Episodes
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Gediminas from Lithuania asks a fantastic question: When you have limited time during the day, what should you practice? How can you get better even if you don’t have very much time to practice? In this episode, I’ll show you how time should not correlated with progress. I’ll even prove to you that lack of time can actually become harnessed as a superpower!
Show notes for this episode (and all others) can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com
PS: In the episode, I accidentally pronounced Gediminas’s name incorrectly… please forgive me dude! :)
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Missing episodes?
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Ben from Indiana asks about how to deal with musicians who have trouble accepting feedback. In this episode, I'll discuss the following:
- How to give constructive feedback to other musicians.
- How to frame your suggestion in the right way.
- How to create an environment where regular feedback is appreciated.
- How to know whether or not you should offer advice in the first place.
- How to not offend your bandmates when you offer feedback.
- How to deal with musicians who may be unreceptive to feedback. -
Marland from San Diego asks about ear plugs. The sound quality of his current ear plugs just aren't cutting it. What are the best kind to get? In this episode, I give my recommendation for exactly what kind of ear plugs you should get, and what filter is best for you.
Show notes for this episode can be found at http://www.stevesuchdrums.com/askthedrummerpodcast/
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Jules from San Diego asks about what to do if you're having problems tuning your snare drum. She's bought new heads but still seems to be having trouble. Jules, you're not alone! In this episode, I'll discuss my 4 things to consider when tuning your snare drum.
Show Notes for all episodes can be found at www.askthedrummer.com
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It's happened to us all at some point... you're sitting in and a tune is called that you don't know. How do you "drive the bus" even if you don't know the tune? In this episode, I'll cover the 3 most important things you need to know when "winging it" on a gig. Thanks to CJ from New York for sending in this question!
Show notes for this episode are available at www.askthedrummer.com
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Nathan from San Diego asks about ear protection. What can you do to prevent tinnitus? How can you make smarter decisions about ear protection? In this episode, I offer specific ear plug recommendations and share my tips for preventing ear damage.
Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com -
Video version: http://www.rulesfordrummers.com
I asked Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, Zoro, Johnny Rabb, Curt Bisquera, Ari Hoenig, Victor Indrizzo, Jonathan Mover, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Steve Fidyk, Bermuda Schwartz, Dan Needham, Bruce Becker, Bill Bachman, Jeff Queen, Pete Lockett, Andre Boyd, Nick Ruffini, Dave Kropf, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Tim Lefevbre, and many more to give their top piece of advice to drummers.
The catch… THEY COULD ONLY USE THREE WORDS!
I hope this video inspires YOU to think about what it means to be a drummer.As we get ready for 2017, if you were to truly focus on just ONE of these rules each week, you'd have almost 2 years worth of concepts to help improve your playing!
Thank you to the following drummers/instrumentalists/vocalists/educators:
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100 Steve Bradley
99 Eugene McGhee
98 Max Marshall
97 Conrad Askland
96 John Marque
95 Reese
94 *** JEFF HAMILTON ***
93 Clint Dodson
92 Paul Westlake
91 Ian Shepherd90 ***CURT BISQUERA***
89 Francisco Dean
88 Jonathan Savage
87 ***ARI HOENIG***
86 ***ZORO***
85 Nikhi Korrula
84 Jay North
83 Joseph Luna
82 Kyle Acuncius
81 Seth Nordin80 Eric Siereveld
79 Ariel Levine
78 ***BRUCE BECKER***
77 Corey Christiansen
76 ***DAN NEEDHAM***
75 Joel Brainard
74 Ed Gaus
73 Jacob Miranda
72 ***ANDRE BOYD***
71 Andre “Virus” Karkos, Jemma Armstrong, Nina Schreckengost70 Jeff McLaughlin
69 Mike Garza
68 Alan Frye
67 Greg Essig
66 Martin Plante
65 ***TIM LEFEVBRE***
64 Kim McKewon
63 Tanya Rimwell
62 Ben Sturley
61 Richard Livoni60 Paul Wandtke
59 Conrad Roach
58 Diego Rojas
57 ***PETE LOCKETT***
56 Nick Stevens
55 ***PETER ERSKINE***
54 Nick Lang
53 ***DAVE KROPF***
52 Dustin Koester
51 Tom Haberman50 Ed Kornhauser
49 ***WALFREDO REYES JR.***
48 ***RICHIE GAJATE-GARCIA***
47 Jeff Franca
46 Nick McLaren
45 Tom Berich
44 Jesse Gawlick, Brad Sweet, Chelsea Baker
43 Marc Aliana
42 Chris Singleton
41 Doug Cameron40 ***VICTOR INDRIZZO***
39 Broc Power
38 Mackenzie Leighton
37 ***JOHNNY RABB***
36 Steve Pruitt
35 ***JEFF QUEEN***
34 Jay Ware
33 Nick Ruffini
32 Justin Ramirez
31 Colin Campbell30 Lizzie Shipton
29 Ryan Knudsen
28 Andy Bianco
27 Brian Blume
26 ***STEVE FIDYK***
25 ***BERMUDA SCHWARTZ***
24 ***JONATHAN MOVER***
23 Nate Lee
22 Michael Tadeo
21 Colin Leske20 Peter Schomburg
