30 years It has become massively apparent to me that I've been gripping those sticks way too tight and I've been hitting way too hard to even think about relaxation and controlled doubles.. this video and around 4 - 5 hours of practice of this relaxed grip technique is changing the way I play and has opened up the whole kit to me! I wish this had been rule number 2 taught to me all those years ago! Rule number 1 being how to hold the sticks. Bravo!
Thank you, I stopped playing for 20 years and just got back into it. This is exactly what I needed to see.
Dude you are the best teacher ever!!!! I've been playing for a while even semi-professionally and stopped for years - just started again and want to relearn everything and i'm LOVING your videos thank you!!
I really appreciate the slow mo. I've been trying to analyze my rebound and although I've watched many other videos no one has taken the effort to do slow mo.
Each minute we spend in front of the computer we`re not ''living'' it ''activelly''. Stephen makes the time spent watching him worth. Significant information, for our significant time, light, fun and always humble. Kudos
Self taught drummer returning to the craft after a 15 yr hiatus. I realise now how much I don't know. This channel is priceless. Thanks Stephen 🥁
I am 42 years old and about learn to play drum.I am so lucky to find this genius basic method.Warm regards from Indonesia to you.Thanx bro
You are exactly right! It works this way with everything in life. It's just like math...you have start with arithmetic, then move up to algebra and trigonometry before you can begin working on becoming good at advanced calculus. We should all think about our dumming skill progression the same way.
Great video!
Stephen, thank you. This kind of great, kind, practical instruction is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm self-taught and have played all my life without any instruction quietly wishing I could improve but ignoring my resistance to learning. To look at the basics, which I never learned properly, at this point in my drumming history is an exercise in ego release. However, your energy and non-shaming approach help me surrender and take the information in. I look forward to getting a practice pad (my first one) and seeing what can happen with some focus. I'm 57 and have been playing all my adult life. It comes from my soul and is simple but my playing conveys my spirit and emotion but there are many times I just wish I could do a good kick double without feeling like I'm jumping off a cliff wondering if my chute will open. I will be checking out more of your video's, this is very very good. Thanks again! Jim
Oh that ego, it refuses to let go. But just imagine how much more it can brag once you nail your basics! :)
yea but if I wanna become a jazz then I gotstsa practice my paradiddleparaparaparadiddleediddlediddlediddles
In reality though, ya gotta swing boi!
Chromatic Swing true that, set up the band
So you gotta practice your... RLRRLRLRLRLLRRLLRR's?
With drags
😂
You have no idea how valueable this information is to me. Honestly. A lot of frustrations I've had has disappeared because of this one tutorial.
THANK YOU!!!
I’ve been playing drums my entire life, and have always had a weak left hand. This video made me realize I need to relearn the basic technique and work that hand out from the ground up.
he is exactly right ... I spent years going through all of these rudiments and wondered why I could not play them fast .. even though I practiced them every day.. Was not until I started working on finger technique that I finally got that speed I was working towards. Very slow process but so worth it !
im 14 and im quite new to drumming so hearing that my rebound is good makes me glad :) thankx u!
Man you are so Right! Ive been playin drums 16 years now and i started doing this 3 years ago and really change my sound and my drumming. You have to feel that your hand muscles are working out and when tired rest a couple minutes and right back on it! Great video man
Thanks so much for this channel! I am an elementary music teacher. I never studied percussion, but I play piano. Suddenly I have a student who wants to learn drums. I can’t get find anyone else to take on this responsibility so we are going to learn together, using a beginning band book and RUclips. Again, thank you so much! I would be lost without your channel.
This level of detail of hand mechanics is exactly what I have been looking for. I'd love to see even more on grip and finger motion during these simplest strokes.
Thanks!
thank you Stephen. Yes even though I've been drumming for over 54 years, this technique is something I'm always working on which would also include my grip.
I've thought about this a lot when I've been practicing rudiments. This really confirmed and cleared a lot of stuff for me.
Great vid man, thanks
Just found you and your channel and loving it. I've been playing for 45 years, self taught, and starting all over with you as my guide!! Thank you!!
