Drumming: 101

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

I'm pretty new here, but I couldn't really find any attempts to organize these tips, so I figured I might as well go for it.

Drumming, in real life or in RB, is all about rhythm. Rhythm is not something everyone has. So, don't be ashamed if you don't have any!

But, there are a few things to avoid doing while drumming to help keep rhythm:

1. Spit out your gum. I know you want to keep it minty fresh for the after party, but unless you can chew at 156 bpm, lose it.

2. Talking. This is a talent reserved for a special few rhythmically inclined peoples. Hell, I can't even do it most of the time.

3. Don't listen to the Singer or the Guitarist. Why? Because they don't have much rhythm in their parts. They have solos and screams and other such business. In reality, the drums and the bass guitar are the RHYTHM portion of the band, so depend on yourself and the Bassist.

There's also a few things to help fine tune your technique that help tremendously in the game as a drummer:

1. Don't bend at the elbow. Do you want to look like a gorilla who found some sticks or a drummer? Bend at the wrist, the muscles are smaller and easier to move, making them faster. Once you have the wrist down, try making a pivot with your index finger and thumb on the stick and moving it with the rest of your fingers. This works with the same principals as your wrist: smaller muscles, and closer muscles = better control and speed.

2. Don't hold the stick in the middle. I don't know why people are inclined to do this, but your hand is meant to be towards the back of the stick. Deal with it.

3. Finally, practice. You don't need the game to practice. After a while you been to recognize the basic rock rhythms the game uses and you can practice them anywhere. Even on a real drum set!


Sorry if any of the above is grammatically or syntaxically incorrect. I was a Music Education Major, not an English one.


- J, music school drop-out.

[Hitman84]

lot of white people, sorry; that's just how the stereotype plays out). So, don't be ashamed if you don't have any!

Considering most....MOST rock bands are an all white people thing...this mis the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Considering most....MOST rock bands are an all white people thing...this mis the stupidest thing I've ever heard.


It was sarcasm! I'M WHITE!

Sorry if it offended you though, I really shouldn't have included that bit.

[TheREVALOProject]

Mexicans don't have rythym that isn't for mariachi [/sarcasm as seeing that this guy that posted this comment is half mexican himself.]

[ClinTrojan]

pretty good for new players, got anything for us seasoned players/drummers?

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

pretty good for new players, got anything for us seasoned players/drummers?

I guess for more seasoned drummers adjusting to this futuristic 5-piece kit my biggest piece of advice would be to familiarize yourself with the set before you try to show off.

No one likes to get to into a solo, and reach for that tom-tom for the fill, only to realize they are reaching for something that isn't there, and thusly breaking a stick. (Sad, sad story)

Other than that, as far as adjustment goes it shouldn't be too difficult. I'd love to answer any questions or anything like that though.

[ClinTrojan]

umm sorry but what?

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

umm sorry but what?

Sorry, I rambled!

Basically, get used to the layout of the pads. That's what I had trouble with.



-J, tired guy.

[ClinTrojan]

welp damn, i need something to do to build stamina to be able to finish run to the hills without poopin out on me hands

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Hmm, do you practice rudiments?

Stamina is just one of those things that comes with practice, practice, practice. And a little more practice.


Also, eat your Wheaties.

[bart2712]

thx for the tips...im finding one of the biggest problems im having is the alternating drum beats and bass kick pedal beats...any tips on how to master that?

[SSPWOLF]

Excellent thread.

I'd like to add a few tips that have been mentioned elsewhere (or not, as the case may be) that deserve mention in this consolidated thread.


FOR BEGINNERS:

1) Let the sticks and pads do the majority of the work. There's a reason professional snare players use kevlar heads other than the fact they don't want to constantly replace broken heads: It bounces well.

The pads on the drum controller don't bounce as well as a typical practice pad... but they bounce well enough to allow for even a novice drummer to get what's called "bounce back"

practice "bounce back" the same way the Karate Kid taught Ally to practice bouncing a soccer ball....

1 tap, 1 tap, 1 tap, then tap and let the stick bounce twice. Repeat. tap and let it bounce three times. repeat. etc. etc.

The key is controlled bounces.

In the game you will OFTEN see 2, 3, 4, or more notes very close together on the same drum. In many cases instead of having to pull both sticks over to the pad and play it staccatto (meaning fast and clipped) on alternating hands.. a quick controlled one-stick bounce will not only do the trick, but will actually be what the original recording's drummer actually did.

2) Posture. It can't be stressed enough that proper posture of you back, neck, arms, and legs is a key fundamental to playing a "drum kit". Vinnie Paul didn't play 3 hour shows sitting uncomfortably. Now.. what is comfortable for a short period of time and what is comfortable for a long period of time are two different things. Watch the tutorial for advice on the kick pedal and avoiding leg fatigue.

3) Listen to the bass line, if it's available. Especially if you are playing with someone nailing it, or with the computer bass player. On certain songs ("GGaHT" anyone?) may drummers are going to get off-beat on the change ups. By getting your "hi-hat/cymbal" hand going again.. you can key your ears on the bass line and get back on beat quickly.

