How to Use a Play Along CD: The Best Way For Drummers to Practice on Their Own
Most people learn how to play the drums and can play a basic beat, or a few common fills. But how can you take your drumming to the next level?
Beginning drum students and experienced pros have one thing in common. Whether playing in the garage or on the biggest stages in the world, you still must practice.
Practice typically requires playing with other band members. But maybe their schedule doesn’t work with yours. Or, maybe the musicians you can find to work with aren’t good enough to push you and you’re no longer challenged.
Perhaps you get labeled as playing a certain style, and are unable to get a gig in another genre. Maybe you’re a Funk drummer who wants to play country. Or a Jazz player who wants to rock. Once you’re associated with a particular form of music, it can be quite difficult to be seen as anything else. Take Garth Brooks, for example. He was the biggest name in country music, but when he tried to put out a rock album his fans turned on him.
But the only other choice is to rehearse on your own. I’m sure you’ll agree that can be fairly tedious and boring at times. (Really, how many times can you play Wipeout or Zeppelin’s Rock & Roll?) But now there is an awesome alternative that requires no other musicians and is just plain fun.
It’s a new tool called a play along CD. Lets discuss what it is as well as how to get the best results from using it.
A play along CD is nothing more than a set of tracks with your particular instrument taken out of the mix. Think of it like a non-cheesy version of a Karaoke recording, but for instruments instead of vocals missing. Removing your particular track allows you to play along and practice in style.
For example, if you’re a drummer, a drum practice CD contains all of the tracks except for the drums. You simply put the CD on, sit behind your kit, and keep the beat. It’s a great way to practice on your own. You can even get more creative than the original drummer and play something totally unique.
If you’re a drummer you have to practice. No doubt about that. And you could practice with a simple metronome and sticks, but it wouldn’t be much fun. If you wish to be a great drummer, you have to know time, meter, groove, and feel. And you won’t master these things unless you play with a band live, on CD, or otherwise. But when you nail these things, you will be the drummer getting the call for the next gig, regardless of your style.
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