I always find it interesting to hear great players talk about their influences. One of my all-time favourite drummers is the late Jeff Porcaro. Jeff was a session player of note but to the average punter, he was best remembered as being the drummer for the band Toto. In the following video clip, Jeff talks [...]
Mark
Speed and Endurance for Drummers.
Speed and Endurance for drummers is critical to good playing. Here is a short, basic practice routine you can use to improve your hand speed and endurance. In it’s shortest form it only takes about 18 minutes making it a great routine to use when you are short of time or as a warm up to [...]
The Benefits Of Reading Music
Anyone learning an instrument eventually asks themselves the question “should I learn to read music?” Sure, I know there are arguments either way but deep down I believe that most musicians would benefit by being able to read music if only just a little. It is certainly not essential as there are many fine players [...]
Playing To A Click Track Is Hard!
I got a call one day to come in and help with a recording. A friend of mine was recording an album and he was happy with the drum part he was getting. He started off with a drum machine for the basic feel and recorded some guide guitar and vocal parts. The drum machine [...]
Variety is the spice of life
One of the best tips I can give you on being a great musician is to vary what you practice to include stuff you wouldn’t normally play. Let’s face it, we all have our favourite music style or band to listen to and a lot of us tend to drag the same old stuff out each [...]
5 Sight Reading Tips
I have been asked many times, by many people, “How do I improve my sight reading skills?”. There are many circumstances where you may be called upon to play a piece of music that you do not know, straight from the sheet music. It could be a rehearsal for a new band, filling in for [...]
Auditioning for a band
I auditioned a while back for a local jazz band. As always it was a very interesting night. You get to meet new people, learn new music and try to make a good impression all at the same time. Auditioning for a band or show is, or should be, a fun experience and one where [...]
Don’t stop when you get it right.
At what point would you say that you “knew” a piece of music or an exercise? Unfortunately for most students it is when they have played it correctly…once. I used to hear it a lot. “I already know this, can’t we go on to something new?” It is frustrating because most times you know that [...]
Play on your Strengths
There is an old sporting saying that applies very well to music. Play on your strengths, train on your weaknesses. Put simply it means that a performance is not the time to try out your new stuff. One of the greatest assets you can have as a performer is confidence. Confidence comes from knowing “your [...]
Cymbal care. 5 ways to look after your cymbals
Good cymbals can be very expensive so it is really important to give them the care they need to last a long time. Here are 5 tips to help you look after your cymbals. Get a bag or preferably a hard shell case. Most instruments that get damaged do so while being transported. Having a [...]