5 Baaad Habits 🖐🏽😩 Drummers Should Avoid! 🚷

[@scott555]

Not super proud to say I've learned all of these lessons the hard way over 40+ years. Yes, you can learn them the hard way if you like. Do not recommend. One set of habits revolve around playing nicely with others: - Don't wait until the previous band's drummer has cleared the riser to have your gear set up and cases put away. - Likewise, when your set is over, strike your gear before tearing it down. - When sharing backlines, don't even ask to borrow cymbals, sticks, or snare drums unless they're explicitly loaned to you.

[@nateman34]

I second all of these! Drummers tearing down before moving off stage delays the show immensely!

[@bgryderclock]

Yeah! i think of it in 3 phases: 1) Get you stuff the !@#$ out of the way of the next band 2) Next compact your stuff so it not taking up so much room off-stage (cymbals in bags, drum stacked and stands collapsed) 3) Finally bag up your stuff so you are ready to load out.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

That’s all good stuff right there 👌🏽

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

What is "striking your kit"??

[@scott555]

@@offshoretomorrow3346 pull it off the riser/stage

[@PhilTrudell]

I've been playing 62 years and never wore ear plugs. Now I wear hearing aids which are way more expensive plus I have tinnitus which got real bad since the early 80's. All you young drummers take heed on this issue and protect your most valuable musical asset, your ears. Great job Rob, everything you covered is essential to good playing and longevity. Thank you Sir!

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

I have a similar experience. The unfortunate thing is that like having poor grip, the impacts of not wearing hearing protection won't show up until years later. By the time you start losing your hearing its too late. I beg anyone reading these comments to please use hearing protection not only when drumming, but whenever you are in a loud environment.

[@Cedric_Harris]

I'll pile on. I practiced every day for years with a full band and I thought I was a tough guy or something, but now I've got pretty moderate tinnitus, fortunately I still can hear a very wide frequency spectrum for my age, but I wish I would have invested in ear protection sooner.

[@SAHBfan]

Absolutely!! When I started playing there wasn’t much fuss made about earplugs. Now, I struggle wearing earplugs as things just don’t ‘sound right’ - after decades of playing without. And yes, I have chronic tinnitus.

[@benpeterson7530]

My hearing isn't the best, but it's still pretty good. I mostly just struggle in loud environments, and hearing conversations in those settings. What I've discovered (I am not the first to do this haha) works really well, is to use IEMs and then put over ear hearing protection on. I've had the ear muffs with speakers in them. That is a lot better than what some people do, but it isn't nearly the sound reduction of IEMs with over ear protection combo. With just the over ears with speakers, I'd have to crank the volume to play to songs. Now I don't really go past 70%.

[@ChristianCrowe]

I love how you address these things. You can tell that you are a good man with a heart for drummers at all stages.

[@erictorres4889]

Sitting high and sitting low I feel is a preference thing I’ve always sat low it doesn’t affect me

[@3Kiwiana]

There are plenty of “ good men” with great advice on utube about everything!!

[@kenminerva]

"The core of our job as drummers, is to keep steady and consistent time while we're doing everything else on the kit." Man, this is the best piece of advice for every drummer. I always keep it inside me. Thanks, man!

[@hombreenojado]

I played for YEARS with incorrect grip. Luckily I never encountered pain issues, but I also had zero comprehension of rebound. My playing changed virtually overnight once I figured this out.

[@wilftaylor9377]

I’m a teacher myself and love your essential comments for beginners to advanced drummers. One habit that intermediate drummers fall into is playing their fills much louder than their main groove!

[@stephanmarcouxdrums4877]

Really, I never did notice that thing. One habit from beginner and intermediate is to never use the foot hi-hats as a musical voice. I'm not talking about giving the time when there is nothing to play, but more likely in any other situation. Teacher got some bad habits too, I still remember that drum teacher overtighting my edrum rubber cymbals, the result is some screw on the floor after just 1 session of teaching. The audacity of that teacher was something, he did speak to me like he was Top Notch, when obviously he wasn't, with my edrum getting destroyed by sharing it to him only once! After 10 years of teaching, I think everyone got the same problem, doesn't want to put the effort or the time on the instrument, and the few that do are going to be better, as simple as that. But for us, the teacher, we are always positive and saying nice stuff because we want them back as a client to make money. That's why I'm not a teacher anymore, I like to say the hard truth and I don't care anymore if someone is not happy with what I'm saying since I'm not paying bills with music anymore.

