LESSON: CONCEPTS FOR PLAYING THE RESONATING DRUM

• Begin your practice with a Visualization. Be constantly mindful of the flow of energy throughout your body, and how it manifests sound.

• Always play from the Drum. Your energy should be focused on pulling the sound out of the drum, not into it. Let gravity be your friend for the downstroke, and allow your hands to bounce.
   
• Be aware of your breath.
  
  
• When learning a new rhythm, sing the rhythm using sylabels. "If you can't sing it, you can't play it."
  
  
• Keep the "time" with your alternating feet.  Dance.
  
  
• Visualize the energy of your legs move through the soles of the feet and straight to the core of the planet.  This will help ground you and make your groove stronger.
  
  
• Start with slow tempos and gradually work your way up.  Do not go faster until you feel solid.  "The slower you go, the faster you will get there."
  
  
• Music is a high form of communication. Put the proper intention behind what you are trying to say, and who you are saying it to, even if it is just yourself.  Clarity of tone and phrase communicates clear intentions.
  
  
• The most important thing is to be in the moment of every note we play.
  
  
• Give thanks for the ability to create and share Sound.