Self-mixing is a good idea
Mixing drums involves the art of controlling your dynamics. You could call it ‘inter dynamics.’ Take a rhythm you know well. Play it now with the bass drum significantly louder than all the other limbs. Then, play it with the bass drum significantly quieter than all the other limbs. Mix and match various combinations of dynamics in the beat.
Some combinations are easy to learn: for example, if you play the snare on 2, 4, and 8, the groove feels even better. Great! Keep that in mind. Remember the feeling you get when you dig into the backbeat?
Play 2 and 4 as quietly as you can without altering any other dynamic on the instrument. Harder? Most likely, yes. This combination should feel as natural as 2 and 4 played loud. What kind of emotion does this evoke? You can also file that away.
Playing to a metronome is different from playing to a clicking
*Almost* all of my practice is done to a metronome, especially when recording an EP or song. I record the tempos I practice to revisit them at a slower or faster tempo if I find it more difficult (hint: sometimes slower tempos make things harder). This is another beast when you’re performing to a click (e.g., if the show you’re playing is synced with a metronome) or recording in a studio.
In both scenarios, focus on ‘burying’ the click. Burying the Click is less morbid than you might think. You are so in tune with the click that it is no longer audible. Install a metronome application. Most likely, it is set at 120 bpm. Clap along when it is on. Are your claps “flaming” with the metronome’s beeps and squeals? This would not work on a recording session or a concert with tracks.
Slow the metronome down to 100 bps. Is it harder or easier to bury the tempo at this speed? How about 60 bpm? Remember what I said earlier? The more you slow down, the harder it becomes. What’s the coolest thing? This is something you can do anywhere!
Do not believe the hype
What’s your favorite band or musician? Answer quickly and without thinking. What was your favorite music group 10 years ago? Are they the same? Most likely not. Your taste probably evolved. You may have changed your mind about the band you liked ten years ago. I don’t like or dislike based on anything other than the vibe that I get from listening to something.
The entire world loves Coldplay. Does it affect your opinion of Coldplay that everyone loves them? Do you dislike them less because of it? More? You should ask yourself if you’ve heard enough Coldplay to form a solid opinion.
What does it matter how many streams, subscribers, or TikTok followers a band has? Does this get you excited about music? Does it turn you off completely? You can learn a lot about your tastes by looking at these windows. These windows should be viewed as often as you can.
Remember: These are your windows. There are no Google SEO, YouTube algorithms, or Spotify playlists here. You and your reactions to the music you listen to.
Beware of Hero Worship
This is a continuation of #3. Love the one you love. All day. Forever. It’s okay, as long as you can tell. It’s okay to love drummers but not to imitate them. You should play the way you feel comfortable.
In high school, I took drum lessons with Joe Morello. He played the drums in Take five and many other songs. All he told me was gospel. I went to college, and every week went to battle defending his teachings.
Do not get me wrong, what I learned from Joe is invaluable and is an important part of who I am as a drummer today. Do I use everything exactly as he taught me? No. Has it been altered to suit my musical needs and allowed to change from day to day or year to year? Absolutely. Don’t get stuck reiterating what your idols preach. It is important to learn it. Learn to forget about it.
Play dynamically with everything you have
What does it mean? Do you play the hi-hat on one section of the song and then switch to the ride in another? Do you choose the bass drum pattern you use for each song section?
You are constantly faced with decisions requiring intention. Intention can and should be added to the dynamics of those decisions. What’s your dynamic intention when you change from the hi-hat to the ride? Soft to loud? Make it unmistakably loud. If a front-row concert fan shared an Uber ride home with a back-row fan, and they were recapping the show together, both would agree that it was awesome when you screamed during the chorus to the last song.
In almost any situation, you can exaggerate the dynamics. Loud section? Loud section? What is a soft section? It should be incredibly quiet. Dynamics are relative. You, as the drummer, determine this relationship. Set up what’s’soft’ versus what’s ‘loud,’ and then drive it home.
- Find what you enjoy and dive in!
Do you adore a particular recording? A musician? Can’t you stop listening to a certain drummer? Dig in! Transcribe. Try to reproduce that sound with your drum kit. Immerse yourself in it and lose yourself for a little while. Avoid distractions. Learn about learning
Music shouldn’t be Tinder. Practice should be a series of serious and long-term relationships. It’s not necessary to get married to every style that you learn. But you should gain an authentic understanding before moving on to the next.
Avoid wasting time on material that you dislike
You will be more employable if you learn more. You should learn as much as possible, regardless of your feelings, if that’s your goal.
If you can’t stand Ska, don’t force yourself to listen to the Skatalites. You may get a phone call saying, “Hey!” What is your Ska playing ability? You can reply with: “Are you available on X date?” I would love to play another song with you if the chance arises. You should call So-and-So for this gig.” People will respect your professionalism and know-how.