Even though I’m a drummer, this article has some gems for other instrumentalists. Although I’ve been playing drums for over twenty years, I didn’t start using serious rhythm improvement techniques until…well, I’d rather not say. 😓 But if I had taken this article’s advice, I would have been WAY more prepared for auditions, performances and studio recording. I wouldn’t have spent so many years with the bad habit of speeding up my tempo, especially while playing fills! Truth be told, that habit STILL haunts my rhythm technique! 😵
The Importance of Rhythm
What took me far too long to accept is that the drummer’s #1 job is to keep the beat. Confession time—for years and years I didn’t really care about keeping that steady beat (THERE I SAID IT). For me, it was a guideline or a suggestion, not a rule. I wanted to color outside the lines. I wanted to play hard and fast. I wanted to impress my friends. I wanted to pound out beats and fills that seemed technically legit but lacked the steady foundational tempo that would qualify it for any practical application—like performing with other musicians. That was early on, but I eventually played with enough talented musicians that tolerated my lack of rhythmic discipline. And luckily they helped me find the right path and I have seen the light. Rhythm matters most above all.
In fact, over time I’ve become so appreciative of drummers that are decidedly not wizard virtuosos or technical beasts. They are the minimalists that throw down that driving tempo and support their bandmates. Probably my all-time favorite minimalist drummer is Meg White of the White Stripes. Here she is playing only the notes needed and NOTHING extra and it’s just brilliant. Years ago, this was not a popular opinion to have, and it still might not be popular today. You see, despite the crazy success of the White Stripes, Meg White has faced harsh criticism over her minimalist technique, which in my opinion is completely unfair because HELLO, THEIR SONGS ARE AWESOME. And subjectivity aside, they have multi-platinum album sales. Whether you’ve heard of the band or not, you know their song “Seven Nation Army” because it’s become a stadium chant that we all hear at the biggest professional sporting events. Meg’s simple steady drumbeat perfectly complements Jack White’s epic guitar riffage.
3 Tips
1. Practice (rudiments) with a metronome
A steady tempo is so important for good rhythm technique. And the best way to improve is to practice rudiment exercises with a metronome. What are rudiments? In percussion music, a rudiment is one of a number of relatively small patterns that form the foundation for more extended and complex drum patterns. The term "rudiment" in this context means not only "basic", but also fundamental. Here is a list of the Percussive Arts Society’s International Drum Rudiments.
And what is a metronome? A metronome is a practice tool that produces a steady pulse (or beat) to help musicians play rhythms accurately. The pulses are measured in beats-per-minute (BPM). Most metronomes are capable of playing beats from 35 to 250 BPM. There is no shortage of free metronome apps for your smart device. I prefer using Pro Metronome by EUMLab, and more recently I’ve enjoyed The Metronome by Soundbrenner.
2. Play along with songs you enjoy
For non-drummers, any sound output device will work—earbuds, AirPods, Bluetooth speakers, etc. For drummers, noise levels can become an issue and to respect your long term hearing (because we all want to enjoy music even when we get older!). Some decent isolation headphones like these from Vic Firth are the way to go. I am never without isolation headphones for practice and performance, certainly in gigs where the band plays to a click track (which is another phrase for “metronome”).
3. Watch and learn
VIBE instructors are available for one on one lessons to help you get to the next level of musicianship! Beyond that, there is so much content on YouTube of some seriously jaw-dropping talent. Watch it, let it inspire you and push your technique in new directions. I’ve been blowing my mind over this video of one of my drummer heroes, Danny Carey (I never said I didn’t have a love for technical beasts too!)
Improve your sense of rhythm today by signing up for lessons with one of our great instructors at Vibe Music Academy!
- David Evans, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy.
