| Billy Angelo Stella's The Drummer's Workshop It's All About The Drumming! |
| WHAT IT TAKES TO PLAY THE DRUMS (PROS AND CONS) by - Billy Angelo Stella - |
| IT ALL STARTS SOMEWHERE! WITH PROPER LESSONS AND PRACTICE, YOU TOO CAN BE GREAT! |
| The Drummer's Workshop is the ONLY workshop in NEPA where you learn the RIGHT way! |
| PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MALE AND FEMALE DRUM EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES IN STOCK FOR THE BEGINNER OR PROFESSIONAL |
| THE LITTLE SHOP WITH THE BIG SUPPLIES!!! |
| PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MALE AND FEMALE DRUM EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES IN STOCK FOR THE BEGINNER OR PROFESSIONAL |
| THE LITTLE SHOP WITH THE BIG SUPPLIES!!! |
Music, in the words of scholars, states that "Music is the Art or Science of Harmonic Sound
Expression, pleasing to the EAR, beautiful, pleasant sound, delightful to hear, with its three parts -
melody, harmony, and rhythm.
No matter what kind of instrument you play or study, MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL!
Everyone has a favorite song or a favorite artist or favorite band.
No matter what instrument you may play, your teacher must be a person who knows music, who is
skilled in music notes, time signatures, tempo, styles of music such as Classical, Orchestra,
Marching, Jazz, Rock, Country, Latin, Ethnic (such as waltzes, polkas, etc.).
This is the kind of teacher you do want! A Skilled, Trained, Professional Musician, who can teach it all
and also who can perform it all.
If you have a teacher who just teaches so called "Power Chords" or "Rock Beats", you are only
FOOLING YOURSELF AND WASTING TIME AND MONEY!
You must learn the scales of the instrument you are learning. Plus, practice the EXERCISES
your teacher or instructor gives you. So be intelligent in finding the proper teacher.
Playing the DRUMS applies to what you just read above.
YOU MUST PRACTICE and YOU MUST PRACTICE one hour a day, four days a week. It is a
dedication to your musical ability, taking it to a higher level, or as some say, taking it to the
EXTREME, pushing the envelope. A LOT OF IT REALLY, REALLY DEPENDS ON YOU!
Always be relaxed when you are doing a Lesson. Read through first what you have to play. Play
slow! Do not start off fast! Get a feel for what you are playing. Remember, the faster you play, the
faster you will MESS UP.
Always be honest with yourself. If you are confused with your Lesson, take the time to call or e-mail
your instructor. I am sure the teacher will be glad you did. Or, tell your teacher at the next Lesson and
have the teacher go over it with you slowly until you get the feel for it. Remember: BE HONEST about
it. So you may have to repeat the Lesson, "BIG DEAL". Better to play it right than play it wrong!
It's all hand, foot, and eye coordination. Play a steady time, increase speed only when you have
properly obtained the Lesson you have to learn. Remember, again, I must keep stressing this:
ALWAYS PRACTICE. The more practicing you do now will benefit you in the end.
DO NOT HIT THE DRUMS HARD! A Drum is loud. Control the sound by tapping lightly. DO NOT USE
EXTREME FORCE! Less is more. A Drum does not have volume control. It is controlled by you.
Again, be relaxed and do not strike so hard.
Always be sure to have a practice pad handy to keep your fingers, wrists, and hands in top shape. A
Drum set is fine, but a practice pad with metal warm-up Drum sticks is a key ingredient for
staying in top form. Every big-time Drummer knows this. It is common knowledge. Always
practice your Singles, Doubles, Triples, and Quads.
Drum sticks - Using heavy Drum sticks to practice is good for the practice pad. Find a light to
medium weight stick to play with. Be sure they are light enough that you can do single stroke rolls
and double stroke rolls. Do not listen to anyone, anywhere trying to tell you what the BEST
pair of sticks are or they sell SO MANY of a certain brand or style. "YOU" find the right
brand and style because "YOU" have to play the Drums with them.
YES, it's all about "YOU"!
