Blog

  1. Video Blog Episode 6 – Is ear protection important?

    Posted in: Blog

    Whether you are playing acoustic or electronic drums; being mindful of the volume, and taking the appropriate precautions to protect your hearing is highly recommended. Simon shares some insight on what causes hearing damage, the longer term effects, and the importance of paying attention to this factor when learning the drums.   Helpful related articles. How do I make my drums quieter? Sound Control – Practical means of controlling drum set volume. Electronic vs Acoustic drums – choose what’s right… Read More

  2. Video Blog Episode 5 – How much should I practice?

    Posted in: Blog

    Did you know that 5-10 minutes of focused practice per day can give you some great results over time? We all lead busy lives, and finding time to practice, and understanding what to practice, can be a source of frustration. In this video, Simon discusses the difference between focused practice time and “noodling”, and why both can be equally important. Small, manageable, and fun practice sessions are the key to success for busy people!   Helpful related articles. How much… Read More

  3. Video Blog Episode 4 – How do I tune my drums?

    Posted in: Blog

    Tuning drums is a skill that can take a long time to develop, and it really is a case of trial and error, experiments and tinkering. In fact, there are many books and DVDs dedicated to this subject alone. We recommend checking out the DVD “Drum Tuning” by Bob Gatzen. In the meantime, our Special Feature Video on assembling a Yamaha Stage Custom drum set will give you some good fundamentals, and there are a few tips in this video blog… Read More

  4. Video Blog Episode 3 – Should drumming be painful?

    Posted in: Blog

    Most drumming related aches and pains are a result of bad technique. The good news is that attention to grip, posture, bass drum technique and drum set ergonomics can help you stay healthy! In conjunction with this video blog, we strongly recommend that you watch this video, which covers all of the above areas of development in detail.   Helpful related articles. Should drumming be painful? Blood on the snare drum – The Whiplash myth. 10 bad drumming habits and… Read More

  5. Video Blog Episode 2 – Are the drum set rudiments important?

    Posted in: Blog

    Conventional drumming wisdom will tell you that mastering the drum set rudiments is an essential step in becoming a solid and proficient drummer. But how does this view relate to beginner and hobbyist drummers who mostly want to focus on drum beats, fills, and playing along to music? Simon discusses the merits of applying the core-four rudiments, how they will eventually embellish your drumming, and why you shouldn’t lose sleep over them in the early days of your drumming adventure.… Read More

  6. Video Blog Episode 1 – Why is reading music notation important?

    Posted in: Blog

    Understanding basic music notation will make your learning experience much more productive, and set you up for longer term success. Drum Ambition has been designed for both students that want to learn music notation, and equally for those who do not. With that said, Simon is a huge advocate for learning basic music theory, because in his opinion, it makes the experience better, quicker, and more comprehensive. It is highly recommended that you watch all 10 Music Notation videos in… Read More

  7. Yamaha EAD10 Review – An easier way to record drums and publish videos

    Posted in: Blog

    Recently, more and more Drum Ambition subscribers have been reaching out for recommendations on how to record their acoustic drums. Their goal might be to record drum practice sessions or a band rehearsal, do a drum cover of a popular song, or have a simple way to upload video to social media platforms that features good quality sound. The problem is, drums are a hard instrument to record. From the deep lows of the bass drum and lower toms to… Read More

  8. How to assemble a drum set from the box – A video guide

    Posted in: Blog

    Whether you are taking beginner online drum lessons, studying with a drum teacher, or simply playing for your own amusement, you never forget buying your first drum set. Before you can get started, there is a certain amount of assembly that needs to be done, and unless you have made a prior arrangement with your retailer, the whole drum set is delivered in one or two boxes for self assembly. Most instructional videos on drum set assembly run 30-45 minutes and more,… Read More

  9. 10 facts I learned about drums from music retail

    Posted in: Blog

    Prior to becoming an online and studio drum teacher, I had a solid background in music retail. In the mid-1990’s I started working in a drum shop in the UK. I began as a part-time sales advisor and in-house teacher, and worked myself up to the position of General Manager. Working in the drum retail business was a real education, and I was surprised about how much I didn’t know about drums, cymbals and percussion equipment. Here are 10 facts that I… Read More

  10. Video Interview with Rich Redmond, Drummer for Jason Aldean

    Posted in: Blog, News

    Rich Redmond is best known as the studio and touring drummer for Country Superstar Jason Aldean. As a top-call Nashville Studio Artist, Rich has played on 20 Number 1 singles, and plays to well over two million fans annually while on tour. In addition to this, Rich is deeply passionate about drum education, and when he is not touring or in the studio, he can be found in music schools, classrooms and at corporate events delivering his motivational class; Crash… Read More