Most underrated drum related channel
Underrated by whom?
People who's ratings you respect?
I totally disagree.
This channel is rated perfectly!
Very non glamorous...and valuable.
pssss
Na, rdavidr is better.
I think the point is that given how good the content is, you might expect the channel would have more subscriptions and views. I share that perspective.
Thank you so much for this video, it helped me a lot. I spent like around one whole week searching for the apt video that could help me figure out what in the world i was doing wrong that i was not even able to play double stroke rolls smoothly. This was the video that made me understand! Btw i love your channel
I remember reading an interview with some old-time drummer who had managed to talk Billy Gladstone (a drumming legend from the Thirties and Forties) into giving him a lesson.
And it consisted, entirely, of what you're covering here: getting the most basic, fundamental techniques of stick control as absolutely perfect as possible.
I started taking drum lessons in 1981 and I worked hard on rudiments (superior degree in 1987 at one of the best drum schools in Paris) and you know what ? No teacher ever taught me proper hand technique !
I found out about Moller technique and how to use rebound 3 years ago thanks to RUclips and it competely changed my way of drumming. Playing loose and using rebound has got me to lightning speed level on singles, doubles, triplets and paradidles. Also same thing for foot technique.
It's gotten real easy to play drums at fast tempos and my grooves are sooooooo much better so follow this guys advice and get back to basics, it'll change your drumming for life.
Steven Tracy It’s all about free stroke technique as joe morello used to learn to a lot of top players
@@normandydrumstudios Yup, and it's George Lawrence STONE who taught Joe MORELLO with his "Stick Control" method published in 1935...
fully agree from my own experience. If those basics are in place,natural, smoothly then you might be surprised how quickly everything else on the kit gets to another level.
I've been playing for 30 years and this one tip just unlocked all my frustrations. Mind blown. By the way, only took lessons in middle school and high school. I have somehow made it through life without this technique. I'll start asap. Thank you
Good lesson. I'm 63 and a pretty basic drummer trying to improve but it's been really slow. I don't have a teacher but watch drumeo and other videos to try and improve. Progress has been really slow so I hope watching these videos and starting basics will help. Thanks.
Honestly this video has been a bit of a revelation for me. I've struggled for a long time to really improve my paradiddle speed, and now I see it's because I was trying to do it all via the wrist. The slow-mo video of the finger technique is so useful, as I've never been sure how to apply it properly
As a sidenote, this video also helped me finish decorating my back bedroom. Weird huh?
But my kit and practice pads have all been packed away while I decorate, but that's been dragging on for weeks.
When I saw this video I had an overwhelming urge to practice again, and to do that I had to finally finish decorating :-)
Thanks!
When the combination of looseness and hand control occurs - playing the drums and letting it flow becomes JOYOUS! Thank you for the slo-mo.
Master class Stephen ! Going on 6 months playing drums at my 56YO - child's dream come true - and your advise is amazingly appreciated it ! I wrote a bad review about starting with a practice pad....but how right on cue you were (but seeing my drum kit and playing with it still beats me just starting with a pad)
Love this advice especially the slow mo. I’m late to drumming (60) but loving it! I just want to be as good as I can and have fun in the process. Going to treat myself to a Carlsbro csd600 in January, can’t wait.
Thanks once again, very much appreciated
I'm 46yrs young ☺ I decided I wanted to learn how to play the drums. I've look at a lot of videos and this is by far the best for beginners. Love the slow mo parts... great video. Subscribed ;)
Man I love you, I never really learned rudiments due to being self taught, this is the best video I have ever seen regarding playing doubles etc. Honestly I will be showing people this video. Love from Liverpool England 🤘
Beginner drummer here. I love practicing rudiments! So I avoided watching this video because I didn’t want to hear that I might be wasting my time. 😄 But what you’re saying is dead on. I’m still working on staying loose while increasing speed. Seems every time I try to go faster I tighten up. This video is wise and helpful. Thank you!
