I have actually thought about that, but again, I don't have the extra time.

It's funny, I was able to swing by the drum room today before picking up my grandson. I spent about 30 minutes there and things sorta fell back in place, I think I've got it out of my system. I'm going to go back to my four pc. kit, put coated Ambassadors on the toms and just start grooving with the occasional mad wailing.

I appreciate all the input, you guys are the best.

Clapping Happy2Clapping Happy2Clapping Happy2Clapping Happy2

I know how it feels. After over fifty years behind the kit, I can't do all the stuff I wish I could do. I can't execute blinding single stroke rolls, for instance. That's why I've accepted limitations with some regret (that I didn't practice more as kid) and just do what I do the best I can. My strength is playing time with a good feel and making each song work. I've found satisfaction in that. And it keeps me working. Playing great solos will not keep you in 98% of the bands out there...but you already know that.

Actually JR I didn't think his advise was offensive or mean, just sh*tty. Telling you to stay put and be limited is no way to to take a step forward. That's sh*tty advice.

Anyway, You already know how to play, I won't tell you how to play, but I will suggest what to do. I meant what I said,...Break the rules. Go outside your zone. You don't need drums to be a percussionist. That was Buddy's point on National TV to the audience. Lots of people absolutely love his solo's on a kit,...but stand in awe as he plays a fuicking awesome tea kettle, door knob, TV stand combo. That's why he can play as he invents, that kind of sh*t teaches you how to go from thought to playing it. You don't have time,...me neither, sticks are too big to carry around. Go eat Chinese one night and bring those sticks home.

Like I said in my first post, tec. drummers can't do it, they get mad, call you names and block you.

I might not know what it's called or how to write it down on paper and read it...but I can play it.

That's true, a great solo isn't what most bands are looking for in a drummer, this was all about just being able to do it. Most of the things I work on in the practice room I'd never do with a band.

I can actually do single stroke rolls pretty good, that's one of my strengths, it's doubles I have the most problems with so I'm going to start working with the practice pad more.

Being a self taught drummer, I missed out on learning all the rudiments correctly, when I look back I wish had joined the band in high school, but at the time I was more concerned with skipping school and having a good time. Unfortunately I hung out with the wrong crowd.

It's funny, I got bored with my practice pad and frustrated with rudiments and I stupidly put it away for awhile, but I just recently broke it out again to finally get my double stroke rolls down. I just leave it on my kitchen counter during the day and everytime I walk into the kitchen I would hit it for 2, 5, 10 minutes or whatever I could spare. I was determined to get it, and I did. It finally came to me, the grip and playing the rebound, and now I can do some very fast doubles both matched and traditional grip with ease! I honestly had almost given up on getting them. It was a breakthrough, and as I said earlier, live for the breakthroughs!

I guess my point is, you can always find time to hit the pad, and that is really where you can make your breakthroughs. You already know how to get around your kit because you've been playing for so long, so you'll easily be able to transfer what you do on the pad to your kit.

One more thing if I may, my teacher has taught me how to play more ergonomically, so I won't get so fatigued when playing. Knowing the rudiments is an important factor in playing more comfortably with less strain. I know you had a problem with fatigue so... That's something that I probably would not have figured out on my own.

Me and my old guitar player best friend hung out for a bit yesterday as he went in to city to take his wife to ohare

We set at my table just remembering and then we started to talk music and I pulled out that Hendrix experience book with guitar bass and drums transcription

And we were saying how I know this and can do this or that but it’s really a piece of work

I was saying my daughter said dad you don’t know much and she’s right as she a vocal performance major at cmu ( first time a freshman got a solo in the Xmas concert with the orchestra she did handles messiah rejoice )

But she reads from her music book like nothing ...

So the point I’m making as I and my friend agreed we are ear musicians mainly except for the bass player long time friend also he’s so literate it’s not funny but then again his brain

Is up there he has a photographic ear

And I agreed that there is a level I will never achieve

So bottom line without book smarts we get stuck in our drumming rut and as you grow old it’s harder and harder to break out

Go back to school is my advise I wish I would of stayed in school more I would of understood so much more

Gary

aka houndog

The thing that helped me the most, I feel, was rudiments.

I took everything else away and just concentrated on playing the rudiments.

I am with you on that, stick control absolutely is a must. But did you ever think to remove all your cymbals for a few days? I have done that and it gives you a whole new perspective behind the kit that makes your brain immediately go: What the???

You are forced to re-invent your approach. We often (at least i do) tend to go back to the same old routine which makes it a little redundant. It worked for me, made me a more melodic player.

Kind of like taking the steering wheel off the car and saying, "ok, let's take her for a drive!":eek:

I actually like the concept though. Can't fall into your routine so easy.