So far I’ve only encountered some very basic drum fills in the songs I’ve been learning but they’ve still presented somewhat of a challenge to me as a new drummer. One of things that has posed a problem for me is figuring out which hands should hit which drums in the course of a fill. Sometimes I find it easier to use an alternating (RLRL or LRLR) technique and other times it seems easier to use sort of a hybrid technique (RRL or LLR, etc.). For instance, in a sixteenth/sixteenth/eighth fill, I’ve sometimes found it easier to hit the toms RRL as opposed to RLR. In some fills, I’ve found it useful to learn the fill multiple ways and then pick which way sounds best. It’s tempting to choose the method which makes the fill easier to play, but I’ve tried to go with the option that sounds most like the recording. So far, I’ve run into this issue in Don’t Tread On Me and in the fill that leads into the tom outro in Enter Sandman. Learning the rudiments has helped me quite a bit as they cover every conceivable hand pattern and allow you to more easily play the fills in multiple ways.
Well, I know now why Lars Ulrich (and other drummers I’m sure) wrap their fingers with tape when they play 3 hour sets. Since I’ve been getting back into my daily drum lessons, I’ve developed some bitchin’ blisters on my right hand from the wear and tear of hitting the hi-hat. The one at the base of my index finger actually burst the other day while I was playing Enter Sandman. As blood flowed down the sticks, I felt like it was a true metal (\m/) moment. At least until I went upstairs, used my pinky to dab some antibiotic ointment onto the leaking mess and put a pretty little band-aid on the thing. I’m sure a true metal drum god would have let the blood flow and perhaps smeared it on his cheeks while playing. In any case, I’m now taping my hands (at least my right one) when I play and soldiering on. Back to practicing, will post again soon.
, it's the exact same drum kit that I am teaching myself to play on. Check it out if you want to learn to play drums at home too...it's awesome and Amazon always has the lowest price for it. I did a ton of research before I bought it.