Finger Drummers. I need some advice.

Hey,

I've seen some pretty impressive videos on using the Maschine for drumming. Aarab (from Aarab Musik) uses the MPC in a similar way ... dudes impressive.

I've never touched a set of drums but thought using the Maschine as opposed to triggering samples and recording 1 element at a time is something I want to learn. And that brings me onto my question.

Any tips for managing timing? My timing is great if I hit the kick, hat, snare, hat etc. In succession it's good. But when it comes to doing kick, snare, kick, kick, snare and then trying to play hats in a shuffle pattern my fingers get all confused (or my brain) and I start hitting the kick and the snare and everything goes off.

Anyone know what I mean?

I've been practicing now for a few hours a day, and I'm getting there, but I still can't manage to play those shuffle type of hats. I want the hats to be interesting rather than robotic and be able to play with my fingers without recording each singular.

Have I lost you yet?

I've heard the term "hi hat independence" not sure what it means or if it's anything relevant.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat dude... here's my advice

1) Try using a finger drumming chart (http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/king_vitamin/fingerdrummingchart.png is one I based mine off), it can help if you've got the same sample types always on the same pad.

2) Try recording different parts separately eg. record the kicks and snares, then record the hats, then other percussion and so on. You'll still get the human feel as you've played all the notes in, but you can focus on each part better as you play it

3) Practice every day for at least 10 mins, and your muscle memory will improve heaps

 

Check out Jeremy Ellis's Youtube Channel. Lots of great finger drumming knowledge.

Hiphopblues

 

Once you've mastered everything in these videos you won't have to ask this question anymore, you'll just hear interesting drum rhythms and teach yourself to play them.

Until then, watching Jeremy's youtube videos/reading his Facebook posts and practicing those exercises (over and over and over and over and over and over) is exactly what you should be doing.

Also, keep in mind that Maschine groups/kits tend to be arranged in a particular layout. If you've been working with or have been around other people who have worked with MPCs, pad controllers, etc for a while, you're likely aware that people have different sample layout patterns that they prefer. Find what works best for you. Maybe keeping the hats on your thumb and kicks/snares further up in the grid will help, maybe just the opposite, who knows. Just play around with it and see what feels comfortable.

To put my own twist on an aphorism that's as old as time: anything worth being good at is worth sucking at for a while until you get there.

 

"Find what works best for you. Maybe keeping the hats on your thumb and kicks/snares further up in the grid will help, maybe just the opposite, who knows. Just play around with it and see what feels comfortable."

This is really important. You may be best off playing the Kick with your ring finger, and the snare with your index. Move the drums around to best suit your strengths and cover up your weaknesses. As JEllis tells, use both hands. Ideally, you can switch back and forth. On the other hand, he is from another planet.

Good luck,
Hiphopblues

 

Yeah I always approach my finger drumming from the aspect of starting with the idea that a drummer on an acoustic kit only has 4 limbs to work with. I try to emulate those patterns first.
also practice with different songs that you like... put a song on and finger drum to it.

 

Right? Emulating him might be bad advice, we don't know how many arms dude really has.