i use vic firth 5b wood tip - been playing 20+ yrs.

people say i hit pretty hard too and i break a stick every handful of shows. but i also audition every set of sticks at the store before purchasing, if you go through them you'll find some pairs are extremely light, and others really heavy - all in the same 5b wood tip bin. if you get the lighter pairs they will break much quicker than the heavier ones) i pull out every pair and audition them and pick the heaviest matched pairs - but that's just my preference.

other great heavy hitters use smaller sticks (shane from call me lighting for ex) but i need the mass to get behind the hits.

but who cares if you're playing electronic, you're not trying to power though the band.

my .02

My mom bought me a shitty first act drum set a few years ago. I could play it right away from knowing what each part sounded like from band class and by listening to pop punk albums through out most of middle school. Its destroyed now and I really want a new better set.

Rotten Tanx wrote:I guess I just wanna know what you guys do to practice and how do you keep up the interest?

Mr Tanx,

I've recently re-started drumming (not that I was ever much good) and find (to my delight) that my playing has quickly become fairly serviceable.

I've been trying to build some reasonable technique up rather than diving in and attempting a Bonham, and have discovered some really excellent drum tutorials on YouTube.

This guy has some very good ideas to work on, including odd time signatures and stuff. Lots of other decent tutors on YouTube too.

Switching from 5B's to 5A's was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I find them more comfortable. Sometimes I'll start out a rehearsal with the 5B's and then switch mid-way to the 5A's...like you would take practice swings with a weighted bat in baseball. I like the more expensive Vic Firth 5A's, but I also use the economical Vater 5A's simply because they're cheaper. However, they do break more often.

Never, ever use nylon tipped sticks. They sound like shite IMO and they'll mess up your heads.

You should definitely break some sticks. It's cool. Breaking sticks live is no problem as long as you've got a couple of extra in a handy spot: i.e: on top of the kick. I find that they're easier to grab there than trying to pull them from a stick bag.

Also, to the person who said to hit the cymbals softly: If you're hitting the drums hard in a rock situation, it's really difficult to not hit the cymbals hard. You may be better served to come up with a "glancing blow" type move, than to pull back on your strike of the cymbal. If your main concern is extending the life of your cymbals, you might be better off replacing them with some old crappy ones for rehearsals and break out the good ones for recording/shows etc.

Alberto the Frog wrote:
This guy has some very good ideas to work on, including odd time signatures and stuff. Lots of other decent tutors on YouTube too.

Thank you sir, I have enjoyed this guy's lessons a lot.

I'm sure I'll have forgotten them by the time I get home to my drums though.

If you haven't already may I recommend playing along to "The Rambler Song". At least three times a day.

Rotten Tanx wrote:If you haven't already may I recommend playing along to "The Rambler Song". At least three times a day.

Six weeks on and I still play this song at least three times a day. Infact I have my own little Shellac set list.

Rambler Song
Billiard Player Song
Elephant
Squirrel Song
Canaveral
The Admiral
Song of the Minerals
My Black Ass
Dog and Pony Show
The Idea of North
Il Porno Star (not accurately)


For about half an hour once or twice a day I am a subpar Todd Trainer!


I even started using tradition grip, for a laugh. It goes well with Gene Pitney and early Tom Waits songs.


Come on you dastards, talk about drumming!

All you need to know:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hdfsnz909A8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiPdC9WiE1w&NR=1

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fZ_odr5kO6Y&feature=related

Good luck.

B_M_L wrote:I wish I knew an enthusiastic drummist in London...

I hear this a lot.

I'd get a visa if I could, but how's that gonna look on the application?

"Plays drums. Fancies London. Right, then?"

I can't believe that this is the first thing I have posted on this thread.

Here's my suggestion, Tanx:

I grew up in a town with no musicians. It was South Georgia shithole DEE-luxe. I played along to records while wearing headphones for about, oh, six years.

I finally found other musicians to play with once I moved away, but it is important to mention that there was nothing else at all to do. Nothing.

So. First, don't fix the tv. Keep learning to play to new music. Also, think about different styles- there's some interesting cross-pollination that can happen between something like, say, Graham Parsons and the Velvet Underground.

And yes, find other music obsessives. and PLAY.

Maybe get a show at some point. Playing in front of your friends is a great incentive to keep practicing. If you're good, they'll tell you.

If you're not good.... well, they'll tell you.

good luck.

we are having a hard time finding a drummer, that's all I know

bomberz1qr20 wrote:All you need to know:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hdfsnz909A8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiPdC9WiE1w&NR=1

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fZ_odr5kO6Y&feature=related

Good luck.

This bloke is fuckin hilarious, in a world of his own but very good.


However I agree with:

Alberto the Frog wrote:This guy has some very good ideas to work on, including odd time signatures and stuff.

Find something simple with a good groove and practise the shit out of it, there is quite a lot on youtube.

Good luck.