Harmonix's top tips for fledgling Rock Band drummers

by Griffin McElroy { Jan 12th 2008 at 7:30PM }

Have you found it difficult to transition to the higher difficulty drum tours on Rock Band? Nursing blistered palms after your fifteenth attempt of "Won't Get Fooled Again"? Do your calves throb after putting them through the bass pedal gauntlet known as "Maps"? Don't fret -- Harmonix recently descended from their throne of rock to help guide your feeble attempts to be the next Keith Moon (though none of their helpful tips include "destroy every drum set you ever play on, then overdose at the age of 31.")

In a recent article for Wired, the Rock Band developers shared some valuable advice for the percussionist-in-training, including how to properly use the bass pedal, and, of course, a detailed explanation of the mighty paradiddle. We've been paradiddling all night, and we must say, our hands are getting awfully tired. Perhaps the creamy embrace of Rock Jam will expedite our fevered training.

[via Evil Avatar]

Tags: drums, drumtraining, harmonix, rock-band, rockband, wired

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jeremy White @ Jan 12th 2008 7:41PM

I can't wait for all of the people who will think they're pros after this.

Joe @ Jan 12th 2008 8:03PM

I can't wait for people to think hitting fake drums in time is nothing like hitting real drums in time.

Seriously, it's not THAT different. I do recognize that Rock Band drumming =/= real drumming, but it definitely helps you.

Jeremy White @ Jan 12th 2008 9:06PM

Oh, I don't deny it helps with your timing like mad but the fact that you essentially learn no technique, you're confined to four small pads with a bass pedal that feels like playing with cardboard, and you're essentially playing a 4/4 rock beat most of the time, it basically teaches you to drum in church on an electric kit, except even an electric kit doesn't confine you so bad.

Basically, all I'm saying is that it doesn't replace the fun and joy of having a real kit! :)

playwhutyalike (kinda digs Manhunt 2) @ Jan 12th 2008 9:30PM

Yeah, sit on a real drum kit and read some sheet music while playing assholes.

dxprog @ Jan 12th 2008 11:45PM

At least it's closer to playing the real thing than GH is to guitar.

RDX @ Jan 13th 2008 2:35AM

I've played drums for some years now and don't think you need to sit down and bang out sheet music to be good.

And I like what Harmonix is doing here. Yes, playing RB is not like playing the real thing but knowing the actual techniques sure as hell helps. Would be a good thing if people were inspired to pick up a real instrument from RB.

Hope that post made sense...I'm still a little drunk...

Ignatius @ Jan 13th 2008 8:53AM

Why does everyone think that people play Rock Band to learn how to play the real instrument?

No, we play it because it's easier than the real thing and a lot more fun.

jsn @ Jan 13th 2008 9:33AM

congrats on being the first of several posts in this thread to tell us that being good at something in a game doesn't make you good at it in real life. The winnar is you. Some of the others made better points, but you were the first, the original. Take a bow...

playwhutyalike (kinda digs Manhunt 2) @ Jan 13th 2008 11:48AM

My whole problem with Rockband/Guitar Hero is when people take the "musician" thing to far. If you are having fun with the games, cool. When you brag to all your friends or anybody who will listen that you beat (difficult song on expert setting here) like you are an actual musician, that's lame. I don't care what games you play, as long as you're having fun and not being a douche about it, fine.

Jeremy White @ Jan 13th 2008 7:32PM

jsn, you must be one of the ones who can't learn to play a real instrument, so instead you're just the Rock Band expert. I return the congrats to you for being the second person to reply to my original comment with that original, sarcastic wit. You know, the one where you make a post that sounds like you're agreeing with me, but yet you have that underlying sarcasm. It's definitely something I did not expect to receive as a reply.

I love how Ignatius says that the reason people play Rock Band is because it's a whole lot easier and "funner" playing an actual instrument. I could see it being easier but the fact that you say it's funner has me wondering if you've ever actually played an instrument or been dedicated to anything.

ill trooper @ Jan 14th 2008 2:43AM

"Yeah, sit on a real drum kit and read some sheet music while playing assholes." - playwutchalike (IRONY IN THAT NAME, HUH? Digital Underground should strip you of that name)...

"you must be one of the ones who can't learn to play a real instrument" - Jeremy White

Bitter Enough?
You guys sound like DICKS.

You sound really frustrated. So, so, soooooo proud of how you can play an instrument that you let your hubris overwhelm humility, and you lash out at video game players. Sad. You're obviously not recognized as someone who can play by anyone more than your grandparents - why else come here and slam others (who, by the way, had NOT yet come on and said any of the things you said they say about their prowess at Rock Band in any posts before either of yours).

Way to sound like hack musicians, threatened by a video game. This isn't harmony-central, deal with it. If you hate it so much, focus, practice, play more gigs and stop worrying about video games. Do something else and stop yelling at people who are having fun doing something that gives them a fraction of the mighty thrill you claim to be the master of. You sound so bitter in your posts!

