Play Along CD's: The Tool Top Drummers Use to Become the Best
When we first learned how to play the drums, we learned a few basic beats, and maybe a fill or two. But taking your drumming to the next level requires more.
You're a beginning drum student. Or maybe you're an experienced drummer hitting the clubs and working the scene. But no matter what level you're at, one thing is a constant: practice.
But this requires working with other musicians. And not everyone is on the same schedule as you. Also, there may come a day when you simply are better than the band you're playing with, and are no longer challenged as a drummer.
Or you may find yourself labeled as a particular style and unable to break out of your genre. How does a country drummer gain any experience with Jazz for example? Or Funk? Once you've been pigeonholed, it can be tough for anyone to see you as anything else. Remember when Garth Brooks tried to break into rock? Even he was shut down quickly and he's Garth Brooks!
But the only other choice is to rehearse on your own. I'm sure you'll agree that can be fairly tedious and boring at times. (Really, how many times can you play Wipeout or Zeppelin's Rock & Roll?) But now there is an awesome alternative that requires no other musicians and is just plain fun.
Now there is a tool available called a play along CD. Lets take a look at what exactly it is, as well as how you can use it to improve your playing in any style.
A play along CD is simply a recording of a song with one or more of the instruments removed from the track. You can think of it like a Karaoke track for musicians. Just like Karaoke removes the vocals so you can sing along, play along CD's remove certain music lines, which allows you to play your part of the song.
Here's an example: You're a drummer, so you grab a drum play along CD. All you have to do is throw the CD on, jump behind your kit, and play away. Its like having the whole band in the room with you. And, best of all, you can get creative with the part. You may even come up with something better than the original.
If you're a drummer you have to practice. No doubt about that. And you could practice with a simple metronome and sticks, but it wouldn't be much fun. If you wish to be a great drummer, you have to know time, meter, groove, and feel. And you won't master these things unless you play with a band live, on CD, or otherwise. But when you nail these things, you will be the drummer getting the call for the next gig, regardless of your style. - 18424
You're a beginning drum student. Or maybe you're an experienced drummer hitting the clubs and working the scene. But no matter what level you're at, one thing is a constant: practice.
But this requires working with other musicians. And not everyone is on the same schedule as you. Also, there may come a day when you simply are better than the band you're playing with, and are no longer challenged as a drummer.
Or you may find yourself labeled as a particular style and unable to break out of your genre. How does a country drummer gain any experience with Jazz for example? Or Funk? Once you've been pigeonholed, it can be tough for anyone to see you as anything else. Remember when Garth Brooks tried to break into rock? Even he was shut down quickly and he's Garth Brooks!
But the only other choice is to rehearse on your own. I'm sure you'll agree that can be fairly tedious and boring at times. (Really, how many times can you play Wipeout or Zeppelin's Rock & Roll?) But now there is an awesome alternative that requires no other musicians and is just plain fun.
Now there is a tool available called a play along CD. Lets take a look at what exactly it is, as well as how you can use it to improve your playing in any style.
A play along CD is simply a recording of a song with one or more of the instruments removed from the track. You can think of it like a Karaoke track for musicians. Just like Karaoke removes the vocals so you can sing along, play along CD's remove certain music lines, which allows you to play your part of the song.
Here's an example: You're a drummer, so you grab a drum play along CD. All you have to do is throw the CD on, jump behind your kit, and play away. Its like having the whole band in the room with you. And, best of all, you can get creative with the part. You may even come up with something better than the original.
If you're a drummer you have to practice. No doubt about that. And you could practice with a simple metronome and sticks, but it wouldn't be much fun. If you wish to be a great drummer, you have to know time, meter, groove, and feel. And you won't master these things unless you play with a band live, on CD, or otherwise. But when you nail these things, you will be the drummer getting the call for the next gig, regardless of your style. - 18424
About the Author:
Spencer (Spence) Strand is a performing drummer and drum instructor working in Nashville, Tennessee. To receive your free recordings from his Berklee recommended CD series, "Turn It Up and Lay It Down", please visit his site at DrumFun.com.
posted by X - Men at
4:28 AM
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