Once you establish the brand and style you like, be sure to have six pair of Drum sticks every time
you practice. Professional Drummers carry 12 to 24 pair of Drums sticks with them for each
gig. Me, I have 36 pair at each gig with seven to eight pair in my Gibraltar Drum stick holder and the
rest in my stick bag. Once you find the brand, size, and style you are happy and content with, NEVER
change - Brand, Size, or Style (unless the company stops making the stick). It will throw your
playing right off.
There are five parts to a Drum stick and each stick is made according to those five parts.
Wood tip or Nylon tip is your preference. For instance, I use Regal Tip "Rock" with a Nylon tip. But,
that's me. I have been using them since they came out in the late 1960's. So be picky about what
you use. The sticks should be very comfortable, like a comfortable pair of shoes. AND, be careful how
hard you strike the Drum. If you did not know this, Drum sticks will break - they are "wood".
In the words of my Dad, Angelo Stella, PRACTICE THE THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE. I'll let you think
about that one. But, I will tell you this, that comment makes a lot of sense.
Do not brag or get a big ego. Let your drumming do the TALKING, NOT your mouth. No one likes
an EGO. I will put it to you this way . . . If you TALK the TALK, you BETTER WALK the WALK.
There are a lot of great Drummers in the world. If you are interested in who I like, visit Who Does Billy
Listen To? on this web-site. A lot of these Drummers are great and deserve a listen to.
Never listen when a friend tells you you've got to have this or that in Drumming merchandise. Nine out
of 10 times they don't have a clue or are just jealous of what you do or have. ALWAYS TALK TO
YOUR INSTRUCTOR. They will (hopefully) lead you in the right direction.
Don't let a music store talk you into buying something you don't need or never will use. And, watch
what you buy from magazines or from another person. It may be water, fire, or smoke damaged, or
something that was never passed by quality control and is being sold real cheap.
A nice Starter Drum set is great to start playing on.
Don't get into name brands until you start performing in a band and are making money for yourself.
TO BE A GREAT DRUMMER . . .
* BE YOURSELF
* LEARN ALL YOU CAN
* BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
* PRACTICE ALL THE TIME
* NEVER GIVE UP
* AND . . . SUCCESS IS YOURS!
I hope this has been some helpful insight for you. REMEMBER, it's ALL UP TO YOU!
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at billy@billyangelostella.com .
D R _ M M E _ !
What's missing?
"U" ----- "R"
Expression, pleasing to the EAR, beautiful, pleasant sound, delightful to hear, with its three parts -
melody, harmony, and rhythm.
No matter what kind of instrument you play or study, MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL!
Everyone has a favorite song or a favorite artist or favorite band.
No matter what instrument you may play, your teacher must be a person who knows music, who is
skilled in music notes, time signatures, tempo, styles of music such as Classical, Orchestra,
Marching, Jazz, Rock, Country, Latin, Ethnic (such as waltzes, polkas, etc.).
This is the kind of teacher you do want! A Skilled, Trained, Professional Musician, who can teach it all
and also who can perform it all.
If you have a teacher who just teaches so called "Power Chords" or "Rock Beats", you are only
FOOLING YOURSELF AND WASTING TIME AND MONEY!
You must learn the scales of the instrument you are learning. Plus, practice the EXERCISES
your teacher or instructor gives you. So be intelligent in finding the proper teacher.
Playing the DRUMS applies to what you just read above.
YOU MUST PRACTICE and YOU MUST PRACTICE one hour a day, four days a week. It is a
dedication to your musical ability, taking it to a higher level, or as some say, taking it to the
EXTREME, pushing the envelope. A LOT OF IT REALLY, REALLY DEPENDS ON YOU!
Always be relaxed when you are doing a Lesson. Read through first what you have to play. Play
slow! Do not start off fast! Get a feel for what you are playing. Remember, the faster you play, the
faster you will MESS UP.
Always be honest with yourself. If you are confused with your Lesson, take the time to call or e-mail
your instructor. I am sure the teacher will be glad you did. Or, tell your teacher at the next Lesson and
have the teacher go over it with you slowly until you get the feel for it. Remember: BE HONEST about
it. So you may have to repeat the Lesson, "BIG DEAL". Better to play it right than play it wrong!
