Question 1

Should I practise on a pad or on the kit?

Accepted Answer

Both, but in a fixed order. Learn the pattern on a pad where a wrong stroke is audible, then move it to the kit the same day so the hands learn the pattern rather than the pad. Patterns learned only on a pad tend to fall apart the first time the hands have to travel between drums.

Question 2

How fast should I move the metronome up?

Accepted Answer

Four BPM at a time on rudiments and eight on grooves, and never past the tempo where the pattern still sounds even. A jump of ten or twenty BPM hides the fault you were fixing, which means you pay for the speed twice.

Question 3

What stick size should a beginner start with?

Accepted Answer

A 5A in the wood tip, in a matched pair. It is heavy enough for rock volume without forcing a tight grip and light enough that quiet playing stays possible. Move to 5B if your hands tire at loud volumes and to 7A if you play mostly jazz or acoustic music.

Question 4

Do I need a practice pad with a stand?

Accepted Answer

A stand is worth it. A pad on a table forces the forearms into a different angle than a snare does, and every hour on the wrong angle is an hour spent learning a grip you will have to unlearn. Set the pad so your forearms sit level.

Question 5

How do I practise with a metronome without it becoming a crutch?

Accepted Answer

Alternate: eight bars with the click, then eight bars without, then bring the click back in and hear where it lands. Playing only with the click teaches you to follow it; playing only without teaches drift. The alternation is what builds internal time.

Tuning & gear

Tuning & gear