[@Takelow]

As always, great advices! Thank you Rob for this! ❤ If I can add one, which is more playing oriented, record yourself as often as possible. 😮 And take the time needed to analyse your records. Note the obvious bad things, but, perhaps more importantly, note the good things. I bet you’ll remember some of these thoughts at the next rehearsal… When I started to play with my bandmates, I was obsessed with recordings. All of the bandmates was kindly laughing at me for this 😅. I recorded and analyzed ALL our rehearsals since. And I sent them each audio file, just after our sessions. They was reluctant to do the work at first, but at the end of the day, they finally started to do the job. Three years later, every member of the group came to me and thanked me greatly for being insistent all this time. You can’t underestimate the power of recording yourself. Trust me, each minute you take for this is as efficient as a minute of playing in your musical journey. You can’t imagine how much things I learned on my own journey doing this ❤

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

That’s a big one. And super easy to do now

[@diegodominguez5231]

The band that I used to play with always invited 1 or 2 bands to the gig. All the drummers invited sat to low and I had to rush to the stage to properly adjust the seat when it was our turn to play. Very annoying.

[@mdmusic2874]

Yeah I prefer to sit higher as well! It helps my posture!

[@remotecontrol9874]

When I was a kid I had to play kits setup by other people for school concert events and at friends' houses. Most were not hard to play. It actually helped me play more precise because I had to focus and aim. It was like target practice.

[@jeffsr8300]

I'll never forget the first and only time I played in an amphitheater without hearing protection, the ringing started about an hour after and lasted over a week. Rob always has great info/advice but please do not play without hearing protection. Great Job Thanks!!

[@plan4u56]

Brother Rob.. Been drumming since 1960....63 years......EVERY SINGLE "BAD HABITS" You brought up Are Important! All You Up and coming drummers, Take Heed!!! Drumset set up, make it an Easy operation, when you play. Including your Seat/Throne Height!!!! My Seat is set High at least a 20 to 25 degree downslope hip to knee. Other drummers complain cause they have an issue playing my drums as set up... That's why I've lasted 63 years behind the kit, I've taken CARE of MY Body in my set up!! Stick Grip, Metronome, finally Ear protection. I use Monitor headphones. In Ears Not for me.. I've used Cigarette filters or paper towel as well in my ears.... Playing drums is a Blessing! Please Be GOOD to your Self in Every way playing your drums. Don't make it become a Chore or a Drag!!!! TAKE THE TIME TO WATCH WHAT MR. BROWN HAS TO SAY in this Video!!!! Blessings Darrell Killingsworth U.S.A.

[@mykneeshurt8393]

Super beginner here. My drum set up is constantly changing but I am enjoying the process. I've made the metronome a friend and I rely on it heavily. Almost hard for me to play without a 'nome.. Great content Rob!. (P.S. My mom plays accordion, her timing sucks...)

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

😂 Oops. Don’t show her that part of the video

[@mikeZL3XD7029]

Very sage advice on hearing protection, Rob. Funny thing is, it isn't the loud drums that will kill your hearing over time, it is things like cymbals that will slowly take the top 5-10 KHz of your hearing range away, possibly without you even noticing. I was required to take a hearing test at work last year, as part of our Health monitoring, even though I started wearing hearing protection some years ago when drumming, I did not score very well on the test. I have lost about 6 kHz of the upper range of my hearing over 35 years of drumming and I will not be getting that back, now that it has gone. My advice to any drummer is to ALWAYS wear hearing protection when you're at your kit, no matter what you're doing, this damage is irreversable. Thanks for a great video, Rob.

[@philippickering1168]

Excellent video and advice. I watch your clips because I start thinking of your topic, and the next thing I see is you commenting on what I was thinking, you are a mind reader lols. BTW, I would add to your comment about setting up your drum set do's & don't - make sure your cymbals move freely and don't hit each other or your drum rims. I remember watching a band play years ago and the drummer broke 2 cymbals because he had them layered on top of each other (stands too close) and they kept hitting each other. Man, that was one expensive gig.

[@noelteter3398]

As a more experienced drummer, here are a couple bad habits: 1) sitting too far away from the drums - that also put some strain on my lower back. I was sitting high, toward the back of my throne, and too far away - I'd have to reach for my rack tom, etc. Too much work, too much time and money spent on physical therapy - and I'm young. 2) thinking too much while playing - I'll be in the middle of playing a gig and I'll have thoughts like "your playing is too boring," "is that really all you've got," or "how are you not better by now?" At points like these, I'm letting my thoughts control my playing rather than REACTING TO THE MUSIC. Big no-no - thought is the enemy of flow! Also, thank you - Beatdown, your channel has been a big help in my development as a drummer the last two years - I do your practice pad workouts all the time and your videos are interesting and enjoyable while being highly informational. What kind of Promark sticks are you using? They remind me of pencils and that makes me want to use them. Thanks again, and I hope my points are helpful! -Noel T

