7 HORRIBLE MISTAKES drummers make every day | Fix these BAD HABITS

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Subscribe to my channel or I'll steal your cymbals: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb Not every drumming mistake you make is created equal. Some drumming mistakes hold more weight than others. And by focusing on these, we can take our drumming from sounding like a beginner drummer to sounding like an advanced drummer. Here are my 7 tips for how to stop sounding like a drumming noob. Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

[@ChrisDalman]

Stephen Taylor *steel 😉 *🤏👈🎵

[@chipmcdip8629]

Hey Steven, I’m curious. What are youre opinions on those huge eighties drum sounds?? Let me know

[@mackiejohnson8498]

You would give mine back

[@aether3569]

Have fun stealing my symbols, I have an electric kit lol

[@diamondf-l.e.d.1440]

I greatly appreciate your content and the firm/blunt manner of bringing to light the mistakes that i have been unknowing doing behind my kit. My practice time lately (past 3 months) has been focusing on switching between open and closed snare and incorporating those very different sound groups and seeing what works and what does not. So greatly appreciate your firm and blunt manner of bringing forth information that i did not know. thank you sir! as for you stealing my cymbals? hahaha i'll simply give them to you and then you can possibly guide me as to what might be better options to help create the type of sound im looking for.

[@batwithglasses]

"Own every note you play"...that's authority. Old jazz player told me that once way back..stuck with me for 45 years.

[@heckler73]

I think Zappa also said something along those lines, to the effect of _play every note like you mean it_ .

[@batwithglasses]

@@heckler73 Frank knew👍✌

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

It's such an important thing to learn

[@batwithglasses]

@@StephenTaylorDrums I concur my friend..😊

[@faperito2389]

@@StephenTaylorDrums that's so funny that you just posted this lesson, because as a semi new player (2 years of serious study and practice) this epiphany just came to me very recently, and it INSTANTLY made my playing better and I think I finally found my sound and feel on the drums. Thanks for all the great lessons, you're an awesome teacher, man, keep it up. Greetings from Chile!

[@NoelMay]

When a teacher told me years ago to say " Playing " a drum instead of " Hitting " a certain drum helped me understand the concept of playing an instrument instead of a thing. A lot of drummers approach the drum kit like they are hammering a nail, not creating a musical note. I know it's just a small terminology change, but it is the little things that matter and this little shift can change attitude.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

For me it's all in those small nuances. They mean a lot and can totally change how you view something.

[@NoelMay]

@@StephenTaylorDrums Another one is " bass drum " vrs " Kick drum ", playing a bass note instead of kicking something, again, a small thing but to me it's important. Roadies, other muso's say it all the time and I just laugh inside and always call it the bass drum .... LOL call me 'ol skool ........ : )

[@wohlhabendermanager]

"A lot of drummers approach the drum kit like they are hammering a nail" Yeah, I had a friend who played drums exactly like that. He would hit so hard that every time he sat at a drum kit there where things nearly broken or new dents in the drumheads. He never understood me when I said that maybe he shouldn't be hitting so hard.

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

That's among what seperates true greats like Baker, and Carey from the rest.

[@Godshand2]

Traugott Müller Hitting hard is not a problem. It's how you play hard. Mr. Grohl does it al the time but he does it with control and without breaking stuff..

[@TheBakerman55]

Stephen,I'm a 65 year old drummer that obviously missed this video when I was 18(doesn't matter) it's working fer me now! Thank you sir,and as it has been God bless you and your family.......and me.

[@normalizedaudio2481]

OMG, I'm glad it's a drummer saying all this stuff. When other band members say this stuff, we have some disagreements and a "band fight."

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You're not wrong lol

[@thetreo9508]

🤣

[@lbbfelix]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kirjian]

6:08 but Stephen, if you can play it slowly, you can play it quickly

[@cmswrD]

I was not expecting to see a TwoSetViolin reference haha

[@abhi22]

@@cmswrD Mee too lol

[@ronirony2122]

I am guilty of 7/7 of these mistakes. Thanks Stephen!

