Practicing Drums - Drum Practice Cheat Sheet

A lot of drummers don't really sit down to practice their instrument, but rather just sit down to "play." Just sitting down to play what you already know is fun and can be great for maintaining certain techniques, but little progress will be made.

If you are into drumming only for a hobby, then making progress is probably not really a great priority for you. If that's the case keep doing what you are doing, and enjoy it.

On the other hand, if you want to progress as a great drummer, you will have to focus. You just can't expect to sit down at your drum kit every once in a while and just beat around the skins. You need to be clear what it is you need work on, and then apply it.

Each one of your drum practice sessions should create a challenge for you to accomplish something not previously mastered.

When you sit down at your drum set do you know what you should be practicing? Many drummers don't have a clue what they need to be practicing to become better. This lack of information can kill your potential to really excel at your instrument.

Sometimes, even if we know what to practice, our drum practice sessions can still be weak simply because of a lack of focus.

If you have ever caught yourself saying, "I don't know what to practice" or, "What did I forget to practice" when you get on your drums, this cheat sheet will do you good. Hang it up on your wall and pick which exercises you want to work on before you begin your practice session.

~ Stick control

~ Playing with a metronome (playing with, behind, and ahead)

~ Odd timing

~ Finger control

~ Left hand lead

~ Double bass drumming

~ Fast tempos

~ Slow tempos

~ Odd groupings (3's, 5's' 7's and 9's etc.)

~ Polyrhythms

~ Beat displacement and/or metric modulation

~ Shuffles

~ Showmanship (stick twirling, etc)

~ Creating your own patterns and ideas

~ Filling around accent patterns

~ Triplets around the set

~ 16th's around the set

~ Left hand and foot isolation

~ Brush technique on the snare drum

~ Crash cymbal technique (which one to hit, when, how hard, etc.)

~ Two handed cymbal rides

~ Soloing

~ Recording yourself and listening back

~ All 40 drum rudiments

There are probably many more things you can practice, particularly your own technique and signatures. But, just remember, you want to be working on something new at all times.

The main thing is, keep challenging yourself by never being satisfied. Strive to constantly improve during each practice session. Just never say again, "I don't know what to practice."

Danny Brown has been drumming since 1976, and is the author of "The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Drums and Cymbals!" Subscribe to his Free Newsletter and learn the mental aspect of drumming! Find out what it really takes to truly be a great drummer... http://www.dbDrumTips.com

irish dance music

Why Learning How to Improvise is So Important

Imagine asking a beginning writer to write a short story from scratch. Our writer does not yet have much experience in writing but accepts the challenge and begins to plunge ahead.

He has to start somewhere so he begins to examine how to construct a short story. He learns all about plot, character, and structure and now believes he is ready to begin writing.

As soon as he begins to write, he discovers something. He can't move forward. He is blocked. What's the problem? He knows how to construct a short story and should be able to forge ahead right? The problem is he has not allowed his "voice" to unfold naturally. His internal critic is blocking the natural voice inside his head and the pen stops cold. What to do?

Our writer must learn to freewrite so words can flow freely and not be stopped by the editor voice. The same principles can be applied to us as musicians!

We may want to compose our own music and we may also know all about how to do it, but unless we are able to improvise freely and allow our own natural "voice" free reign, the music stops and we lose the ability to move forward.

This is why learning how to improvise is so important. It allows us to move forward! This benefits us in two ways. One, we begin to understand that the joy of music making itself is its own reward. Second, we begin to trust our voice and feel confident in our ability to move forward without judging the "quality" of the music.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

latin download

The Most Overdone Figure Skating Music

Choosing the right music is always a challenge for skaters and their coaches and choreographers. What suits one skater or pair or dance team may not suit another. It's a constant challenge figure skaters have -- picking music that fits their style, however also selecting something that the judges will like as well. Another challenge that exists in choosing a piece of music is that it fits the time constraints of a program and that technical elements can be performed to it. Figure skating music needs to incorporate quick beats, slow parts and some breathing time. The new judging system, with its intricate scoring, makes it even more difficult to fit skating to the music.

How often do you hear the first beats of music to a skating program and groan? Not "Carmen" again or, no more "Swan Lake. There should be a rule, that once a skater earns a title with a piece of music, that it shouldn't be played again for at least a couple of seasons. With that rule in place, we would not be subjected to hearing "Swan Lake" or "Carmen" or "Romeo and Juliet ever again; or at least for a while. New music can be exiting, but skaters, might find it to be a bit of a risk. It is understood if a skater doesn't want to take that risk, however skaters Should then go all out in their exhibitions and do something exciting.

