A common assumption about electronic drums is that as a player, you will lose the ability to express yourself as easily as you can on acoustic drums. In this article we discuss V-Drum Techniques including some advantages you will enjoy playing an electronic kit.
Contributed by Simon Ayton for the Roland Australia Blog
With acoustic drums and cymbals, sounds can vary dramatically. This depends on many factors, which include drum material, size, drum depth, head type, tension/pitch and muffling. And that’s not to mention snare buzz and the actual character of the room itself!
However, you may be pleased to know that not only are all of these elements adjustable with V-Drums, but you can still use many of the same techniques that you use on your acoustic drums.
V-Drums also allow for completely new techniques, some of which are just not possible on an acoustic instrument. For example, a hit ‘n’ hold choke. This involves hitting an electronic cymbal and holding the stick on the cymbal edge in order to kill the cymbal sustain. This is impossible with an acoustic cymbal.
Here are some things to try the next time you visit a drum shop.
V-Drums Crash Cymbal Playing
In this series of techniques, we look at Chokes, Swells and Bow Hits. Bow Hits involve striking the bow of the cymbal, located between the bell and the edge.
V-Drums Hi-Hat Playing
A Foot Splash and Close is a classic jazz hi-hat pedal technique. It involves gently opening the hi-hats to produce a splash cymbal sound. Also in this series we look at Bow Hit with Foot Pressure, which involves striking the hats while slowly opening them from closed to produce variances.
V-Drums Kick Drum Playing
In this video we examine the variances in Soft Hit and Hard Hits on the kick drum, as well as how they translate on an electronic kit.
V-Drums Ride Cymbal Playing
As an important part of the cymbal choices available to a drummer, the ride has a lot of playing options. In this video we examine a few techniques for the ride cymbal, including Bell Hit with Shank, which involves striking the cymbal with the edge of the stick, as opposed to the tip of the stick.
V-Drums Snare Drum Playing
The snare drum is a vital part of the drum kit and has many techniques associated with it. Among those found in this video, we look at the Stick Drop Buzz. This technique produces a roll effect by dropping the stick on the snare and allowing for natural bounce.
V-Drums Tom Playing
Toms techniques can add punch to a drum performance, particularly a Rim Shot, which involves striking the head and the rim of the tom simultaneously.
Recommended Articles
Expanding and Customising Your V-Drums
Performing Live with V-Drums and Electronic Percussion
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