How To Develop Precision Speed On The Drum Kit
When I encounter most young drummers today, the most prominent question seems to be, "How can I develop speed around the drum kit?" I always follow that up with, "What is your purpose for playing fast?" Often that leaves a pause, with an uncertain answer that leaves them wondering, "What is the reason I want to play fast on the drum kit?" Usually it is selfish in nature. For example, "I want my friends to see how fast I can play", or "I want to play fast like this particular drummer", etc...
In most cases, they never understand that speed on the drum kit takes years to develop properly. Sure you can hammer out blazing fast rudiments on the snare drum in a reasonable amount of time, or hammer out drum fills around the toms, but does it sound musical? Does it have dynamics? Is their feel and groove to it. Usually the stuff these young drummers are trying to emulate are pieces of a solo, of something they heard not in the context of a song. Drum solos are a percent of a percent of most modern pop music. Now, in jazz and some other free from types of music, they are more prevalent. But, even then, they are tasteful, and musical, with a dynamic element to them that makes them unique to the drummer performing them.
So, in teaching students speed on the drum kit, I try to focus them on how to develop and use that speed in a way that is beneficial for whatever type of music they are playing. What I have found through the years is that "Precision" is more the focus I am going for. I usually achieve this by starting SLOW and then gradually building up to speed on the drum kit. Starting slow let's you focus on technique and form. Once form and technique are there, the speed just seems to allow you to put the more simple things in slower motion. This helps you with being more precise with the placement of each note on the drum kit.
Another important element of developing speed, is actually being able to hear what it is you are trying to get faster at. If you can't hear the sticking or drum fill at the speed you are wanting to play it at, then you most likely will not be able to perform it, and most certainly not with any type of precision and feel. There isn't a lot of material available that teaches you to develop your hearing, but it is a crucial element in the process of developing precise speed on the drum kit.
So if speed on the drum kit is your poison, at least learn to develop control and dynamics along with it. Learn to hear and sing what it is you are trying to play fast, before you try to perform it on the drums. Play it on the snare drum, or practice pad first, use a metronome at slower tempos to help you internalize the sound of it. Then after some time of really getting it under hands and in your head, take it to the drum kit. Don't develop speed to show off on the drums. Develop it so you can be precise and perform with confidence any drum fill you hear or feel.
In most cases, they never understand that speed on the drum kit takes years to develop properly. Sure you can hammer out blazing fast rudiments on the snare drum in a reasonable amount of time, or hammer out drum fills around the toms, but does it sound musical? Does it have dynamics? Is their feel and groove to it. Usually the stuff these young drummers are trying to emulate are pieces of a solo, of something they heard not in the context of a song. Drum solos are a percent of a percent of most modern pop music. Now, in jazz and some other free from types of music, they are more prevalent. But, even then, they are tasteful, and musical, with a dynamic element to them that makes them unique to the drummer performing them.
So, in teaching students speed on the drum kit, I try to focus them on how to develop and use that speed in a way that is beneficial for whatever type of music they are playing. What I have found through the years is that "Precision" is more the focus I am going for. I usually achieve this by starting SLOW and then gradually building up to speed on the drum kit. Starting slow let's you focus on technique and form. Once form and technique are there, the speed just seems to allow you to put the more simple things in slower motion. This helps you with being more precise with the placement of each note on the drum kit.
Another important element of developing speed, is actually being able to hear what it is you are trying to get faster at. If you can't hear the sticking or drum fill at the speed you are wanting to play it at, then you most likely will not be able to perform it, and most certainly not with any type of precision and feel. There isn't a lot of material available that teaches you to develop your hearing, but it is a crucial element in the process of developing precise speed on the drum kit.
So if speed on the drum kit is your poison, at least learn to develop control and dynamics along with it. Learn to hear and sing what it is you are trying to play fast, before you try to perform it on the drums. Play it on the snare drum, or practice pad first, use a metronome at slower tempos to help you internalize the sound of it. Then after some time of really getting it under hands and in your head, take it to the drum kit. Don't develop speed to show off on the drums. Develop it so you can be precise and perform with confidence any drum fill you hear or feel.
