Questions tagged [drums]
Drums are a subset of percussion instruments played by beating a "head" stretched over a hollow "shell."
353
questions
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2answers
1k views
Is anything that doesn't have a pitch considered noise?
If we take drums for example like snare, kick, cymbals, etc. They don't have a pitch I was wondering if they're in the "noise family" like pink, white, brown noise. Generally, is anything that doesn't ...
3
votes
8answers
2k views
Is the main role of the bass guitar to give a pitch to the kick drum?
I was reading how the drum and bass are related in a band. Especially the kick. I think it's the main drum part the bass is listening to (?).
My understanding is that the bass is giving the kick a ...
5
votes
1answer
114 views
Aluminum vs. Wooden Drumsticks?
I am wondering about the differences between these materials when playing drums. I've always used wooden sticks - and all the drummers I have played with, as well.
But, I see the potential in using ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
Should I look into IEMs as a drummer(not playing live)
I've been drumming for a few years in my spare time for fun, and I've recently got issues with my ears.(I'm not playing live)
Although I've always been drumming with some sort of protection, I feel ...
0
votes
0answers
68 views
Name that beat: bass-bass-snare-bass
Is there a name for the rock drum pattern that repeats 4-beat measures of bass - bass - snare - bass?
Examples: Next to You (The Police), Pain Killer (Judas Priest), Tyson vs Douglas (The Killers)
...
7
votes
2answers
137 views
What's the difference between a grace note and flam?
I'm an amateur drummer but slightly less amateur with other instruments like guitar, piano and clarinet.
What's the difference between a grace note and flam?
As far as I can tell they're very ...
11
votes
8answers
8k views
Why didn't classical music use drums?
I was wondering why doesn't most classical music use drums? For example when I type in "classical music" on youtube, most of the music I hear doesn't have drums. Take Bach, Mozart, Beethoven as an ...
6
votes
1answer
77 views
Is this a correct traditional grip?
I know I put the stick on my ring finger but the exact joint that I’m supposed to have it on confuses me as I was told to do this, but it is slightly painful and my ring finger slides around a lot.
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2answers
61 views
Unusual position of little finger while holding drumstick [closed]
Is this ok? It feels natural but it looks awkward.
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Using brushes as low-volume drumsticks
I'm playing a pretty simple drum part over some light rock and pop music in an small theater, for a piece in which the vocalists play an extremely prominent role and need to be heard very clearly; I'm ...
4
votes
3answers
204 views
Are the drum patterns in songs comprised of rudiments?
I've been trying to get some basic understanding of drumming. The first thing I came across is rudiments. Some have likened it to practicing scales for melodic instruments.
But I was wondering if ...
1
vote
2answers
73 views
What are Upbeats and Downbeats in a 16 Step Sequencer?
I'm trying to figure out the terminology of upbeats and downbeats in regards to a step sequencer. In this image of a 16 step sequencer, each box represents 1/16 of a measure:
Is it correct to say ...
13
votes
8answers
837 views
How to play proper time when another instrument is playing out of time?
As a drummer, I'm expected to provide a metronome-like precision and a foundation to a band. When playing in a band and having an instrument (i.e. guitar) which doesn't play in time correctly or is ...
3
votes
2answers
104 views
Why do I not get stereo output of my drums through the mixer?
I am trying to mix my electronic drum kit with music from my iPhone so I can play along with tracks on my drum kit.
Here is my drum kit controller with outputs.
And here is my mixer:
I am ...
7
votes
2answers
158 views
Hi-hat Sheet notation
Would someone help me out with the hi-hat notation here?:
My theory's a little rusty, I'm thinking it is a foot close of the hi-hat and not a closed strike? I only started learning 6 months ago so it'...
3
votes
2answers
114 views
Performing drums with my band while listening to metronome?
I'm a drummer in a band; is it common for drummers to wear headphones and to listen to the metronome while playing with a real band?
