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 mater what kind of instrument you play or study, MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL!
Everyone has a favorite song or a favorite artist or a 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.).
Thi 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 YOUSELF 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 Drums sticks every time you practice. Professional Drummers carry 12 to 24 pair of Drum 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 rhe rest of 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 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 make 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.
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 will never 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 get the name brands until you start performing in a band and are making money for yourself.
TO BE A GREAT DRUMER . . .
* 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, please feel free to e-mail me at billy@billyangelostella.com
D R _ M M E _!
What's missing?
"U" -------- "R"