And jeez, playwutchalike, calling people "assholes?" Slow down, neffew. When you type this:

"My whole problem with Rockband/Guitar Hero is when people take the "musician" thing to far. If you are having fun with the games, cool. When you brag to all your friends or anybody who will listen that you beat (difficult song on expert setting here) like you are an actual musician, that's lame. I don't care what games you play, as long as you're having fun and not being a douche about it, fine."

...I only have to laugh. Talk about "taking the 'musician' thing too far..." Didn't I just come from another post about MacWorld and read about how you you use Fruity Loops for music production? Pffft. And you consider yourself above people proud of their 'guitar hero' achievements? News from the front: Fruity Loops is a cornball program used to make cornball beats. I even suggested more professional programs to you on that topic but after reading what an arrogant dude you are I wish I hadn't. Keep on using it though... Just know when you say "I use Fruity Loops," it sounds as corny as "I got a hot score on Rock Band drums!" sounds to your ears.

Stay losing, fellas!

Vol @ Jan 12th 2008 7:42PM

Enter Sandman is still killing me on medium. Those half beats are killing me. :-(

Vol @ Jan 12th 2008 7:43PM

I regress.. I have more trouble with Iron Maiden.

Vol @ Jan 12th 2008 7:49PM

I have some real drums though, but never became proficient. The spring action of a real drum head is much better than these heavy plastic drums.

Drew @ Jan 12th 2008 7:59PM

already beat it on expert. definitely not easy. growing up a drummer helped though. easy for quick tapping and independent movements.
i struggled with bass the most, because i had gotten used to the luxury of a double bass pedal.

Rob Accomando @ Jan 12th 2008 8:08PM

I'm so bad at the drums. I keep missing drums and hitting the plastic rings on the outside. lol I'd rather stick the the guitar for now.

Bellerophon @ Jan 12th 2008 8:19PM

Now let's enjoy the inevitable barrage of comments from folks who insist RB players should learn a real instrument instead.

tevetorbes @ Jan 12th 2008 10:24PM

I'll go ahead and start the barrage:

LEARN TO PLAY A REAL INSTRUMENT PEOPLE! :P

In all seriousness, the game is hella fun. I have a problem with the pedal as the action is VERY different than a pedal on a kick drum. Namely, the spring makes it crazy hard to keep the pedal down with your heel held up (best technique for fast playing) whereas a real pedal has a pulley and chain and is easier to hold down.

At any rate, like I said the game is fun. You can play an actual instrument and play RB too- it won't kill you, I promise!

There is something to be said, however, for people who can play ACTUAL SONGS on REAL LIVE INSTRUMENTS....

Derick @ Jan 13th 2008 3:12AM

I can play guitar well enough. but I love playing both guitar hero and rock band. Its funny when I get my ass handed to me by my mates who have never touched a real instrument.

Rob Accomando @ Jan 12th 2008 8:25PM

Beatz @ Jan 12th 2008 8:42PM

Remember, if your drummer is too tired to paradiddle, he's too tired to go to the afterparty.

Charron @ Jan 12th 2008 9:03PM

Paradiddle is still the funniest musical term I've ever heard.

SoxFan13 @ Jan 13th 2008 7:19AM

What about "Dipthong?" That's a pretty good one (it's two vowel sounds within one syllable by the way-- i.e. the word "Light" = LA-EET)

Viridium @ Jan 13th 2008 10:14AM

I think you'll find it's spelled "diphthong", and it's pronounced as such (dif-thong). It's one of those ph-th words, like naphthalene. And I think Charron was talking about musical terms.

Jeremy White @ Jan 13th 2008 7:35PM

I think pataflafla is a funnier term. I can't help but laugh when my instructor says the name of rudiments to the beat of what we're playing.

vidGuy @ Jan 12th 2008 8:49PM

I've played acoustic and electric guitar for seven years and drums for four and still find some of the songs in Guitar Hero and Rock Band challenging. It's always fun though.

embassy @ Jan 12th 2008 9:22PM

the cat and the fiddle...

ThornedVenom @ Jan 12th 2008 10:19PM

Can't you see the major plan, people?

Harmonix is slowly teaching the gamer population how to properly play real instruments! Soon enough, they'll be able to sell real instruments, branded by Harmonix!

CONSPIRACY FTW.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 12th 2008 10:19PM

ThornedVenom @ Jan 12th 2008 10:20PM

GODDAMN COMMENT SYSTEM

Naota @ Jan 12th 2008 10:30PM

i've spent about 5 years playing the drums, it's nothing you typically pick up after playing for a weekend. I can't say I've played Rockband though, so I don't know how difficult it is.

