JU N E , 1942

Buddy Rich Advises

Using a Pillow
For Practicing
By BUDDY RICH
In Conjunction with Henry Adler

Many young drummer wonder why

their technique fails to improve in pro-
Now that you are armed with your
portion to the amount of time they
bounce-proof pillow and your determi-
spend on a practice pad.
nation to eliminate all arm motion. try
The answer to this problem lies in
practicing one of your rudiments. Play
knowing the proper method of practic-
the rudiment very slowly at first, and
ing, with special emphasis on developing
Walch Your Arms. If you become a
a technique.
little tired, stop and rest for a few sec-
Technique. to begin with. is the ex-
onds. Never over-strain yourself. Keep
clusive property of a drummer with
practicing slowly until your’re able to
Strong wrists. You therefore should
pIay in that particular tempo with ease,
practice in such a manner so as to
entirely without any strain. Not until
compel your wrists to do most of the
then should you attempt to increese the
work in the execution of your studies.
speed of the rudiment. Thus, very grad-
The first step is to eliminate complete-
ually are you to increase the rate of
Iy the arm motion commonly used in
speed in your practicing.
drumming. In order to do this properly.
This method of practicing is one
it is best to keep an eye on your arms.
which requires plenty of patience and
while playing to check up on any un-
consistent effort on your part. If you
called for movement from them. If you
do practice patiently and faithfully every
only took the trouble to look at your
day, you will be more than amply re-
arms, you would be amazed at the
warded for the extra time you have
amount of sledge-hammer arm motion
spent in studying. Your wrists will
you unknowingly use while practicing.
gradually begin to develop to such an
The next step is to eliminate com-
extent that you no longer will have to
pletely the bounce. I would suggest
use your arms unnaturally in order to
practicing on a pillow as the best, yet
play. What‘s more, the newly acquired
simplest, object to answer the need of a
power in your wrists will enable you to
bounce·less pad. I would also suggest
execute your musical problems in a
using your own pillow, so as not to an-
manner so relaxed as to make practic-
tagonize any members of your family
ing, as well as playing, a new and satis-
against your playing drums.
fying pleasure.
I might add at this point that it would
Buddy Rich, Tommy Dorsey’s famous
be a very good idea for you to main-
drummer, offers regular advice to
tain a firm grip on your sticks with your
METRONOME readers. Send him your
fingers. In this position. you will find
questions ; he’ll be glad to answer them.
it more natural to play on the pillow
with your wrists.