[@peterwilson5449]

Hi Rob, I really enjoy and appreciate your videos. You are an excellent communicator/teacher. I've been playing for 46 years, and everything you covered in this video is so important. I evolved through all those bad habits as a young drummer. I was blessed to study with Gary Chester for several years, and he set me straight on all of these habits you mention here. Two that are so important: 1. If you're playing to a click - be married to the click!! If you're not playing to a click, you are the click. Have command of the time and the groove. My job as a drummer is to make it easier for the band to play their best. If I'm backing up a singer, my job is to make the singer look and sound great. And, if I can't do that, then get out of the way. 2. A good throne/stool can enable you to play your best. If you're uncomfortable, your playing will suffer. I know spending $250 on a throne isn't a sexy purchase, but it can make the difference between having a bad gig and a great gig. I never play a gig without my Spinal-G throne. Thanks for all you do!

[@jameskujawski6651]

I also heard fron a pro drummer and you're right - I AM THE METRONOME! Thanks dude.

[@SpeakerBuilder]

I'm 66, been playing since '75, all your advice is solid, few comments, I've always put my cymbals up high so I can hit them at an angle to my stick and also so they will project into the room better (a club gig thing), seat height should be such that your thighs angle down slightly but are not parallel to the floor, and stick control is essential, and pad playing to warm up and improve this should be part of your daily playing routine, also a central part of daily practice should be practicing patterns and breaks on the kit to a metronome, and NOT just playing to music (as I did for so many years), because you cannot improve your kit playing skills just by playing to music, you must work on particular kit skills apart from any music, and this must be done to a metronome. So many drummers I recorded could not play to a click track because they had never done it and were unable to keep to it in the recording sessions, and they are the band's principal time keeper, so that's a big problem. Listen to that comment, folks - it's something no drum instructor ever told me: "the core of our job as drummers is to keep steady and consistent time". That must be the first thing every drummer student learns and gets into their brain. And lastly, anytime I ever played a live gig I had to wear ear protection, otherwise my ears would be ringing after a short time of playing. Ringing ears is a sign of damage that over time will result in hearing loss. Great vid, these are truly to top picks.

[@mwanichi]

Solid advice. Thankfully, I never picked up these bad habits. Great channel...and killer shirt!

[@nokoolaid]

True story about hearing protection. I have tinnitus permanent in my left ear. Part of it is drums, part of it in from a Marshall Stack in a rehearsal room. It doesn't get better. Another bad habit is not taking your drum teacher's advice to heart, well, if you have a good one. I did. He was a Berklee grad and was an amazing musician. He could listen to Rush and write the drum parts and it was playing. Anyway, he told me I had to push over the top, meaning I wasn't practicing enough. I thought an hour or two a day was enough. He said 3-4 and if I did, I would be a great drummer. I guess I'll never know. He's gone now, died in a car accident on the Taconic, but he was a righteous dude and a good man.

[@Andy_9.12Drummer]

3:33 same thing happens if you sit to high. IMO basically 90 degrees is ok, it depends on each body´s proportions ( legs length, arms length and torso length) I ve had neck and back problems for sitting TOO HIGH 10 years ago. Too low is also bad, specially for the lower back and hips. 90 degrees is what works for me, and playin RELAXED with shoulders Down and Back.

[@Rockin_Ross]

Been playing 35+ years and all your videos have some relevance. I feel many “advanced” players need more of what you’re putting down than they’ll admit to. Like your grip advise. I did your whole Year of the Hands & it was a game changer. The Ahead Spinal G is by far THE best throne out there. Not only does that center channel help your back, but it also keeps your genitals from going numb on long gigs (Same principle as a split seat on a road bicycle). Thank you for these, Sir! You’re the best of many!❤️🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@GerkoRodriguez]

Oh shit i tought i was the only one with the numb genitalia, im so relieved now 😅

[@jameskujawski6651]

Good job! I have been playing for a bit now (~40) and it wasn't until 3 years ago when a met a pro drummer. Obviously, I asked him to show me som''n. 2 bars in, he says STOP - YOU'RE HOLDING THE STICKS WRONG! It took a bit to learn proper matched grip, but it was well worth it! (Couldn't believe I didn't know that). He also pointed out my BAD POSTURE on the kit. I have to remember to use the backrest on my Roc-n-Soc throne for vertical back REFERENCE & not to relax on. Also, I still tend to lean forward just a bit and "follow" the targets as I move around the kit. I realize now I have to stay in correct natural posture while gracefully? moving around the kit. Thanks for helping me mentally process this while I'm writing. Great stuff here to START UTILIZING THESE LESSONS you and others present.(I do spend some time with Eric's lessons - oops),. Admittedly, I am not religious about CONSISTANT PRACTICE of lessons. I tend to feed a song into the Roland TD-27 and jam to that (Of course, that's not like jammin' w/somebody, but I'm looking to play with other musicians). BTW, I noticed the Syncopation lesson book. Who is the author again, please?😎MANY THANKS to YOU for your hard work, strait-up talk and GROOOOVEY STYLE. Next, I'll be checkin' out your vids on the Stupid Weak Hand and Funkin' up my Hi-Hat. GOD bless you, man!

