photo: Ted Carasco

There are three primary properties that make up the total musician. First, the listening aspect, the development of how to listen. Next, the practice mode, taking time to learn the rudiments of your instrument. And finally, the ability to go out, and play live and interact with other musicians. The most important of these, though, is the importance of learning the technique of the instrument you have chosen.

Drums present themselves as a unique instrument because of the four-limb coordination that is necessary to master. Many drummers have sat down and arrived at an approach that becomes limiting, in a sense they build an embouchure that can atrophy over time. Basically one will pick up the sticks and never give much thought to the placement of anything. Understanding placement in drumming is REALLY serious business.

What's the difference, if you don't know the difference?
By applying three universal principals such as balance, motion, and use of gravity, you will certainly know the difference. The understanding of how the anatomy works in the drumming field is most important. Professional athletes, such as Tennis pros, Baseball players, and Olympic athletes all have coaches aware of the proper mechanics that enable them to become efficient in their prospective sport. Understanding timing and proper motion of the body is essential in maintaining fluidity of execution.

Balance, Motion, and Time
The element of time has been defined by man through rotations, i.e. the earth rotating on its axis, the earth's rotation around the sun. By moving in a circular or an elliptical way we dictate what time is and can influence the 'feel' of the time. As opposed to vertical motion which doesn't offer a clear center to where the time is. Each limb can establish its own orbit to help move fluidly and not disrupt the 'flow'. By understanding weight shifting one can use the natural principle of gravity to affect placement of time and this is essential to the 'Heartbeat' of music. Much like a dancer, the understanding for balance, motion, and rhythm is everything.

Focus
The focus of ones time is important to achieve bona fide results. The concept of understanding motion in a slow continuous form is beneficial to ones playing. It is analogous to the young child who first learns how to tie his/her shoes. The process is slow and tedious at first. Then it becomes second nature and is done with rapid fire precision. Discipline is an acquired 'art'. It needs to be developed slowly and steadily.

Flow!
The goal is to achieve a point where the motion of the stick 'does it to you'. Therefore you are following the flow established through momentum and rebound. The same thing applies to bass drum pedal, it has its own balance and tension, if all is set right it doesn't require much energy to propel it. Once it moves you learn to control it, so you can move beyond the body and affect groove and feel.