FOR ADVANCED DRUMMERS:

1) Stick flares aren't always for show. Sidesticking the green pad is often an excellent way to shoot out those fast paced crash hits. By sidesticking I mean instead of say, pulling your stick arm off the yellow pad completely to hit that crash and then coming back to the yellow pad.. flip your hand completely over to the right and (palm up, still using good stick control) and hit the green pad then flip it back to go back into the yellow pad hi-hats.

2) You don't have to be a muscle man. Let's face it.. not all drummers play for six hours straight.. but some of us do play video games (especially PARTY games) for geekly amounts of time. So instead of Death Metal jamming your way through those drum solos and rock endings.... learn jazz speed techniques such as tripolet fills across all four pads and paradiddle-with-kick fills preceeding the green pad crash that activates the overdrive sections.

3) Lean back. If you are an experienced kit drummer.. this bass pedal is gonna F you up some. If you are a jazzy drummer you'll have an easier time with it because you probably play with the front of your foot. If you are a metal drummer you likely play with the reciprocating stomp motion of a normal kick pedal using the heel of you foot. By leaning back you'll correct your need to stomp the pedal somewhat and it'll be easier to NOT triple kick when you mean to double kick.... I can't tell you how many times I screwed up a simple song like "Wanted Dead Or Alive" because I triple kicked the damn intro.

4) Don't let yourself get caught in the "Def Lepard" curse. Whether in this game or on a real kit... too many drummers use thier "strong arm" to do the easier fills. The rule is "just because you CAN play it with one hand doesn't mean you SHOULD play it with one hand." This is fundamentals at work here, muscle memory is WAY more powerful than you think. If you play Say It Ain't So with one hand, it might look cool.. but you are teaching yourself to suck at Run To The Hills. Alternate hands whenever possible.


If I think up more tips, I'll add them.

I'm very open to criticism.. I'm NOT a drumming god... I'm just an old school drummer who learned a few things that work for me.

[SSPWOLF]

thx for the tips...im finding one of the biggest problems im having is the alternating drum beats and bass kick pedal beats...any tips on how to master that?



Might need you to be more specific...

But what I think you are talking about is playing songs like "In Bloom" on Hard.

Where it goes YELLOW with KICK then KICK alone then YELLOW again....

A lot of songs use that, because... well.. it sounds cool.

There's a technique for it, but you aren't going to like it :)

Practice until you don't have to THINK about it.

Things like that... alternate beat kicks... are the types of things you can't think through.. you have to just feel it.

Only tip I can give you is either learn to read and count measures in time signatures... (One e and a two e and a three e and a four e and a a)

Or...

as my first drum instructor used to do...

make up noises with your mouth for the sound you are trying to play..

Listen to the beat... then SAY it..

He used to sound like: "Tony... play it like this GLOCKKETY GLICK GLICK GLOP BAMMA FLIGGGETTTY DIGGGIETTY GLOCK GLOCK GLOCK GLICK PSSSSSHHHHH!"


lol, I know it seems funny..

but if you think of that yellow/kick then kick then yellow part like...


"SHA-BOOM-SHICK" or something... you might have an easier time playing it.

[bart2712]

well not sure what u mean but i was thinking something like where it goes, red, kick, red, kick, yellow, kick, red, etc. but all those things are real close together so you have to get them fairly quickly...i find trying to alternate kick and pad quickly like that always messes me up, and takes a bit to get my rhythm back.

[shoombabi]

make up noises with your mouth for the sound you are trying to play..

Listen to the beat... then SAY it..

He used to sound like: "Tony... play it like this GLOCKKETY GLICK GLICK GLOP BAMMA FLIGGGETTTY DIGGGIETTY GLOCK GLOCK GLOCK GLICK PSSSSSHHHHH!"


lol, I know it seems funny..

but if you think of that yellow/kick then kick then yellow part like...


"SHA-BOOM-SHICK" or something... you might have an easier time playing it.

I haven't played the drums in real life (I was in the orchestra however, 9 years of Viola), and this was my first instinct on the tough parts. I guess I picked something up from all the times we had to stop and get the percussion section caught up ;)

Any tips for keeping the left hand in rhythm with the right hand? Like, there are sections in some songs that go (RG)(RG)(RG)(RG)(RG)(RG)... fairly fast, and I can hit all the greens with ease (I'm a righty), but the reds always tend to miss. I've resorted to using my arm as the pivot for those because the angles feel a bit more extreme, but do you have any advice for working up the muscles to be able to do that lower in my wrist?

I already get my wrist muscles worked out on a near-daily basis, but it's only my right hand unfortunately.

[C Dress]

actually, metallica is pretty good

[ClinTrojan]

That why I want some Led Zeppelin songs......tons of those beats keep the foot and hands seperated. I really want the song "When the levee breaks"

Boom shii bop shii boom bumbum bop shii ;D

[jetsmanfoley]

I've played a few instruments in my life- as well as a whole bunch of Harmonix games- but never drums and I also had a problem at first with some of the weirder bass drum patterns.

