Does Practice QUALITY Matter on The Drums?

[@pickinstone]

Take that bubble bath of affirmation. The better you get at giving yourself specific positive feedback, the more focused your practice will become because you are leveraging your motivation. Easy? Most people have an easier time pointing out their faults, but focusing on your strengths can be a daunting and foreign process. I tell my literature and composition students that reality all the time--you are your own worst critic so why not flip the script? Also, record--record--record yourself. That is how you pinpoint your positive feedback. Easy to say "my playing is crap." Harder to say, "man my time feel sucked". Hardest to say, "that fill was right in the pocket and pushed the groove..." I'm not a drummer, so y'all could get even more specific. So, take that bubble bath or whatever. Be your BEST critic. Great video as always, Nate Dogg 80/20 ;)

[@flowerlandofjohn]

Personally I’ve never been into “strict practice-routines” and have always (since my teens) played/practiced in the essence of the Vinnie Colaiuta quote: “thought is the enemy of flow”. Sure, one needs some basic knowledge, but the most “advanced stuff” I’ve learned (like rudiments & odd time signatures) has been through just flowing. Key-part for me about drumming is passion and consuming large spectrums of music, and thru passion comes flow, and through flow comes awareness and knowledge. Well, that my 2 cents ✌🏻😅

[@jimgold2550]

Totally, as I said in another comment, spend 90%+ at your time in the shed copying licks/feel/vibe from your favourite players who excite you the most. Not playing ‘exercises’.

[@flowerlandofjohn]

@@jimgold2550 Exactly. I’m pretty sure that’s the best way for the most amount of players (regardless of instrument). Learn through music, since that’s what we ultimately want to produce!

[@zeronyne]

I love your subtle and varied approach to communicating these subject areas. Unfortunately, I have too many obstacles that originate with myself that are low hanging fruit, so these videos are academic at this point in my journey. But aspirations are good!

[@theredshirts7245]

It’s also super important to find new ways to practice the same things. Every practice method will have a certain amount of gain, but diminishes in effectiveness over time. So even if you are brushing up on some skills you have you may need to find a new way to approach them in order to keep them at the same level let alone improve them.

[@8020drummer]

Yas

[@dejd]

"Sometimes when your practice is stalled, you just need to pick something really specific and focus all your energy there." - this is so true

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

One thing Zack points out in his 8 hours a day remark, is the privilege of having that much time. I call this _fuck around time._ EVERY innovator, from Zack to Steve Jobs had a ton of time to screw around without the requirement of a rigorous day job draining all of their energy. 1-2 hours of practice after a long work day is a challenge and a barrier.

[@8020drummer]

Sure, but it’s one that can be overcome. I think recognizing our advantages is based, and complaining about other people’s privilege is a little cringe, though to be fair complaining about people complaining about privilege is also cringe, so I don’t escape this either

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

@@8020drummer You misunderstood my comment. This is an observation not "complaining", no more that stating that bricks are heavy is "complaining". When I walk into, say a fast food restaurant, (actually I stopped eating fast food years ago, but bare with me) and I see young workers toiling away, I see a dozen missed opportunities, as all of those young workers may become great at getting orders out quickly, but holding that job will make anything else they wish to accomplish vastly more difficult, especially compared to those who never had to take that job, and could devote 100% of their energy to their future. This especially true when I see HS kids working these jobs. It is what it is. Ignoring this or dismissing it as "complaining" is disingenuous and honestly, disrespectful to those behind that wall, trying to climb it.

[@8020drummer]

@@TruthAndMoreTruth yea I probably could've been more couched in my language. I included myself as a target of criticism so it wouldn't seem like I was singling you out. I should've been more specific that I wasn't talking about you specifically. It surely is a privilege to be able to practice all day without getting a job. My only observation, to a hypothetical person who complains way worse than you did, is that we shouldn't always assume "disadvantages" are disadvantages. (For instance, I had jobs I hated in high school, and I think that taught me discipline and time management.) That's all. no offense intended 👍

[@MassholeDrums]

That's my biggest issue. I think the whole talent excuse is idiotic and complete bullshit. Time is our only limitation as musicians.