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

I started playing at 11 and now I am 43. I have noticed a drastic falloff in my hearing in the past year. All those years of drums, guns, and subwoofers finally caught up to me. It sucks. My ears each have a constant ring or hum at different pitches, I can't hear people talk most of the time. A dollar a week for earplugs would have completely mitigated this issue. Don't throw your hearing away by not using ear protection. The piper will be paid when you are older if you don't.

[@infinitysplitda456]

Yes I agree with you. Today you can EASILY prevent drummer ear with ear plugs. And the in ear monitor situation these days is amazing. You can play as loud as you want and save your ears. Now all that said, I still believe there is a full healing and recovery available to you for your ears! The body can heal itself. And God can heal also. So it may be a bit of a journey for you to find that healing for your ears depending where you are, but it is there. Praying a full healing for you now!

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

@@infinitysplitda456 thank you brother

[@SAHBfan]

“You are going to thank me for this video at some time in your life”. I am ALWAYS grateful for your videos, all the time 😮

[@CornerStoreDrums]

MAD RESPECT!! Absolutely love your channel & how much you teach us all. Thank you!!

[@grtdrmmrs]

as someone whos been playing over 20 plus years, I can attest to the affects of all the bad habits mentioned. Especially the proper grip. Ive been watching your videos for some time now and my playing has drastically improved so thank you very much!

[@timcummings6581]

I learned to read drum music in Jr High bands but was essentially self taught on the drumset. When I finally got around to taking lessons in my 20s the first thing my teacher did was correct my posture and hand position. Gave me exercises for my fulcrum & forearm muscles. After about 6 months never had a problem with hand fatigue or dropped sticks since then.

[@felipep8266]

Best free coach out there! Always relevant content.

[@ryandebeer4226]

Rob you're so unintentionally funny..I was digging that shirt the whole vid.😂

[@barrybebenek8691]

Great tips Rob. I’ll add (after 40yrs playing); don’t buy the most expensive, biggest, heaviest gear you think will look good on stag. Remember you have to move and load it into your car all the time! Buy quality not size. 👍🏼

[@12ealDealOfficial]

All solid tips, though I want to add two things: 1) Within reason, the higher cymbals are over your toms, the less they'll bleed into close mics.It's tempting to play with them low because it's comfortable, but if you can raise them up a bit, your mixes will sound punchier. 2) Posture, posture, posture.

[@JimMorrisonsBathtub]

Only playing with one foot is a really bad habit that comes to mind. Take advantage of the fact that you can play around with the pedal on your hihat stand.

[@GamingDrummer89]

Sorry if I missed you saying this here already but I wanted to add onto your comments about bad/inefficient setups: beyond hurting yourself, it can also lead to you damaging your equipment. For instance, mounting your drums at an angle where your stick tips end up "chopping" into the head will put a bunch of dents in the heads quickly, and mounting your cymbals at an angle where you end up striking the edge head on (rather than slashing across the face of the edge) can lead to cracking cymbals. Of course, good technique is a necessary component here too, but making your gear last requires setting stuff up at reasonable angles. And my own bad habit that I built up over the course of 16 years and am STILL trying to kill: overthinking/hesitating while playing. Good lord do I wish I had never started doing that! Old habits die hard, but I've thankfully made a lot of progress in killing it.

[@sandyhanson6082]

All great points! Been playing over 50 years. Still guilty of a couple of those bad habits! Thanks!

[@dajones7574]

Great teacher , Thx Mr. Rob “Beatdown” Brown…For your tips and advice on the kit!

[@daynnethedrummer684]

Hearing protection is really important. You can actually damage one ear more than the other, just enough for everything to sound slightly out of tune. Which, especially if you're a multi-instrumentalist, can really mess with your mind and intuitive feel. Speaking from experience on this one, unfortunately.