Some I just needed to practice until I could do it without thinking about it. On patterns like OK Go on hard when you have red and yellow together and then a bass drum kick after and that repeats, it actually helped me to close my eyes, and just try to feel it rather than interpret all the notes coming down the screen at once.

Some other ones took more work- the guy who mentioned In Bloom is right on. Thats one of the first ones that threw me off on Expert. Once I got that down, the rest fell into place. My trick there was to imagine the sound of the bass drum when I kicked. When you bang on the pads they create audible feedback, but the kick pedal really doesn't (at least we have ours heavily carpeted so as not to piss off the downstairs neighbors). So what I was hearing in our living room was not the same as what I knew the song to sound like. After a bunch of practice, and listening to music on the way to work while imagining drum parts and such, I learned to separate the bass drum and tried to keep that on my right foot.

I dont know if that helps at all or if I just sound like a lunatic, but Ive gone from medium to being able to do most songs on expert in 2 weeks, so I figure I have to be doing something right. Its challenging, but very rewarding- a much more satisfying experience than the typical video game.

[Draconis77]

Thanks for the great thread.

[zomgrandomtext]

Good tips, but about your name...
are you talking about old or new Metallica? :confused:

[JesusSilencio]

Any tips for keeping the left hand in rhythm with the right hand? Like, there are sections in some songs that go (RG)(RG)(RG)(RG)(RG)(RG)... fairly fast, and I can hit all the greens with ease (I'm a righty), but the reds always tend to miss. I've resorted to using my arm as the pivot for those because the angles feel a bit more extreme, but do you have any advice for working up the muscles to be able to do that lower in my wrist?

I already get my wrist muscles worked out on a near-daily basis, but it's only my right hand unfortunately.

I would say doing just a simple 8th note exercise would help with that. basically like RRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLL(RL)(RL)(RL)(RL)(R L)(RL)(RL)(RL).

Just try to make you left hand sound the same as your right hand. Also, try not to tense up in your left hand. Keep your hands relaxed. You can use some finger (along with your wrist), but don't resort to using a lot of arm.

Someone else said this, but it's worth repeating, let the pad/stick do the work for you. You should be focusing on throwing the stick at the pad, but you shouldn't need to worry too much about bringing the stick back up.

[Majic19]

One thing I have done for years that has really helped with my speed, stamina and rhythm, is to practice my rolls and rudiments (tripolets, Paradiddles, Flam, flam-tap ect.) on a pillow or the cushion of the couch. It will feel impossible at first, but you will quickly notice a huge improvement when you back to the kit. If you can get your sticks to get a controlled bounce off of a pillow, imagine what you can do, and how easily you'll be able to do it on the drum pads.

And by the way, I use the "sound indentification" theory as well. Rather than trying to "see" the beat I "feel" the beat and hear the drums, almost before I play it, by assigning sounds to the beat I am playing. Bu-rump-bump-psshhh! My band mates have always said that I look like i am talking to myself while I playing. Even now, when playing songs that I have played for years and don't even have to think about them, I still "mouth" along with the rhythm out of habit.

Just to keep in with the Christmas spirit, is everyone familiar with the lyrics to the "The Little Drummer Boy"? .... "Come they told me, Bah-rump-a-bump-bah".... can't you just hear the drum doing a little five beat roll?

Happy hammerin' everyone!!!

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

I'm talking about the majority of Metallica.


As far as those kick rhythms, the easiest way to practice is just by trying to play the bass drum and snare parts to some of your favorite songs in your spare time. Just use your foot and your hand. Just because people thinks its annoying noise, doesn't mean it can't eventually be beautiful music!


As far my personal experience, since a few of you have brought yours up, I've been playing music since I was 11. I played bassoon for 6 years until I came to my senses and started learning percussion. I started on xylophone, and a few months later started playing Jazz drum-set for the School Musical. So, you don't need umpteen million years of percussion history under your belt: I've got 2ish.


-J, tired of finals

(p.s. Spell Check totally accepted Umpteen!)

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Also, would any of you like to help me in writing a rudiment/technique guide geared towards RB drumming?

[xmenotux]

Great thread. I'm no genius at the drums though I am pretty decent I think (I'm mostly Guitar and Piano man). I've been playing through the game on expert. When I tried Reptilian, I don't know what it is, but I just don't seem to have the coordination to play the chorus. I mean I was able to finish the song with I think either 88 or 91 percent, but for some reason about half way through the second half of the chorus I stumble and get uncoordinated.

