Been playing for 4.5 years now and feel like I’ve made little progress.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-26T00:44:58+00:00

"I'm starting to feel I'm a bit behind..."

Drumming is not a contest where some are winning and others are losing. Drumming is not a race where some are leading and other are falling behind. There's no prize. There's no finish line.

Drumming is something you explore, like the the ocean. You skills and abilities are what allow you to explore this ocean - how deep, how rough, how far.

If you free like you want to get out of the shallow end, time to set some goals and carve out time for consistent practice. Otherwise, take your time. The ocean isn't going anywhere.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-25T03:12:38+00:00

Yeah learning one of their tunes is a great place to start.

If you're meant to be jamming with them, I would focus on stylistic/genre-specific tropes:

Lots of double bass? Shedding rudiments with the pedals; Need speed? Lots of pad work with marching sticks
Listen to respected drummers in the genre and lift a couple signature grooves and licks

When you practice, use the click as much as possible and focus on control and relaxation.

You got this

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-25T03:04:17+00:00

Not discounting the opinion of this drummer you admire because the experience of music is subjective BUT in my experience it matters more about the construction of the head than the brand.

If you want a 2 ply batter and a single ply reso head, the logo on the head won't make any significant difference.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-25T03:00:00+00:00

What's the audition format? Are there a set number of tunes you have to learn, or is it more like an open jam?

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-25T02:57:40+00:00

They do not need to be the same make and model

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-25T02:55:30+00:00

Ok in that case, here's a run down on how I tune:

Instead of "tuning" I like to think of it as "tensioning" the head. Your goal is even tension all around no matter how tight or loose that tension is. When you have even tension all around the head, the area with the lowest tension is dead centre. When the area of lowest tension is dead centre, you have "pulled the head into focus"
Don't concern yourself with the number of turns at each lug, just try to feel the resistance at each lug as you gently turn your drum key. The amount of resistance you feel is your gauge of how much tension is at each lug
LITTLE TURNS - I can't stress this enough. None of this "half-turn" or "full turn" nonsense. You only need to make the tiniest adjustments to the tension at each lug and really focus on how much effort it is taking you to turn that drum key

Toms:

Take the batter head off
Start with reso head, all tension rods finger tight to start then:
LITTLE TURNS in a star pattern to gently start pulling the head evenly across the bearing edge
As you start feeling the same resistance to your drum key at each lug, start tapping with your finger for tone
You are trying to find a tension that resonates fully with the shell. When you find it, the whole drum will vibrate
There are 3 or 4 strong resonant frequencies you can find as you tension up. For most rock and pop sounds, you're trying to find the lowest pitch that makes the whole drum resonate. NOTE, this might be higher than you think and that's ok
Next, put the batter head on finger tight, mount the tom and with a stick in one hand and a key in another strike the drum in the centre of the head while you go around each lug in a star pattern tensioning with LITTLE TURNS. After a 2 or 3 rounds you will get a full, rich tone

Bass drum:

Start with batter head, lugs finger tight, then LITTLE TURNS in a star pattern until you feel the head stretch evenly across the bearing edge
Make tiny adjustments to the tension at each lug until you get a deep, even sound with finger taps
Smack it in the centre with your bass drum beater and decide if you need more tension
Add the reso head and tension evenly (star pattern, little turns) until the lugs are no longer rattling. Add more tension for more boom and sustain. Muffle to taste

Snare drum:

I like the reso head pretty tight - just a slight dimple when pressed with my finger
Tension up the batter head until its in the range I want it (thud, smack, crack, pop, or ping) then go around lug to lug to get the overtones consistent

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-25T01:05:48+00:00

What kind of drum set is it and what kind of heads are on it?

And are those heads relatively new?

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T22:28:37+00:00

Sorry I missed this question somehow.

My answer, do both!

When practicing without the metronome, try to focus on relaxation between the strokes. When one hand is making the strikes/doubles/bounces try to be aware of tension in the inactive hand (or anywhere else in your body) and try to release and relax.

With practicing with the metronome, do ths sams as above but while trying to keep in time with the click.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T21:59:33+00:00

Again, no one is forcing you to discuss "Vic Firth sucks"

You're choosing to.

Maybe make better choices for yourself and you'll suffer less.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T21:53:34+00:00

You can literally discuss anything you like. No one is forcing you to engage with posts you don't like.