[@Fitandover40]

I love how Steve mixes up "philosophy" with drumming and practicing, it is really refreshing to see a man connecting dots of information beyond the "drum" topic but related to it. And about planning and how always comes out as a point that needs to be addressed I, as an individual, do not feel that rigorous planning works for me always. Sometimes i feel is much more important to have the "inspiration", desire or motivation to practice than a preplanned program for practicing. When practice becomes a routine and an "obligation", I lose the inspiration that gives me LASER LIKE FOCUS, no matter what i work on. of course i have an idea of the things i feel need to develop but without the "wanting to practice" no matter how long or what i practice, it is not a FOCUSED practice. In the now it manifest as, me practicing a subject for however long i feel inspired to, sometimes minutes, sometimes hours, and then resting my practice when i do not feel like practicing and then realizing that because of the FOCUS on the little time i spent, translates very quickly into the development of the skill. The prove for me of this is strengthen by and author called John Taylor Gatto who discovered that kids could learn to read and write in 25 hours! instead of years! But when "they wanted to learn" and not on a predetermined timing and manner. In other words what makes the "miracle" is the "inspiration" or the concentration given by the degree of the desire to develop a certain skill than the obligated practice, like in school. Sometimes i go months without practicing and when sit back on the drum set the skills show up on their own surprising me, given the little "planned practice time" i do. Like putting a seed in the ground that grows without a man having to do "anything".

[@tur6089]

I’m a bassist who’s planning on learning drums later and this applies to any other instrument too. Great stuff

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

For sure it does. And I'm actually planning on learning the bass...just have to find time lol

[@sashasmokes721]

Yoo exact situation! I just got my eDrums back recently

[@nickcharles6530]

An hour a day Stephen. If you can do that, you can learn bass.

[@adamkane3736]

I've played drums most of my life and consider that the area I'm most proficient in. About 15 years ago, I decided to learn bass... Mostly because it seemed like every group I was a part of could never find (or keep) a good bass player for long. Guitar players everywhere tho... While I'm certainly no Victor Wooten or Lee Sklar, I've worked hard to become good enough to not make a fool of myself and feel pretty confident when sitting in on gigs... Nearly as confident as I am on drums. That said, learning bass was about the best thing I've ever done for my drumming. Having a deeper understanding of what the rest of the band is looking for in a drummer has been massively helpful.

[@garagemuso72kd5]

I couldn't agree more on all these points but particularly the one about speed. When starting a new beat, or groove or fill with my students I'm always "Play it slow, nail it..... then speed up!" I get soo many of my students say "But its easier to play it faster (80-90bpm) then slower (40-50bpm). I try to explain to them that accuracy at slow speeds will improve your accuracy at fast speeds and taking your time to get there will pay off. It's a difficult concept for young students to grasp though. BTW you are totally correct, playing "airy" beats at super slow speeds is extremely difficult and is a great way to practice the nailing the beat. Especially a beat that would usually be played at 140bpm+. Hey another great video Stephen. You get my vote for top 5 KZbin drum tutors if not best KZbin drum tutor. The way you explain things and the effort you put into your videos is inspiring for a full time drum tutor like myself.

[@superfan2895]

Written goals for this week: Tones, listen to Authority, play with Half learning half baked, finish cooking Speed, slow is smooth;smooth is fast Lane, pave your own Say less to say more Gear & equipment are like sextoys, sure you can use them but you can still get it on without them.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Love it!

[@mikal426]

Yes sometimes im half baked while practicing

[@hawkvolante4903]

I've always told my drummer friends, playing fast is easy, playing slow is hard!

[@godrulzthe602]

My drum instructor said when you play slow everyone can hear how bad you really are...

[@deansmith9599]

I've always told my friends that playing drums is easy, making them sound good is hard.

[@hollismedley3216]

If you can’t play it slow, you can’t play it fast

[@Kuroi_chō]

As a drummer this was a hard pill to swallow. Now I practice everything slow that way I can build the correct foundation. Slow is smooth smooth is fast!

[@joannapanek1391]

It looks so dam easy it's so frikking dam hard

[@Asa_Morris]

Every video is so clickbaity... but you're SO DEEP on everything you mention. It's so much more than vague bulletpoints, like a half-written internet article. You make it interesting, and substantial, so THANK YOU, Stephen!