JohnHeist @ Jan 12th 2008 11:23PM

I always thought this was silly on Guitar Hero, because the technique to getting good didn't apply to real drums.

But...

If you're going to go through ALL that trouble (HEEL-UP? An Advanced REAL drum technique....sticking techniques, paradiddles...)
Learn to play drums for real.

Getting good at Rock Band is the same techniques to getting good at real drums, but will not translate if you make the jump.
Expert Rock Band drummer, will not be good drummer right away.

Johnny @ Jan 13th 2008 1:33AM

http://learncoldfusion.blogspot.com/

TXAustin @ Jan 13th 2008 1:26AM

psh paradiddles...

It's all about the Pataflaflas!!

JudgeX @ Jan 13th 2008 1:56AM

Drums are probably the easiest instrument commonly used.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 13th 2008 2:32AM

It's like saying that the voice is probably the easiest instrument commonly used.

Anybody can "sing" or "hit the drums": it's when you master it beyond expectations that it becomes lovely.

JudgeX @ Jan 13th 2008 3:16AM

Ehh, no, not really, thorned. If you propose that "anyone" can sing, you've obviously not watched a single episode of American Idol.

Singing properly is being able to hit a respectable range of notes and do it in tune... which, can take a really, really long time to learn. Even singing the simplest of songs properly can be challenging. Just think about how many people DESTROY the US National Anthem, and the number of times you've been apalled by someone's awful singing. How many times has awful drumming stricken you? Ah... now we see.

However, the VAST majority of songs that include a drum can be played by just about anyone with practice.

While outstanding uses of the drum can be impressive (some death metal songs require feats of extreme stamina to complete on the drum), my point is, if you are throwing together the average band, your guitarist and vocalist need to have a good sound and style to them, while if you're short on a drummer, you can teach even a non-drummer the beats for most of your songs, assuming you aren't specifically a drum-band/death metal band.

Stupidiot @ Jan 13th 2008 6:57AM

ugghh, I've been stricken by awful drumming plenty of times (and it's not always me playing :p). But I do sort of see where you're coming from. Drums probably take lesser amounts of time to learn than other instruments, such as the guitar, but it's still just as much about practising and developing techniques. Anyone can play the drums, but then, anyone can play the guitar, if they put enough time and effort into it.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 13th 2008 8:18AM

Now you're just talking about standards. If you're about to consider the "VAST majority of songs", then I'd also include rap and pop as acceptable forms of singing, even though they wouldn't require as much practice.

You wouldn't consider that singing, but I would. You would consider something else drumming, but I probably wouldn't.

(PS: My standards for drumming are usually set for jazz, but I don't consider something as not being something just because of personal standards.)

JudgeX @ Jan 13th 2008 11:30AM

Standards? Whaaaat?

Learn to play jazz flute like a pro. Count the hours it took.

Now learn to play jazz drums like a pro. See how it took you under 1/10th the time?

killerpickle @ Jan 13th 2008 12:12PM

The drummer is the glue that holds the band together. He/She is responsible for keeping perfect time and if the drummer fails, oftentimes the band goes down too. Anyone can play a "simple beat" but it will most likely be out of time and extremely boring. And any band that thinks they can do well with a drummer that can only play the 4/4 rock beat is not going anywhere. Maybe unless you are an AC/DC cover band.

Once you get into off-beats and fills that is where not just anyone can play. It would be like someone teaching me the "G" chord on the guitar and then strumming away. Sounds pretty clean but its not a song and it could hardly be considered "playing the guitar".

ThornedVenom @ Jan 13th 2008 6:35PM

"like a pro"

See? It's still a question of standards.

It's not because most drummers and listeners out there are satisfied with a certain level (gained with minimal practice) that it means that it's acceptable. It's not because, let's say, the jazz flutes standards are higher that playing the flute is harder than playing the drums.

Makes sense?

ronald.raygun @ Jan 13th 2008 4:41AM

i hear meg white can't get past medium on rockband

skoot182 @ Jan 13th 2008 11:27AM

(golfclap)

Mitochondria @ Jan 13th 2008 2:38PM

Yeah not everybody can play drums, even with practice. I mean if you can teach a tone def person how to sing let me know, I know a couple. You gotta have rhythm. If you don't have that than your not gonna make a good drummer. Also drumming is harder then most instruments because each limb acts independent of each other, unlike guitar.

JohnHeist @ Jan 13th 2008 3:09PM

Drums easiest to learn?

I hear the screams of a non-drummer, speaking to the masses.

OTAM @ Jan 13th 2008 6:00PM

The drums are insanely hard for me because of the bass pedal. I can't hit it fast enough when you have to hit in twice in a row. It also throws me off when you have to hit the pedal on it's own without any other drums. I can't keep the rhythm at all.

I feel like the ultimate white boy playing the drums where I can't keep a beat and just randomly hitting things while the meter falls.