2
votes
2answers
156 views
Is there a software that will allow me to create my own drumless track? [closed]
I want to be able to take any song from any source, and remove the drums so that I can practice, and possibly play my own interpretation. Is there an specific software package to do this? I see a lot ...
11
votes
6answers
4k views
Can the bass be used instead of drums?
I noticed how there's not a lot of drums in orchestral classical music, in comparison to today's beat-based music. Do they get away with that in the orchestra by having instruments in the bass range ...
3
votes
1answer
105 views
Are most modern drums in pop/hiphop/edm music synthesized?
I was wondering if the drums that I hear around me on the radio/youtube/etc for the most part are synthesized or sample based. And even if they are samples, were they originally created by synths?
I ...
3
votes
1answer
386 views
How are the notes organized on a tongue drum?
Disclaimer: I don't now much about music theory.
Anyway, my wife just bought one of those, which I think is called a "tongue drum":
What strikes me is that, as bad as I am at playing music, whatever ...
1
vote
2answers
84 views
How to do visual (waveform?) analysis of one's playing
As I notice that my left hand is not on the beat at all times, I was wondering if there was a simple way to do a visual analysis of one's playing.
What I mean is the ability to see whether we hit the ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
What OTK abbreviation stands for?
I've heard about it when someone was talking about drum mic positions, but I'm not sure. Is it something like overhead mic position?
0
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1answer
39 views
Where can I get Native American drum and flute samples [closed]
I would like to be able to dynamically compose music using JavaScript using the sounds like from this video. I don't know where you would even begin. Do I need to record it all myself or is there some ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
The gist of how you create varied pitched/volume realistic drum samples in JavaScript
Like this, what do you need in terms of drum samples to do something like this and have it sound like that native american drum, with dynamic loudness and duration and depth, it's not just the same ...
2
votes
0answers
52 views
Cubase doesn't export stereo [closed]
In my arrangement, I set panner left/right for different instrument channels. It sounds good but when I export the file, the final export wav file doesn't reflect the left/right features, it sounds ...
2
votes
3answers
109 views
Practice timing and general drumming skills
6-7 years ago, I started learning how to drum. However, I was a kid, and whenever I played or even had a lesson, it basically just ended in my trying to learn to play whatever rhythms of whatever ...
2
votes
1answer
101 views
Use MIDI e-drums sounds in Ableton 10
I have no experience with Ableton, but I wanted to start learning by recording some drums samples with my e-drums (Alesis Crimson 2).
I already set up the instrument and it sends and receives MIDI ...
4
votes
4answers
118 views
Rhythm non-standard notation
I have read this paragraph a couple of times, but I haven't really had a light bulb moment.
My interpretation is that the upper example wants one to play
In bar 1: four beats of ones own choosing
...
8
votes
3answers
167 views
Leftie drummer being taught as rightie - should I switch?
Well, i believe, it's pretty classic situation.
I'm left-handed person that went to a right-handed teacher in order to learn some drumming.
I'm being told that we'll be playing open-handed on a RH ...
3
votes
1answer
132 views
Delay in sound when connecting electronic drumset to a soundbar
I recently got my Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit and it's awesome when I plug in my Audio Technica headphones. However, I have tried different Samsung, Sony and LG soundbars and I can sense a very very tiny ...
8
votes
3answers
562 views
Is it wise to focus on putting odd beats on left when playing double bass drums?
I need to learn two double bass drum patterns:
The first one is just repeated over and over again. The second repeats the first measure and then repeats the second measure.
My question is about how ...
0
votes
2answers
200 views
How can I switch up a four on the floor drum rhythm? [closed]
So I'm working on a song with a 4otF rhythm, but the beat gets rather boring after a while (it's a somewhat long song). I'm looking to switch up the drums but I'm not sure I know what pattern to use ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Ways to avoid pain when playing drums for long time periods?
I play the drums 2-3 times a week at my church services. Each service is about two hours long and I alternate between loud, medium-tempo to slow, steady stuff for extended periods. Recently, I've ...
1
vote
2answers
109 views
How effective are acoustic panels to deaden a room?
