STEWART COPELAND

by **Spec A!** on 16 Apr 2007 21:09

Ha! Thats a good point. What's funny about that song is I find myself having a hard time playing it as straight as Stewart because it has such a good funk groove to it. Not that it's hard to play- I just wanna get supar funky between the hat's and kick and start adding in all these fills and playing around the beat!

by **Ska Man** on 17 Apr 2007 13:38

Oh yah the song is crazy the groove is so steady its disgusting

but once you can drive & steer the groove the fills etc play themselves. Its an excellent song to practice to is not technically difficult but the feel the groove now thats the meat of it also there are no fills no cymbals or toms just a drag on the hats on the 4 this is definately Stewart at his finest :lol:

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by **DirtyMartini** on 17 Apr 2007 14:43

And, if I might add, the "monotony" (if you will) of the drumming (and the melody and the lyric) is perfect for the theme. I love that song.

BBoy, I've heard SC say the same. I'm hoping to start out with the traditional grip (if it doesn't elude me). Might be more difficult upfront, but it seems like picking up matched later will be easier than vice versa. (As so many have mentioned.)

Ska Man, thanks for the thoughts, especially the reminder about playing slow. So true. Slow and steady is really difficult. And the song recommendations are great! Thanks!

SS, that's a good question. I would expect so?

Thanks as always, Copelanders. You guys are amazing.

by **GinaSuperCat** on 17 Apr 2007 15:13

I'll just add to my previous comments that just a little bit every day makes a big difference in terms of training muscle memory, even like 15-20 minutes...one of the local drummers (answering question of how me got so damned good) would answer: practice Syncopation (Ted Reed's classic text) until you bleed it...now that's not necessary, but the applicable point is to keep practicing the rudiments or Stone's Stick Control (or whatever you work on) a bit every day really makes it so you can follow Stewart's advice, play outside your instrument, because if the strokes, patterns, etc. become second nature you precisely don't have to think about it and can focus on the music...this is where the 'drudge' of technique really pays off...

And remember, "Lesson 25" is actually rudiment #34 <booggle & grin>

Yes drummers have hurt themselves, partcularly depending on how they play etc. Donna C taught herself to play and ended up getting surgery from carpal tunnel/tendonitis related problems and had to relearn grip and how to play from scratch after that...Jason Bonham (yep Bonzo's kid) was having major numbness/tinglies in his hand and had to have surgery as well (I think he may've hurt it previously...he was kinda a wild one /grin)...etc.

There's a balance between gripping the sticks too tightly/deathgrip and just holding them firmly enough to keep them in your hands and optimize control without a deathgrip (fast track to wrist problems)..as Tiger Bill (student of Joe Morello) says, "Stay loose!" Stewart said the same thing to Aled in the video, as well...oh I wish Stewart would give *me* a neck rub while I am playing <lost in thought>....

by **DirtyMartini** on 17 Apr 2007 15:52

Is it getting hot in here?!?

Thanks, Gina. (Although you lost me on the 25 = 34 thing.) Rote is good.

by **roerigraider1** on 19 Apr 2007 13:53

Learn how to keep in time 4/4 or what ever, practice your simple stuff first, 8th notes, 16th notes, paradiddles!!! you know LRLLL, RLRRR etc... this will help your coordination, Good luck Raider1

by **dontboxmein** on 19 Apr 2007 14:34

Another thing that needs to be mentioned...keep time with your left foot or what ever side the hi-hat is on. If you lose time it will be the transition from hat to ride. So it is very important not to lose the groove a master of this style is Manu Katche. He always keeps his left foot moving to time. An exercise that you should try. Is play 4 quater notes to a bar on the hat( not with the stick your foot up and down motion)...keep them steady and then start implementing the kick on 1 for the 1st bar. On 2 the 2nd bar...so on and so forth. So after 4 bars repeat this time add doubles on the the quater note. Repeat whole exercise again. Last part start playing 8th notes on the kick and the quater note pulse on the left. Do the same exercise up top. That should be enough to start with. Never lose time with the left foot it will keep you in synch!!!!!!! Play to a click and increase the speed after you feel good.
Go to the speed where you fall apart and kick it back right before you break..this will help you get to that speed where you fell apart.

GOOD LUCK!!!!! :shock:

by **roerigraider1** on 19 Apr 2007 14:46

Good advice Box!!! how are you??? ( omega)!!!Yo!!!!

by **DirtyMartini** on 19 Apr 2007 17:36

You kids make me fly.

Thank you, RG1 and DBMI.

When I have time in a couple of weeks, I'm going to start assembling the info that I've gathered for reference, pick up a few texts, and pick up some sticks! (Although my steering wheel and dashboard have gotten some serious whooping as of late.)

You Copelanders have been absolutely enormous. After all of your kindness and support, I sure hope that I don't suck, or I'm going to feel like a real tool. As always, thank you all!

by **BongoBoy** on 19 Apr 2007 17:53

If you get discouraged, listen to AC/DC.

Phil Rudd plays straight. It shows you how a basic beat with a smooth groove is fantastic.

Then you move on and up until you can put some little "flurishes" in Copeland style.

As long as you are practicing you DO NOT suck...cause you are learning.

you know you CAN!!!

I am loving practicing everyday, even 20 minutes does wonders!, even I am amazed how it all comes back...and more!

Ba Dum Dum!
Can't wait to get home!

by **Spec A!** on 19 Apr 2007 18:11

This thread is awesome because it keeps encouraging me (especially BBoy) to practice everyday. I have another baby on the way, changed jobs about 1.5months ago, and things have been too crazy for me to get behind the kit regularly. I NEED to have some sticks in my hands E V E R Y D A Y. I get frustrated not having the time to bash away like I want to, but if I at least keep my hands up with some sort of practice everyday I know I'll be okay.

Thanks gang

by **GinaSuperCat** on 19 Apr 2007 21:10

Being away from the drums for a week is keeling me, LOL...and it's only been two days now...and although I brought my sticks and whack away at a pillow when I have to, it just ain't the same <grin>

by **DirtyMartini** on 20 Apr 2007 00:23

Man, I love you people. Stewart, your disciples are an amazing folk.

I would be remiss to let a week go by in which I didn't mention how much I LOVE BBoy's enthusiasm.

And Spec, congrats on the new job and new baby-to-be.

Now go practice practice practice, every single one of you!

by **mardee** on 20 Apr 2007 01:18

Man, I've not even really been thinking of playing more than a basic rhythm on hand drums, and I'm getting motivated to take up the sticks and learn the drums.

This board is full of such wonderful, supportive people.

DirtyM, keep us up to date on your progress. I'd like to hear how it goes.

by **pdq4646** on 26 Apr 2007 01:39

Most drummers ( even Pro's ) don't have a handle on tunning drums. I have worked as a Drum tech for a few years. Not one of the drummers could tune their drums. Drum Heads wear out just like guitar strings. If you ever record you will save everyone a lot of time getting sounds if you learn to tune. When you can't play your drums, practice on a table using you hands or fingers and bounce your feet on the floor. ENJOY

STEWART COPELAND

Yo, drummers! How'd you start learning/playing/rocking?

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