Thank you Tommy ! Your advice will be taken seriously.

What Tommy said. After that 5, 6, 7, and 9 stroke rolls, playing with the accents. One thing I'm working on is simple triplets but moving the accent around. Here's a great clip from Beatdown Brown, I cued it to the practice pad bit - click on the link [cued], not the thumbnail.

[edit] The cued link did not show up - go to 7:10 for the practice pad demonstration.

Mitch

[ame]http://youtu.be/6q6hkKM5nqA?t=7m10s[/ame]

Thanks Mitch I will check out the video later.

Robyn, I hope your not mad that the subject turned from your grandson to a class in rudiments but since you stated that " I wish I were a better teacher" I thought maybe you would get something from this. Getting advice like this from professional drummers like Mitch and Tommy are so valuable. You and I are kinda about the same level and your such an easy going person I doubt you would not mind the subject change.

Myself, I have worked on double stroke and paradiddiles for a very long time, I do see improvement but I really wonder if I was meant to be a drummer, I really struggle with tempo the most, that's kind of a sign is it not? Maybe I should think about playing the stereo instead of an actual instrument, that's my thought some days.

My brothers son 5 years old he is sometimes has a mess around on my Roland 'practice kit' ( can't use my real drums at home) I actually have a grandson now, - hey I'm not that old am?!! It would be great if he got into it. It would be a great feeling if they did get into it.

Jeff- not mad at all my friend, my threads are meant for everyone to get something from them. i enjoy the interaction from everyone no matter how many times the main subject changes. and to have tommyp post on my thread is like WOW! a famous person spoke to me, how cool is that?!

actually jeff, i think you may be a litl more advanced then i am, in some ways. i understand how you feel when you question yourself rether you are a drummer or not. i do the same. ive always loved the drums(i love ALL music instruments) but was always selfcausous. what comes natural to some...i have to learn n work hard on, its sucks coz what i hear in my head is perfect, but to make my hands do the same...it doesnt sound the same.

i appreciate thr videos, they help me. i dont completely understand what is being said but when i see what they are explaining, that, i understand and can follow.

Ryan (and Jude) already follows/copies me when we are drumming together.

huh now with that said.....i guess i am already a teacher, and as i learn, im teaching.

this thread has turned out to be a very positive thread all way around. thanks guys.

So...All is good Jeff.

olddrumgeek-encourage that boy to play as much as he wants. get a second kit and let him sit n play with you. have fun with it. I can't explain the feelings that floe through me when my grandsons play their instruments. i feel pride, joy n happiness all wrapped together. Ryan loves the drums. Jude likes the drums but favors the guitar. my youngest grandson is only 4 months old but as soon as he can hold onto things good, i am putting a bass guitar in his hands. Then i will have me a little 3 piece band. :)

it warms my heart any time a little kid wants to make music.

I have taught several youngsters over the years.. Ted Reed's book on syncopation is one of my favourite tools... I find videos can be distracting at times, good for a look. Books save a lot of wasted practice time & give a better understanding IMO.. Mastering and experimenting with the accented triplets & 16th notes towards the end of this book, really will provide ability to eventually play what comes into your head.

Cheers

John

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Steps-Syncopation-Modern-Drummer/dp/0882847953"]Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer: Ted Reed: 0038081151816: Amazon.com: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61tIKqEMaKL.@@AMEPARAM@@61tIKqEMaKL[/ame]

I noticed something very interesting in this video that made me wonder a bit about this guy. He said, a "church" drummer can play the same chop as a "rock" drummer but make it sound totally different because of the feel and that "church" drummers use more dynamics. I found this to be a statement that borderlines on being racist and I'll tell you why. When he says "church" drummer, I perceive this to mean a black drummer and "rock" drummer to be a white drummer. I may be wrong, but I've never heard the term "church" drummer as talking about a white player. So to me, he's saying black drummers have a better feel and dynamics than there white counterparts. This may or may not be true, but to generalize a whole group of players as not having as good of feel for the music as another group is a bit ridiculous and yes, maybe racist.

As it turns out, it's a snap to easily ascertain that there are of course plenty of white church drummers. So your issue might lie in a lack of motivation to challenge the first thing that pops into your head with a little research.

"Church" = gospel; rock came from gospel, "came from" suggests some sort of difference or evolution. To me, the difference is pretty much what he's talking about - less swing, more straight-ahead energy, less dynamics. It's a generalization for sure, but about the musical approach of drummers from the different genres, not race.

Thanks for providing the opportunity for yet another learning moment!

Mitch

John, I was checking this book out and I kind of want to buy it but, here is the thing. I have been trying to practice two ways. One is simply putting on head phones and playing with the song that we are supposed to be learning. Second is sitting down and working on rudiments, parradiddle and double stroke rolls, and I do this exercise that I learned from Mike Johnson that has helped with foot speed an control.

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I have been thinking now for a long time about taking lessons. If I do, the instructor might have his own book, that is if I wish to start from the beginning and learn to read music all over again which would be the best thing I suppose. Or, just pay the instructor to coach me from the point I am now. For our band reading music would help me but the other guys seem to have no desire to learn. There is a possibility that later down the road the ability to read music could be a great asset, lets say I if I choose to join a jazz band or a big band like Tommy plays in, that would be really fun.

The videos and books are all great without doubt but they both lack one thing, a human being that can stop you and tell you, hey that's good, or hey too fast, slow down. So now that I have actually typed it out it makes me think I really need private lessons. That said, would it be a good idea to buy this book and get a jump start on the class, even if this not the book my instructor use's.

Thanks for you input, John and Mitch.