Volume Control! - Stop Using Rods To Play Quieter! 🤫🥁
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Жыл бұрынCheck out this quick tip on how you can play in low volume situations without switching to rods or brushes! SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL for more great free drum lessons, tips, advice and cool product reviews.
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@timpedzinski230 Жыл бұрын
"Treat your stick bag like a toolbox not a warehouse". I love that!
@bobby163 10 ай бұрын
Good one!!!
@dannorris642 Жыл бұрын
That's a skill that church and tiny jazz clubs teach you. If you can play a decent bossa nova or samba groove with a vocalist, it's game on. I knew I had turned a corner with my dynamics when the old folks at my church who were usually drum haters started complementing my playing.
@DrumsTheWord Жыл бұрын
Wise words about the rods, Rob. I went through a lot of them in the past trying to play quietly...when it was my technique and ability to strike softly that needed to be adjusted.
@willymccabe6602 Жыл бұрын
Nobody can lay a groove like Mr Brown. That was so sweet.
@tylerbailey9329 Жыл бұрын
I really empathize with this. I used to struggle so much with playing quietly without sounding timid or losing punch. Three years of doing drums at university having to appease assessors in a small closed room helped so much in forcing me to refine my touch.
@dumdedumdee9665 Жыл бұрын
Love that New Orleans groove! Fabulous playing Mr. Brown! The tip about adjusting the stick was very useful. Will have to try it out at rehearsal. Thanks!
@pastadrums Жыл бұрын
THANK YOUUUUU. I have been saying that playing quietly is not about what sticks I’m using. It’s more so of a dynamic control (and if anything it’s a simple request) thing and that rods are useless to low volume situations. Now I’ve never seen anyone choke up on the stick and control from their elbow. This is something I am going to sit down and practice on! I love this. Thank you so much
@lindsaymcpherson4744 Жыл бұрын
I've played in lots of small cafes /small shop front pubs ,told to play quiet etc and agree totally with you, i tried brushes didn't suit the style and rods they didn't suit either so I practiced like crazy to refine my hand dynamics and hand placement without losing the groove so when told to lift the volume I can adjust without any problems !!
@drummerwarrior1 Жыл бұрын
Thirty years ago I very quickly went through the same process of learning to play quietly in church. Always preferred to use light sticks to control my volume and only needed to use Rutes/Hot Rods as an effect. I’ve always had to control my volume to a certain degree and this has proved a career defining skill as I also used it when playing acoustic blues music.
@wilkinsnl Жыл бұрын
I’ve been struggling with volume control for years. I knew about these tricks and have improved over the years but I still have to work on it.
@KarenBasset Жыл бұрын
I just went through this with a local club that had to shut down a live jam because of noise complaints from neighbors. With multiple drummers sitting in, rods do a great job of instantly mitigating the volume of everything except the kick. We put a Vic Firth fluffy beater on the kick and the kit was overall about 30-40% quieter. Jam is back on. Rods are a necessary evil for our little jam to continue. We experimented with low volume cymbals and heads, but they were too quiet and mesjlh heads are bouncy.
@stevew3956 Жыл бұрын
Meinl Bamboo (or Birch) Rebound multi-rods are the best rods IMO. I used to use Tala Wands by Steve Smith/Vic Firth, but those went out of production. Both have a foam core to add rebound.
@youareliedtobythemedia Жыл бұрын
@@stevew3956 i'd recommend flix sticks. though there are other brands now too. the rods are made out of some plasic fibere and are super durable. wood rods tend to break very fast
@GrandCanyonRVResort Жыл бұрын
I agree. I’m struggling with Eric Clapton Lay Down Sally…trying to find that balance between a soft rod sound and light stick work.
@glennbeckman7815 Жыл бұрын
Your Toronto Church gig made me smile real big. This week will be my first Church gig at 62 years old. Picked up the sticks for first time 16 months ago. Glad I found Rob Beatdown Brown as well as Drumeo Edge. Appreciate you Rob.
@richboshart1201 Жыл бұрын
Great pro tip! Had a few low volume gigs this summer and those darn pricey Rods don’t even last a gig. Pieces of wood everywhere. I vowed to stop using them. While I still lose my groove a bit when playing lightly with sticks, Beatdown just proved that it can be done without sacrificing feel.
@kentturner595 Жыл бұрын
Whole heartedly agree! I rejected hotrods for church and other quiet venues years ago! I used Vic Firth SD5s for years, but just recently tried out AJ1s, but have really fallen in love with Nate Smith’s signature model. Tapers and weight help a lot I’ve found. Thanks for the tip on choking up too: it makes a lot of sense.
