Arky
Platinum Member
Larry,
I agree those results are quick. But I started as late as at age 37 so I simply don't have the time to invest 15 years or something to crunch some bpm (I spent a good deal of my life on guitar techniques, don't have another life to do the same with drums). Those 240 bpm on footwork/heel up was something which took me about 7 months (starting from zero)! No progress since that time though, but considering 240 isn't bad, I'm not complaining.
I don't want to bore anybody with guitar stuff but just to clear up: I was doing that test with sextuplet patterns played on the high e string. I was sliding up and down after playing that pattern 1 time, and that slide made it a 7-tuplet. I don't remember the exact calcultation but the speed I was pushing myself towards was in the 210 bpm range. Those patterns involved finger combinations 1-3-4 or 1-2-4 (1=index, 4=pinky).
Ok, let's just ignore the bpm's I've given relating to myself as long as I don't provide video proof. Let's go on and see what others have to contribute. This thread isn't about me, ok? ;-)
More on topic, and also addressing Larry's idea of writing a book (hahaha - Larry, you're a creative guy!) - here's some thoughts on how to go for progress. What works for somebody doesn't necessarily work for others. You have to find out what works best for you - when to practice (it might not matter at all, or some prefer to practice in the morning, evening etc.), how long to practice, how you're structuring your practice. I was focusing on technique/speed so that was where my results are. I said months ago that for now I'm doing that "strategy" to just "get into it" mechanically while lacking in terms of groove, style. This is what I will address at a later time, or gradually grow into. I'm still in the "learn the mechanics, and push it" phase. Makes sense to me (and has worked well so far). I also want to mention that there's so much one can do for overall improvement in addition to actually sitting at a kit, or to even practice while being away from a kit. That concept of practicing (patterns, rhythm) in one's mind is really great - I haven't really explored that yet - has been discussed on other threads.
Then there's the purely physical aspect. I do some sports (running, sometimes weight training) to stay fit and for some overall endurance. You don't have to do so but if you're going for high speed and holding this for minutes (e.g. heel up @ 240 bpm for 40 minutes, as I did about 2 months ago), some degree of physical conditioning (from running, cycling, weight training) certainly helps. It's not a must but a "should"/"can't hurt". I'm also doing isolated left hand exercises a lot - while being at the PC, with the right hand doing all the stuff, I would practice trad grip on a pad or snare (& pad on top usually). I try to make practice time. There's lots of ways to work on various stuff. Check your diet (there's huge potential for me in that field!). Try to stay healthy (or frankly: don't drink or smoke!). Etc.
I'm trying to implement multi-tasking in my life. Took me some experimenting on what works and what doesn't. I remember a discussion on DW with a guy who said: What? You're practicing while not 100% focusing on drumming but watching the TV or doing other stuff? Mike Mangini doesn't do this, he's always focusing 100%. (And I - meaning that guy - am a disciple of Mangini so I would never practice at the TV.) As I said - for some it works, for others it doesn't. I'd say everybody could find out how to max one's practice time (including time being away from the kit and pad!) or to combine things to save overall time. I think it does boil down to the time you can find to practice (whether 100% focused or multi-tasking). This has actually changed my life. E.g. I'm practicing doubles on the feet while working at the PC. Took some time to learn this but it's working for me. I couldn't imagine to first do this, then do that, purely consecutively. I'm trying to "layer" various things. One can learn this to some degree. Give it a try, it's your time you're saving.
I'm imagining a conversation with that "I'm practicing like Mike Mangini [who is a superb drummer, I'm using him for example purposes here] - only 100% focus" guy (let's call him the "MMD" - Mike Mangini disciple).
MMD: What? You max out at 240 bpm w/ heel up?
Arky: Yes. Can you do this? (Just guessing that he can't.)
MMD: No. How did you do it? How long did it take you? (I'm playing for... [let's say 6-8] years.)
Arky: I hit that speed in 7 months. Multi-tasking. Making practice time. Do several things at the same time. (= NOT always having 100% focus.) And yes, sometimes I'm practicing at the TV, too. (Has worked with the guitar for years - at least for me.)
MMD: I see... (Returns to his 100% focused practice routine and being a Mike Mangini disciple.)]
...just an example that some things work for some, not for everybody, and that some people choose to do things in a certain way and maybe are passing the chance to optimize/maximize by trying to squeeze more what can be done into the same amount of time.
