Drumming’s getting boring for you?
You feel like you always play the same old stuff?
Maybe even … yeah, you even feel like it’s getting worse?
Most of us probably know this pain: stagnation.
I sure do!
(And it sucks, let’s be honest.)
For this reason, I’m going to share some practical tips that really help improve your drumming.
After all, some things seem more boring or worse than they actually are.
Record Yourself: Are You Really Getting Worse – or Just Feeling It?
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There’s a huge difference between
- feeling bored,
- feeling like your drumming’s getting worse,
- and the actual truth.
Can I ask a question?
When was the last time you recorded yourself playing the drums?
If you can’t remember – or have never done so before:
This might be the right time to push the record button.
(A smartphone is perfectly fine to get going.)
Recording Yourself Is One Of the Best Ways to See (and Hear) the Truth
By recording yourself, you do not only learn how to listen like your audience or a drum teacher.
You can also check your
- overall feel,
- your movements
- and drumming technique.
By listening to yourself playing the drums, you’re kind of forced to face the truth.
And sure, I know:
This could be a well-welcomed or a devastating truth.
This Can Hurt Your Drummer’s Ego – But It’s Worth It
Either way:
The truth about your real state of drumming right now gives you the chance to
- take deliberate action,
- notice where you should put in more smart practice effort,
- and to find out what actually does work really well already.
Feeling Stuck? Change Something! Break Your Drumming Routine
Ask yourself why drumming feels boring right now:
Why are you frustrated?
Here are some questions I recommend finding answers to:
- What feels or sounds boring about your drumming?
- Are you overwhelmed, or maybe underwhelmed, most of the time?
- Is there just one thing you can change today for the better? Can you play something differently than before?
There’s so much to learn in terms of playing the drums.
I’m sure you haven’t mastered 100% of this art.
In fact, I think nobody on earth truly ever has.
It’s perfectly fine to feel how you feel.
I also believe that every drummer knows frustration all too well, tbh.
But again:
Are your feelings really the truth?
Think about it:
You’re likely to give your damn best every time you pick up your drumsticks.
Even now, when it seems you’re
- boring or even
- getting worse.
The thing is:
There are these plateaus where everything seems to just stay the same.
No matter what you do, your practice effort just goes like “poof”.
Nothing happens, at least on the surface.
We really need to remind ourselves regularly that big improvements happen to take their time.
In fact, the transformation might be waiting just around the corner.
Why Feeling Like Drumming’s Getting Boring Is Kind Of Normal
That’s what I’ve learned over my last 15+ years of playing the drums:
Feeling stuck, or even like your drumming’s getting worse, IS part of the journey.
You need to push through these deserts to find your oasis again.
If drumming’s getting boring for you, try to actively seek more challenges.
Change something!
Just like the good days, also the bad days don’t last forever.
And if you’re really, really frustrated about the current drumming:
Never hesitate to seek help and reach out to a good drum teacher.
It his or her job to help you get back on your feet again.
In terms of problems with the kick or hi-hat, maybe even literally speaking.
How to Break the Boredom: 4 Drumming Exercises That Spark Progress
If you’re not satisfied with your
- drumming style,
- your progress or
- the way you sound,
it’s time for a change.
These drumming exercises can bring back the spark:
1. Move Your Groove
Goal:
Refresh your muscle memory and feel.
Exercise:
- Take one of your favorite grooves (e. g. a basic rock beat: hi-hat on 8th notes, snare on 2 & 4, kick on 1 & 3)
- Change one element at a time, like moving the hi-hat pattern to the ride or floor tom. Then, try moving the kick or snare.
- Record each variation and note which ones feel fresh or inspire new fills.
2. The 4 Times Better Feel Builder
Goal:
Strengthen timing and dynamic control with four on the floor elements.
Exercise:
- Play steady kicks on all four beats (1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.).
- Set a timer to 10 seconds to start with. Push the button and:
- Improvise different snare and hi-hat patterns over the kick pattern.
- 10 seconds of improvising works well? Now set the timer to 15 seconds – repeat.
You can increase the time each time you play, even up to several minutes.
Also, make sure to practice to a metronome, a song you like, or a play-along track.
3. Let’s Go! Reverse Your Routines
Goal:
Break boredom and mental patterns.
Exercise:
- You usually start your practice session with warm-ups? Make the change and start with groove improvisation intead.
- You only play to rock tracks? Explore other music genres like funk, blues, or hip-hop.
- When playing drum fills, your right hand is always leading? Reverse your sticking and start with your left hand instead.
Such changes are going to challenge your coordination, creativity and will definitely keep your routines fresh.
Bye-bye, being bored with drumming!
Speaking of:
4. Let It Be All About Dynamics
Goal:
Master touch and control while playing more musically.
Exercise:
- Pick a beat you already know really well.
- Play it the way you’re used to playing it until now.
- And then, change the dynamics: Start loud and become more quiet over time.
- You can also reverse this exercise from playing quietly to extremely loud: p → mp → mf → f → ff → fff
- No matter which dynamic, make sure to keep the tempo steady!
- Also, remember to record yourself!
This exercise is excellent for building musical sensitivity and endurance.
And yes, it’s a challenge as well.
If you’re willing to take it on, I’m sure the days of your drumming’s getting boring will be put down to the past.
And that’s exactly why we’re here, right? 🙂
All the best to you.
Manu