There should be some middle ground between choosing an overdone piece of music and something totally unheard. I don't think skaters have to necessarily summarily dismiss music that has been used in the past, I just think they should think carefully before taking up something that's done over and over by multiple skaters unless they have a totally fresh idea for it.

Here is a list of music that should not be played anytime soon in a skating rink near you.

"Carmen"

This is a classic skating piece because it naturally gets the crowd involved.

"Bolero"

Kwan did a great number with that one. She is talented, it is expected.

"Swan Lake"

It's been so overdone that Rudy Galindo performed both his short and long programs to this piece in 1996 Others have used it as well including: Baiul in 1994, Nancy Kerrigan, Shizuka Arakawa 2004, and Sasha Cohen even tried her hand with this one.

"Romeo and Juliet"

Who hasn't tried this music? In the 2006 Olympics a commentator said that the difference between Sasha and other skaters is that they skate to Romeo and Juliet and Sasha becomes Juliet.

"West Side Story"

Great music, however, absolutely everything, from "Maria" to "America," has been played one too many times.

"Malaguena"

This is a great Spanish guitar piece, but should not be used unless the skater can truly keep up with the tempo and offer absolutely great footwork.

"Nessun Dorma"

Again, beautiful music, from Puccini's "Turandot," but nonetheless, overdone by everyone from Sarah Hughes to Brian Boitano. It did not bode well with Meissner this season (2007/2008) This piece should be put to rest.

Some others:

The Feeling Begins

On the Waterfront

Swan Lake

Rachmaninov 2

Paint It Black

Moonlight Sonata

Zorba the Greek

Concerta for Coloratura.

And, there are pieces of music which have been overused at one time but are no longer overused--or used at all. The bell suite and love theme from Ice Castles was too popular in 1979-80, but might be a nostalgic piece now. There is also the option to use a lesser used bit of the score, as Kwan did with Carmen. The Rondo from the Moonlight Sonata isn't overused however. Look beyond the easily overused classics and the currently popular theme.

The Moonlight Sonata , Swanlake, and, any Tchaikovsky piece should take a back seat. Choose something different. The point is, people need to get original with their music. Debby Thomas of USA and Katarina Witt of Germany both skated to Carmen. They were known as the "Battle of the Carmen from the 1988 Winter Games. Carmen, swan lake, anything Beethoven, and Pirates of the Carribean are totally overused! The objective should be, to always look for more fun music. I think the judges would appreciate newly, exciting music.

There's some risk in choosing a classical piece of music. It will still have that edge of familiarity that will make the judges comfortable. But in choosing a classical piece that hasn't been used by numerous skaters before, you leave yourself more open to originality. There are pieces that aren't used as frequently in the skating world that would in no way be new to most of the judges.

http://thetripleaxel.blogspot.com/

latin download

How To Play Piano Despite Years Of Lesson

Why is it that after years of studying something as a child, we forget later in life what we learned? Such is the common question of how to play piano despite years of lesson. Here i get you back to playing music even if you think you've lost it, and have begun to give up on how to play piano despite years of lesson.

First, realize that you have had lesson in piano, years of it perhaps, and that DOES count for a whole lot. How to play piano despite years of lesson entails mentally realizing that you really are only a step or two away from being able to play piano. The problem is that it seems like that first step is a big hurdle, and obviously a frustrating one having already had lesson, but unable to play.

Second: Start slow, do scales. Get the basic scales out and go through them. It took me actually having to number my keyboard at first, i had forgotten so much. From there i was able to translate the numbers to notes, and the scales began to get familiar. So often in trying to figure how to play piano despite years of lesson we don't want to succumb back to the simple things. This scale practice is also preparation for the next step.

Third. Twinkle twinkle little star. That's correct. I can't think of a better way to get back in the game and figure how to play piano despite years of lesson than to go back to a simple melody or song and start playing it over and over. This connects everything - the notes, fingerings, melody and sound - all together as one, and the simplest route is by practicing a simple children's song. Again the hardest part is going to mentally get over the hurdle of playing little kids songs when you "feel" as if you should be playing grander pieces. But if one wants to get to grander pieces and answer the question of how to play piano despite years of lesson, then one has to bite the bullet and get back to raw basics.

