How to Use Dynamics and Phrasing While Drumming

When you learn to play the drums as a beginner, you focus on drum patterns like the flamadiddle and paradiddle. If you want to play in a rock band, you need to learn the basics of the style. To be a truly good and inventive musician, you need to add dynamics and phrasing.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Change the way you count the measures to change the phrasing. If you divide all measures into four beats in 4/4 time, you probably count 1, 2, 3, 4 when you count the measure. Break the measures apart when you have a riff and use eighth notes to count off. Instead of counting four measures of 16 quarter notes, make it three measures of 24 eighth notes and one measure of quarter notes.

2. Regroup the notes to odd counts. Changing phrasing and counts is mathematical. If you have 32 eighth notes to play, group them in a mix. Play four groups of three. Throw in two groups of seven and add two more groups of three. It's difficult to do this when you play drums as a beginner, but it comes with practice.

3. Raise the volume after a measure or two. The dynamics of drumming requires that you raise and lower the sound. When you play drums as a beginner, you tend to play at one level. Play one measure a little louder.

4. Lower the level and just use a high hat or cymbal. If you change which part of the drum set is to be loudest or softest, you can add a great deal of diversity to a riff.

5. Increase and decrease the loudness of the drums while you play the measure. Alternating the volume in different phrases isn't enough. When you adjust the dynamics and play more sophisticated drums, you may be a be a beginner but you won't sound like it.