I just finished Epic with 86 percent.....ugh that was freaking hard and I fear and look forward to it getting harder. I'm trying to hone my drumming skills with this game as I just can't find a drummer to record with. So how are you supposed to play the bass drum parts that are literally right next to each other? Seems like you need a double bass pedal for that. I imagine memorizing the drum part helps a lot too.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

I just finished Epic with 86 percent.....ugh that was freaking hard and I fear and look forward to it getting harder. I'm trying to hone my drumming skills with this game as I just can't find a drummer to record with. So how are you supposed to play the bass drum parts that are literally right next to each other? Seems like you need a double bass pedal for that. I imagine memorizing the drum part helps a lot too.


For the double licks, remember that what you're dealing with isn't an actual bass pedal, its a trigger, so just flick it really quick (I'm not sure how the response is on the stock pedal, I don't actually even own this game yet)

[des]

Excellent thread.

I'd like to add a few tips that have been mentioned elsewhere (or not, as the case may be) that deserve mention in this consolidated thread.


FOR BEGINNERS:

1) Let the sticks and pads do the majority of the work. There's a reason professional snare players use kevlar heads other than the fact they don't want to constantly replace broken heads: It bounces well.

The pads on the drum controller don't bounce as well as a typical practice pad... but they bounce well enough to allow for even a novice drummer to get what's called "bounce back"

practice "bounce back" the same way the Karate Kid taught Ally to practice bouncing a soccer ball....

1 tap, 1 tap, 1 tap, then tap and let the stick bounce twice. Repeat. tap and let it bounce three times. repeat. etc. etc.

The key is controlled bounces.

In the game you will OFTEN see 2, 3, 4, or more notes very close together on the same drum. In many cases instead of having to pull both sticks over to the pad and play it staccatto (meaning fast and clipped) on alternating hands.. a quick controlled one-stick bounce will not only do the trick, but will actually be what the original recording's drummer actually did.

2) Posture. It can't be stressed enough that proper posture of you back, neck, arms, and legs is a key fundamental to playing a "drum kit". Vinnie Paul didn't play 3 hour shows sitting uncomfortably. Now.. what is comfortable for a short period of time and what is comfortable for a long period of time are two different things. Watch the tutorial for advice on the kick pedal and avoiding leg fatigue.

3) Listen to the bass line, if it's available. Especially if you are playing with someone nailing it, or with the computer bass player. On certain songs ("GGaHT" anyone?) may drummers are going to get off-beat on the change ups. By getting your "hi-hat/cymbal" hand going again.. you can key your ears on the bass line and get back on beat quickly.

FOR ADVANCED DRUMMERS:

1) Stick flares aren't always for show. Sidesticking the green pad is often an excellent way to shoot out those fast paced crash hits. By sidesticking I mean instead of say, pulling your stick arm off the yellow pad completely to hit that crash and then coming back to the yellow pad.. flip your hand completely over to the right and (palm up, still using good stick control) and hit the green pad then flip it back to go back into the yellow pad hi-hats.

2) You don't have to be a muscle man. Let's face it.. not all drummers play for six hours straight.. but some of us do play video games (especially PARTY games) for geekly amounts of time. So instead of Death Metal jamming your way through those drum solos and rock endings.... learn jazz speed techniques such as tripolet fills across all four pads and paradiddle-with-kick fills preceeding the green pad crash that activates the overdrive sections.

3) Lean back. If you are an experienced kit drummer.. this bass pedal is gonna F you up some. If you are a jazzy drummer you'll have an easier time with it because you probably play with the front of your foot. If you are a metal drummer you likely play with the reciprocating stomp motion of a normal kick pedal using the heel of you foot. By leaning back you'll correct your need to stomp the pedal somewhat and it'll be easier to NOT triple kick when you mean to double kick.... I can't tell you how many times I screwed up a simple song like "Wanted Dead Or Alive" because I triple kicked the damn intro.

4) Don't let yourself get caught in the "Def Lepard" curse. Whether in this game or on a real kit... too many drummers use thier "strong arm" to do the easier fills. The rule is "just because you CAN play it with one hand doesn't mean you SHOULD play it with one hand." This is fundamentals at work here, muscle memory is WAY more powerful than you think. If you play Say It Ain't So with one hand, it might look cool.. but you are teaching yourself to suck at Run To The Hills. Alternate hands whenever possible.


If I think up more tips, I'll add them.

I'm very open to criticism.. I'm NOT a drumming god... I'm just an old school drummer who learned a few things that work for me.
all very good tips.... i have a couple. i've learned that if you hang your toes over the top edge of the pedal you can get more leverage for those quick double beats.i play heels up on my real set so this pedal is killing me on quick hits. find a good balance point. 2nd i've found that its alot easier to focus on the bass drum ''line'' or note while playing. the notes for the hands just come natural if your listening to the song. after a while you get a good sense of what needs to be done just by glancing at a cluster of notes. this tip really works good when your in a hi-hat/share groove that has complex bass beats.

[Abaddon]

I've never played drums before. I managed to make my way through Medium but some songs (that infamous Outlaw song for example) I barely struggled my way through. I did pretty well on the first hard tier but then ran into a brick wall and was getting frustrated, and for whatever reason Practice mode (and slowing it down) just wasn't doing it for me.

