so basically I pretty much just started working on my traditional snare grip a lot recently. So I decided to post a video of me playing on youtube. Tell me what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzTJHr1UovU

I still need to work on a few things like my heights and right hand. I originally play bass drum as well. My left hand is pretty good. Well from when I use to try playing snare a few months ago.

What do you all think? What can I work on to improve better and any suggestions?

The exercises I'm playing are just eights, the first part of Flam I Am and then Paradiddle speed (or something like that) from snare science.

Thanks for you time

-Andy-

nice job.

Your left is doing this pretty heavily. Also are you normally practicing with the pad set up in such an wobbly manner?

My snare/pad stand is a converted tripod lol, Some times I practice standing up but sometimes I practice with the pad on my lap.

also when you say the ashtray do you mean that my left trad. hand is catching rain water or not catching any?

Does your bass line use a lot of rotation in its stroke? Sometimes -- like when playing Flam I Am -- it looks like your right wrist might be using a whole lot of rotation for your upstroke instead of bending or hinging vertically.

Like drumicide mentioned, you've also got some "ashtray hand" going on. The palm of your hand should be more vertical -- not like a pure vertical 90°, but something like 60°. To use your rain water analogy, you're catching it (or coming close) and you shouldn't be.

Another thing to watch is your tap/accent definition. When playing Flam I Am or anything with distinct taps and accents, you should have two defined heights -- not only do your your accents need to be at a defined height, but the taps need to be, too. If you watch that video clip, you'll see that your non-accented notes vary pretty widely in height. Some are a few inches off the pad, while others are almost as high as your accents. Use a single hand two-height exercise (Bucks, Thirteen, 8 and 4 from SnareScience, etc.) to work on your heights. Accents should be nice and strong (which you also need a little work on), but taps should be low and consistent.

Overall, though... Good start! Keep it up and have fun!

learn how to incorporate your arms. you look like mr. Roboto. Without the use of your arm you will never get the power you will need. For example, on eight on a hand your strokes got to maybe 8". Eight on a hand's purpose is to work the full stroke (12"). You won't be able to acheive these heights without the use of some arm. Don't think about it just try to loosen up some. Overall good stuff, you definitely have the rhythmic timing necessary for snare tho.

p.s. get a better stand.

thanks, yea I have really improved my rhythmic timing recently, I could never really count double beats because they just seemed very complex with 16th note rests and 16th 8th 16th groupings but I finally got it down. Oh yea and I should mention I'm self taught. Never had a lesson on percussion in my life. I have gotten tips from my friends that play but every thing else is self taught.

I'll have an up dated video later today too. I wrote this one 3/4 triplet spree that I want to put on youtube.

Same thing I see with the ash tray. It's been a while since I've brought sticks to drum(life has taken it's toll on my practicng and chops) Something about your right hand worries me, your eight on a hand looks pretty good, when you go to Flam I am, your right starts to look like your playing bass. A metronome is your best friend when you practice.

The right hand looks almost like it wants to wander around. I played bass for two years before I picked up snare and I had the very exact same problem. To this day my right hand still slices when I play fast rolls but I have almost got it under control. Take your time and build a good foundation. You will be suprised at how fast you will learn more complicated rudiments if you have a solid foundation.

Thanks once again every one for the comments, any more comments will be greatly appreciated.
Oh and I might be getting a Dynasty snare next weekend so that I can practice on a real drum instead of a pad, Oh and practice marching too because It comes with a carrier. If I do get it I will have some videos of me playing it next weekend.

thanks again.