Finally, one should research new ways of learning to play piano! Since most people last took lessons years ago, they may not realize that new methods or techniques have come out that can cut to the chase much more clearly and quickly than before. From teachers to online courses, there are different outlets and methods to now explore while realizing how to play piano despite years of lesson is definitely an achievable goal!

Quick and Easy Piano learning methods do now exist. Check out http://www.squidoo.com/easy-piano-play/ for Chess's blog to further find out how to play piano despite years of lesson. Thanks so much for reading and feel free to check out http://www.squidoo.com/easy-piano-play/ Thanks!

80s dance music

London Ontario Attractions and Events - From Music to Shopping to Theatres and Sports

Halfway between Toronto and Detroit, Michigan, on the banks of the Thames River is the city of London Ontario. London's population growth continues today, now surpassing 460,000 residents, many of whom are drawn from rural southern Ontario communities such as Sarnia, Guelph, Chatham and Waterloo. The region's economic growth was strongly spurred by the transportation industry. Many trucking firms have London as an important strategic location for their operations. The highway 401 corridor is Canada's busiest transportation route.

First settled in 1801, the city of London has become a dynamic city and the hometown of many business and entertainment celebrities. Famous residents include Hollywood actors Rachel Macadams, Ryan Gossling, Hume Cronyn, and Kate Nelligan, sports stars Eric Lindros and Joe Thornton, environmentalist David Suzuki, country singer Tommy Hunter, Skip Prokop of the band Lighthouse, brewing magnates John Labatt and Thomas Carling, and Ted Gianoulos known as the San Diego Chicken.

Things to Do in London

You'll love strolling the charming streets, unique attractions and old world charm of London, Ontario. There are several large malls for great shopping. There is also plenty of old architecture at more than 100 historic sites. Notable buildings in the city include the London Armouries, Friar's Street Bridge, The Federal Government Building, Middlesex County Court House and the St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica. The Fanshawe Pioneer village contains a replica pioneer village depicting life in 18th century village of London.

Victoria Park

Located in the heart of London is the city's largest park. It even has its own web site. Victoria Park is more than 18 acres in area, which is a just a portion of the original site of the 32nd British Regiment Garrison and Cricket Grounds. Its military past can be seen in the military equipment you'll see there including canons, tanks and war cenotaphs. Look for bands playing at the bandshell in summer and ice skating on the rink. The International Food Festival held in June, offers plenty of culinary tastes for the whole family. 60 local restaurants highlight their cuisine.

Festivals in London

London also offers many festivals throughout the year including the London International Children's Festival, Home County Folk Festival, Taste of London Festival, and the London Ribfest which is the second largest rib festival in North America. If music is your interest, Sunfest, a World music and culture festival happens in early July at Victoria Park. This years festival, the TD Canada Trust Sunfest '08 will showcase more than 200 unique food & crafts exhibitors along with 30 top professional world music & dance and jazz bands.

For live theatre, try the Grand Theatre where you can buy dinner and theatre packages for plays and musicals. The London Fringe Festival in first two weeks of August attracts innovative performing artists for unique shows.

Live music is big in London. Top spots to hear great live music are Call the Office on York Street, Molly Bloom's Irish Pub, and the Richmond Tavern on Richmond Street, along with the Embassy Hotel. Major music groups and performers entertain at the Labatt Centre downtown. Tickets can be purchased from the Labatt Centre website or ticketmaster.ca.

London Restaurants

Keeping on the live experience of London, there are a good number of restaurants offering good food, fine wine and ale. Archie's Seafoods has several locations across the city, and for fine dining, you may want to try Michael's on the Thames, Blue Ginger lounge & grille, Auberge du Petit Prince, Volker's on Hyde Park and the Armouries Grille Restaurant downtown.

London can make a great spot for a weekend getaway for a couples or the whole family with comfortable hotels and festivals, it will be a great summer vacation.

Gord Collins enthusiastically shares the news about Canada's best travel experiences including London hotels, attractions and festivals in London Ontario. Canada has many unheralded tourist destinations that may just offer the getaway you and your family need this summer and fall. The parks of London along with the downtown's small town ambiance will appeal to those looking for an alternative to the noise and traffic of Toronto and Montreal.

latin music com

Developing A Conflict

One of the most important things you can do in a scene is find the conflict. Whether it is a monologue (internal conflict) or a scene with a partner (external conflict) there is always something that is at stake for the character you are playing. Think of it this way, if there is no conflict in a scene why are you watching it? People do not want to see everyday activities, they want to see drama.