[@darrensucksatgames]

I find learning how to play quietly really helps force the tone and authority of your playing tenfold. If you find yourself hitting to hard it’s usually a control issue that can be mitigated by some simple exercises and rudiments at a low sticking and try moving them around the whole kit but quietly. you’ll start to master the two distinct volumes and get closer to playing with more versatility of your dynamics.

[@kyleolin3566]

As someone who plays multiple instruments and jammed with many people, the hardest thing for most to master on drums is dynamics. I get it, drums are fun to wail on, but if the band can’t hear themselves think, it is hard to get much out of a sound competition. This is also a huge issue with other musicians, but I find it is hardest to tame on drums.

[@darrensucksatgames]

@@kyleolin3566 That’s the whole thing. I’m not even great at it but I know how to keep watch on myself and to pay attention to the rest of the band and dynamics are one of our few tools to communicate to the band that were listening and you can trust us to adapt to whatever goes down.

[@jedidrummerjake]

Saw Vinnie do a drum clinic playing a Gretch 4 piece right out of the box and he made it sound like a wrap around drum set. Incredible!

[@TruthNTime]

Excellent points Stephen. You uncovered for me two areas in which I need improving, the authority and the statement. You have a knack for explaining things in terms that I understand and can identify with and I will work on these two. Thanx brother.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

So glad it helped my friend!

[@damiandougherty8559]

I see 33 unlikes. I can’t how people can unlike something as thoughtful as this. Thanks Stephen

[@WavePotter]

Thank you for the video Stephen. The not focusing on other people's game but playing your own is so important and i always forget that. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

[@monomamori]

As a guitarist and a bass player, I should tattoo on my neck "focus on your tone, not on your gear"

[@danielclement4140]

Thanks bro this is so helpful and I am big fan of your channel....you have transformed my playing.

[@ericalred290]

I have been playing since 1972. I have played in everything from marching bands, to jazz bands, garage bands, symphonies, show choirs, studio musician, etc. While Stephen is centering his comments about playing a kit, his advice can be applied to any sort of percussion. What he is talking about is making the transition from being a drummer to becoming a musician. There's a big difference.

[@chrismallios1621]

Hey Stephen, Chris here again. Just in case I forgot to mention in my previous comment, Thank you for not stealing my cymbals. I love this particular video because I was totally that guy that did not pay enough attention to the proper running of my drums. I also was not considering the proper tone from Hi to Mid to Low tom. My bottom heads on the floor toms were way to loose which fluttered and reduced the amount of volume. So even though I was able to correct all that years later, I still was able to use all the other examples you talked about to help improve my overall playing. The most important piece of advice for me at this particular level I am at now was, the half learned example. I admit I am still very guilty in that department. That will be my primary focus along with some of the other great examples you demonstrated. I did enjoy both examples of the playing everything but not making a sensible statement. However, I did appreciate the second authoritative and meaning full example much more than the first. I also was not expecting that particular type of example. The fact that it was so unpredictable made it so much cooler than how anyone else would of demonstrated it. So one last Thank you for such a clearer method of Teaching and helping those like myself, who are stuck at a certain level and struggle to get to the next level of improvement. This is, at least, the third time I have been able to make a substantial improvement in my overall performance. Mad respect and major Admiration for you and all that you share with us. P.S. If you are doing any drum clinics in the Bay Area, I would love to attend. Now I am going to click on your next video "11 most common drum fill mistakes" Bye for now, Chris

[@donbelle7171]

Finally somebody who the secrets fundamental s of the art of drumming. Now that’s refreshing and inspiring.

[@ronaldinho4eva1]

thank you, some of this stuff i already knew but it was refreshing to be reinforced and told about it in a different way. now i want to practice.

[@eccentricorgan]

Words of wisdom here not just for the drums but for practical, everyday life. In the DVDs made with Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman mentioned the topic of equipment while endorsing DW drums. He said that having a quality instrument makes you play better. Sounded like he was both endorsing DW and making the point that you might be inspired to take more care with your playing and approach to the instrument if you have nicer gear. However, I do appreciate your closing words on that topic in this video. Well done Sir!