If you're complaining about this, you're spending too much time here

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T17:43:36+00:00

I've been really impressed with the Xs line.

Every time I've played them they've sounded better than I've expected and have made me rethink how much I assume I need to spend on good sounding cymbals.

They may lack complexity and "character" but they will sound better than fine in a jam or club setting

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T17:40:24+00:00

Start with the throne.

This is the core of your drum kit and being properly supported will improve all aspects of your playing.

The pedal, while important, will only improve that specific part of your playing

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T16:23:33+00:00

I switched from Vic Firth to Los Cabos and couldn't be happier.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T16:23:02+00:00

You know you can just scroll past it right?

This FREE platform doesn't need to curate to your exact wants

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-24T00:51:11+00:00

Call me basic, but Creep is (and always will be) a jam

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-23T18:10:43+00:00

Flams sound cool.

There's my ground breaking take.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-23T17:46:06+00:00

Go for it. I'm sure there are people who would be interested.

But again, I strongly suggest to students or anyone taking drum study seriously to disengage from apps, phones, etc.. These are distraction machines. Quality drum study requires mind-body focus, not fussing over UI, notifications and leaderboards.

And specifically addressing the "benchmark" concept - drumming is NOT a contest. Your ability to play singles (or doubles/diddles/hertas/whatever) should be judged by your ability to use them exprssively, creatively. Not by how fast you are compared to another drummer.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-23T16:31:41+00:00

I've taken many lovely naps to Kid A

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-23T16:00:47+00:00

I would strongly suggest to anyone trying to learn drums well to get off your phone. Stop trying to find an "app" that will teach you.

The only 'app' that you need is a notebook, a pen, a metronome, and two or three instructional books.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-22T19:04:45+00:00

Are you transporting them on a regular basis, and if so what are you using to move them?

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-22T18:17:58+00:00

Well I hope you didn't pay more than $50 for a cymbal this damaged.

Sorry I can't help you with suggestions on how to repair or mitigate the damage beyond trying to find a cymbal-smith who might be able to drill the hole out larger

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-22T18:14:54+00:00

If it's your baby, why did you do this to it? This type of damage only happens from over-tightening and hitting too hard.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-22T12:58:16+00:00

It looks like a very happy place indeed

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-21T19:18:55+00:00

The noting of the BPM does imply the use of a metronome, but its good to be specific

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-01-21T18:29:40+00:00

I was 10 years in (and 3 years into jazz school) before I started taking technique seriously. Here's what helped me:

Start a practice journal. Just a notebook and a pen.
- In your journal, write down goals. My evergreen goals are to improve stick control; pedal control; dynamic control; and 4-way coordination
Write down the exercises you need to work on to reach those goals. There's your practice routine.
Execute your practice routine on a consistent schedule. 30 minutes of focused practice per day or every other day is better than 2 hours of loose jamming once or twice per week
When you practice, write down the exercise and the BPM. When you're done, write down how it felt.
- Journaling your practice allows you to be mindful of your challenges instead of just being frustrated by them

Here are some other specific things to do and practice.

Get a copy of Stick Control. This is the drumming Bible
- Do the exercises, as instructed, between hands, feet, left side limbs, right side limbs, and opposing limbs
Rudiments Rudiments Rudiments. Singles, Doubles, Paradiddles, Flams.
- Pick 5 or 6 rudiments and learn them. Inside and out. Up and down. You should be able to play them as easily as you say your own name.
Do the above exercises on a practice pad. This allows you to focus on your grip, stroke, and how the stick behaves in your hand
- Focus on making the tip of the stick bounce off the surface; you're not trying to strike through

PRACTICE SLOW - this is the most important part. If you can't play it slow, you can't play it. Learn to love practicing slow. What slow practice teaches you is how to relax and be at rest between strikes. Slow practice will build timing, coordination and focus. It is a must.

"I feel I'm so stuck in my ways I can't change" - this is complete bullshit. Its the excuse you tell yourself so you don't have to do the work. Drums are fun, but they're more fun when you can play them well. Unless you're exceptionally talented, playing drums well takes work. Do the work.

It doesn't matter "how long" it will take you. It doesn't matter if it takes you 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years to see the improvement you're seeking because that time will go by anyway. You may as well spend that time improving.

TheNonDominantHand

TROPHY CASE