@chriscruse6633 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this one Rob. I’ve run across the same problem before with rods - not being able to use the cross-stick, plus lacking some of the punch. Great tip about choking up and moving from the elbow. Now I can apply this at church, in small cafes or home parties, where the volume has to be lower. Thanks again!
@paulrevelli Жыл бұрын
Lighter sticks, exactly. I'm normally a Vic Firth Extreme 5A wood tip user. I kept searching for something with the exact same length, tip and taper but with a little less heft to it. So I tried the Extreme 8D (a little less in the diameter) and now I use those whenever less volume is called for. Still feels great, I maintain my same grip, and it actually wasn't that big an adjustment for me to go from one to the other. I don't dislike rods, mind you. But for me they're more of a textural substitution for sticks. I use them when I want a completely different sound, not necessarily for volume reduction. So between the lighter stick, control and experience I'm able to keep my volume down when and if it's asked for. By the way, the clip of you playing is awesome Rob. Thank you for sharing.
@markf7066 Жыл бұрын
This was some of the best advice I’ve ever received! I play in a praise band in a SMALL church and constantly use hot sticks. Going to try this 🙏💪👍
@frankrizzo5710 Жыл бұрын
You are a great drummer and teacher! This lesson is game changing for me. I’m good at lower dynamics but these techniques make it so much more!!!
@jimcoffey2784 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this video. Playing quietly in church is a real struggle for me too. Brushes are too quiet, and rods don’t work for the very reasons you stated. I appreciate these tips. I’ll incorporate them this Sunday. 🥁🥁🥁
@chadm7737 11 ай бұрын
100% agree. The other thing with using rods to play quite - you lose most of your hi hat and cymbal work. Also, in my opinion, using rods without changing how you play still ends up with a similar volume. Still need to change how you play even if using rods. Never tried the choking up method, I just used smaller sticks and triedd to play quieter. Will be giving it a try the next time. However I will say that trying to use rods to control volume got me to appreciate somethings they can do. Many times in full volume gigs, I'll switch to rods for a smother train beat for example. Nice vid! And like others said - love that there is still a mic on the snare.
@BoomerMusicCompany Жыл бұрын
Playing in a church and yet they still mic the snare! Love it! Volume control is the elusive beast that separates the good from the not so good. As soon as I tell my students to play the same groove quietly they tense up and slow down. I don't change the stick weight, just the stick tip. Round tips, especially small tips, especially maple, allow you to play at a quieter volume and still use normal technique. I use the Vater Phat Ride which is a 5a diameter (possibly slightly larger) with a quick taper and small, round tip. These have never let me down in a bright, loud room. Ride cymbal will only get to a certain volume because of the stick. Drums still have focus but without the spread. Warning, round tips can wreak little more havoc on your heads.
@johnconnell1675 20 күн бұрын
Mind blown. Have no idea why I never learned this in 40+ yrs of drumming but THANK YOU!!!!!!
@charles3688 Жыл бұрын
Great advice! Actually working on dynamics right now, so great timing on this video! Thanks Rob!
@martinflipz1786 Жыл бұрын
I only use rods on drum kit that we have at school, simply because the snare sounds way better with rods.. but i still find your tips very useful, thanks a lot Rob!
@ynotw57 Жыл бұрын
Rob, I’ve never thought about approaching volume control like you suggested. Thank you for opening up that possibility. I’m going to try it this weekend. I use hot rods, and I find myself hitting harder to get the fullness, so it’s essentially defeating the intended purpose. Also, You have impeccable timing.
@johnmckenna1776 Жыл бұрын
Thanks Rob, this was a great video for those of us who find ourselves playing in these types of situations! At one point I was using a stick in my left hand on the snare, for cross stick & back beats, and in my right hand I was using a plastic multi-rods tool. Well for just playing grooves this was fine, but to play a fill like this was a no go, so this concept you're sharing here really helps a lot with volume control while still sounding like yourself...thanks!! Also I think playing french grip with the thumbs up would also help in addition to what you outlined about playing more from the elbows. I remember Billy Cobham plays this way & has tremendous power while being able to switch to playing very softly very quickly. Thanks also for the footage of your church gig as it really shows this technique quite well!!
@adorodrums Жыл бұрын
"Treat your stick bag like a toolbox not a warehouse". I second that. In most cases the volume I get from wood sticks, no matter how light, is too much. So in my stick bag I have Silent Sticks. I love them so much, we even started manufacturing them (invented by a hawaiian surfer dude) which reduce volume by default at about 6-9dB and more depending on your drumming style. But just the light weight alone makes the sticks go fast without producing a lot of thrust and noise. If you want to try those, hit me up, and I can give you a promo code for a free pair, Rob!
