As a drummer, continuous practice is the key to developing technique, timing and creativity. But simply ‘banging away’ is often not enough. If you practise in a structured way, you will make faster progress and be more successful.
I was very influenced by the sentence: "Practising means cultivating a relationship with your instrument." I like to think about this when I have motivation problems. It helps me to grab my sticks and go to the drumset.
In this article, I'll show you how to organise your practice time as efficiently as possible.
1. Define your goals
Before you get started, you should set yourself clear goals. These should be no more than 3 - 5 specific goals. Ask yourself:
- What do I want to improve? (e.g. double bass, rudiments, fills)
- Is there a specific song that I want to be able to play?
- Do I want to improvise or improve my timing?
Tip: Make a note of your goals - this will keep you focussed and allow you to see your progress. Review these goals regularly and adjust them. Once you have mastered one and have made significant progress, replace it with a new goal.
2. Create a practice plan
A goal is only as good as the plan that leads to it. Create a weekly practice plan with specific time slots. Divide your time into short blocks:
- 10 min: Warm-ups
- 15 min: Technique (e.g. rudiments, stick control)
- 15 min: Grooves & timing
- 10 min: Favourite songs
- 5 min: Free playing / creativity
Important: Practise 20 minutes a day rather than 2 hours once a week.
3. Keep a diary
Keep a practice diary. It's best to buy a blank, chequered A4 or A5 book that will become your personal drum book. In it you can record all kinds of things about drumming, from ideas, licks, workshop content etc. Keep a record of your practising:
- What you practised
- How long you practised the exercise
- What went well or badly
- What you would like to do differently next time
This will help you develop a feeling for your learning curve and stay motivated.
From my personal experience, I can say that a personal drum book is definitely worthwhile. My recordings go back years and it's fun to browse through them and remember.
As an alternative to the book, you can also use an exercise log. Simply print it several times and collect it in a folder, for example.
4. Set a timer
Use a timer, alarm clock or stopwatch to focus your practice time.
A fixed time frame ensures that you stay focussed on the exercise and don't just drone on or digress. Stick strictly to the time frame and practise only the exercise and nothing else within this time frame.
5. record yourself
Record yourself regularly while playing. This works with any mobile phone. Preferably as a video, of course. This will help you recognise:
- Timing problems
- Incorrect movements
- Nervous rush
- Unfavourable dynamics
You hear yourself like your audience and that is often an eye-opener and the best feedback of all!
Bonus tip: Practice pad on holiday and when travelling
I always take a practice pad, a pair of sticks, exercises and of course the practical Rudiment Cards with me when I'm travelling. That way I can annoy everyone with my drumming even when I'm on holiday, in a hotel or on the beach! But joking aside: a daily workout of a few minutes helps to keep your hands fit - even if you don't have access to a drum set for a longer time.
Packing list for travelling:
- Practice pad
- Sticks (perhaps also brushes or rods)
- Metronome app
- Practice diary
- Exercises and Rudiment Cards
Conclusion
Practising doesn't have to be boring or chaotic. With clear goals, a plan and a few clever tricks, you can stay on track and become a better drummer every day.
Start today - your future self will thank you!
How do you practise? What experiences have you had or where do you have problems? I look forward to your comments and questions.
With that in mind, happy drumming!
RC Schneider