[@mixingdude]

This is all tremendously valuable advice. Play with authority. Be the ball. Thanks Stephen!

[@thomash4447]

Great teacher...I'm an old drummer coming back after about 30 years hiatus, and I appreciate good teaching. Oh and subbed!

[@jermss_]

you're a real one Stephen. thanks for what you do from a fellow introverted drummer

[@unikboricua]

Superb video brother. Every word was important and informative. You nailed the message and I thank you for the ideas and perspective. 👍🏼👌🏽

[@Tom_Emody]

i do remember these things one at a time usually. thank you for bringing them to light.

[@lukejbonner]

I really love watching your videos, man. Your communication is clear and concise and you speak really well. I can see you know who you are as a person and are comfortable in your own skin. I can relate to you a lot and I appreciate your videos. They're helping me learn things every day.

[@joshybo7]

I've been playing for over 20 years and your channel has still taught me a ton. Excellent information.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks!

[@ReignJeffersonCTria]

Each word you said here are very helpful! Thanks for sharing stephen

[@ristoy1]

Your point in focusing in just a few things, repetition and making a conversation, telling a story as I see it is very much the basis of good soloing with any instrument. Good point. I run in to this problem more than often and I've found that when ever I forget this the music starts sucking.

[@samtumminello9265]

Awesomely put Steven!!! You rock Brother! I have fallen into a couple of these mistakes! Love the video! Sums it all up! Stay safe my friend 🥁🥁🥁

[@canadajamz1840]

Fantastic point about the speed, and also so true,

[@TeslaNick2]

I've fixed so many bad habits in the last 12 months. I'm so much more comfortable, less fatigued after a session and relaxed whilst playing. Simple things like not chopping into cymbals means my sticks last three times longer. My only regret is not addressing them years ago, the difference is night and day. I feel like a much better drummer all round now and has made me much more aware of my playing.

[@hlsdryfold2275]

Tesla Nick good for you man, I know I felt the same way about 1-1.5 years into my lessons. I had played a decade prior, but made more progress in that Time with quality guidance, than I had in the entire 10 years of being “self taught”.

[@TeslaNick2]

@@hlsdryfold2275 Haha. "Self taught".... brilliant.

[@rabe7217]

Excellent sound advice and tips on improving!

[@BrianTCarter]

GREAT lesson Stephen thx u. The ‘listening to your sounds’ is such a big component of sounding professional. I was very lucky to study with Ronald Gould who was the principal percussionist of the New York City ballet for most of his career. He stressed that every day, thinking about where we’re playing on the snare drum, on the Timpani and just in general being hyper aware of the choices that we make when it comes to producing our sound.

[@jonathanbussey541]

I really liked what you said about playing with authority. It's amazing how timid I sound when I think I've mastered a really hard part; in my head as I am playing it I'm hoping that I nail it. Not any more. Your comment on tones really resonated with me too (pun intended).

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Change the title of this video to 7 Mistakes MUSICIANS make every day, and all of your answers are still valid regardless of the instrument. My neck is still a bit sore from the nodding.

[@rubeandrebr]

You just made my day man! Thanks for the precious lessons you tough me!

[@JhayzBoy2012]

Wow! This really lit up my mind. I will come back to this video to remind myself what's said in this video. Thanks Mr. Taylor for this video!

[@dyermker250]

Great man!! Brilliant, compassionate.

[@groovegremlin42]

Wise words, eloquently put 👌

[@gregjohn8642]

Hey Stephen you were speaking to me because i do all of the above, for instance playing with speed but frustrating to play at a slow pace or when practicing my roles and not sticking to the plan and was thinking of buying a more expensive drum kit because the one i currently have doesn't sound good as far as I'm concerned. These are my mistakes indeed. I'm going to use your advice definitely. Your advice is good advice.

[@ianisaacs2340]

Dad told me, “Play precise and speed will come. Play fast and precision will never come.”

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You've got a smart dad. No joke.

[@ianisaacs2340]

I love him dearly, he was brave enough to buy me a pearl drum set when I was only 5!!! He endured it, never forced me to practice, and just made sure music was always around and available for me. I feel extremely blessed to play on stage with him, not many people get to perform with their dad. These days I’m his bassist mainly. I couldn’t have had a better father!

