DRUMMER CAFE

I couldn't find a string that included the answer I felt I needed so added this.

Despite hours upon hours of practice w/o instruction, I've become so discouraged recently because I just don't feel like I'm improving at all anymore. I practice 3X-4X a week, and it's becoming more difficult to do so because of the lack of improvement. My goal is no different than everyone's here, but trying to actually see improvement in coordination, drum transition and improvisation is like pulling hen's teeth...it's pathetic! I've been trying various things to keep me interested, like working on specific rhythms and songs from Tool and Rush to develope better coordination, but practice doesn't seem to help even simple basics. I was hoping to see improvement...but sadly, it's been slow in coming.

If I could afford instruction, I would, that's why I thought there may be a recommended book or video(s) that you may have found helpful. My preference to music has always been to Rock and Alternative, but I wouldn't mind anything if it would help at this point. I have Beauford's and Neil Peart's DVD's (A Work in Progress is just amazing!), but to actually improve from these without direct lessons has also been slow in coming. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

No video or book is going to replace a knowledgeable teacher, period. It will take you much, much longer to get to where you want to be on your own. Do yourself a favor and save up some money and get yourself some lessons. Most teachers will work with you (money wise) if they see that you are really serious about learning but are short on cash.

Ok, I'm done preaching.

Check out Dave Weckl's "Back To Basics" and "The Next Step"

If you have $30 or $40 for a video or DVD, then you have $ for 2 or 3 lessons.  Find a well known and respected teacher in your area and go.  You will get more from that then a video you may only cop one small nugget of info from.  It is well worth the $. if for the immediate feedback you get.

Thanks for the replies so far; they've been great. I'll at least check in to how much an instructor would really cost. With green for only a lesson or three, I'm not sure if it would be worth my time investment or not (again, it's easy to make excuses). It won't hurt to look.

I'll look into the vids and the DVD's already mentioned as well...maybe I'm trying a bit too hard? After today's mindless practice, I've decided to take a break from the set altogether for 2 weeks and just head to the practice pad to work on speed and rudiment variations. Thanks for the help!

It seems like you tried this already but with no success.  I have found that picking out a song you like that is beyond your current capabilities and working it until you get it will help tremendously.

At first you'll be scratching your head, trying to figure out what in hell is the guy playing.  You just come as close as you can.  Then keep revising from there until you've got it exact.  By then you'll have learned a new ability that you previously didn't have.

It has worked well for me over the years.  Of course, this requires having a good ear and being able to determine where you are not exactly right and making the correction.

Also make a lot a small goals to reach drumming wise.  Pick some very specific things to improve on instead of a large area of playing.  In other words, work specifically on a shuffle beat if that's what you want to learn or instead of trying to get to playing 16ths at 180 BPM a first goal would be to play it at 140BPM and work your way up.