Sometimes with work, and all the other shit in life I find myself lacking the motivation to really want to be better you know? I get on here and read alot and that helps, but you ever find yourself stuck in a rut? What do you guys do to pull out of it?








_________________
Life is too short to not make music.

I listen to new music. It's also alright to put the sticks down for a little while. Sometimes a few days, weeks, or even months off will re-energize you.








_________________

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

SGarrett wrote:

I listen to new music. It's also alright to put the sticks down for a little while. Sometimes a few days, weeks, or even months off will re-energize you.

that is VERY true. I always thought like ya know "duude, i gotta practice for 8 hours a day to get amazing!!" its actually weird, i took about a few weeks off then got on the drumset and when i started to just play certain things, it was like i got better from just resting.








_________________
\m/ \m/

With anything, rest is important. Why shouldn't that also apply to playing the drums? I mean, if you study for eight hours a day non stop, you're going to get burned out quick. Sometimes you do need to rest and give your mind a break. Give it some time to process the stuff you're working on. I've had a similar experience putting down the sticks for a few days and then when I sat down to play again, it felt so much better and I felt I was much more on top of things. Nothing wrong with taking a rest for a bit. It's what you'd do with anything else if you get burnt out, right? There ya go. Take a rest, and I hope you'll pull out of the rut soon! Later!








_________________


I'm part of the brotherhood of like-minded individuals who like to bang on things.

cableman26 wrote:

Sometimes with work, and all the other shit in life I find myself lacking the motivation to really want to be better you know? I get on here and read alot and that helps, but you ever find yourself stuck in a rut? What do you guys do to pull out of it?

Hey man, just ask yourself why you play drums in the first place. We all get stuck in ruts from time to time. You should try doing a pattern that you've never done before. Obsess about it for a while until you have it clean. Once you are getting tired of it, go to something else, then come back to it. You'll find that you'll be adding much to your drumming repertoire.








_________________
Rata-tata-zzzzzzz......Drums Always!

www.youtube.com/robthedrummer

Everyone runs into "ruts" and you never know just how long it's going to take to "get back on the horse." One thing that I do which helps me both as a music fan and a drummer is make sure that I have a short list of artists/genres that I'm actively listening to. Basically I'll choose an artist and tell myself "ok...this month I'm listening to ELO", or "ok...this month I'm listening to traditional West African rhythms...maybe some Fela Kuti." It's not that this is ALL I'm listening to, but when I get in my car, or turn on the ipod I know that I've got a list of "homework."

Once you feel that you've gotten a grasp on what the artist/genre has to offer and what you like/dislike about it you move on to a new artist/genre. I find that this cuts all the "geez....what do I want to listen to..." out and it also allows me to not resort to the same album I've been listening to everyday (the ol' standby).

Just a thought...
Kyle








_________________
“PROGRESSION: Music Software for Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, AND Drums”

ive been feeling burnt out for about a month now but with 4 bands i cant exactly stop for a week or so and recover.

1. im still learning songs to memory
2. im playing shows weekly
3. I CANT NOT DRUM FOR MORE THAN A DAY!!! haha

then again i would love a little break. maybe a couple days but i dont know. when i came back from my week vacation in Canada my feet were remarkably slower.








_________________

this may seem hateful but maybe someone can relate to it anyway, basically i practise an hour or so a day maybe more, but one time i saw this emo dick who was almost faster than me, and i was like, shit better get my self in gear, also people like travis barker and the avenged sevenfold drummer, i just feel the need to get better from that, advancement feulled by hate, not bad eh?








_________________
Z custom "15 hats, "18 and "19 medium crashes, "21 inch mega bell ride, tama rockstar fusion sizes, tama 14x8" brass snare

its only natural, i watch other drummers play n then try n copy wot i see, usually i end up playin sumthin thats new. so i do that








_________________
Pearl Hardware. Zildjian Cymbals. Vic Firth 7A Sticks. Remo Pintripes/Weatherking Heads

i get plenty of rest cause i cant play every single day due to my sister always studying for collage(damn woman)
but when i get on my kit and play Veil Of Maya i fell that its almost to easy haha.








_________________
Colten
4 piece Risen kit
dw hardware
zildjian and sabian cymbals

mmm i think taking a small break soothes the mind.
when i get to the point where i feel stuck, i take a few days off (if i can) and it makes me so hungry for beating them skins...
the "calling" u will get after a few days off will shake the rut right off u.

another great way to get out of a rut is to let someone play on ur drums.
i dont know if its just me, but when i hear or see someone playing my kit i get so motivated. u just listen from the outside for a change, and it makes u wish u were inside, beating and banging

keep experementing!








_________________
Jah Bless

Yeah I understand, I feal often the same way...My wrist get tired and plays sketchy and I loose inspiration, that means for me it is time to get into more methodic work, and follow basic lessons, just doing the little lessons from buddy rich I was doing as a kid on a pad. And mostly just going away from home and listen to music, claissical you with but also without drum. New stuff I haven't heard search new bands and stuff, going into indie clubs in Montreal is a big help; Or at la place des arts, etc. the best friend's the ipod too . Going away from the drum kit take a lil trip and listen to music on the ipod is the best, you can't wait to get back on the set and then you just burn like never before; your momentum is rejuvinated!

peace








_________________
Slingerland early 70's Black - Niles, Illinois
1 tom on snare stand, 2 floors, 24" bass
Ludwig Supra-phonic black beauty brass on brass 6,5"x14"
evans head, ludwig hardware
Paiste cymbales

I have a huge desire to play again. I play for at least two hours a night. Im lucky to have a place where after 6:00 P.M., I can play 'till six the next morning if I want. Longest I went was 'till 10:00. It's so nice to be able to just go and play my heart out. I'm also lucky to not have any kids at the present. So, I have all the time in the world. And, I use it like it's the last day I'll be here. The desire to play is what motivates me. And, playing the drums...well there is nothing else in this world like it.

I know what u mean, Here's a good way, if u have a old set that is smaller, get on it and try to play the stuff u play on ur normal set, it really makes u feel and also u make improvements, it motivates me outa a rut by letting me feel more than know that it's not the set giving me the ability! Also, play infront of people, it motivates greatly, but one main thing that helps me outa my ruts is I look at it like this, If u love drums and say if a reason y u r in a rut is because u wanna be as amazing as ur idols if u r not there yet, drums are a lifetime of exploration, time and patience is perfectly fine having while playing or being a drummer/percussionist, Neil Peart didn't get where he is today by just starting there, he built up exactly how we do or will, buy his Anotomy of a drum solo dvd, it is really inspireing, he like any drummer should, he lets u know that u can become and get where he is, but u gotta have the patience and wanting, but people help but u make ur dreams and what u wanna accomplish come true, it's all in u! Time is everything! Also switch around ur set, experiment!

awsome tips guys. glad to see i'm not the only one.








_________________
Life is too short to not make music.