[@timrobinson9192]

@@ianisaacs2340 I envy you , not just from a musical perspective, but also from a father and son relationship perspective. Kudos to the both of you 👍👍👍☮☮☮

[@williammoses5939]

Very useful/helpful video ty for uploading! Must-watch for drummers of any level

[@guyanello7201]

This video is so important. To add to the first point, one of my teachers used to say that the difference between a good player and a great player is consistency. While most players can get a similar sound out of a cymbal every time the best players can hit a cymbal 100 times and get the exact same sound.

[@braddahldrpoison]

I enjoyed this. Great advice which can be applied to any instrument. Thanks!

[@jacksalisbury1618]

Probably the most useful video I’ve ever seen. Thanks

[@coasternut3091]

6 is one of my big ones, especially if I'm trying out for a spot. I try to show what I can do too much, mess up on something and end up looking stupid. I've gotten better as I've gotten older, but it's still there

[@jubalrichey1310]

Listening to this video took me back to the days when my dad was teaching me to play. Sometimes reviewing the basics is just as inspiring as learning something new. Thanks Stephen!

[@Big_C_4205]

Oh my gosh, thank you! Helped a lot. One I have trouble with is comparing myself to other drummers. Gotta stop that!

[@alastairpreece6908]

Stephen Taylor: Telling you how to lie to your wife. Convincingly.

[@ProdByEvol]

😂😂😂

[@beau5296]

Lie with conviction! 😄

[@Dyerdrummer]

Glad you put this out I have hit a wall with my playing and I have had 23 kits in the past two years because I'm wrapped up with the "gear" 😔 Thanks for the tips!

[@messybedroom]

Loved this video. It reminds me how far I’ve come but also how long it took to get where I’m at. I’ve kept my kit small and minimal adding something new every few years. I recently got a ‘new to me’ 60’s Ludwig snare out of the garbage, and a K sweet crash I put on lay-away, and thought man these sound great. But I also realized I learned how to play responsively to my drums. For the better part of ten years I kept it to a 3pc kit with hats and a ride just trying to make the most of it and sound pleasing. The best compliment is when I had a respected drum friend come over and compliment my Kick sound on a 20” 60’s stencil kit.

[@cmackscott761]

Great video. I began playing the drums when I was 13. So many fundamental concepts eluded me for years. In my early years, I missed the importance of tuning and faster isn't necessarily better.

[@sikthsikthsikth]

I've not drummed in years, found your channel, and really miss it now. Thank you, but also damnit...

[@thomasohlund5627]

Awesome work Stephen ! I couldn't agree more with what you said, every beginner drummer should watch this video...

[@yeppypeppy7548]

Hey man, just wanted to say this video has helped me tons. ALL of the points you brought up have been topics and questions I keep asking myself these past weeks. You've helped clarify some things as well as given me motivation to continue in this fight we call drumming. Thanks mate! 🤟🏻😤

[@paistebob3163]

Stephen, I find myself coming back to this particular video for inspiration it is really one of your finest as far as gaining the proper perspective approaching the kit in general and I think that applies to beginners as well as more advanced drummers. . Thanks, Bob M.

[@bave8927]

love your videos Stephen. Thanks for doin it

[@DerEingefrorene]

Those are really good advices for virtually every profession. Or everything you want to get better at. Great video :)

[@amirm3326]

your suggestions on how to improve drums playing can be easily converted to every concept of life, tnx man I realy used your suggestions

[@micahseibert5067]

Thanks Stephen! So many good points there and I need to work on a few of those! As a drummer in a band I really feel the need and desire to improve on everything drumming and your points are so on point!

[@Megarturo]

Omg! I love this video so much! Thanks master Taylor!!! I really want to study with you someday!... 💪💪💪

[@rezanasseri1]

Amazing information for any musician, not just drummers.

[@leecook6101]

Steven you are the bomb bruv. I'm a self taught drummer playing a cheap electric kit. Until last year I didn't know what rudiments are. I am guilty of some of these things and I'm always trying to improve. Thanks for all the amazing videos. I'm trying to build my confidence enough to play in front of others as I find social situations difficult and these lessons are so helpful. Keep making drumming fun!