[@MrRezRising]

Playing drums 37 years. Just started piano. Keyboards are lighter. Still love ya, Rob! Best All Around YT drum instructor! 🥁🤠

[@SAHBfan]

I am very jealous of trumpet players - last to arrive, first to leave and just carry a little case in one hand 😡

[@GrandCanyonRVResort]

All great tips! What baffles me is when these amazing drummers that weigh 400+ pounds (we know who they are) and when they sit at their throne, it’s like they are standing up. I don’t know how they continue to function like that…but they can certainly groove. 🤷

[@chrisl1634]

I had no idea that the snare and floors should be same height. I will defintely be checking my kit set up now

[@stewjd6909]

Been playing for years, always love your guidance! Bad habits creep in so it’s always a good thing to step back and take a fresh look at everything. You absolutely kill it Rob! 🤙🏾

[@ppernett1]

I had bad grip for years and I could not figure out what was wrong. I watched the videos, but I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my grip. A friend of mine (who is really good) finally confronted me and showed me what I was doing wrong. I had to basically relearn everything. However, it changed my world. I went from a sucky hobbyist to someone who can sound pretty decent and now I am confident enough to hold my own. It took about a month to relearn everything, but I play it waaaay better than I could ever hope for. I can fool people into thinking I know what I am doing now.

[@DeadEyeDrums]

I am finishing up Syncopation... myself. It's always in my rotation. Cheers!

[@lemontbowden3629]

Great teaching and educational on this SPOT ON 😎👊🏾💯👍🏽

[@tenaciousg4340]

Great vid! Another habit: develop your left foot early! I’m a fairly new drummer but I wish I’d spent the first year or two developing my left foot at the same time as my other limb independence. Much easier to learn at the start then trying to introduce it late imo!

[@Cov3ringFire]

Yeah, I'm trying to do it after 40 years of neglecting the left foot. Freaking hurts!

[@KeatingJosh]

Love it.. I played drums for almost 15 years with no technique until 3 years ago.. still working on these.. 1 to 3 and 5 are like a religion to me now.. still struggle with 4 but I always play along with recorded tracks if that counts at all

[@RaymondSolo]

Another way to practice with out an actual metronome is to play along with RAP and HIP-HOP song's! Many of these song's are melody free and are built with automatic time syncing tool's in recording software's, its basically just like using a metronome with some actual variety of sounds instead of the same old repetitive "tic-tock". I lured to play drums way back in the late 70's by playing along with my store-bought Major-label record's that were professionally produced in million-dollar studio's by the big time group's. Later in the mid 80's when I picked up guitar I would practice my solo's, fills and riff's with the Major RAP & HIP-HOP act's of that day that I had on CD's, no real melodies so I could do it in any key with most any group or song and it worked.

[@jswitch2]

I have a couple! Not warming up and stretching before you play, and also conditioning your body . Long gigs take a toll on your body. Not saying hulk out but keep limber and strong.

[@1111Paiste]

LOVE the Ahead Spinal G throne!! I got the bicycle seat style.

[@Ven66]

Thank you man for providing always great lessons, i'm a beginner drummer and i love it so much but i feel that it's so important to begin with solid rock fundaments...and you always give something to think about and tips to improve it. Peace and greeting from Italy 🖖

[@kevinleboeuf5169]

50 plus years of drumming and I watch all your videos because your cool and because I’m cool 😎 . Mickey Mouse rack toms, lol. Always drove me crazy to see those! Mistreated my ears for years and now I live with constant buzzing sounds (ear protection is a must)Thanks for everything Rob

[@Tateisadrummachine]

Having the ride up high and angled towards me is my go to. Feels like holding up a newspaper. Great tips on this one

[@ericl2969]

Good stuff! I played drums (and other percussion) from about 1971 to 1979, and then about a year ago I started up playing again just for fun after I retired. I can relate to all of these things. For setting up the kit, I had, and still have, an ancient Ludwig kit, and the floor tom would not go any higher than having the top head 24 inches off the floor. As I kid, I knew I wanted it to be MUCH higher than that but heck, the factory hardware wouldn't allow it so I figured I was stuck with that. Getting my left stick onto that drum, especially playing traditional grip (which is how almost everyone was taught back then), was tough. Having the floor tom so low also forced me to have the seat too low! Look at really old pictures of the Beatles and see how low Ringo Starr would set his floor tom in those days to get an idea how awful this was. When I went to set up my kit again a year ago, I threw away the factory legs for the floor tom and built a new set that were long enough. I've only seen a few new drummers in recent times, but for some reason they all insist on putting their snare drum so low that it would need to be raised half a foot before they could possibly play rim shots, and it would need to be raised much more than that just to be where it should be. I don't know where that idea to put the snare drum way down low between their knees comes from, but they do it. Learning to hold the sticks correctly came with practice, in my case. Once I reached a decent level of playing ability, stick-holding became correct, automatically. When I learned to play in the 1970s, the only kind of metronome that anyone that I knew was aware of, was the pendulum kind with a mechanical 'click'. I'd been told I should practice to a metronome and I believed it, but I couldn't hear the darned thing when drumming, so I never used it. When I started up last year, I bought an electronic one and I play it through computer speakers, as loud as needed. Ear protection was the only thing where I was ahead of the curve. Literally NOBODY wore ear protection under any circumstances back in the 1970s, but I did. I knew one other drummer who was very good, who admitted to me that after a long practice session or playing with his band, he couldn't even hear people talking to him. I always wore GOOD foam ear plugs (there's a huge range in effectiveness for this kind - get the ones with a really firm consistency) with shooting muffs over the top, and I still do. Lesser protection seems fine at the time you are using it, but you can tell the difference AFTER you stop, but you can only tell if you have experience at comparing excellent protection with ordinary protection. Several years ago I was on a canoe trip with a bunch of folks from all walks of life, and there was a very young rock musician who had no idea that his ears were already shot until some of us started talking about the birds we were hearing, and suddenly he realized that he couldn't hear any birds at all, and that he hadn't heard any birds in years!