@lesscott8364 Жыл бұрын
Hello Rob, Thanks for sharing!!! :)
@jello-tarzan Жыл бұрын
Very useful, thanks man! Cool playing as always.
@beatkingmusic7811 Жыл бұрын
Excellent advice... and great technique !!
@billyb3725 Жыл бұрын
Thanks Rob, I recently joined a Celtic Rock band and on occasion we play in smaller places and they asked me to use Hot Rods which as a hard rock drummer, I don't care much for. I will definetly try out this tip!
@JamieDrumz Жыл бұрын
Nice one Rob, thank you!
@muzzybeat Жыл бұрын
You have so many good ideas. Thank you. Also, very sweet playing. Nice to see your chops in a gig.
@ricomuerte1012 Жыл бұрын
Great advice, thank you ❤
@tomcarr4630 Жыл бұрын
Great info! I have been in this situation many times. Love the video of your wonderful playing!
@TheJennivision1 Жыл бұрын
Hey it was really cool to be able to watch you play a bit!
@fabriceleclaire3306 Жыл бұрын
Every video I learn so much with you Rob. Thanks you.
@georgitomov5405 Жыл бұрын
What a valuable piece of advice. Thanks for that
@asdlkj9911 Жыл бұрын
Great advice!
@joeldrummer23 Жыл бұрын
Awesome gig
@hombreenojado Жыл бұрын
Excellent timing on this one!
@jamilsinno752 9 ай бұрын
Rob, you're a great musician. I always appreciate your tips. Keep on grooving dude
@ewrluv2drum Жыл бұрын
As always, gold nuggets. Thank you bro.
@ryangrissom1948 Жыл бұрын
Greetings from Nashville! You and my teacher persuaded me to switch to traditional grip! I switched three days ago, so far so good. Thanks for all the help.
@RobBeatdownBrown Жыл бұрын
Long road but it’s a fun grip. Don’t let nobody hate on it
@johnnymerritt9544 Жыл бұрын
Good info Rob !
@drummermomcjs Жыл бұрын
Great tip Rob! I can't wait to try this on the kit today. I have played with rods for years and while I do like them for some songs, I don't like losing the cross-stick sound either. Another thing that I don't like is the mess they make as they shed tiny splinters as they age and rods start breaking off and winding up in my carpet. So while I do like the sound rods make, I prefer playing with sticks because of the many other sounds that I can make with them that I cannot duplicate with the rods. BTW I really enjoyed what you played. It has been a few years but in my 20s through my 30s I played in churches and for choirs and it was a blast that caused me to learn a lot. Thanks for the tip Rob, and drum on my friend :-)
@christophpeschel3848 Жыл бұрын
I am going to practice that right now!
@BatManWayneCorp Жыл бұрын
Awesome tipp, thanks - I don't dislike Ross per-se, I just hate having to switch to them an hour before the show when the Soundcheck reveals that sticks are too loud
@phil69881 Жыл бұрын
Amazing video, Man! I can relate to this so much. The church I used to play for met up in community halls and gymnasiums, so playing drums was always a complicated by acoustics. But I used to do all that stuff too 😁 played Pro-Mark 5Bs normally (or within a church set up for better sound control), but switched to 7As in our home church. Brushes occasionally came out, but I couldn't stand rods (of any kind) either. Even mallets sounded better than rods! 😂🤣
@James1623 Жыл бұрын
Love the version of What a Friend we have in Jesus with that second line feel! Perhaps Rob you could put just a video of that up on KZfaq as I would love to share this with some none-drummer Christian musician friends 🙏🙏🙏
@jacobabourdeau2944 5 ай бұрын
Nice groove at the church. Like the 1/4 note cymbal click. Good tips- Really needed this tip
@hans.lankamp Жыл бұрын
I hate playing quietly on sticks. I cannot get rid of the insanely piercing of the snare and cymbals, while I lost the nice sound of the tones. With rods, I reduce the piercing while being able to hit the drums and cymbals a bit harder so I can get the correct tones.
@shiftfocus3583 Жыл бұрын
Even before going through all his videos I can confidently like his video because I am more confident that there would be so much knowledgeable infos shared by him generously. 🇳🇵
@barrybebenek8691 Жыл бұрын
Man I love what you say about the bag…a toolbox, not a warehouse! Spot on brother. Great tips once again. 🇨🇦👍🏼
@pimpernel666 Жыл бұрын
“It’s a toolbox, not a warehouse for the same stick!” THIS
@ardayence Жыл бұрын
legit best advice comes from this guy
@KevWhitehead Жыл бұрын
So lovely playing Rob! Can't go wrong with a 5A or thinner!
