So, I have been playing the drums for about three or four months now. I love playing and I play (my tama imperialstar) at least 30 minutes a day...but even still I sometime feel like I really have hit a wall and haven't really progressed. I am struggling to learn Fall Out Boy's song Dance Dance... I know not to expect immediate results...but I just suck...what can I do?

Alright mate, I've only been drumming for about four months too, I'm probably a bit better because I practise more than you do, I try to squeeze in an hour a day at least. I think it's important to get a practise pad so you can do your rudiments when you can't get on the full kit, just gives you a good feel for timing and makes hand movements become second nature.

Careful not to learn too much too soon, I have a tendency to do that but have been quite strict with myself the last couple of months, concentrating on a handful of skills, but don't keep it too basic either.

There came a point for me where it all clicked, and over a couple of days I went from being pretty inept to being able to keep a beat and not only that, but become creative myself and make up my own stuff. I think you should try to practice a bit more if you can.

Start easy dude. While Fall Out Boy aren't exactly Rush that song Dance, Dance, has a pretty complex intro groove for a beginner. Baby steps, you won't play any song you want to begin with. Pop in some AC/DC or something of that nature first if you try to play something to complex you'll get pissed and end up just quitting. There's an old saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."








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Do what I did. I bought a book on how to play. I mean, I have been playing for 19 years...I still buy books that guide me and show me grooves, rhythms (spl) and rudimental excercises.
A really good book that is basic and simple and comes with a CD-

http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Bay-Fusion-Drum-Syles/dp/0786633131/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209975070&sr=8-16

It may be "fusion" but I have lerned soooo many awesome grooves from this book. There are over 300 1 bar excersises to work on and plus its EASY! They are not overly complicated...there is even a great section on cymbal patterns to go with your beats. Dont get down on yourself because you cant learn a song by CD. thats the best way to develop a "I suck" attitude". I know, I still do it now and then...it frustrates the hell out of me, and for the most part I know what Im doing...but its impossible to be "that drummer" and to know what "they" are going to do...AC/DC is great beginer listening! +1 on that. Fall out Boy? Learn what you can, but dont be disappointed...your on your track, not theirs!
Happy book hunting!








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Han Solo: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?

Luke Skywalker: What a piece of junk!

Han Solo: She'll make point five past lightspeed.

Chewy: Word

I agree with the above. I started out with Audioslave, was pretty awesome and fun!

About three months ago I felt the same way you do (I've been playing half a year now). I decided that I need to slow down a bit, I almost quit using my toms completely, focusing only on filling between my hihat, snare and ride (which I still do and love each time I do it). Then I started practicing stuff like doing triplets like RLK (right, left, kick), and similar stuff. Now I'm playing around with 16th notes using RRLK. Also, I've played around a lot with paradiddles just for the fun of it, and I try to use double strokes a lot.

Somewhere in there I climbed over that wall and started feeling that I'm learning something each time I start banging. I hope you do soon too, it's awesome!

eml wrote:

Also, I've played around a lot with paradiddles just for the fun of it, and I try to use double strokes a lot.

Paradiddles are the bomb! RLRR LRLL on the set sounds amazing! ( right hand cymbal and left hand on the snare. Bass? Where you can find the groove!)








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Han Solo: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?

Luke Skywalker: What a piece of junk!

Han Solo: She'll make point five past lightspeed.

Chewy: Word

Keep practicing, keep pushing, DON'T give up!

When you hit a wall it's usually a sign that you're about to break through to a new level in your playing. There's always a wall, no matter how good you might be. But if you turn away now and ease off, you'll just hit that wall again at a later date. Break it now, you have it in you!

Make sure you spend that 30 mins working on things you can't already do, as that is the most time efficient way to improve your playing.

It's definitely worth getting some one to one instruction and really working on the basics. You'll find if you get them down playing songs becomes less a case of sitting there and working them out and more a case of listening and then repeating, as easily as singing along to the lyrics.

Good luck blowing that wall up!








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RobCrisp.co.uk

Being overly ambitious will just lead to unnecessary frustration. Dial your sights back and learn how to play your drums, not just your favorite songs.








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

"stick control for the snare drummer" by george lawrence stone.

the best drum book there is...

oh yeah, and I love paradiddles. my fav rudiment.








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www.youtube.com/Manzo27

Manzo wrote:

"stick control for the snare drummer" by george lawrence stone.

the best drum book there is...

oh yeah, and I love paradiddles. my fav rudiment.

You can spend a friggin' lifetime with that book alone. There's so much in there, and so much one can do with it, it's crazy.

Homki890








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Try Coldplay - Yellow.

Thats the fisrt song i did, good begginers song that.








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Mapex
Sabian AAX
Vic Firth

Homki890 wrote:

Manzo wrote:

"stick control for the snare drummer" by george lawrence stone.

the best drum book there is...

oh yeah, and I love paradiddles. my fav rudiment.

You can spend a friggin' lifetime with that book alone. There's so much in there, and so much one can do with it, it's crazy.

Homki890

speaking of paradiddles, that book will take your understanding to a whole new level. Who says a paradiddle always has to start on the same note?








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www.myspace.com/alanselectronicmuse

Alan_ wrote:

speaking of paradiddles, that book will take your understanding to a whole new level. Who says a paradiddle always has to start on the same note?

YEAH!!!! My Marine Drummer buddy taught me the paradiddle shift!!! Moving the accent through the paradiddle itself...so cool. I never do exercises like that... should do more of them!








_________________
Han Solo: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?

Luke Skywalker: What a piece of junk!

Han Solo: She'll make point five past lightspeed.

Chewy: Word

I'm looking for a good place to buy that book from (I live in Finland, Europe that is). Buying from thomann.de and paying 20 euros for just the shipment of the book seems kind of lame.

Vanden wrote:

Try Coldplay - Yellow.

Thats the fisrt song i did, good begginers song that.

Coldplay is my favotrite band ever!








_________________
Han Solo: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?

Luke Skywalker: What a piece of junk!

Han Solo: She'll make point five past lightspeed.

Chewy: Word