I agree those results are quick. But I started as late as at age 37 so I simply don't have the time to invest 15 years or something to crunch some bpm (I spent a good deal of my life on guitar techniques, don't have another life to do the same with drums). Those 240 bpm on footwork/heel up was something which took me about 7 months (starting from zero)! No progress since that time though, but considering 240 isn't bad, I'm not complaining.
I don't want to bore anybody with guitar stuff but just to clear up: I was doing that test with sextuplet patterns played on the high e string. I was sliding up and down after playing that pattern 1 time, and that slide made it a 7-tuplet. I don't remember the exact calcultation but the speed I was pushing myself towards was in the 210 bpm range. Those patterns involved finger combinations 1-3-4 or 1-2-4 (1=index, 4=pinky).
Ok, let's just ignore the bpm's I've given relating to myself as long as I don't provide video proof. Let's go on and see what others have to contribute. This thread isn't about me, ok? ;-)
More on topic, and also addressing Larry's idea of writing a book (hahaha - Larry, you're a creative guy!) - here's some thoughts on how to go for progress. What works for somebody doesn't necessarily work for others. You have to find out what works best for you - when to practice (it might not matter at all, or some prefer to practice in the morning, evening etc.), how long to practice, how you're structuring your practice. I was focusing on technique/speed so that was where my results are. I said months ago that for now I'm doing that "strategy" to just "get into it" mechanically while lacking in terms of groove, style. This is what I will address at a later time, or gradually grow into. I'm still in the "learn the mechanics, and push it" phase. Makes sense to me (and has worked well so far). I also want to mention that there's so much one can do for overall improvement in addition to actually sitting at a kit, or to even practice while being away from a kit. That concept of practicing (patterns, rhythm) in one's mind is really great - I haven't really explored that yet - has been discussed on other threads.
Then there's the purely physical aspect. I do some sports (running, sometimes weight training) to stay fit and for some overall endurance. You don't have to do so but if you're going for high speed and holding this for minutes (e.g. heel up @ 240 bpm for 40 minutes, as I did about 2 months ago), some degree of physical conditioning (from running, cycling, weight training) certainly helps. It's not a must but a "should"/"can't hurt". I'm also doing isolated left hand exercises a lot - while being at the PC, with the right hand doing all the stuff, I would practice trad grip on a pad or snare (& pad on top usually). I try to make practice time. There's lots of ways to work on various stuff. Check your diet (there's huge potential for me in that field!). Try to stay healthy (or frankly: don't drink or smoke!). Etc.
I'm trying to implement multi-tasking in my life. Took me some experimenting on what works and what doesn't. I remember a discussion on DW with a guy who said: What? You're practicing while not 100% focusing on drumming but watching the TV or doing other stuff? Mike Mangini doesn't do this, he's always focusing 100%. (And I - meaning that guy - am a disciple of Mangini so I would never practice at the TV.) As I said - for some it works, for others it doesn't. I'd say everybody could find out how to max one's practice time (including time being away from the kit and pad!) or to combine things to save overall time. I think it does boil down to the time you can find to practice (whether 100% focused or multi-tasking). This has actually changed my life. E.g. I'm practicing doubles on the feet while working at the PC. Took some time to learn this but it's working for me. I couldn't imagine to first do this, then do that, purely consecutively. I'm trying to "layer" various things. One can learn this to some degree. Give it a try, it's your time you're saving.
I'm imagining a conversation with that "I'm practicing like Mike Mangini [who is a superb drummer, I'm using him for example purposes here] - only 100% focus" guy (let's call him the "MMD" - Mike Mangini disciple).
MMD: What? You max out at 240 bpm w/ heel up?
Arky: Yes. Can you do this? (Just guessing that he can't.)
MMD: No. How did you do it? How long did it take you? (I'm playing for... [let's say 6-8] years.)
Arky: I hit that speed in 7 months. Multi-tasking. Making practice time. Do several things at the same time. (= NOT always having 100% focus.) And yes, sometimes I'm practicing at the TV, too. (Has worked with the guitar for years - at least for me.)
MMD: I see... (Returns to his 100% focused practice routine and being a Mike Mangini disciple.)]
...just an example that some things work for some, not for everybody, and that some people choose to do things in a certain way and maybe are passing the chance to optimize/maximize by trying to squeeze more what can be done into the same amount of time.
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