With that being said, the question of how to find the conflict arises. First off let's define what conflict is. Conflict is two opposing forces trying to get what they want at the same time. For instance, one character wants a bag of money and the other character wants the same bag. This creates dramatic tension as both the characters will try by whatever means necessary to get that bag of money! What makes the scene interesting is the conflict between the two characters and the bag of money. If they both decided to share the bag of money and went happily on their way, there would be no reason to watch. It would be absolutely and excruciatingly boring.

People watch movies and plays to be transported away from reality. They watch it because it is often times much more interesting than their everyday life. If you do not find what your character wants in the scene then you might as well not even be in it. It will be boring and unentertaining without knowing exactly what forces are opposing you and how to overcome them. However, if you know what your objective is and you know how to attain it, it will add brilliant dimensions to an otherwise dull and pointless character. Think about scenes that really stand out in film or theatre and what makes them so great. Usually it is the tension between the two characters over something very important at stake. Don't take my word for it, just watch some of the great films and the conflict that gives them life.

Visit The Monologue Store for a great selection of Theatre and Film Resources

ballroom dance music

latin music 2006

Home - Discovering Latin America
... 'La Linea '08' as one of the best events for contemporary Latin Music in the UK. Do not miss it! ... 2008 Discovering Latin America. Do not reproduce ...
http://www.discoveringlatinamerica.com/

Latin Alternative Music :: calabashmusic.com
Your Latin Alternative music guide to fair trade music downloads featuring independent ... Best of 2006 . Listen Now. Vintage Vinyl. Listen Now. Print This Page ...
http://music.calabashmusic.com/world/latin_alternative?action=list&frmCatID=1056&printView=0&pageID=4

Progressive Music Blog - Mark Despotakis: October 2006
... Despotakis takes you inside Progressive Music . Friday, October 20, 2006 ... THE MUSIC IN ME: CHILDREN'S RECITALS FROM CLASSICAL TO LATIN , JAZZ TO ZYDECO is ...
http://www.progressivemusiccompany.com/2006_10_01_archive.html

LATIN MUSIC | WHAS11.com | News for Louisville, Kentucky
... rap and country music news with highlights on upcoming stars in the music spotlight section of the music page. ... story of Latin music circa 2006 . 1. "El Tren ...
http://www.whas11.com/sharedcontent/features/latin2/121906ccdrMUSICtop10latincds.27046ded.html

New Sounds in World Music
New World Music CD reviews ... April/May 2006 . Music from Tanzania; Flamenco; Bhangra; Israel; Central Asia; Latin sounds; and ...
http://www.insideworldmusic.com/library/blrevs06.html

.:: 225BatonRouge.com ::. Events for Friday, November 17, 2006
... and a beautiful butterfly, known by their Latin names, Hierodula and Papilio. ... of live music throughout week series. ... Live Music at The Vineyard ...
http://www.225batonrouge.com/events/2006/nov/17/

OLDIES.com : Latin Vinyl
Latin Vinyl LP - Added on March 10, 2006 . Your Price: $5.50. Item Number: ZCBS 692001 ... Children's Music . Christian & Gospel. Classical. Comedy. Country ...
http://www.oldies.com/genre-listing/latin/format_vinyl.html

Net Music Countdown: Apple Introduces iTunes Latino
Music store dedicates program to Latin media. By Laura Katz ... Copyright 2006 , Net Music Countdown . All Rights Reserved. print it eMail it. Sun, Jul 13th ...
http://www.netmusiccountdown.com/inc/news_article.php?id=11410

Latin | Digital Media Wire
Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 8, 2006 - 4:27pm. ... that it has partnered with Latin digital music service provider VOY Music . ...
http://www.dmwmedia.com/tags/latin

Latin Grammy noms unveiled - The Envelope - LA Times
2006 Latin Grammy nominees. AUDIO. An excerpt from Shakira's "La Tortura" ... Shakira's double-barreled success comes at a difficult time for Latin music . ...
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/music/env-latingrammys-26sep26,0,2323687.story

latin music downloads