@michaelgilmore2252 Жыл бұрын
Works for me I had to figure that out long time ago ,I figured it out by learning to play on the balance point of the stick
@petehannon7685 Жыл бұрын
Just got a gig with a band backing up a choir, playing in a big glass atrium - I needed to see this 🙌
@oscara.garcia5136 Жыл бұрын
My regular sticks are 5B .. If i want to play quiet I'll use some 5A 's But totally agree with Mr. Brown here ...I like to use Rods or brushes as a Vareity /Multiple Percussion Aproach to Eclectic gigs I sometimes do. Thank I enjoy these Lessons Thoroughly !!!
@gregoryrogalsky6937 Жыл бұрын
Nice drumming.
@jasonwalsh7921 Жыл бұрын
Yo mr B.. very tasty playing going on here loving the Ghosting work and your tasteful musical phrasing Love how your taking care of business in this clip good sir much respect to you 👊🏼✌🏼🥁😎
@bizzjoe Жыл бұрын
Great playing
@perryfisher3373 Жыл бұрын
Great video and great tips. I’ve been playing for close to 40 years. I’ve played in small churches and I’ve played in huge venues. Playing quiet, or a better term is playing to the room, is absolutely possible. Call me an old grouch but someone who thinks they must play loud is a lumberjack, not a musician.
@Sithman1776 Жыл бұрын
I've been using rods in church for so long that when I switch to regular sticks for gigs outside of church, I'm sloppy because rods have less bounce than regular sticks. Wish I had seen this years ago!
@tyroneanderson8270 Жыл бұрын
Wonderful...thanks.
@RVADrummer Жыл бұрын
Ohhhh yes.... playing with rods! Been there, done that, got a t-shirt AND a hat!!!!!
@victormarshall9765 Жыл бұрын
You killing it Rob on that Orleans march. Nice tutorial...!!
@RubenDrums812 Жыл бұрын
Thank you
@nicholaskelley7646 Жыл бұрын
Great person. Great drummer. You the man
@keiththehawk6512 Жыл бұрын
I use rod in rh and stick in left on ballads
@keiththehawk6512 Жыл бұрын
Howeva ! Lighter sticks are good also
@jamieanderson7757 Жыл бұрын
Sometimes I use brushes on verses and lightly played sticks on choruses for low volume. I adore the sound of brushes on drums, and one day I hope to be good at it and therefore enjoy it more.
@tkknows Жыл бұрын
Such control!
@markielinhart Жыл бұрын
Great video, I can see why you like church playing Rob, beliefs aside that was inspiring. My two cents; I like my rods when I’m home at midnight noodling. My only issue is rebound esp on hi hats, but the washy sound on the ride is amazing…✌️🌻
@katskillz Жыл бұрын
Great tip thanks so much. Also, I think that nice turtle neck sweater must really help... because I mean who can really jam out full volume dressin cozy like that!
@marcushaines8533 Жыл бұрын
Dave Grohl is the only one drummer allowed to use hot rods MTV unplugged. Sticks at low volume is super fun and challenging! Great episode!
@marcushaines8533 Жыл бұрын
Great performance Rob!!!
@jonniejlo Жыл бұрын
You’re bang on about light sticks. Got a pair of cheapie rubbish sticks once. But they were so light that they became my favourite stick for playing in quiet theatres. Woo! Ps the snare sound in the church. Wow!
@jasonmusic9938 Жыл бұрын
flip rods to get the cross stick, or even if you want to have a fat snare sound, flip em!
@1111Paiste Жыл бұрын
Great pro tip! I love the little guy over your hi hat just digging what you're playing. 😀
@RobBeatdownBrown Жыл бұрын
Hahaha. I never even noticed he was watching so intently the entire time 😁
@type0negative55 Жыл бұрын
nice tip Rob thanks and chears from argentina
@adamalexanderray Жыл бұрын
Another thing I do, and I can’t say everyone should do this, but when I want to play quiet I play without hearing hearing protection or just have the click in one ear. I always insist on using hearing protection, but when I want to play as quiet as possible I find wearing hearing protection makes me have a incorrect gauge on volume. If you’re playing as quiet as possible hearing protection isn’t quite as important.