[@primslim620]

Great lesson on the economics of drumming. That's how I see it as well. I can't help but emphasize the metronome to my students. My main takeaway was about the shoulder height alignment with the cymbals. I'll definitely keep this in mind for the future once I have my dream kit. And yeah, I was definitely digging the t-shirt the whole time. Lol. Flamuel Jackson. 😎

[@gcorriveau6864]

At least I did learn to 'sit high enough' because back in the ancient times ;-) Ringo and Dave Clark sat Crazy High! Every other of these bad habits, I (like other commenters) learned the had way! Thank goodness, now, young drummers have great access to sites and instructors like Rob! Thanks for the reminders.

[@FUZZBUTT52]

Rob, this is the most informative drum site, from tuning to playing. Thank you. Been following you for a few years.

[@fbeegle]

Spinal glide is GREAT throne but if I had it to do again I'd have bit the bullet and paid the extra money for the Carmichael throne. Spinal G has memory foam, which is comfortable, but it causes the seat on one side to be lower than the other because your bass drum leg is off the ground so much more as a heel up player, and so more your weight is held on one side of it. This causes you to slope to one side slightly, putting uneven weight distribution on your spinal discs ... The whole reason for the throne!! That being said, it's still 100% better than a throne with no channel.

[@ZeKePlaysDrums]

anyone who's thinking on the spinal glide listen to this man right here!

[@Neal_Schier]

Great info. Thanks!

[@garydonnelly5568]

Regarding hearing protection. I found that even when using Low Volume cymbals, it's a good idea to use plugs to reduce the amount of transient high frequencies that occur with the initial attack. The attack on the LV cymbals is still very sharp and can be damaging. Another thing that bothers me with people's set ups. Honestly, can someone explain to me how angling a snare back towards you sharply, optimizes technique? I see a lot of people lately who play traditional grip doing this. It doesn't make a ton of sense to me for matched so traditional players doing it simply baffles me. In order to maximize rebound, physiology and physics (including gravity) need to work in sync with each other. Putting your wrists into a distorted position on a surface where the angle of gravity is working against you is not at all efficient and at some point, repetitive motion like this will catch up. A slight angle is one thing but when the snare angle is pitched back to even 10° it can start to affect your efficiency. Hater responses in 3,2...

[@Triggagnomic]

Love it! I was very lucky, my teachers taught me all this stuff! I started working with the click in my third lesson...

[@drskilleto]

Good video for the beginners. All of the tips are really important not only to get good at playing, but also to be able to have a long career. With the first one I just kept on thinking about Daru Jones. You did say for your body type though 🤣 In ears with an EAD 10 works well too. As long as the earbuds have foam tips they usually are good for 12-20 dB of reduction. I also like the Eargasm earplugs. I tend to use them when I'm playing a gig where I can't get a monitor feed.

[@nesaragesara9855]

You're the best! I LOVE your analogies! Especially the metronome part!

[@bensayeed953]

On point bro, i know all too well of these hiccups especially points 2 and 4 after playing on the 'house' kit at a gig and just seeing the anarchy that some peeps have to deal with lol. Big ups Rob.

[@dewayne3615]

Thanks coach. 👍🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@spishco]

OMG, Progressive Steps To Syncopation! Brings me back to when I took lessons as a kid.

