Education
Here you will find many helpful resources to begin drumming, or expand on what you already know. Drumming is a very individual thing - no two drummers are alike. The more you know, the more enjoyable drumming can be. See what's for you, and drum on!
Products to help your drumming
Mike Michalkow's "Drumming System" - A complete drumming instructional course, for beginners and more
"Learn and Master Drums", by Dann Sherrill - Another great complete drumming instruction course worth your serious consideration
"Stick Technique" - Want to play faster, more controlled rudiments, and improve your speed on your kit? Then you must check out this book! Written by Jim McCarthy
Snare Drum Basics - The most important drum in the kit; here's a guide to help you understand and play it better
"Unburying the Beater", by Matt Ritter - A whole new approach to bass drum play - a must read!
Educational Articles
Rudimentary, My Dear - a commentary on drum rudiments
Traditional vs. Matched Grip - The Paradiddler's Take
The Emergence of Air Drumming - A guilty pleasure of wannabe drummers is now coming to the fore
Brute Force Learning - The Paradiddler coins a phrase describing a way some learn to play the drums
The Thing About the Neighbors - The Paradiddler discusses how to have your drums coexist peacefully with the neighbors
The Next Note - Smooth and relaxed drumming entails awareness of 'the next note'
Name That Tune - Spend time tuning your drums properly, and you'll be rewarded with great sound
Your Way Is the Right Way - The Winter/2011 issue of Target Audience Magazine (an online, quarterly publication which promotes independent artists of all genres ranging from musicians to writers and illustrators) published this article contributed by The Paradiddler. It talks about the plethora of options up-and-coming drummers face when choosing drumming instruction, and why it's important to find your own individual comfort zone. View and/or download the magazine (it's in pdf format).
Record Yourself Playing Drums - The Paradiddler begins to spill the beans on how to record great drum covers
Recording Drum Covers - Seeing Is Believing - The second in the series regarding drum cover recording. Tips regarding camcorders and lighting are the focus.
Recording Drum Covers - Sound Guidelines - The third in the series regarding drum cover recording. Getting great sound from your drum covers is discussed.
Recording Drum Covers - Presentation - The fourth in the series regarding drum cover recording. The virtues of Windows(R) Movie Maker video editing software is discussed, plus an upcoming guide is announced
Instructional Videos
Instructional Video: Vex Pro Touring Double Bass Pedal - Slave - Since I didn't see any videos regarding double bass pedal adjustments for the Vex Pro Touring pedal, I decided to produce one myself! Take a look for some adjustment ideas.
Instructional Video: Vex Pro Touring Double Bass Pedal - Round Two - An update to the previous videos regarding the same. The differences? Click the link to find out!
How to Record a Drum Cover When the First Note Is a Drum Beat - This is the first lesson in the "How to Record Drum Covers With Just Your Camcorder and Windows Movie Maker". This video explains how to ensure you start playing synchronized right on the first note of the song - every time.
Lessons
Rudiments In Action
Web Resources
FreeDrumLessons.com
Vic Firth - Education Resource Center
Modern Drummer - Drumming Education
Pearl Drums - Drum Education - Although some lessons may be Pearl-slanted (naturally), the lessons are very useful nonetheless
Online Drummer - "the place to stick it online"
MikesLessons.com - Live, online drum lessons, downloads and a lot more
Downloads
40 Rudiments - Percussive Arts Society International Drum Rudiments. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document (if you don't have it, you can download it for free here). FreeDrumLessons.com has an excellent section of their web site dedicated to demonstrating all rudiments. Click here to see.
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