So, I went back and five-starred every song on Easy. Some of them were cake, but there's a big difference between getting through a song "pretty well" and five-starring it. For those who complained about the kick pedal on Easy -- thankfully Harmonix didn't cater to you! It was very helpful to simplify things, but still have some kick pedal difficulty.

After doing that, I was able to five-star GGaHT first time, easily and am definitely seeing improvement on the hard songs as well.

[macafied]

No gum? Tell that to Dave Grohl :)

[Quad_Ridin_CPA]

I've never played drums before. I managed to make my way through Medium but some songs (that infamous Outlaw song for example) I barely struggled my way through. I did pretty well on the first hard tier but then ran into a brick wall and was getting frustrated, and for whatever reason Practice mode (and slowing it down) just wasn't doing it for me.

So, I went back and five-starred every song on Easy. Some of them were cake, but there's a big difference between getting through a song "pretty well" and five-starring it. For those who complained about the kick pedal on Easy -- thankfully Harmonix didn't cater to you! It was very helpful to simplify things, but still have some kick pedal difficulty.

After doing that, I was able to five-star GGaHT first time, easily and am definitely seeing improvement on the hard songs as well.

I did this same kind of thing. I seemed to have hit a wall in the transition to hard. I mean I would play a song and just become totally uncoordinated part-way through it. So, what I did was go back to medium and 5-star everything, and I mean everything. That extra practice as well as extra time learning the songs (I'm a country guy so I don't know these songs too well) has really benefited me as I'm now 2/3 of the way through hard now and doing pretty well.

This thread is probably one of the better ones I've seen on here in some time. I've never played drums before and it is nice getting some info from someone who actually knows what they are talking about. Now I want to ask another question that I don't think has been asked yet. I am having a hard time on the bass beats that go something like this, for example:

(RY&Bass)----(Y)-(Bass)----(RY&Bass)----(YBass)

Does that make any sense? It when the bass beat is at the same time as one of the other hits for one measure then comes slightly before the drum hit in the next measure. Any tips for that? Let me know if I'm not clear and I'll try again.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

No gum? Tell that to Dave Grohl :)

Haha, well once you get a very advanced understanding of rhythm, and have years and decades of experience then MAYBE you can chew gum while you play.


And about the double bass pedal licks, I do personally plan on using my extra pedals and splitters and having a Double Pedal set-up. I'm just that lazy/creative.

[Axl]

Great Thread! Thank you all for the tips. I'm able to 5-star everything on medium drums. However, I'm finding that I can BARELY get 3 stars on Hard level. I have the most difficulty with the quick double kicks and the quick kicks between drum hits (as mentioned in previous posts). After this advice here, I have new hope for improving!

My main question is: how should I align my body with the drums and how high should they be? I'm 6'2" and using my computer chair as my throne. I can't seem to get myself close enough to the drums. I end up leaning forward a lot which is horrible on my back.

Right now, I have the base pedal pushed up so it's over the back floor brace (I used someone's suggestion of removing the front brace to get the pedal farther back) and it's all the way to the right. So, when I'm sitting there, the center of my body is aligned right between the red and yellow drums. Is this right? Can anyone suggest another layout? I've tried centering my body with the center of the drums, but I have trouble with the kick pedal not being far enough right.

As far as height, I find that if I raise the drums to a height so my sticks don't occasionally bump my thighs and mess me up, I often hit the bottom rims of the drums and thus don't get credit for the hit. Conversely, if I lower the drums so I consistantly hit the centers with the tip of the sticks, I have to push myself farther back and my legs get in the way.

Any suggestions for a newbie drummer? I really appreciate this thread and any additional advice I can get.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

I real like the layout that is being used in these drums is not designed for us taller folks (6'1", myself).

MY suggestion is to make sure you can comfortably hit the heads on all four drums, and reach the bass pedal. If that means moving the pedal out towards you, so be it. It is not uncommon for some drummers to play with their arms partially or fully extended for a large portion of their playing.

Also, try either lowering your chair or investing in a cheap drum throne. This could help make the drums remain at an adequate height, while allowing you to better reach and utilize the bass pedal.

[Majic19]

My main question is: how should I align my body with the drums and how high should they be? I

It is really a matter of preference. Your seat height is the only thing that is Really important. If you are too high or too low, you will constantly struggle to keep rhythm and will get tired more quickly. Sit so your upper leg is parallel to the ground with your leg as close to a 90* angle as you can.

For new drummers I would just recommend setting up in what ever position you feel "physically" the most comfortable, (with your legs at 90*) and then practice, practice practice. The more you play while in one position the more you will get use to it. If you are constantly readjusting how you sit, it will always feel uncomfortable. I would not have the drum pads too high because it will force you have to "reach" for the drums a little and will cause you to hit the rims a lot. Too low and you will be fighting your leg position, but a "Little" lower is better than a little to high, but Like I said before this is really more of matter of personal preference.

