To an outsider, drumming might look easy, but it actually requires a lot of time, dedication, and hard work.
As a drummer, you’re constantly seeking to improve your skillset, refine your playing style, and try new things. There are times when it comes to you naturally. There are also times where feel like you’ve hit a roadblock. Similar to writer’s block, drummer’s block can be frustrating. No matter what you try, you can’t hit the right notes, can’t think of the right melody, and it seems like your skills are diminishing by the day. Luckily, getting out of drummer’s block doesn’t need to be hard. If you feel like you’re stuck, these tips for improving your drumming skills can help you find the inspiration you need to get back to drumming.
Take Care of Your Health
For your drumming skills to be at their best, you need to be at your best. A poor diet, irregular sleep schedule, and other lifestyle factors can negatively impact your mood, stamina, and creativity, which will affect your ability to play the drums and develop your skills. If you’re feeling stuck, try getting a good night’s rest, eating a nutritious breakfast, and cutting out other unhealthy habits. You’ll be surprised by how much of a difference it makes!
Back To the Basics
Another tip for improving your drumming skills is to go back to the basics—you couldn’t possibly forget them, could you? Most experienced drummers assume the basics are permanently etched in their minds, but it’s a lot easier to lose sight of them than you’d think. If you’re having a hard time with more complex strokes, try practicing your single strokes, double strokes, and other key rudiments, including the paradiddle and five-stroke roll, instead. Start from the beginning and work your way up. Before long, you’ll be back to playing like a pro!
Learn From Other People
It’s the worst part of a drummer’s block: a lack of creativity. If the music you’re making is starting to sound stale, it’s time to search around for some inspiration. The easiest way to get inspiration is by listening to and collaborating with other people. If you have time, why not join a drum circle? A drum circle refers to any group of people that get together to play the drums. The drum circle plays an important role in Native American and African cultures, but that doesn’t mean it’s exclusive to these cultures; anyone with a love for drumming can create one or join in. The people in the drum circle work together to improvise new music. Since the event is usually free form, it’s a great way to play around with new strokes and beats and to see what other people’s playing styles are like. If you’re worried about attending a drum circle in-person, you can find and join a virtual drum circle community online.
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