When I was younger and hated rock music my father kept on telling me, ” You have a good taste for music but remember that unless you understand rock music, the music you listen to will be just a nice combination of sounds and nothing more.”
I needed years to understand what he meant by his words which are now deeply rooted in my memory and which I will surely pass on to my children.
When it comes to rock drums most of the drummers will hardly ever share with you their secret. If you have two sticks and a pad to practice on, it still doesn’t mean that you will produce music. Remember that your main aim should be to play music through the instrument and not the instrument!
When you listen to such rock groups like Metallica, Coldplay and Nirvana you understand once again that without the perfect beat of the drummer something would be incomplete. Why? Because it is the drummer who creates the mood and vitality for the song.
Today there are many people who think that rock drumming has started to lose importance because there are no perfect drummers who could keep the rock drumming star shining. Now I tell them that they are not right!
The list of present day rock drummers includes such names like Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon), Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes), Phil Selway (Radiohead), Greg Alsop (Tokyo Police Club), Jeremy Hansom (Tapes n Tapes), Travis Barker (Blink-182) and so on. Each of them has his unique way of playing the drums but they have all come to agree on the following drum playing tips:
The main note in rock drumming is the eighth one. Almost all drum beats are concentrated on this basic beat.
Rock drumming is based on counting. You will have to be able to count to four but your counting must be based on time signatures. This is very important because if you don’t manage to do that, then it will be difficult for you to understand the art of rock drumming.
The way you hold the sticks may also act on the music, its production and reflection. There are two ways you can hold them to get the best sounds:
- Hold the sticks in your fist pointing your thumbs on the tips of the sticks you are playing with
- Hold the sticks as if you you would hold a pen
These are the basic things you should know about rock drums.
Rock drumming is not an easy thing. It may be much more complicated especially for those who consider it as such. But once you make up your mind to acquire or improve your drummer’s skills, you will need:
- Time
- Patience
- Much practice
- Experience
If you really feel like a rock drummer, then don’t give up playing drums even if you think you are a complete failure as a drummer. Remember that even a complete failure can turn into a winner!
And I want to add that in general rock music is the reflection of the words which you are not able to utter to others and sometimes even yourself. That is the reason why there is always great demand for this music and accordingly, spectacular rock drummers will always be born to keep rock music movin’ on!
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