It's all hand, foot, and eye coordination. Play a steady time, increase speed only when you have
properly obtained the Lesson you have to learn. Remember, again, I must keep stressing this:
ALWAYS PRACTICE. The more practicing you do now will benefit you in the end.
DO NOT HIT THE DRUMS HARD! A Drum is loud. Control the sound by tapping lightly. DO NOT USE
EXTREME FORCE! Less is more. A Drum does not have volume control. It is controlled by you.
Again, be relaxed and do not strike so hard.
Always be sure to have a practice pad handy to keep your fingers, wrists, and hands in top shape. A
Drum set is fine, but a practice pad with metal warm-up Drum sticks is a key ingredient for
staying in top form. Every big-time Drummer knows this. It is common knowledge. Always
practice your Singles, Doubles, Triples, and Quads.
Drum sticks - Using heavy Drum sticks to practice is good for the practice pad. Find a light to
medium weight stick to play with. Be sure they are light enough that you can do single stroke rolls
and double stroke rolls. Do not listen to anyone, anywhere trying to tell you what the BEST
pair of sticks are or they sell SO MANY of a certain brand or style. "YOU" find the right
brand and style because "YOU" have to play the Drums with them.
YES, it's all about "YOU"!
Once you establish the brand and style you like, be sure to have six pair of Drum sticks every time
you practice. Professional Drummers carry 12 to 24 pair of Drums sticks with them for each
gig. Me, I have 36 pair at each gig with seven to eight pair in my Gibraltar Drum stick holder and the
rest in my stick bag. Once you find the brand, size, and style you are happy and content with, NEVER
change - Brand, Size, or Style (unless the company stops making the stick). It will throw your
playing right off.
There are five parts to a Drum stick and each stick is made according to those five parts.
Wood tip or Nylon tip is your preference. For instance, I use Regal Tip "Rock" with a Nylon tip. But,
that's me. I have been using them since they came out in the late 1960's. So be picky about what
you use. The sticks should be very comfortable, like a comfortable pair of shoes. AND, be careful how
hard you strike the Drum. If you did not know this, Drum sticks will break - they are "wood".
In the words of my Dad, Angelo Stella, PRACTICE THE THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE. I'll let you think
about that one. But, I will tell you this, that comment makes a lot of sense.
Do not brag or get a big ego. Let your drumming do the TALKING, NOT your mouth. No one likes
an EGO. I will put it to you this way . . . If you TALK the TALK, you BETTER WALK the WALK.
There are a lot of great Drummers in the world. If you are interested in who I like, visit Who Does Billy
Listen To? on this web-site. A lot of these Drummers are great and deserve a listen to.
Never listen when a friend tells you you've got to have this or that in Drumming merchandise. Nine out
of 10 times they don't have a clue or are just jealous of what you do or have. ALWAYS TALK TO
YOUR INSTRUCTOR. They will (hopefully) lead you in the right direction.
Don't let a music store talk you into buying something you don't need or never will use. And, watch
what you buy from magazines or from another person. It may be water, fire, or smoke damaged, or
something that was never passed by quality control and is being sold real cheap.
A nice Starter Drum set is great to start playing on.
Don't get into name brands until you start performing in a band and are making money for yourself.
TO BE A GREAT DRUMMER . . .
* BE YOURSELF
* LEARN ALL YOU CAN
* BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
* PRACTICE ALL THE TIME
* NEVER GIVE UP
* AND . . . SUCCESS IS YOURS!
I hope this has been some helpful insight for you. REMEMBER, it's ALL UP TO YOU!
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at billy@billyangelostella.com .
D R _ M M E _ !
What's missing?
"U" ----- "R"
| LOCATED AT: 39 School Street Hudson (Plains Twp.), PA 18705-3430 (Between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Behind Mohegan Sun Casino) Call (570) 822-4883 FOR DIRECTIONS ON YOUR "GPS", ENTER "39 SCHOOL ST, HUDSON, PA" CLICK HERE TO E-MAIL! |