[@lucaszacharias138]

Thank you Rob! It is always good to know that I am am teaching the right things to my students, just in another language. I will share this video with those who are more experirenced speaking english (which is also an important lesson for young musicians). Greets from Germany

[@paulrevelli]

Clean bill of health for me (and I should hope so for as long as I've been playing!). Thanks Dr. Beatdown. Have a great weekend. 🙏

[@Mieczu_DRUMS]

I recently changed my setup. My point was to get everything closest and more comfortable as i could. And I just noticed that is veryyyyy similar to yours 😅

[@zeichner42]

Thanks for another awesome lesson! I agree 100% with every one of these points. You are the one who turned me on to the Ahead Spinal Glide throne & I can't thank you enough. It's a great piece of equipment, and I can't imagine playing for very long without it. I'm also a huge fan of playing to a metronome. Gap click & displaced click are my favorite ways to use my metronome. Finally, a big YES to hearing protection. My dad got me started with foam ear plugs in the early '70s, when I first started in a rock band. I kept on using them through high school, college, and the Army Band. Now, playing without ear protection just seems wrong. At 65, my ears are just as good now, as when I was a teenager.

[@primoprimus1]

I'm guilty of at least 2 of those baaad habits. Thanks BeatDown B. for the reminder.. So important. Thanks for your content - always enjoy

[@The-Seventies]

As a self taught, I learned all of these over the years the hard way. So if you’re starting out, take these seriously. It’s great advice.

[@beanth1230]

New drummer here at 48 lol. Overplaying and forgetting or losing the groove. You've got to make them danceand keep it groovy

[@sparknado]

Coincidentally I think sitting a little lower helps me sit more upright and thus have less lower back pain

[@davidperez5089]

Nice vid. Another one I've noticed is when a drummer Plays with no dynamics. In other words it's usually ff it fff all the way through every song.

[@malthausgames]

My bad habit I had to fix was being too hard on cymbals. I've cracked several, including my precious Meinl Mb20 Heavy Crash. It was 10 years ago when it cracked, and I'm much better now! I've learned better technique and wish I would have in the beginning. I'll also second the hearing protection. I have tinnitus pretty badly, and drumming without hearing protection is the main culprit. Only focusing on that change this year, but I'm glad I'm starting now.

[@piscotown]

Not programing a schedule for practicing!! It's very important to set up a goal and to follow a path in order to improve our skills everyday 😊

[@BeccaLozierTrumpet]

I've played professionally (trumpet) for 25 years (upwards of 200 shows a year) and only started wearing protection in my thirties. Ooops. Start NOW. I will not mount a stage or a kit without plugs. Feedback is going to happen. Beware. I carry several varieties with me on stage no matter what instrument I'm playing. Nowadays, I usually practice trumpet with plugs, too. All those hours in a small room and those trumpet frequencies (and playing drums and with drummers, those cymbal frequencies, ugh) are pretty painful now. Bummer. I still have good ears, and my left ear ring is tolerable and sometimes not really noticeable, sometime raging, but I can manage. Thank goodness I've worn plugs consistently the last 8 years. Also, that throne height thing is real. My hips and knees are ruined from labor-intensive jobs as a young adult, and they cry out quickly if I'm on the kit too low. (the next day really sucks). OK, now writing about my ear has woken it. Distraction Jackson - engage!

[@mike__durrett]

Late comment, but I have always loved and appreciated your sage advice. Been hanging around this channel for a hot minute. Cheers, boss Rob!

[@jimcrawford-ty6dy]

As always, great advice. You got me, a metronome, I’ve got the app on my phone and I mostly haven’t used it for………30 years. I’ve been told a few times to slow down or speed up by the lead singer/pianist (my wife). Thanks for the reminder and always enjoy your videos, something positive to take away with them, even after playing mostly right, all these years 😀

[@lobbyrobby]

I'm nervous to watch this but as a beginner maybe I can fix some mistakes I might have immediately

[@peterevans366]

Really spot on advice on all aspects of playing and setting up this wonderful instrument...❤

[@GP3D-g4q]

I mostly used Sound offs when playing but am forced to use Electric a lot even there be careful how loud you have the volume ask 80s kids about walkman volumes specially after they added bass boost and equalizers

[@TheStobb50]

One piece of advice, I could give for tall drummers, I play a pearl forum kit, with the support for the tom-tom is coming out from the top of the bass drum if you set the floor kicker to be comfortable for your legs The tom-toms are too far away, simply after watching a old video of Mick, Fleetwood I noticed he had reversed the bass drum, meaning the tom-toms come closer in this drastically improved my playing

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

My Yamaha kit has a similar issue.

[@perryfisher3373]

Great video. I'm in my 60's so if this were my list I would flip #1 & #2. Young 'uns.... take care of your joints and limbs now. Do not wait until Artie (Arthritis) moves in to perfect your grip. This will lead to proper kit arrangement to minimize un-necessary movement. Like #3 says a good throne at the proper height for your body will become more important as you get older. To the commenter who sits low with no problems, I'm happy for you and reading that made my knees ache. #4.... guilty as charged. I'm lucky to be playing with a bassist I call metronome. #5.... more great advise from a great drummer.

