Mart61's Learning Thread

Mart61

Silver Member
Hi guys

Rather than start a new thread each and every time I've made a little progress or tried something new, I thought I'd start a single thread just to chart my progress that the good people of Drummerworld could either view if time and inclination permits, or simply ignore it if it gets tedious.

Of course any and all comments, critique or otherwise will be gratefully received for which I think you in advance.

Anyway, I thought I'd start from the very beginning on this OP and then simply add a reply with any new videos.

So here goes:

My first teetering steps 15 March 2015
http://youtu.be/jn7Nklpgig8

Eight on a hand 21 March 2015
http://youtu.be/dtcbddCbjGw

Single stroke roll 21 March 2015
http://youtu.be/EbdhAdkqw1Y

Paradiddles 25 April 2015
http://youtu.be/SQQDPlwD4JQ

Faster paradiddles 26 April 2015
http://youtu.be/JAwV6liUFwA

My first groove 29 April 2015
http://youtu.be/Qnnsz3WeVIA

Groove II 30 April 2015
http://youtu.be/X5NN7lB8h5E

Fifty ways 1 May 2015
http://youtu.be/cxC8vtLkuZs

My first fill 2 May 2015
http://youtu.be/7CI-hVaUEVE

Thanks for watching. I'll invite all commenters to my first arena gig, promise! :)
 
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Had another hour behind my kit this afternoon messing about with fills. Still not great but getting there:

http://youtu.be/qmqEDkq7ux4

Please watch until the end - there's a valuable lesson to be learned.

:D
 
Keep up the good work Mart. I'd like to see you play to a metronome on the kit. It's pretty clear you need it, everyone does. Avoid developing bad habits. It's the very best thing you can do, playing to a met, especially considering where you are on your journey.
 
Guest list, best seat in the house, right? And I like you and you like me, right?

This isn't your finest hour. I can absolutely see what you're intending to do, but it isn't tight enough. Don't be discouraged, just set the bar higher and don't be satisfied with less. You are WELL capable, but it takes time. A lot more time than any of us would like :)
 
I'd like to see you play to a metronome on the kit. It's pretty clear you need it...

I'll do that next time, promise

Guest list, best seat in the house, right?

Absolutely Madge. Nothing but the best! :)

This isn't your finest hour. I can absolutely see what you're intending to do, but it isn't tight enough. Don't be discouraged, just set the bar higher and don't be satisfied with less. You are WELL capable, but it takes time. A lot more time than any of us would like :)

You're spot on. It's not tight enough. I kept going for it but was getting tired by the time I filmed this. Next time I'll shoot earlier in the session.

Keep up the valued comments one and all.
 
Awesome idea to video your progress. You seem too conscious of the recorder which makes it seem too "mechanical"-loosen up-loosen that death grip you have on the sticks, forget about the video recorder and just get in the habit of turning it on and playing and forgetting about it. Start playing to music-find the pulse and play it and work on independence of limbs-forget about fills for now and just work on "feeling time" and keeping good time. Until you have good time it's difficult to play fills in time-most people rush. The objective is to play to music so why not start and play to all kinds of music too.
 
Here's a short clip of me playing to music. I had several attempts at this - with ear defenders, with Bose headphones, without anything. In the end I moved one of my Sonos speakers speakers into the room and turned it up full. If I couldn't hear the music properly I just couldn't keep time.

Mind you this is not my finest hour either, Madge. :D

http://youtu.be/buI9t8i1-aE
 
I think it's commendable what you're doing Mart, the whole warts n' all type thing. I've been playing over 20 years and have never had the confidence to put anything on the ol' Tube of You, I doth my cap to thee sir.
 
Many thanks Beaker. Hopefully there will be some improvement at some stage. :)
 
Here's a short clip of me playing to music. I had several attempts at this - with ear defenders, with Bose headphones, without anything. In the end I moved one of my Sonos speakers speakers into the room and turned it up full. If I couldn't hear the music properly I just couldn't keep time.

Mind you this is not my finest hour either, Madge. :D

http://youtu.be/buI9t8i1-aE

It's tighter there on that clip Mart, well done. Keep at it, it will get easier the more you practice.
 
id better get busy , your gonna pass me up :)
 
Thanks guys. Been away a couple of days. Need to go play soon.
 
Hey I think you're doing good. Just keep on doing it, and you'll get better and better. Happy journey.
 
Pretty damn good, & a significant improvement in the feel of your groove.

What he said! Don't tell me you can't hear a world of difference between the two clips? If so, I question your judgement, young man.

I notice your wrist is getting softer on your hi hat. That's good: one of the things I hate to hear (which I always have a tendency to do, myself) is to strike the hat with equal force every time. It's hard and rigid and sounds awful. You're already differentiating between the upbeat and the downbeat. Really nice work, Martin.
 
Hey I think you're doing good. Just keep on doing it, and you'll get better and better. Happy journey.

Many thanks. I'm getting there...slowly.

Eu contraire mon ami, I think it is :) Pretty damn good, & a significant improvement in the feel of your groove. Just watch that bass drum urgency. Your foot's just a tad keen on getting that thump in. Lay it back a touch, & the backbeat will find it's own place.

Thanks for that. I'll bare that in mind when next I go play.

I notice your wrist is getting softer on your hi hat. That's good: one of the things I hate to hear (which I always have a tendency to do, myself) is to strike the hat with equal force every time. It's hard and rigid and sounds awful. You're already differentiating between the upbeat and the downbeat. Really nice work, Martin.

Thanks Madge - much of my improvement is down to the members of this great forum, your good self included.
 
I don't care anymore

Well, actually I do. Woke up with this drumbeat in my head a few days ago and, after racking my brains as to what it was, decided to have a bash at it. It's not as Phil played it I'm sure but hey, it sounds similar....sort of.

http://youtu.be/Ipv-caDZjNE

:D
 
This is very commendable, i.e. posting up when you are just learning a new instrument! It took me 36 years of playing before I had enough confidence for You Tube, lol.

My only works of wisdom for you are don't neglect the practice pad. It's very easy to skip the practice pad and go straight to the kit. To this day, after 35+ years of playing, I always put in at least 20-30 minutes on the pad before sitting down behind the kit. The pad is where your sticking technique has the best opportunity to develop. If you're strapped for time, play the pad, not the kit. And always play to a click while on the pad (and the kit too but maybe not always), especially when you are a beginner like this. If you do, you'll develop your internal clock much quicker and it adds efficiency to your progress by not developing bad habits. There is a lot of satisfaction to be had on the practice pad. Set goals for yourself and track your progress. Also, don't forget about dynamics, play accented exercises.

All in all, very cool. I LOVE seeing folks picking up a new instrument later in life. You're never too old! Have fun on your journey!
 
Many thanks for your kind words. I've a long way to go but willing to put in the effort.

You're right, you're never too old. Rush told me that too - see the tweet I got from them:

17492462652_d9fa41f2cf_b.jpg


:D
 
Many thanks for your kind words. I've a long way to go but willing to put in the effort.

You're right, you're never too old. Rush told me that too - see the tweet I got from them:

17492462652_d9fa41f2cf_b.jpg


:D

Super cool! Very cool that you got some inspiration from Rush and by association, Neil. They are a great band for inspiration during the early phases.
 
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