I need to deaden an echoing drum practice room and am considering acoustic panels, probably DIY ones 3.5" deep filled with rock wool. I'm look at these vs. heavy blankets for aesthetic reasons. I'd ...
1
vote
2answers
107 views
What types of drums in the picture below?
What types of drums in the picture below? I'm wondering if they are tom drums.
Your help is a great source of inspiration for me!
3
votes
3answers
206 views
Impacts on hand dexterity caused by combat sports or martial arts
I am considering to start practicing box, karate or tae kwon do to improve my health and self defense skills. Does anyone know if any of these affect my dexterity, speed, sensitivity negatively? Not ...
3
votes
1answer
225 views
I could once play 270 BPM 16th notes with full leg motion, with a bit of ankle motion, while my left leg was tense. Now I can't do 150 BPM
Okay, so as said I could once play 270 BPM 16th notes with full leg motion, with a bit of ankle motion, while my left leg was tense. Now I can't do 150 BPM.
Now, I know that it was a really bad way ...
10
votes
2answers
406 views
Why does American traditional music (e.g. old-time fiddle, folk, bluegrass, etc.) exclude drumming?
I'm a trained percussionist who for years has appreciated traditional American folk music. I've also been frustrated for years by the complete lack of any drums in this music. I've searched the web ...
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vote
0answers
329 views
Is MPS-850 a good module just for triggering VSTs? [closed]
I'm converting my acoustic drumset into an electronic one, with triggers, mesh heads, electronic cymbals ... And my big question is on the electronic module :
I saw the Millenium MPS-850, quite ...
3
votes
1answer
169 views
What makes a cymbal “dry” or “wet”?
"Dry" seems like an odd term to use for a plate of hammered bronze. What makes a cymbal dry? If it's not dry, does that mean it is wet?
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Crash cymbal turned green
What makes it green? Any way to clean this? It looks so much like old Chinese pottery.
2
votes
2answers
485 views
Clefs used for pitched percussion
I know that unpitched percussion instruments use the percussion/neutral clef. However, I was wondering what clefs are used for pitched percussion instruments. Are treble, tenor, alto and bass clef all ...
3
votes
4answers
113 views
Can drum lessons be applied to mallet percussion instruments?
I recently got a glockenspiel for fun. I'm a beginner when it comes to percussion. I'm wondering if I can see it as a drum, and watch drum lessons or should I only look at lessons that are specific ...
6
votes
3answers
584 views
Words to describe this Dance Music texture/effect
So we always have like in dance music 4/4 and like 4 kicks in one bar with two claps or snares on every second beat going and let's say I add some bassline that plays totally different rhythm/pulse (...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Drum head choices for Hyperdrive toms (short)
I have a Tama Starclassic Birch/Bubinga drumkit. The toms are TAMA's Hyperdrive (short toms). I am looking for new heads and ask the question what would be the best type of drum heads for short ...
3
votes
1answer
137 views
Untuned Percussion Clef
G clef (usually treble), F clef (usually bass) and very movable C clef (alto/tenor) are all very definable, as are the dots contained within.
Look at untuned percussion music, though, and there's ...
2
votes
1answer
532 views
How to get a higher quality sound from my (cheap) hi-hat?
I've been using a cheap used drum kit for the past 8 months or so. It doesn't get the greatest sound, but it gets me by and it's good for practice.
The only complaint I really have is that the hi-...
2
votes
2answers
154 views
Heel up technique
I want to know the muscle groups which are used in performing heel-up technique and how they are used. This is to know if I am doing it correct.
While striking shall I use my hip muscles to lift my ...
5
votes
3answers
181 views
Do drum skins crack?
I am a keen drum player and have had my first drum skin crack. It was on a medium snare drum. The drum has been played for about 20 mins a day for the past 4 years. I had got the drum second hand and ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Improving drumstick control in non-dominant hand
Why is it that my drumstick in my dominant hand always hits the same spot yet the drumstick in my non-dominant rarely does?
