I finish most emails to the corps by saying “practice hard and practice smart.”  Practicing hard is of course a part of being successful in this game and we all generally understand that, but knowing what to practice is the other and perhaps more important aspect.

Most up-and-coming drummers spend their time learning scores — this is understandable.  The competition season relentlessly comes around year after year whether we’re ready for it or not.  But I’ve never encountered a good drummer who has not dedicated a substantial amount of practice time to the fundamentals of drumming – namely rhythm, rudiments and technique.  This is what I practice, it’s what I teach and it’s what I look for in other drummers.

To me, good drummers are the ones who understand this, even when faced with a mountain of scores to learn and memorize for the coming season.  Good drummers understand that their ability to express a musical line is in their understanding of the basics because all music, no matter how complex it appears to be, can always be reduced to a simple musical line. 

Good players also understand that this process of becoming good can’t simply happen in between seasons of pipe band competition.  It’s a process that you insert into your daily practice routine and constantly improve upon throughout the year and years ahead.  It’s an attitude that looks farther than the possibility of winning the next contest.

Practice hard and practice smart!

Happy New Year.

Doug Stronach

www.dougstronach.com