[@chrismaille3478]

Good points, I'd like to add something regarding throne height, it's not enough to just sit at the right height. Your posture is equally important, no slouching at the drumset. Bad posture causes just as much if not more pain over time than throne height. Obviously the height of the throne is the first step, and will encourage better posture if correct, but it can't stop there. Head up, shoulders back, don't slouch. Sounds obvious I know, but is easy to forget and lose track of.

[@flashfan1122]

It's really hard to keep that posture the whole time! I've finally started raising the height to get better foot control but my posture already sucks so trying to get there

[@TheGarageBandSyndicate]

My first throne just broke at 4 months in... I wanted the Spinal Throne real bad but unfortunetly had to settle for a $100 Throne that was easily twice as strong and 3x as comfortable as what I started with. 4 months in and I have yet to implement a metronome, but it's coming. When I jam with a buddy my timing is spot on cause I played Guitar for 30yrs. I need it to practice though for sure... I get to wishy washy when making stuff up, but when I making stuff up with a guitarist I'm setting the tempo to him.

[@baub58]

Hey Rob, thank you so much for your continuing advice on metronomes. I could never get a handle on one until I followed your advice. Your advice changed the way I play!

[@timcummings6581]

I practice with a metronome now and then but discovered an app called Live BPM. It's on my phone and shows my BPM as I'm playing (I mount my phone on a cymbal stand). I can see if I'm rushing/lagging in real time and can adjust on the fly. Has really helped my timing so now I just glance at it now & then to see how I'm doing. Also has a linear readout so you can review your variations after the song. Plus it's a free app!

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

I've been told my time is 'like a metronome' - but I've never used one: I learnt good time by playing along to recorded music. I always suspected I'd be in trouble if I played along with real musicians and had to set the time without assistance - but not so, I'm surprised to say.

[@drum-jitsu]

I agree with all 5 .Great advice

[@ruimsilva95]

I kind of disagree with the second one. I've been changing seat heights to find what's more comfortable and I see a lot of people sitting high like you are. I can't really get used to it. If my thighs are pointing down I feel like I lose some control on the bass drum. I like to play 90º degrees. Sitting too low it's horrible and I agree, but sitting with your thighs pointing down it's too much for me. Am I doing something wrong?

[@ericbortega]

Great advice. Along with stick technique I would also encourage new drummers to try different sticks. For years I was using sticks that were too thin and light. Stepped up my game when I changed sticks.

[@SAHBfan]

I got criticised a lot for being TOO LOUD. Funnily enough. Whilst trying to play more quietly I adopted thin, light sticks. It took me about 30 years to realise I can actually articulate fast patterns, quietly, much better with heavier sticks. You need a bit of weight - the right weight- to control the bounce.

[@willdavid6697]

Superb advice! 100% agree 👍

[@GP-ed1ti]

Awesome advice. You nailed it!

[@b.p.879]

I just use the same shure earbuds to practice that we use on stage, mostly because I also practice with the metronome. Also, I'm so thankful that I had a great teacher at an early age who stressed the importance of kit setup, and he advised me on which first kit to buy. I ended up with a Tama Rockstar, this was 1990. The Rockstars came with a great tom holder and I was able to get the toms within a half inch of each other. I saw so many people with the "Mickey Mouse" toms and always felt kinda bad for them!

[@ScottyDrake]

Thank you for including ear protection. I started protecting my ears when it was too late. I wear them to preserve what hearing I have left. And you're right: the other instruments DO sound great when I have my earplugs in!

[@patar2112]

always glad to watch an upload, Rob. thanks man.

[@MichaelDanso-l2d]

I am a drummer and I have played drums for 25 years, but not improving. What can I do to become a good drummer

[@StoyanStoyanov88]

Regards Rob,very cool video 📸

[@LoweCommotionStudio]

#5....not just when playing. I have tinnitus and I'm sure it's from riding in a vehicle with my radio blaring during my old 2 hour commute. Hearing is important folks. Protect it even when you're not playing.

[@ElClásicodelos30s]

2:55 Is that a A&F Snare drum!? I love A&F Drums, specially the mahogany ones.

[@ILikeWafflz]

8:00 I didn't even take note of what the shirt said, I love it lol

[@HereIsmarcus]

Thankyou Rob. You may have just saved my hearing. I’ve been hot on ergonomics from day 1 to avoid back and arm injuries but totally neglected my ears. Buying the dbuds right now

[@latentsea]

Get some 3m 28db or 35db noise reducing headphones from Home Depot. Can still put ear buds under them and pump in metronome or pre-recorded music for practice. Even better, mic your kit and use isolation headphones.

[@kevinturvey8213]

absolutely superb advice - listen and put into practice!