1. Develop your single strokes 2. Develop your double strokes (diddles) 3. Combine your developed single and double strokes to learn the paradiddle and all its inversions 4. Develop your flams If you follow this system you'll be able to play any of the rudiments well, as all of the rudiments are simply combinations of single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles (combinations of single and double strokes) and flams. And in my humble opinion, I've never considered a literal application of rudiments to the drumkit to be very musical. Rather, hearing an idea in your head and being able to replicate it on the kit is what's most important. The execution of the musical idea will naturally default to using some combination of rudiments. Great video BTW.
Perfeito!!! Quando fica 10 anos sem tocar e compra uma batera, sentirá isso na hora.
So true Stephen! I used to work on all the crazy rudiments and then realized I was wasting a lot of time trying to make the strokes even because hadn't perfected the basics. This is one of my favorite videos on your channel.👍
Yes, you are spot in this lesson... Well done... Rebounding loose and relaxed properly is really important and key to further development... I love the way you slow things down to show the technique in detail...
It's amazing that I come across this video today, because the main message here is exactly what my teacher covered in my lesson yesterday.
He also told me to make sure I get the technique first and then work on speed, because going for speed in lieu of technique will slow my progress in the long term.
Thank you going through singles and doubles so fast because of the ease of them has made me struggle for 46 years,once again, thank you very much.
Best intro ever! Yeah I agree with you on this. I used to be ham-fisted and I'd knacker out easily, until I went to a drum show and actually watched what other drummers were doing. I paused everything and went back to basics. It paid off big time!
Hands down the most understanding channel on youtube. Love the way that the teqnique is broken down
Yes this channel is great! No fluff, just the stuff you need!
Some good points! This is why (almost) all rudiment books start with a single, then a double stroke. You need many hours alone or, better yet *shortcut* a good teacher to help you develop the hand technique to play those first 2 rudiments at maximum efficiency.
like the slow motion part...and so happy to find this tutorial...I'm a beginner and I needed a simple and effective vision of practice paradiddle on a drumpad.thank you so much
I am a guitarist, I have a music school in Canada. I’ve recently started playing the drums and truly enjoy the instrument, I have the book called stick control and have been trying to do some of the fancier stuff, but to be honest this video made me realize that it’s those basics that I should really focus on. Thanks for this video!
I think another good add to this might be to engage the whole arm. A lot of beginners and people with good rhythm who don’t necessarily play drums often engage only the wrist or rely solely on their fingers to produce volume which may result in minor injury such as tendinitis or worse carpal tunnel. Great vid, definitely a discussion worth having!
Using a metronome is also a key factor in advancing your playing. When I was young the only metronome available was the mechanical device, and I was told that it was a important part, but never bought one. I now realize this was a big reason for not advancing in my playing. Nowadays with electronic metronomes there is no excuse.
This video, among many others in this channel, is very helpful for begginer drummers. Many teachers and books don't focus on this true.
Nice job Stephen. Keep bringing up what matters.
Rudiments are great...been at it 36 years I know a few but I play 15-20 but I couldn’t tell you their names..just get on your practice pad or kit and play your heart ❤️ it works for me..
thanks man. slow motion really shows clearly how the technique works. subbed!
100% agree mate! I think it's also worth mentioning, there are multiple techniques, and it's worth learning the theory of them all and then experimenting to find which one you feel most natural and comfortable playing! 🤘🏻
Damn. I just realized that I haven’t been there in so long that I almost forgot I ever was there. Literally almost typed out a snarky lil comment but then I remembered that before I was good at playing and incorporating rudiments dynamically I was here. Can’t forget that we were all beginners once, It’d be a mistake.
This is very true. I was playing 6 stroke patterns with a weak left for 20 years!
The video footage is very much needed especially the slo-mo footage. Keep that coming and thank you for the efforts Stephen
all of the most valuable drumming tips i've ever got was from your channel. i love how honest your content is. we sure had enough of all the crazy lick breakdowns and crazy affirmatives to learn fast and develop (quickly) speed and all that.
the more non-glamourous the content, the better it is for me hahah. keep going, man!
