Unless you have students, you don't need to explain it. When you do need to communicate, use drum-speak. My teachers along the way did it all the time. They would speak the beat they were trying to communicate using whatever sounds fit or relayed the sound or feel.

Chong-ka-chong, chong, chicka-chicka-chicka.... chong-ka-chong, chong, chicka-chicka-chicka....

Drum speak! Listen to Johnny Vidocovich:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO1A5_I4ub4[/ame]

I know you can do drum-speak. You're good to go... one of my coaches told me; 'If you can say it, you can play it!'

John

Yea I use the beatbox, ..most drummers can do it,..they just don`t know it !!

Mostly I`ll just tap it out on my knees and kick it out on the floor.

But those smartass kids come`n outta Berkley all talk in drum language I don`t ever understand. I sometimes hang out in that Square in the Summer. It makes ya feel stupid even when ya know their drumming sucks, and ya can beat `em up too !! I never thought drumming came with paperwork !!

Depends on what you want to do with it. If your goal (like some of those kids from Berklee,) is studio/session work, 'paperwork' is essential. If you can't read, you're dead in the water. Same goes for a lot of professional band work. Even common wedding bands will throw charts in front of you. But if all you want to do is play... no 'paperwork' needed.

Those kids from the Berklee music school have different goals and priorities than you do when it comes to music. 'They' shouldn't bother you. If it bothers -you- however, that you can't understand what they're talking about, then depending on how badly you want to understand, it's all up to you. The information, tutors, teachers, drum coaches are out there. Do whatever work is needed to get you from here, where you are now in your knowledge of music, to; whatever level of understanding you wish to attain.

Boom-lacka-lacka-lacka, Boom!

John

He should put that front cymbal behind him, it`s easier to reach !!

I`m one of those garrage band drummers that can`t read or write a note !!

I`ll never feel dead in the water,...but limited sure would fit !!

Oh yea,

Dit dit ..dut dut..do do..da da da da ...spshshsh !!

If it's a drum whack it. Have fun.

I think John's point is play by ear, feel the rhythm which you already do or you wouldn't be drumming at all. Steve Gadd had the benefit of learning paradiddles and all 40 rudiments with others, so there was a group dynamic and real accountability to play at a top level with rudiments and charts in a band that was huge!

Garage and club drummers have the benefit of jammin'! Jammin' is feeling the pulse of your mates on guitar, especially bass, emotion and love of rythymn.

You know what I'm talkin' about. John is saying if you want, take it up a notch and learn the basic rudiments, they're dynamite on the kit and bring crazy versatility.

RLRR LRLL RLRR LRLL Start slow and bring it up to speed...Jump For Joy

Our drum line teacher taught us paradiddle drum speak. When you play a paradiddle, say it in your head as you play each stroke, that is why its called a paradiddle...it has four strokes, so the word has four syllables. As you practice Say (in your head or out loud) "par" (1st stroke on right hand) "a" (2nd stroke on left hand) "diddle" (because its 2 ghost notes or a "diddle" on the 3rd and 4th strokes of your right hand) Then alternate. As you play and say it at the same time, drum speak helps muscle memory and you learn the rudiment. When you get up to speed, paradiddle drum speak changes to;

duck-a-duck-a-duck-a-duck-a-duck-a-

-kellyj

I am from a garage band backround made a couple of records got famous locally for like 3 seconds (the records sucked)and have always played in Jam bands, can not read a lick but I can play just about anything live I remember playing tunes on a 45rpm player about a million times to get a certain lick, it taught me to play by ear alot of times i play with a group of folks i have never met, we just play and after just a few min's you know where things are headed..

My wife still slaps my hands at the dinner table for playing out beats.. lol just can not stop the habit it is second nature now I ride in a car and play whole setlists lol

I love this guy!...one of the best teachers in the world. When I was in Mobile, my buddy Jimmy & a few other local guys would go in together on a couple hour session with him in New Orleans. Always regretted not joining them, they'd come back with that fire re-lit!

I drove my parents crazy with drum speak and playing rudiments on the back of the car seat. Could not stop playing.