[@Jake_Ro_X]

Amazing video! It's exactly how my dad who is a session drummer taught me and corrected my playing. You have to own the notes you play. 😎

[@debralynnpaxton5238]

Yea ! So glad that you are discussing speed...I personally believe that it is more difficult to play slowly and with good control if we don't first build the muscles enabling that same control, and later, speed. Have taught my students in that way. Thank you, Stephen.

[@ChrisDalman]

I like how I came across this video by liking a very short clip shared by this poster. You’ve said a lot, almost everything in this video.

[@debralynnpaxton5238]

Also love that liberating statement that we don't to play everything we know at one time, but rather, 2 or three things :D

[@AlmostEthical]

You are an excellent teacher. You nicely described (some of) the mistakes I've made over the last 40+ years :)

[@bravepart]

You've got a great approach and really get the valuable info across. Thanks for helping me keep pushing forward!

[@defaultytuser]

Pfff.... the "authority" advice is priceless, and very difficult to explain, you did a great job Stephen!! Cheers

[@nathanward3875]

Good Stuff, thanks for the advice!

[@tuknchuk]

This is a great video. Thanks for such worthwhile content.

[@meekoloco]

Great vid Stephen, keep em comin!

[@ronster977]

F**kin' great show. I'm on to it, THANKS mate! 👍

[@charlesavino8826]

Dude, I don't remember you installing a camera in my practice room! Seriously, I just happened to record myself with my phone and I cringed! Back to work. Keep the videos coming! BTW: I love number 7, soooo true!

[@petewangen-groovedrummer8083]

Great points Stephen, also, the ability to listen, whether it's to your own drums, your band members, or tracks. It's kind of like the person that can't wait to talk and they don't listen to what you're saying. Listen, listen, listen...

[@petewangen-groovedrummer8083]

Hey Stephen, great tips my friend, thank you.

[@nicklogsdon9182]

Been watching your videos for years, this one hits me hard man.

[@ajparr5585]

Very helpful. Thanks Stephen👍

[@plumbobthing]

You are an awesome communicator 🙏

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thank you!

[@ronniesherpalee4150]

Like your flavor and just getting back on the skins, Perfect...Subscribed...

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks!

[@emanueltorres4093]

These thing I used to before in high school in marching band, but for some reason now that I picked an instrument and new one by myself I end up be like what now and get stuck. But I suppose it makes sense since I had teachers and advanced band mates showed me about everything that you talked about here and I applied it. Thanks for reminding me of this simple but helpful suggestions. But the only is I could ask them hey am I applying this right, or?. Is there a way I can do something like this now? I lost connection with so many of my friends that where musicians and some just stopped playing as a whole. Thanks to anyone who read this poorly written paragraph.

[@lobbyrobby]

This is great. I've had my kit for about 1 month now and about 12 hours of practice. I have no idea why but I'm expecting myself to be better already. That's a terrible way to look at it. 1 month ago I couldn't even play a simple beat and now I can add 1/16th notes into it.

[@mariopassi]

Stephen Taylor = Drum coach as well as LIFE coach! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@davidbrown9395]

Excellent: your best presentation in months.

[@SteadmanDrums]

This vid is really helpful man, thank you!

[@viljamiroivas]

This is great advice for any practise. Not just for drumming. Thank you!

[@OffscreenkillVA]

The more smart videos I watch about drumming, the more I realize that I subconsciously avoided most of the bad habits drummers have before I even really started. Thats pretty neat.

[@footnotedrummer]

@ 6:50... this is honestly one of the hardest things to do. I always say that it's harder to play slow than it is to play fast.

[@MrSlaveSP]

I love these videos. I honestly think you are the best drumming channel on this platform

[@gracechapelstudentministry3937]

Bro! I just learned so much in 12 minutes I actually can't believe it! Thank you for posting this Stephen. This was so cool!

[@junkeman]

excellent video, was able to relate all 7 points to parts of my own play. you are my favorite youtube-teacher

[@warrenk9587]

Excellent video Stephen.

[@heavy4caliber]

I love videos like this! Hits home and HELPS! Thank you!