This month let’s take a look at some more creative concepts in drumming. The way you think about the drums is fundamental to the way you physically play the drums. The Elephant Drums learning method includes study of the thought processes that go on ‘behind the scenes’ in a drummer’s mind. This in turn unlocks creativity…
When working on a new rhythm, groove, fill or whatever, there are 3 main approaches you can apply to aid in the process of internalisation (making it natural). Neatly, these 3 concepts all begin with the letter ‘M’. Makes it nice and easy to remember the 3 approaches. Don’t you just love the English language!?
These approaches to learning a new drum part are:
1. Methodical
2. Mathematical
3. Mechanical
The 3 concepts come as a package – it’s difficult to isolate one of them as better than another. It’s the combination of all 3 approaches which leads to thorough internalisation of the new rhythm/fill/pattern.
The Methodical approach
In other words: “identify a method”. Every groove, pattern, fill etc has an underlying method. A good drum teacher will be able to show you the various ways to identify the most appropriate method. As a rough guide, the types of method you’ll be looking for include the following things:
* Recognising rhythmic shapes
* Finding regular patterns hidden within irregular patterns
* Simplification / breaking down of complex patterns
* The “if you can say it you can play it” theory
The Mathematical approach
This approach is the most analytical of the 3 approaches. It involves counting through every note in your rhythmic pattern. You then assign a specific motion, hand position or type of stroke to each number. Think of a ‘painting by numbers’ sketch book (where you colour in sections of a picture in a certain colour depending on a corresponding number) – but instead of painting we’re playing drums.
The Mathematical approach is usually based on written notation. It’s a way of translating patterns and exercises you find in books or on the Internet into something you can play. On the other hand, the approach might be reversed so that you can write down something you’ve played in order to remember it or communicate it to others.
The Mechanical approach
This method is also known as ‘Muscle Memory’. It’s the theory that by repetition of movement we can physically learn the mechanics of a pattern/groove. It’s the process of creating a direct link between the physical movement and the audible outcome.
The mechanical approach involves playing at all speeds, from extra-slow through to comfortably fast. Each time you return to working through the motions of a groove/fill you should play systematically through a range of tempos. This should be done both with and without a metronome (see previous article on “timing is not the same thing as time-keeping” for the logic behind this).
This has been a brief introduction to the 3 ‘M’s – hope you have found it useful. For further information or to arrange a drum lesson with a friendly professional teacher, please contact Elephant Drums on 020 7193 8628 or email info@elephantdrums.co.uk
Happy drumming!
