by JohnnyConga » Thu Feb 10, 2011 2:48 am
Self study has it's limitations...in a video, this is what isn't taught to you..some of these may seem ridiculous and they are not taught in any video today. (I do use Tomas's books because it IS the Cuban method of HOW HE learned in Cuba with no less than 6 different teachers, and i too have learned from them..but then as an Educator of the drum..I see it from another perspective )
breathing and relaxing
sitting properly/height and positioning
how to use 5 parts of the hand and the exercises for them
what rhythm is used for what musical context? with all the variety of rhythms that are available...
endurance and stamina/as a mentor I can push my student on the drum so he can test himself..ex..holding a roll up to 5 minutes with him and speeding it up and slowing it down ...
controlling power and speed
dynamics
pulse
tapping and counting
styles/jazz/pop/etc...
theory of playing
for me it is always about the who, what, where, when, why and how of it.....so keep in mind that a Mentor can help you get there sooner and will make you more well rounded as a player...as I tell my students ..."It's not enough that you can play it once and go ..ok I got it!"..Im sorry ..you must play it a 1,ooo times before you can say that...my students try to get slick with me (I DON;T LIKE SLACKERS!)....I'll ask them ok show me any exercise from your second lesson, 99.9 dont remember.cause they learned it ONCE..they think they got it...once again sorry your wrong...