Making something feel good on the drum kit is central to drumming, that is if you want to play with others and you want them to play with you. A groove that “feels good” does not jerk around, it stays consistent drawing you into the emotion of the song.
So how do you get better at making a groove feel good?
Something that has worked for me is:
1) Find a groove, a 1 or 2 bar ostinato.
2) Put the metronome on and play that groove for 5 mins without playing a fill. No fills! Play varying the dynamics–from really load to really soft.
3) Then find a tempo that is hard to play. One that you feel uncomfortable playing and stay there until it feels comfy!
4) Lastly, record your self–even if it is on your cell phone. The recording won’t lie! You will improve.
mabes, your wisdom is always welcome in my life. thanks for the post… i especially like the part about playing @ an uncomfortable tempo till it feels comfortable… appreciate you bro.
Great thoughts Mabes, I like the thought of just keeping that groove, no fills….Steve Jordan says on his DVD “It’s harder than it seems…” It surely is…but it helps… Thanks brother!
hmm….good point there.
Really good point. I’ll try it i mean the uncomfortable part. Cheers..
Like your advice Maybury. Is there anything you specifically listen for such as a hook or rhythm guitar strumming pattern etc when trying to find that groove that just really fits?
Cheers
Derek
Hi Derek. Not sure what Mabury listen for (I wish I knew, because he comes up with the sweetest of parts.) In my case - I listen to the main melody line. From there I try to identify the beat that was “meant for that song”. You can play something that really will support and strengthen the song by either duplicate the main rhythmic idea from the melody line, or create something that is intentionally different, but still compliments the melody. Rather that being a super technical drummer or a groove drummer or a whatever-drummer, I recon the best thing to aim for is to be a musical “song-drummer” (and for that you need both groove and technique). This is cool: a worshipping musical song drummer! Paul Mabury certainly is a great example in that department.
Mabes … Oh Bro!!!! So good man - let the wisdom flow brother!
Great word
A perfect example of this is J.J. Johnson on John Mayer’s Continuum album. J.J. and Steve Jordan are definitely some of the greatest pocket drummers in the business.
Questlove is about as pocket as you can get. I think he could completely survive (and thrive) with a Kick, Snare, Hat, Ride… And MAYBE a floor tom. Too many drummers think they NEED 4 toms, rotos, extra snare, 2 rides, 3 crash, china, splash, bell, chimes, cowbell, wood block, double kick, Gong, etc…
Yaw Men! Nick! You’re right!
I rather play a mini drum only got Snare, Crash/Ride, Hit-hat, Sweet Kick Drum!
I think those drummers need many extra equipment for only “posture” rather then really bring out the beat that support the melody!~
right on! nick and zavier,
my drummer only plays with 1 snare, 1 kick, 2 toms, hi-hats, 2 crashes and 2 rides and he always brings out the best of them, he is a true melodic-drummer, his name is Edward, he’s also my cousin, lol, Gob bless, everyone.
ROLFF!! HOW DO YOU GET YOUR SNARE TO SOUND SOOOO GOOOOD??
ive got a catalina club gretsch snare, and a emperor x head what are some tips lolll
Ryan,
I am not Rolf, but here is some advice on the snare.
1. Don’t make the batter head really tight. It should give a little.
2. Play with the stick flat and not so much tip. Like a rim-shot. It will give the sound more body.
-toe
Any tips on how to come up with new beats/rhythms and better my techniques? any Dvds you recommend?
Thank you
thanks man. like my snare is noowhere, even SORT of similar to the rolfs, and gabes snare sound…and i got kinda the same stuff..loll
great insight
Hey Paul! I met you in dallas after the worship night at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. Just wanted to say hey! Blessings Bro!
ENCONTRANDO EL ENCAJE* - PAUL MABURY
En términos de batería, hacer sentir bien algo mientras se toca es vital, sobre todo si quieres tocar con otros o quieres que otros toquen contigo. Un ritmo (groove) que se “siente bien” no anda regado, sino que permanece consistente, dirigiéndote a la emoción de la canción.
Pero, ¿cómo haces para mejorar el ritmo (groove) y que se sienta bien?
Algo que me ha servido es esto:
1) Encuentra un ritmo con ostinato, de uno o dos compases de largo.
2) Pon el metrónomo y toca ese ritmo (groove) durante cinco minutos sin tocar ningún repique. ¡Sin repiques! Toca variando las dinámicas: tocando el ritmo de muy fuerte a más suave.
3) Luego, encuentra un tiempo que sea difícil de tocar. Uno en el que te sientas incómodo tocándo, y ¡quédate en él hasta que te sientas cómodo!
4) Finalmente, grábate a ti mismo, incluso en tu propio teléfono celular. ¡La grabación no mentirá! Seguro vas a mejorar.
*(Nota de traducción: el término usado en inglés es POCKET. La traducción literal sería “encontrando el bolsillo”. El término POCKET se usa en la música anglosajona para referirse al momento cuando, generalmente, el bajista y el baterista tocan “amarrados”, tocando juntos los acentos, especialmente tocando juntos el 1er tiempo de un compás. Se insiste que para tocar en el POCKET, antes hay que tocar con GROOVE. Se toca con GROOVE cuando el baterista encuentra la rítmica y sentimiento del ritmo que se está tocando. Una vez que se ejecuta correctamente el ritmo, que se toca con GROOVE, si se mantiene el tiempo de este GROOVE por un tiempo prolonago, se dice que se está tocando en el POCKET, o sea, se está tocando cuadrado, “encajado”).