For me, I center my self with the "Snare" (red) drum centered or just slightly left of center on my body. (This is how I am set up with my real kit, snare between my legs, base pedal slightly to my right, high hat pedal slightly to my left., so it's the most comfortable for me.) This makes me a little off center with the kit, but that is what I am use to. The red snare, along with the foot pedal drive the rhythm and timing while your high hat (Green... I believe) keeps the tempo. Since my right hand is my dominant hand, it is easier to adjust playing the high hat from a more off centered position. while I play the snare with my left hand (less dominant hand) from a more centered, fixed position. As you get more proficient this becomes less important as you will be able to play from almost any position.

Having and actual drum throne helps because it can rotate if you need to turn a little as you roll across the other pads. Plus they are just more comfortable than a table or chair, and are easily adjustable for height. If you are seriously considering buying a drum throne, And you can afford it, I would highly recommend buying a nice one, because cheap thrones may be just as uncomfortable as your dinning room chair, especially after a couple of hours of bangin' away.

Hope this helps

[Axl]

Thanks for the tips guys! I'm taking a short break but I can already tell a difference in my comfort by lowering my chair and keeping my back straight. I've been slightly below my normal play quality due to the new positioning, but I can tell that after some practice I will be able to surpass where I was while remaining more comfortable.

Thanks again, you guys ROCK!

[ClinTrojan]

I play actual drumset...lmao this is going to sound really wierd but I play right handed set BUT left hand lead, and play open handed (where my arms dont cross), with my right foot as my main pedal foot. So my right foot and left hand lead. now on rock band I play with right foot on pedal, lead hand on blue pad and right hand on green pad b/c I choose lefty switch. Even with that I find it dont really have any pains or what not nor am I really uncomfertable even though my legs and torso is kinda twisted.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

lmao this is going to sound really wierd but I play actual drumset....

That's not very weird.

I'm wondering, as someone who has not touched the RB drumset yet, how many people play Traditional grip as opposed to match?

I've played primarily Traditional in my history, and I don't plan on switching.

[Abaddon]

Now I want to ask another question that I don't think has been asked yet. I am having a hard time on the bass beats that go something like this, for example:

(RY&Bass)----(Y)-(Bass)----(RY&Bass)----(YBass)

Does that make any sense? It when the bass beat is at the same time as one of the other hits for one measure then comes slightly before the drum hit in the next measure. Any tips for that? Let me know if I'm not clear and I'll try again.I know exactly what you are talking about, because that's exactly what is giving me fits right now :D. My theory is that the best thing to do is practice just the bass line in practice mode (despite what I just said... lol) until you have it solid, and then adding in the hands should be cake. The tricky part is that the alternate kicks are on the off-beat but the hands are on the beat and your foot wants to follow your hands. At least, that's what it is with me.

[Hanover]

Im not sure if this is a tip...but if you're having real problems on a song, take a four day break and then come back to it.

I was having real trouble with Bloom on expert...then after four days of actually not playing Rock Band (due to deadlines at work), I came back and tore right through Bloom it like it was nothing. Not only that, I got through three of five songs on expert on the next tier before hitting Reptilia and my streak came to a screeching halt.

And is it me, or is Gimme Shelter like one of the most fun songs to play on expert? I really get into that song when I'm playing it. :)

[ClinTrojan]

That's not very weird.

I'm wondering, as someone who has not touched the RB drumset yet, how many people play Traditional grip as opposed to match?

I've played primarily Traditional in my history, and I don't plan on switching.

lmao thanks now I feel like a complete Rtard....I fixed my post :D

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Im not sure if this is a tip...but if you're having real problems on a song, take a four day break and then come back to it.



It can definitely help sometimes to just walk away from the set and focus on something else. The worst thing you can do when trying to improve on a song or a set is to get frustrated with it.

[travmeatwad]

What the **** is Meticallia?

Haha.

[Lareden]

Nice name! I approve.

Here's a tip for brand new drummers: the right three drums are assigned to your right arm, the one remaining left drum is assinged to your left (assuming you're right-handed).

There are exceptions of course, like when you do a roll (lots of notes in rapid succession on one drum) or you're hitting two drums at once not including the snare. But for the most part it holds true.

Just thought I'd mention this. I didn't see it in the thread yet (could have missed it though).

[Suritiger]

Question, I am right handed, is there a set foot (R vs L) that I should be playing the Bass drum with or is it a go with what feels right kind of thing? I started out on my right but felt like it was following my hands too much so I switched to my left.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

What the **** is Meticallia?

Haha.
Google it. It's a pretty popular "band".

As for the foot pedal, it is for the most part a whatever FEELS right kind of thing, but initially your foot will try to go along with the movment of your corresponding hand, because they are controlled by the same half of your brain.

The ability to move all 4 limbs is an advanced use of motor coordination.

[fherjohn]

lars ulrich is the shiznit. i wish i could drum like him.

[ClinTrojan]

I wish I could drum like Buddy Rich...

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

I wish I could drum like Neil Pert, or Andrea Vadrucci.