@XeRo333 Жыл бұрын
This video came at the perfect time!! Leave it to Rob Brown to know what I'm looking for help on👍🏼
@G60syncro Жыл бұрын
I used to jam at a local pub with some of the old school guys hanging out there... I lived 3 blocks away so I devised a way to sling my 12-14-20+snare kit over my shoulder and slug my way down there. Once setup I even got the "you brought a drum in the house" stink eye!! Once the session started out though everything went fine and by break time the guitar player hosting the thing wanted to try out my kit. He picked up my sticks and immediately said "you play that low with this piece of kit?!!?!!". I play VicFirth SD1's... the big maple ones!! And I tune my drums wide open.. Like I told him, I use the weight of my sticks for power when I need them to and the rest of the time I can just "tappiddittap" the drums and the sound just comes out of them without any effort. It's all about energy management and knowing how hard you need to drive your kit for the situation!!
@stefanvombruch5649 11 ай бұрын
Hi, I‘ve been using a hybrid version of your suggestions for years. Using a regular but lighter stick in my left hand and a rod or brush in my right hand. You get some definition with the shaft of a rod on the ride cymbal. My 2 cents.
@johncall7532 Жыл бұрын
I make my own rods and love them. That said, versatility derived from control is always worth pursuing.
@MrRezRising Жыл бұрын
I've been doing an open mic gig for awhile, in a room with terrible acoustics. I've been using hot rods, but even that has caused problems bc 9 ppl on stage in a 20 x 60 x 20 echo chamber.... I haven't lost a beat since the 90s, but it happened twice this year, and I'm barely playing. I like to think my playing has 'presence', but not to overpower anyone. I'll switch back to sticks next time. Maybe that's the problem, lack of commitment. Thx Rob, as always, you're the lighthouse.
@carguy3460 Жыл бұрын
That's the kinda church I wanna go to! Wow, well done! Beautiful noise.
@UPdan Жыл бұрын
Promark Firegrain 2B at pianissimo. You did a great job.
@bencarter6702 Жыл бұрын
Thankyou sir. I might give that a go. I have sticks, rods AND brushes! Ouch!
@Mysticus11 Жыл бұрын
Great pro tip! Nice job 🥁 Wondering if the horn player was also forewarned by email to be quieter?! Not hearing a mute! 🎺
@kalaalefaio5108 Жыл бұрын
Truth!
@joelittle1506 Жыл бұрын
Good lesson for me. I actually hate the sound of rods. I switched to DemSticks years ago as recommended by Carter McLean. Lots of good options for quiet high quality sounds. BFSD has some great options as well.
@infinitesimotel Жыл бұрын
It all comes down to the mastery of out own physiology/ nervous system and concentration. What instrument you play is incidental. You can also enhance your ability by going through the techniques in your head and consciously working through the movements.
@markcrisp4867 Жыл бұрын
I thought you were getting ready to break down that praise groove bro & have them shouting in there 1&2&3&4💯🎼🥁😆✌️
@3RTracing Жыл бұрын
It’s called stick control and technique!! 🎶🎵🎶🤓🤓
@ElijahRock92 Жыл бұрын
My favorite story. I was playing for a volunteer Christmas musical with a bunch of different churches. I set about 2 feet behind the back of the orchestra and about 2 feet in front of the choir mic. During rehearsal the day before, the sound guy asked me to play louder because the choir and orchestra drowned out despite him maxing out my mics. Like a dream, the choir and orchestra all turned to me and applauded and cheered me to play louder. So I took it up a slight notch, and didn't have any complaints. Never had that happened before and never since. lol
@treborbraverhart Жыл бұрын
you should see the smile on my face seeing you play in that church !
@fedegilsola Жыл бұрын
Totally agree... but what about the feet? I find that the only way to match the low volume of my hands is to play heel down on the bass drum.
@RobBeatdownBrown Жыл бұрын
Heel down is a pretty safe bet, but controlling your volume heel up is actually pretty easy to do as well. I was heel up in this clip
@fedegilsola Жыл бұрын
@@RobBeatdownBrown Yeah, I could tell. Maybe you can show how you control volume heel up; I find it hard to do, especially if I'm not just doing one and three, or four-on-the-floor type stuff. Thanks for answering!
@thesmilingvagrants 10 ай бұрын
They needed you to play quieter but put an sm57 on the snare drum. Makes sense
@JJ79_ 8 ай бұрын
I've allways been doing my own sticks and easiest way to reduce the volume is to use 7A maple sticks and cut them shorter. They are still very playable but volume is instantly lower. There is lots of things that you can do but then you need advanced tools. But cutting them shorter from the backside and sanding the end round again does not need much.