How to Use a Play Along CD: The Best Way For Drummers to Practice on Their Own
Most people learn how to play the drums and can play a basic beat, or a few common fills. But how can you take your drumming to the next level?
Whether you're a beginning student just starting with drum lessons, or even an experienced drummer already working the circuit, the one thing you can never get enough of is practice.
Practice typically requires playing with other band members. But maybe their schedule doesn't work with yours. Or, maybe the musicians you can find to work with aren't good enough to push you and you're no longer challenged.
Worse, you can get stuck in a particular genre, or style, of music and no one takes you seriously in any other form. You're a Jazz player that wants to play Hip-Hop. A Funk player that wants to rock. Or even a country player that dreams of playing on Broadway. But because you've been labeled as a certain form, you find it difficult to break into the field. Look at Garth Brooks, for instance. The guy could write his own ticket in country music, but when he tried to come out with a rock album he was nearly booed off the stage.
But what choice do you have? Well, the only other real option until now was to practice playing drums on your own. And as you know, this can be tedious or even downright boring. (Think about it... how many times can you play Wipeout or Zeppelin's Rock & Roll without finally wanting to stick a drumstick in your eye?)
Now there is a tool available called a play along CD. Lets take a look at what exactly it is, as well as how you can use it to improve your playing in any style.
A play along CD is simply a recording of a song with one or more of the instruments removed from the track. You can think of it like a Karaoke track for musicians. Just like Karaoke removes the vocals so you can sing along, play along CD's remove certain music lines, which allows you to play your part of the song.
Here's an example: You're a drummer, so you grab a drum play along CD. All you have to do is throw the CD on, jump behind your kit, and play away. Its like having the whole band in the room with you. And, best of all, you can get creative with the part. You may even come up with something better than the original.
All drummers need practice. And you can accomplish some of this with a simple metronome and a drum kit. But a great drummer can do more than just keep a beat. Professional drummers must develop a strong sense of time, master meter, and be able to groove. It's all about feeling. And you don't get that without playing with others either live or on a play along CD. That is what will make you the one everyone calls for a gig. - 18762
Whether you're a beginning student just starting with drum lessons, or even an experienced drummer already working the circuit, the one thing you can never get enough of is practice.
Practice typically requires playing with other band members. But maybe their schedule doesn't work with yours. Or, maybe the musicians you can find to work with aren't good enough to push you and you're no longer challenged.
Worse, you can get stuck in a particular genre, or style, of music and no one takes you seriously in any other form. You're a Jazz player that wants to play Hip-Hop. A Funk player that wants to rock. Or even a country player that dreams of playing on Broadway. But because you've been labeled as a certain form, you find it difficult to break into the field. Look at Garth Brooks, for instance. The guy could write his own ticket in country music, but when he tried to come out with a rock album he was nearly booed off the stage.
But what choice do you have? Well, the only other real option until now was to practice playing drums on your own. And as you know, this can be tedious or even downright boring. (Think about it... how many times can you play Wipeout or Zeppelin's Rock & Roll without finally wanting to stick a drumstick in your eye?)
Now there is a tool available called a play along CD. Lets take a look at what exactly it is, as well as how you can use it to improve your playing in any style.
A play along CD is simply a recording of a song with one or more of the instruments removed from the track. You can think of it like a Karaoke track for musicians. Just like Karaoke removes the vocals so you can sing along, play along CD's remove certain music lines, which allows you to play your part of the song.
Here's an example: You're a drummer, so you grab a drum play along CD. All you have to do is throw the CD on, jump behind your kit, and play away. Its like having the whole band in the room with you. And, best of all, you can get creative with the part. You may even come up with something better than the original.
All drummers need practice. And you can accomplish some of this with a simple metronome and a drum kit. But a great drummer can do more than just keep a beat. Professional drummers must develop a strong sense of time, master meter, and be able to groove. It's all about feeling. And you don't get that without playing with others either live or on a play along CD. That is what will make you the one everyone calls for a gig. - 18762
About the Author:
Spencer (Spence) Strand is a performing drummer and drum instructor who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. To get your free recordings from his Berklee recommended CD series, "Turn It Up and Lay It Down", please go to his site at DrumFun.com.
posted by X - Men at
7:34 AM
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