Drumming

Posted by Mordi on Feb. 16, 2012, 5:59 p.m.

I bought this drumset last year, around march.

Since then, I've been drumming by myself on it. Watched a lot of tutorials online at first. My technique is probably way off, but I don't really worry. It's just for fun anyway. I'll look into getting someone to teach me some time.

One of my favorite bands is Megadeth - particularly in their late eighties, early nineties era. Their Rust in Peace album has the best drums and some of the greatest riffs. My goal is to learn all the songs on the album on the drums. I can play about half of the songs on the album so far, although not perfectly of course.

I recorded myself playing two of the tunes and mixed it with the master-tracks of the guitars. They are both first takes, so it's a bit sloppy. I want to share it anyway.

Tornado of Souls

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4367505/Tornado%20of%20Souls%20Drum%20Cover%20%28Take%201%29.mp3

Rust in Peace… Polaris

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4367505/Rust%20in%20Peace%20Drum%20Cover%20%28Take%201%29.mp3

Comments

Quietus 12 years, 2 months ago

do you cross your arms when you play or play with your left hand on the snare? i play like the latter usually but i'm left-handed.

it's been about a year and a half now since we lost our drumkit due to my parents divorcing. maybe one day i'll have some money left over and i could get one of these. that would be epic ^_^

Toast 12 years, 2 months ago

When you do open-handed (left-handed) drumming the right hand plays the snare.

Unless you have your drums lefty-flipped AND your playing open-handed, meaning it was right-handed again. Which would be pretty fucked up.

Quietus 12 years, 2 months ago

oh nevermind, we always had the snare on the left side. =P

Mordi 12 years, 2 months ago

I'm right handed, so I cross my arms when I play.

firestormx 12 years, 2 months ago

Your playing sounds really good too. Like you said, it's kind of sloppy, but it's definitely acceptable if you were playing it live or something. Screw your one year of drumming being better than my three years. >_>

Also, nice set. Did you buy the X version, with the mesh heads like in the pic?

I've got almost the same set, except I wasted more money on mine (I got a TD9 drum brain).

And what kind of pedals did you get? =D

I've got a set of Iron Cobras, and I love them so much.

Have you taken any lessons or anything? Good technique is something that you could pick up from videos, but it's REALLY good to have someone that can actually give you feedback on what you're doing, as well as how you play certain things. I've owned both acoustic and electric drums, and the electric kit sounds amazing. Every hit sounds perfect. With an acoustic set, you really have to focus more on your technique. It's not just about being able to have good control, it's also about making it sound good. And if you do all your learning on an electric kit with no human feedback, you're just going to assume that everything you play sounds good.

With an acoustic set, you would want someone to suggest "yeah, play French grip on the bell so you can do fast and intricate stuff, but when you hit the crash, use German grip to hit it harder, and flick it with your write more"…Or "it doesn't look like you're putting enough power into each kick stroke. Use your ankle a little bit more to lift your foot a little higher, and maybe try tighten the springs a little, so the beater can move back further for each strike", etc.

Instruments like drums are something that I think everyone should begin learning with a human…Even if it's just you and your buddies playing in your garage or something…Just something to give you feedback. Ideally it should be an actual drum teacher, who can help you with actual technique though.

Videos and books should be something supplementary.

…And that was my ramble about teachers.

Good job with the songs though. You nailed those fills-that-are-more-than-just-16th-note-rolls, and your more-than-four-bass-pedal-strokes were even and smooth. =)

leemcd56 12 years, 2 months ago

In my opinion it's much easier to play anything on set in matched grip. If you're a "violent" player using a lot of arm and exhausting your chops then odds are you're sticks are going to fly across the room. It's a good idea to get lessons because there's a lot you can learn from the masters. Unless you learned to play marching percussion first, it's a good idea to learn your 40 BASIC rudiments (which help greatly with control, single/double/triple strokes, flams, buzzes, and diddles). Also, use more wrist than arm to save energy and get more sound out of the set. This isn't directed towards you, Mordi, or fsx, but other set players in general. :P

Mordi 12 years, 2 months ago

Two decent comments right there.

fsx: I think having someone tutor is hugely beneficial as well. I'm not sure what pedals I have. I think they are cobras, but I'm not sure. I'll edit this comment later with a proper answer.

leemcd: This is something I've developed an understanding of lately. I try to use my wrists more than anything whenever I am hitting anything, really. Especially when it comes to the hihat this is important. Ride too.

firestormx 12 years, 2 months ago

Mmm, cobras. <3

I use my wrist for power, only. Otherwise, it's all about mah fingahs. (and a touch or wrist)

Kamira 12 years, 2 months ago

I wish I had a drumset.