Useful Rudiments on the Drum Set Unit 1- The Drag

2 Responses to “Useful Rudiments on the Drum Set Unit 1- The Drag”

1. Rick Morgan says:

   April 8, 2010 at 3:51 pm

   Hello,

   I found your site by searching YouTube for ‘Rudiments on the Drumset’. I love what you’ve done. You’re a great player…very inspiring. I’m a long-time player but feel like I’m in a long-time rut too. I think that what you’re doing with your website will help me. I’ve always been frustrated by not being able to play solos that I think sound good and professional. I think the problem lies in my not creatively applying rudiments to the kit as well as not being able to play rudiments lightning fast. Anyway, thanks for what you’re doing. -Rick from Indianpolis
2. Brad Frank says:

   April 8, 2010 at 4:41 pm

   Thanks Rick! I recommend picking up the method book: The Drummer’s Complete Vocabulary as Taught by Alan Dawson. It has the rudiments set in a musical format which make it easier to learn the rudiments and make use of them. He calls it The Rudimental Ritual.

   Rudiments can help your soloing, but there are other points to consider besides technique. I recommend listening to as many drum solos as possible. Drum solos are like songs. You need to learn their language. Try learning some easy drum solos like The End by the Beatles.

   Generally, to help your solo, I’d say start slow, leaving yourself room to get fancy, then play a beginning, middle, and end. Don’t worry that it’s not technical enough. You’re probably your own worst critic anyway!! Remember this, you could be playing the world’s greatest drum solo, but when does the audience cheer? That’s right, for the stick twirls! My point is, that you don’t need to be technical to be entertaining (listen to a Peter Criss drum solo!) but you’re likely more technical than you think!