[@pastrnak8863]

Awesome video!! My favorite drumming KZbin teacher

[@HugoStiglitz88]

You have 88 in your name? You must be an evil racist not C!!!!!! Lol (literally had someone accuse me of this because I like pastrnak had 88 as my hockey number, and like you, put it in my profile name. It was the most unhinged response I've ever got from someone 😂😂😂) BTW go Bruins!!! (Hopefully next year goes better)

[@philipmcevoy7206]

I have accesse to the 80/20 coaching course and I have tapped into the program in it, very challenging but worthwhile, straight away highlighted lots of stuff in my drumming particularly regsrding my discipline in actually setting aside practice time and being consistent. Loads in it such as instructions on how to play the kit the proper way, striking the drum head posture rim shots . Really informative, I'm still trying to learn more. Cheers Nate

[@jasper36]

I think practice and rehearsal are really important, but there's a really powerful effect when we play a set of music for an attentive crowd. When we have a lot of stage-time there's a thing that happens to our playing that can't really be replicated by practice methods.

[@dcd_cabrera]

Love your insight bro. God bless and keep doing what you do.

[@peatmarshnotfound]

Thanks to your channel all I want is to play and play and play. I appreciate the spark.

[@t-man5196]

I don't wanna work I just wanna bang on me drum all day

[@MikeSchertenlieb]

loving these deep dive, conceptual videos lately!

[@nathanaellukegriffin]

Phenomenal series Nato. What a treat

[@cadenlagman]

yo u sound amazing man!!! i’ve been watching for awhile now and ur flow has truly reached an insane level

[@8020drummer]

Too kind

[@upsetkidpanda1869]

hey thanks for this! this gave me a clear structure on how to tackle/improve my practice times and I believe this is beneficial for me.

[@bryantperez4786]

My guitar teacher in high school's motto: Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

[@billykohler9153]

Practicing the same pattern or lick for an hour straight ? Would you please address “ the law of diminished returns ? “ Because that is something that happens to my practice after about 15 minutes. Is this my adult A D D or or is this a commonality amongst practicing musicians in general ? BTW I do love all the content you post 💪🥁🥁🥁😎

[@ethanrussbasketball]

Is there a full video from that Zach Grooves clip?

[@njcamba8583]

This guy is in MIB 1 😎👽

[@benkempner6166]

Hey man just wanted to ask, cause I understand your left is all wrist. When you get really fast are you using rebound? Can u point me to one of your vids where you address this. I’m trying to push my left wrist as far as possible but it slips into rebound at faster tempos which is not good when voicing the left on like hi hat or dead surfaces u know

[@glennlavertu3644]

I would categorize myself as a former musician, or at times a failed one. The reason for this is that at some point it was no longer fun. Practice especially. I became too aware of what others were doing, and how much "better" they were than me. My 3 take-aways from that time in life are this: - I would advise that keeping the fun in your playing, especially in practice, is the biggest key for improving. - Perhaps too, don't compare yourself to others too often. It's good to know what other musicians are up to, but follow your own whims by paying attention to what is fun for you. Or, use the knowledge you have of what others are doing to zig when they zag. If everyone is playing fast: play slow, but in a different way. - Also don't take yourself too seriously. Be weird. Allow yourself to play the way you play (this doesn't mean to rest on your laurels). Recognize that you have a voice, and that practice should be a way to: a. find it, and b. refine it.

[@seancostello8558]

great comment

[@glennlavertu3644]

@@seancostello8558 thanks

[@jre9571]

The answer is in the name; ‘80/20’ Also: why do most people try and desire to sound like other drummers? I’ve never understood this. I want to sound like me… that’s it. Sure. There’s tons of drummers I enjoy. (BUT) I don’t want to sound like them. I can and do learn songs/ idioms note for note. Then I change them to what I want. Even the odd chance I preform a cover. I still play it my way. My point: stop trying to be something you (we) can’t be…be yourself seek your own sound.

[@jimgold2550]

Someone who doesn’t sound professional yet doesn’t need to worry about sounding original. They need to worry about sounding good. Originality is overrated.

