Drummers are serious goals setters. They aim to exceed the old landmarks, while reaching to achieve new. They must continuously evaluate and re-evaluate their abilities to play and strive to surpass themselves. They push the limits of what they can do and what can do on the instrument. If you want to become a serious player, then use the following steps to route your road to excellence:
Step 1: Identify your target a specific, measurable with a deadline.
More accurate than you are with your goals, the more effective they become. For example, "I want to play strokes Clean Double 200bpm on 1 June 2010" is an objective specific and measurable. In comparison, "I want to play fast" is worthless because it is not specific and it is not measurable. If there no deadline, you will need to make excuses, procrastinate and fail to achieve your goals.
Step 2: Assess your starting point.
You should have a clear idea of where you are and what might be limiting your progress. For example, if you are only able to practice for 1 hour a week, so do not expect to get much better. If you can not do a double stroke roll at all so do not expect the play to 200bpm by the end of next week. Sitting with a metronome and speed tests and control your rolls, beats and fills me give you some comeback information and let you know where you are and how you have to go.
Step 3: What do you do?
Make a list of things you must do to achieve your goal. Then make another list of what to do to achieve this goal. No target is laudable never reached without some kind of sacrifice. You have to stop May your sport to free time to play drums, you may have to spend less time to party or eat a better diet to give you the energy to play longer. These things all play a role in your success.
Step 4: Determine the action points that support step 3
Your actions determine what you do to make a list of things you do. For example:
I practice for two hours every night.
I read books and drum Study video clips on my lunch breaks.
I study an hour each week with my drum teacher.
I attend a drum clinic each year.
Step 5: Make a list of milestones with deadlines.
You must be able to measured again on a frequent basis to see if you're on the right track. This will ensure that you are now on course. If you need to change plans that do not for you, then your intermediate objectives will ensure that you do not go too far in the wrong direction. Feel free to make changes as often as necessary that help you achieve your goals.
Step 6: Keep a detailed training and dietary log.
You should take a travelogue detail of your daily routine practice and concerts you do. A well-kept journal practice you will monitor and evaluate how have you been discipline and efficiency of your schedule really is. Honesty is important because if you lie to yourself or inflate your scores you deceive yourself and regret in the future.
About The Author
Chris Peacock began playing drums at the age of 12. He received a scholarship to Berklee College Of Music and studied at LA Music Academy under the guidance of Ralph Humphrey and Joe Porcaro. He has performed in the UK, US and Japan.
His book, The Psychology Of Drumming features interviews with 20 drumming legends including Jojo Mayer, Steve Smith and Kenny Aronoff. You can download a free copy of the eBook by clicking here.
Minnie video clip Metronome Heart