[ZkDotNet]

Google it. It's a pretty popular "band".

As for the foot pedal, it is for the most part a whatever FEELS right kind of thing, but initially your foot will try to go along with the movment of your corresponding hand, because they are controlled by the same half of your brain.

The ability to move all 4 limbs is an advanced use of motor coordination.
Woosh! <tenchar>

[piggy171]

Here are a couple tips that have helped me play the drums. They may seem obvious but i think they are worth mentioning in this thread.

1) I have seen people mention trying to "feel" what needs to be played and this absolutely is 100% true. To try and get better about doing this, focus your vision at the center of the screen about an inch or 2(depending on screen size) below where the notes become visible. read the notes there and then feel when to play them as they cross the target bar. This way you should always know what is coming before it gets there. Trying to read it as you need to play it does not allow you enough time to make adjustments. When you finally get the hang of doing this, and you start making some difficult transitions flawlessly, you will know exactly what I am talking about and you really start to feel like you are creating the music rather than just following along.

2) When you go to practice mode, play ony a section or two of a song, i would say no more than 4 sections at most, of what is really giving you trouble. play it once on 50% then increase it 10% each time you play it. This works for me every time and with every instrument. Example: Recently playing Highway Star on Hard-guitar for the first time. Having no trouble with the song at all until i hit the solo and then got my ass handed to me. went to practice, and worked just the solo in 10% increments and by the time i hit 100% i could play it flawlessly. Tried the entire song again and 5 starred it when i had failed it just 15 minutes before.

Hope this is helpful.

[ClinTrojan]

I wish I could drum like Neil Pert, or Andrea Vadrucci.

nahh buddy rich was god of drums....even Neil Pert himself would say so.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Well of course, Buddy Rich is in a class all of his own. Why do you think I play traditional instead of match?

[ClinTrojan]

HeHeHe thank god you know who im talking about.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Haha, thanks.

I still think Neil Pert is the god of the "Over the Top" drum-set category.

Crotales in a drum set? YES
Gong? YES
Gongs? YES YES

Hybrid acoustic/electric drum sets? Oui!

[ClinTrojan]

Mike Portney has pretty mean set also......also I really wanna play like him also!

[Thats_Bull]

Even though it says it in the tutorial, I think you should begin your tips with actually setting up the drum set correctly. I have a neighbor who is about half my height (he is only 9, but he comes over all the time to play because he is addicted to Rock Band), and I noticed that he had difficulty playing when it was at the height that I played at. When I lower it, it makes a big difference.

I also think you should include another important tip: Don't stop playing! If you stop playing, it will just makes things worse than if you were missing every other note. If you get off the beat and stop for a couple notes to get back on track, that is one thing. Stopping for the entire chorus because it pisses you off is a whole other thing!

[ClinTrojan]

but also hitting a bunch of off notes causing the sticks to hit together sound kills the crowd....you get booted off stage real quick on expert doing that.

[Majic19]

I'm wondering, as someone who has not touched the RB drumset yet, how many people play Traditional grip as opposed to match?

I play with a match grip. For years I've thought about switching to a traditional grip, but never got around to it. I am one of those self taught drummers and just learned the "Grip it and rip it" style of play. It always worked for me, but I can surely see the advantages of a traditional grip or open hand, but always stuck with the match grip.

[i5hawn]

actually do listen to your guitarist. if you're using an xplorer or a les paul listen for the clicks of the strum bar. they'll be in time with your pad hits. its how we keep the rhtyhm section in check.

[cdarthvader]

actually do listen to your guitarist. if you're using an xplorer or a les paul listen for the clicks of the strum bar. they'll be in time with your pad hits. its how we keep the rhtyhm section in check.

*shrug* I play drums and bass in RL as well as in RB. I can tell you now In my band I don't have a clue what words the singer sings or what cool solo the guitarist does. But i can tell you every beat my drummer does and can play everything she can, and she also knows exactly what i play and can play everything i can. Same goes for when we play rock band to. I could care less what the singer is doing as long as there not messing up.

[BearFan51]

I real like the layout that is being used in these drums is not designed for us taller folks (6'1", myself).

MY suggestion is to make sure you can comfortably hit the heads on all four drums, and reach the bass pedal. If that means moving the pedal out towards you, so be it. It is not uncommon for some drummers to play with their arms partially or fully extended for a large portion of their playing.

Also, try either lowering your chair or investing in a cheap drum throne. This could help make the drums remain at an adequate height, while allowing you to better reach and utilize the bass pedal.

Replace the tubes!;)
The aluminum tubes that support the pads are 30mm. (1 1/8" will absolutely work) The wall thickness is 1mm, or very close to 1/32", but a thicker wall tube can be used.

To be clear, the two tubes that the pads sit directly on, where the height can be adjusted. Just hit your local industrial metal supply company and order some longer tubes. They will cut to length (small cut charge) and deburr on request. I built my entire drum rack out of aluminum tube. (prices are likely different now) I had a 12 foot piece, 1 1/2" diameter, 1/8" wall tube delivered for $40. I cut it myself.