[@jre9571]

@@jimgold2550 originality is overrated? In disbelief that was actually written. Maybe you’re right… Elvin and Mark or Dave King should have tossed in the towel and just copied someone else’s style/sound. Maybe Miles and Coltrane should have just gone with the flow. Maybe Bonzo should have just play like every other drummer. Come on, that’s a BS statement and you know it. But this is just my opinion (which means nothing) if you, or anybody else, want to be lazy and play what other people have done. Go for it. Turn your imagination off. And copy everything.

[@jimgold2550]

@@jre9571 I think you’re missing my point. I’m saying when someone doesn’t even sound professional, originality shouldn’t be the priority, sounding decent should be. So copy someone who is great, like a mentor figure. I am not saying ‘Elvin shouldn’t have bothered trying to develop an original sound’. One of the greatest drummers in the music’s history maybe is in a different position to a sloppy intermediate.

[@jre9571]

@@jimgold2550 the original post; your last sentence is a stand alone. At least the way it’s worded. “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” ― Steve Jobs

[@jimgold2550]

@@jre9571 Well, I meant it in the context of the developing player, based on the video’s content, and what came before in my comment.

[@onesyphorus]

these thumbnails are killin me bruh 😂 also third

[@ILikeWafflz]

9:00 LOL

[@TKbeatwerk]

I just practice songs I wanna learn and fills I randomly make up 😂

[@barisjohn77]

long time subscriber, I liked your videos much more when you were just playing drums for transitions and background music rather than this commercial sounds and images. anyway, like your work

[@christophegragnic8681]

It's not chess but the Go game or weiqi. I could teach you!

[@matthewalejandro8444]

Second!

[@maxdilello9931]

First!

[@marsjokes]

Last

[@webstercat]

Playing in band is the goal. That’s where you learn. Obvious statement

[@BadFriend_s2]

I, for one, am ready for the era of "fills that most closely resemble a bag of rocks rhythmically falling down the stairs" to come to an end.

[@8020drummer]

🤷‍♂️. I like it. It’s not for everybody. People are drawn to what they’re drawn to.

[@HugoStiglitz88]

No. Definitely not. It only sounds like that to people who don't play.

[@BadFriend_s2]

@@HugoStiglitz88 Been playing for 40+ years. I love fast, linear fills. That said, there is a trend that seems to just be linear-fills-maxing, while maintaining tempo. Physically impressive, yes. Musically impressive? Sometimes!

[@jimgold2550]

Man, that’s such a dry way to practise. Seriously, just spend 90%+ of your time copying amazing greats and trying to cop their stuff. You don’t need to do ‘exercises’.

[@8020drummer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZW0q4SHnN-Ljtk

[@jimgold2550]

@@8020drummer I don’t think that relates to what I said, I didn’t say ‘we should only be playing with other people’, I agree that that isn’t very effective as a means of improving. It’s not deliberate practice. Studying idols and copying them is. We agree on hours in the practice room being the way to improve, disagreement is on what one should be working on.

[@8020drummer]

@@jimgold2550 not sure we disagree then

[@jimgold2550]

@@8020drummer from the video I thought you were suggesting spending hours on timing/metronome exercises. I think that’s not nearly as valuable as studying music, ie transcribing masters and mimicking them, getting every tiny nuance. A sort of classic mentor/student relationship. It’s in periods people do this that I see massive growth in instrumentalists, when they get obsessed with a musician and copy every little detail, live inside them. Totally transforms their musicianship. That’s the power law activity imo.

[@8020drummer]

@@jimgold2550 well the video I responded with gave my best thesis on that stuff. Sometimes some specific reps will save you time by targeting and repping a weakness, but it risks losing relevance to actual playing. But imho the solution isn’t to go maximalist to only “imitating your heroes”, but to “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee”, staying topical when you need to, and diving deep into the abstract if you detect a weakness that would be faster workshopped that way.

[@ethenesparza3500]

First video I’ve seen of you. Perfect time in my life to discover this content. Honest, realistic, informative, super nerdy, right up my alley. After many years not playing a lick, I have recently found that my talent(grinder for 10years of my youth) was actually just taking a long nap, I surprisingly still got chops, but now I am getting back into it and geeking out on more fundamentals and deliberate practice. You are right, its both, talent only takes you so far, deliberate focus + bubble baths will take you to that next level 💪🧘‍♂️🛁🥁🥋 Subscribed