If you’ve spent any time trying to improve your drumming, you’ve probably heard of the 80/20 rule. This principle, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 80% of your progress comes from just 20% of your efforts.
In other words, focusing on the most important aspects of drumming will give you the biggest results in the shortest time.
Understanding how to apply the 80/20 rule to your practice routine can be a game-changer. Instead of wasting hours on things that don’t significantly improve your playing, you can zero in on the core techniques, exercises, and concepts that will have the greatest impact.
In this guide, I’ll break down what the 80/20 rule means in drumming, explore the essential skills that will make the biggest difference and provide practical ways to maximize your practice time.
The 80/20 rule states that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. In drumming, this means that a small percentage of the techniques, exercises, and concepts you practice will lead to the biggest improvements in your playing.
Instead of spreading yourself too thin, focusing on fundamental skills like timing, groove, and hand technique, will have a much greater impact than trying to learn everything at once.
For example, spending time mastering basic grooves and coordination exercises will help you become a more solid drummer faster than spending hours on complex solos that you might rarely use.
By identifying and prioritizing the most valuable skills, you can improve more efficiently and avoid frustration.
The first rule of drumming is simple: keep the groove solid. No matter what style of music you play, your primary job as a drummer is to keep time and support the band.
Even the flashiest drum fills and solos mean nothing if you can’t maintain a steady beat.
Many beginner drummers get caught up in trying to play fast or complex patterns before they’ve built a strong rhythmic foundation.
However, the best drummers in the world, like Steve Gadd, Ringo Starr, and John Bonhan, are remembered for their ability to groove effortlessly.
The 80/20 rule applies here as well: focus on developing great timekeeping and feel, and everything else will fall into place.
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Applying the 80/20 rule means identifying the three most important aspects of drumming that will make the biggest difference in your playing.
If you focus on these, you’ll see faster improvement and greater confidence behind the kit.
1. Time and Groove
The backbone of great drumming is solid timekeeping and groove. If you can lock into a beat and stay in the pocket, you’ll be in demand as a drummer.
Spend time practicing with a metronome, playing along to different styles of music, and developing a natural feel for tempo changes. Groove is what separates good drummers from great ones.
2. Hand and Foot Technique
Your technique affects everything you play, from speed and endurance to dynamics and control. Mastering proper hand technique, like grip, rebound control, and rudiments, will help you play with consistency and precision.
Likewise, working on your foot technique through exercises like heel-down and heel-up playing, double bass control, and speed drills will enhance your overall drumming ability.
3. Independence and Coordination
One of the biggest challenges in drumming is developing independence between your hands and feet. Working on limb coordination exercises, like playing different patterns with each limb, will help you become a more versatile and creative drummer.
Practice simple but effective exercises, such as syncopation drills, paradiddles with foot ostinatos, and jazz independence can transform your ability to play complex rhythms smoothly.
If you focus on these three key areas, you’ll build a strong foundation that will carry over into every aspect of your drumming.
Instead of spending time on techniques that won’t translate to real-world playing, mastering these essentials will ensure that you’re always improving efficiently.
The 80/20 rule in drumming is all about maximizing your time and effort to get the best results that will give you faster progress and become a more confident drummer.
Rather than trying to learn everything at once, concentrate on the skills that truly matter, the ones that make up the foundation of great drumming.
Groove, control, and independence will always outweigh flashy fills or excessive speed.
If you dedicate your practice time to these essential elements, you’ll notice major improvements in your playing and overall musicianship.
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.
We specialize in helping drummers of all levels become rhythmic assassins and develop ninja-like skills, quickly. Our mission is to create the best resources for all musicians and build a community where you can learn and share everything related to your musical journey.
Our team is committed to exceeding our clients’ expectations with uncompromising honesty and integrity. We focus all of our energy on helping musicians of all levels achieve their goals and build a foundation of skills that will last a lifetime.
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“9 Powerful Tips To Get Faster On The Drums (And The Mistakes To Avoid!)”
