Every drummer in the world wants to play fast and this article isn’t about vague concepts or abstract ideas. I’m here to share real, hands-on tips that I’ve learned from years behind the kit, tips that will actually help you play faster.
Playing fast on drums isn’t just about showing off, but expressing yourself with more energy and intensity. Whether you’re aiming to nail those quick fills in a rock tune, keep up with the rapid pace of a jazz solo, or just want to add some extra layer to your playing, increasing your speed is a game changer.
But here’s the catch – it’s not just about moving your hands and feet faster. There’s a whole lot more to it, and that’s exactly what we’re going to explore. Let’s roll!
Every drummer dreams of effortlessly blazing through drum beats and fills. Fast playing can add a thrilling dimension to your music, taking your drumming from good to great. But how do you get there?
These five practical steps that I’ve personally used and seen work wonders for others. Let’s jump in!
It’s tempting to try and master everything at once, but that’s a certain way to get overwhelmed. Whether it’s a particular fill, a complex rhythm, or just a single stroke roll, pick one thing to focus on.
Mastering one element at a time builds a solid foundation, making it easier to piece together more complex patterns later.
It sounds counterintuitive when your goal is to play fast, but trust me, starting slow is key. Playing slowly allows you to develop muscle memory, ensuring accuracy and precision.
Gradually increasing your speed while maintaining control is far more effective than jumping straight into high-tempo playing.
A metronome is your best friend for developing speed. It keeps you honest and helps you track your progress. Start at a tempo where you can play comfortably, then gradually increase it. This incremental approach ensures that you’re improving steadily without sacrificing tempo or accuracy.
Patience is vital. Increase your playing speed in small increments. Even a few beats per minute can make a significant difference. This approach helps to avoid frustration and ensures that you don’t develop bad habits from playing too fast, too soon.
Understanding and controlling the rebound of your sticks is crucial. Efficient use of rebounds lets you play faster with less effort.
Practice letting the sticks bounce naturally and use that momentum to your advantage. This technique reduces strain on your wrists and arms, allowing for quicker, more fluid playing. You can use a pillow to improve your rebounds.
Mastering the right techniques is essential for any drummer looking to play faster. It’s not just about brute force; it’s about smart, efficient movements that make the best use of your energy.
Here, we’ll break down some key techniques for both hands and feet that will revolutionize your drumming speed.
The Moeller Technique is a game-changer for speed and endurance. It involves a whipping motion, using a combination of wrist and arm movements to create powerful, fluid strokes.
This technique allows for multiple hits with a single motion, making it perfect for fast, repetitive playing. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but once mastered, it’s incredibly efficient.
Fingers play a critical role in drumming, especially for delicate, fast patterns. The Fingers Technique focuses on using your fingers to control the stick, rather than relying solely on your wrists.
This approach is great for rapid, controlled playing on the snare, hi-hat or ride cymbal. It requires some patience to develop, but the payoff in speed and control is well worth it.
The Push-Pull technique is all about efficiency. It combines a ‘push’ motion to hit the drum and a ‘pull’ motion to play the next stroke.
This technique allows for quick, repeated strokes with minimal effort. It’s especially useful for fast single strokes and can be a real lifesaver during long playing sessions.
The Heel-Up technique is crucial for powerful bass drum playing. By keeping your heel off the pedal and playing with the ball of your foot, you gain more power and speed.
This technique is great for aggressive music styles and fast bass drum patterns. It might take a bit of leg muscle conditioning, but it’s key for speedy, impactful playing.
The Slide Technique is a fantastic way to play rapid, consecutive bass drum notes. It involves sliding your foot up and down the pedal to produce two hits per motion.
This technique is perfect for quick double strokes and can really amp up your bass drum speed. It requires a bit of coordination and practice to get the slide just right, but once you’ve got it, your foot speed will soar and you will mimic a double bass pedal.
A metronome is more than just a tool to maintain tempo it’s a drummer’s compass. Training with a metronome will help you be disciplined and internalize rhythm and ensure your solo remains musically coherent.
As you get comfortable, you can use the metronome to practice those odd time signatures.
From the explosive energy of Keith Moon to the intricate techniques of Steve Gadd there’s so much to learn from the masters. Dedicating time to listening, analyzing and even transcribing their solos can offer invaluable lessons.
Understand their choices, the structure, the techniques, and the dynamics they employ.
Getting faster on the drums is a combination of consistent practice, mastering the right techniques, and understanding your own body mechanics. Focus on gradual improvement rather than immediate results.
Practice regularly with a metronome, start slow, and gradually increase the tempo. Pay attention to techniques like the Moeller method for hands and the Heel-Up and Slide techniques for feet.
The answer varies depending on the style of music and the drummer’s role in a band or piece. However, a good benchmark for speed is being able to play 16th notes comfortably at 120-140 beats per minute (BPM).
This speed is versatile enough for various music styles. Keep in mind, though, that musicality and groove are more important than sheer speed.
To increase kick speed, focus on foot technique and leg strength. The Heel-Up and Slide techniques are particularly effective for building speed.
Start practicing these techniques at a slow tempo and gradually increase as you gain control and strength. Also, consider exercises that build leg muscles, as stronger legs can lead to more powerful and faster bass drum playing.
Improving your sense of time involves practicing with a metronome and playing along with recorded music. Try exercises like playing simple grooves and fills while keeping time with a metronome, then gradually reducing the metronome’s volume until you’re keeping time on your own.
Listening and playing along with songs in various styles can also help you internalize different rhythms and tempos.
We’ve journeyed through the essentials of playing drums faster, and now it’s over to you. Remember, this isn’t about complicated techniques or endless practice sessions. It’s about tapping into your passion for drumming and letting that drive your journey towards speed.
Keep your practice focused, but don’t forget to have fun with it. The real secret to playing faster lies in enjoying every moment you spend with your drums. There will be ups and downs, fast breakthroughs and slow progress days. Embrace it all.
Founder of TheDrumNinja
I’m crazy about drums, it’s been my passion since I was 12 years old. I played in numerous bands going through different styles like Rock, Progressive, Pop & Jazz-Rock. After being featured in major music publications (Drumeo, Guitar Guitar, AudioIssues, MusicThinkTank) I started this website to share my knowledge and create a resource for drummers of all levels.
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