I said all that to point out that 2 tubes, roughly 20" long, shouldn't cost more than $15-20. YMMV.

Hopefully this helps the taller guys out.

[Ronin]

Great thread so far.. I kinda have a specific issue. I don't play drums for real (I have sequenced, lol), but I have been playing guitar for a few years and have developed a fair sense of rhythm and have worked my way up to expert on drums on rock band. Everything is pretty smooth-- I can get through the majority of the songs and even most of the tough fills after some practice. But, still Run to the Hills owns me.

I can get through the song with like 70&#37; of the notes hit in practice, but that's still not enough to complete it in game.. is that just a stamina thing? Do i just need to keep practicing and eventually i'll build up my speed?

[HellishFiend]

actually do listen to your guitarist. if you're using an xplorer or a les paul listen for the clicks of the strum bar. they'll be in time with your pad hits. its how we keep the rhtyhm section in check.

If you can hear the strum bar then you fail at Rock. =( The audio should be much louder.

[That_One_Dude]

I don't actually even own this game yet

Then nothing you have posted has any siginificance at all. You're just wasting everyone's time if you haven't touched the game's kit.

[barbasol]

3) Lean back. If you are an experienced kit drummer.. this bass pedal is gonna F you up some. If you are a jazzy drummer you'll have an easier time with it because you probably play with the front of your foot. If you are a metal drummer you likely play with the reciprocating stomp motion of a normal kick pedal using the heel of you foot. By leaning back you'll correct your need to stomp the pedal somewhat and it'll be easier to NOT triple kick when you mean to double kick.... I can't tell you how many times I screwed up a simple song like "Wanted Dead Or Alive" because I triple kicked the damn intro.


Any other comments on foot pedal positioning? I've been alternating between keeping my heel down or stomping. With stomping, I can feel the pedal bend a bit under my heel at the common break point, so I'm trying not to. Heel down, moving the front of my foot seems a little more tiring. I'm definitely going to try the leaning back thing.

I've also been trying to keep the pedal down in between beats which I think was a loading screen tip. However, that seems to screw me up with bass pedal off-beats. Of course, I'm screwed on those anyway so more practice is in order.

[sprkyspe28]

Then nothing you have posted has any siginificance at all. You're just wasting everyone's time if you haven't touched the game's kit.

He said he doesn't own it, not that he hasn't played it.

[Teh_Nfsjunkie91]

I am having a hard time on the bass beats that go something like this, for example:

(RY&Bass)----(Y)-(Bass)----(RY&Bass)----(YBass)

Does that make any sense? It when the bass beat is at the same time as one of the other hits for one measure then comes slightly before the drum hit in the next measure. Any tips for that? Let me know if I'm not clear and I'll try again.

One thing that I tend to do, though probably not the best form, is lift up just the heel of my foot before one of the off bass notes come. Then, after hitting the note immediately before it, I pull up the rest of my foot and proceed to hit the pedal ever so merrily. It feels really run to play on songs like cherub rock.

EDIT: Whoops, replied to an old post. I feel really tired right now.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Any other comments on foot pedal positioning? I've been alternating between keeping my heel down or stomping. With stomping, I can feel the pedal bend a bit under my heel at the common break point, so I'm trying not to. Heel down, moving the front of my foot seems a little more tiring. I'm definitely going to try the leaning back thing.

I've also been trying to keep the pedal down in between beats which I think was a loading screen tip. However, that seems to screw me up with bass pedal off-beats. Of course, I'm screwed on those anyway so more practice is in order.


I would suggest trying each of the differnet techniques until you find one that you can really grow accustomed to. Definitely don't stomp if it feels like you may break your pedal, and I wouldn't suggest letting your foot lose contact with the pedal, becaase I personal would forget where it is and have to look down at it.

A whole lot of the non-musical drum technique (drum position, pedal position, posture, etc. etc.) is really just whatever feels right to the player.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

He said he doesn't own it, not that he hasn't played it.

Yeah, I've only been able to play the display versions of the game at stores like Best Buy and Entertainmart. That's why I'm really clueless on the technique for the stock RB bass pedal.


Petition to get J a ps2 copy of RB early? Nah...

[travmeatwad]

Google it. It's a pretty popular "band".

:rolleyes:

I know who Metallica is.. but never heard of Meticallia.

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

:rolleyes:

I know who Metallica is.. but never heard of Meticallia.


Haha, well it's a popular mispelling of it by "metalheads" on "xanga" and "myspace"

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

Shameless Bump.

[xKodyx]

how do u get the drums in solo i can olny get the mic how do u change to the drums

[MeticalliaIsntThatGood]

I assume you select it whenever it prompts youto select an instrument? :confused:

[bart2712]

you have to sign into your profile from the drums at the screen where it says press start...basically if ur at that screen just hit start on the drum set and it should sign u into your profile using drums as the main controller...at least thats how i do it.