19 Johnny Mantra
18 ***BILL BACHMAN***
17 Jim Bailey
16 Matt Black
15 Andy Smith
14 Brad Waits
13 Reuben Gingrich
12 CJ Young
11 Andrew Bache10 Ben Matthews
9 Chad Kethcart
8 Matt Piet
7 Andrew Fowler
6 Shaan France
5 Gino Del Sole
4 Tommy Goddard
3 Aaron Smith
2 Ken Ge
1 Grant ThomasDownload a PDF of all 100 rules here: http://www.rulesfordrummers.com
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This week’s question comes from Richard in Seattle WA who asks about buying his first practice drum kit. How should he spend his money wisely? In this episode, I’ll offer my tips for how to purchase your first drum set, especially if you’re on a budget.
Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com
MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
Here are some suggestions to get you started. Keep in mind that there are MANY drum companies who offer great products at an affordable price, so do a bit of research and see what deals you can find.
My best money-saving suggestion is to search for PACKS of gear, rather than buying each piece separately as this will save you a lot of money. Sometimes, drum sets will also include hardware and/or cymbals, so make sure you look around for the best deals. I’d also suggest searching eBay as you can usually find incredible deals if you’re on a tight budget.
CYMBAL PACKS:
Zildjian Cymbal Pack
Sabian Cymbal Pack
DRUM SET PACKS:
Pearl Export EXX Drum Set
Yamaha Gigmaker Drum Set
Tama Imperial Star Drum SetHARDWARE PACKS:
Gibraltar Hardware Pack
Yamaha Hardware Pack
Pacific Drums Hardware Pack -
Matt from Austin, TX asks how to discover new drum sounds. What do you do when you start to get bored with your own playing? In this episode, I’ll explain how to use the formula IMAGINATION + RESTRICTION = CREATIVITY to create an infinite number of new sounds on your kit. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com
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In this episode, I'll show you what Active Listening is by deconstructing the tune "So What" by Miles Davis. Active Listening is a game-changer for how you can listen to music. I'll also be reading listener comments and talk about my upcoming trip to Asia!
Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com
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Ben from Florida asks about locking in with other bandmates. What do you do if you can’t seem to lock in the pocket with another musician? In this episode, I offer my thoughts and tips on how to approach these situations when they come up. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com
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Johnny from Indianapolis asks about selecting a drum stick. Should you use a versatile stick for all genres or should you use different sticks for different gigs? In this episode, I discuss the 6 factors that go into drum stick design, and how you can use this information to find the right stick for the job. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com
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Shaan from Indianapolis asks about in-ear monitors for drummers. Should you get the custom molds? How many drivers should they have? In this episode, I discuss the pros & cons of wearing in-ear monitors and offer tips on what specific models you should look for. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.askthedrummer.com
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Jay from South Carolina asks about gigs that require you to play in all styles. How should you tune your drums in a way that can handle all styles while still sounding authentic? What gear should you bring? In this episode, I’ll show you how to make smart compromises to the sound of your kit. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at www.stevesuchdrums.com/askthedrummerpodcast
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Nick from Wisconsin asks about how to build a personal website. How do you get started? What should you include and what shouldn’t you include? In this episode, I’ll give you a step-by-step guide to building a personal website from scratch. Show transcript, notes, and links for this episode can be found at www.askthedrummer.com
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Mark from Colorado asks how he can improve the efficiency/speed of his load-in/loud-out process. In this episode, I’ll offer tips on how to create systems for yourself when it comes to: 1) Loading your drums 2) Unloading your drums 3) Setting your drums up 4) Tearing your drums down. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.stevesuchdrums.com/askthedrummerpodcast
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Our question this week comes from Gino in Toronto Canada, who asks what you should do when working with a sound engineer who seems to be a bit jaded. Unfortunately, these situations do happen from time to time, but in this episode I will offer a few specific tips for working with sound engineers.
Want to be featured on Ask The Drummer? Send YOUR question to me at www.facebook.com/stevesuchdrums
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