Bingo! Ive been immersed in rudiments (Im a beginner) for serveral months and it has been a SlowGo until I finally sat down and thought about getting the basic sticking right before going back to rudiments. You are correct in that beginners need to have some correct mechanics before even trying to go to rudiments. This all makes sense. Thanks for this video lesson.
Glad I came across this video. I was just telling a friend how much I suck at playing and it's because I don't have the finger and stick control you're referring to! Back to practice I go! 😁
That slow motion action during double strokes was exactly what i was looking for. Thank you! I started practicing double strokes a few weeks ago and i feel your video and your tip on focusing and these hand technique aspects will save me from unneccessary frustration.
recently I’ve spent a large amount of my time watching rudiment related videos and I never can quite seem to understand or be able to accomplish those skills. I’m a complete noob when it comes to this form of practicing and I’m greatly appreciative to find this video to help me at that spot I’m at skill wise. And work to improve my technique from the basics instead of consistent frustration with the challenging rudiments. Thank you for the content you create! It truly provides hope that at 24 with almost no prior experience I can master the drums to the best of my ability, thank you!
I guess it's like starting to learn guitar without scales first? Maybe not? Stick control is important, holding the sticks correct. Learning the rudiments helped me progress a lot. Practice slow, then increase speed. If you can't play it slow you can't play it fast (correctly).
I'm 65 and I believe I've passed to quickly over those first two rudiments myself,so thanks for the information and the slow mo.
That's what I've been doing for a while. My left hand and wrist weren't so in sync with my right hand and wrist and I've been focusing my exercise and practice routine on these tips. And I can say it's improving quite nicely.
Cheers from Brazil, Stephen!
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm one that learns best by detailed, practical examples. The tips on finger control as well as the slo-mo footage of the exercises really helped me in understanding and appreciating the importance of finger control. I feel my playing will vastly improve after viewing this video. Thumbs up!
I might add that mirroring your weak hand with the dominant one it's an issue of its own
The drum Corp community has this figured out way better than the drum set players. I learned to play from drum-corp esque resources and most exercises don't even focus on rudiments. It's more about building the fundamentals required to play them. People ask me how my hands are so solid and I literally just spent all my time playing eight on a hand and double beat and trying to perfect the motions.
Ayyyyy
Agreed on learning fundamentals
I figured that eventually. Everythings made of of singles doubles flame etc so you can't do anything unless all combinations of these are accurate.
the difference is in the goal, yesterday I went to see a gig and the drummer had horrible technique, but his groove was so great... no shade just pointing out that technique is not only not the goal but sometimes not even a prerequisite to the goal
Exactly, because drum corps are judged by results, and have a fixed deadline. With those two things in place, you'll select for the most efficient fundamentals
I've been playing, on & off, for 26 years (never really had a teacher). This stuff is so helpful because I've developed some bad habits in my techniques on how to perform different things. Thanks a lot!!!
Thanks Stephan...great segment! Coincidentally, I just watched (again) a RUclips put up by Ed Soph (North Texas State & instructor/mentor to Keith Carlock) about grip, technique and this very subject. It never hurts to get back to the basics. In fact, after watching the Ed Soph segment, I re-focused on the "rebound" technique, which had started to get away from me, and had astounding immediate results with improved speed, power, sound, finess, stamina and movement around the kit. I forgot how easy and how much fun playing can be when applying sound technique with rebound. Your segment here just reinforces that concept. ML
the internet needs MUCH more videos like this.
I started drumming when I was 16 and stopped when I was 19 or 20. I NEVER did rudiments, never practiced anything beyond trying to play songs, learned some fills and learned double bass, but I had horrible hand speed. Now that I'm 27 and getting back into drumming, I'm trying to learn properly instead of just banging on the drums until I get good at what I'm playing. Using a couple mousepads on a nightstand as a practice pad (honestly works better than a cheap pad, similar rebound to a real drum) has already granted me quicker hand speed than I've ever had. I've never even been able to come close to doing blast beats but now that I'm actually working on my speed/technique, I can see the ability to do those 8th/16th notes coming. Maybe part of it is becoming more mature and being willing to take the time to work up my skills but either way, glad to be back to drumming lol. Just cant jam the same on a guitar as I can on drums
I would point out that two of the flam rudiments (flam tap and flam paradiddle) are really great for this too. A flam tap is really just three on a hand. Flam paradiddles are four on a hand. So you get a great workout going over those slowly and, most importantly, staying relaxed and focusing on technique.
what an awesome video. the slow motion on the doubles totally shows ive been doing doubles my own way for forever and they never came easy. i instantly felt way more control and a stronger louder more controlled note hit on the second note when i tried this. i cant wait to learn ond get this in my left hand. im sure you just gave me the key to a doorway on the snare ive been looking for ages,,, mind blown,,,, solid
I am just beginning and I really want to learn the proper way to hold my sticks. This is harder than I thought - and this video has been super helpful. Thanks!!
This, in combination with a rob brown, and Bruce Becker video shaped me more in one week than I had developed in years.
I think you're my favorite channel about drums now
Smooth rebounds in single strokes is something I’ve been trying to work on with my practice pad for a couple of months. I’m a middle aged newbie drummer and realised this something I needed to do but it helps to see Stephen do this in slow motion. I struggle with my left hand which is my non-dominant hand so exercises to help with control of that would be helpful as I find too loose a grip results in my stick bouncing up erratically and too firm gives little rebound.
I'm 44 and just started playing about a year ago. I'm in the opposite boat. I'm a righty drummer but my left hand is more dominant and more smooth at multiple hits. I'm wondering if switching back and forth from open to closed style will help with that. But yeah, this video has made me step back and look at my basics of basic technique.
Fantastic information. I see a lot of students who struggle with their stick control while trying to bite off more than they can chew. Great stuff!
Little clickbaity of a title but can't blame you for trying to get more views. Definitely good advice to make sure your technique is solid before grinding hundreds of hours of rudiment practice.
Yeah this video could have been 30 seconds long, though he is right.
Not sure if its different but when it comes to marching band the basic 40 rudiments include doubles and singles. So he is saying to stop practicing rudiments and to practice these rudiments
You’ll know you’re technique is better when you can Consciously watch the label on your stick roll around. You can also move that rolling label closer or further away. Great vid.
You ideas presented are sound. They point toward Moeller. Jim Chapin gives provides an excellent treatment in his explanation of techniques to improve skills and develop smooth, clean sounding rudiments. Your capsule here is awesome. ThankYou
Excellent reminder for all drummers. I’m a gigging drummer in the Boston area. This advice is particularly pertinent to me. My band plays punk w most of the songs being in the 180 bpm range. Without loose and relaxed hands fatigue sets in quick and things go to shit. I’d love a video on keeping feet relaxed and controlled and points of contact of feet on pedals.
If you're still around, check out Bruce Becker's video on bass drum pedal technique.
@@farshimelt
Cool. I will. Thanks!
I like your approach Stephen. You are not precisely kicking doors but you open them wide so we can see.
I think of the stick ,as one sorta throws the stick, into a slot. If the stick falls either to far left or right you feel it in your fingers as if it's not quite balanced causing a little bit of strain. When you do throw the stick down the middle it makes for a stroke that's free without any wasted effort and you both feel and hear what a solid yet easy stroke it is.
Stopping you at 4:59. Here I go: 1. Gravity is key to playing the drum, as is stick balance. 2. Allowing the stick to bounce back while just guiding it beginning with the fingers. 3. Developing/conditioning nerve sensors in tandem with muscle development ( muscle is a function of nerve sensor stimuli ).
It's neuromuscular at its most basic level, but little or nothing without the musical genie🥁🎼🎼🎸🥁🎸🎶🌌
Yeah u rite tho 100% Ive been playing for 10 years self taught, amazed how far I've come since putting a little bit of real work into honing my craft
Thank you for this. I just started recently - and have been really frustrated with rudiments knowing SOMETHING was wrong with my technique but wasn't sure what. This has been very helpful =)