View Moeller Technique Tutorial / Lesson Part 1
Here is a quick tutorial / lesson on Moeller Technique as popularised by Sanford Moeller. Be sure to check out Part 2!
View Moeller Technique Tutorial / Lesson Part 2
I wanted to go over my method of combining Moeller Technique with Finger Control in more detail. I have a few videos demonstrating this and have a received a few emails asking about it so here it is. Sadly I can’t give you free sheet music for the exercises in this video just yet as they will be featured in the instructional Drum Book I am currently writing. More details on my drum book can be found here.
If you have any questions, please email me and hopefully I can help.
Please excuse the video quality. High quality videos coming soon...
Good lesson, nice hands! (via YouTube)
Hi, im begginer in drums, and i was trying to play transmission, by joy division… so, your video was the first one that really teach how to play that 16 notes without have to play every little note… so, thank you very much… anyway, i think i have some questions… to play transmission, should i use the triplets, rebound of 4 or rebound of 2?! U can answer here in youtube… thank u very much, u r an terrific drummer… (via YouTube)
Thanks for watching mate and for your kind words. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that particular song so I can’t really answer your question. But hopefully this technique will help you to find a comfortable way of playing this song.
Perhaps you could try searching google for the drum part to the song or find a video on youtube of someone playing it? (via YouTube)
No, don’t use triplets…transmission is played w/ 16ths on the hi-hat. You will be playing ‘singles’…don’t get confused about this technique (moeller is actually playing 3 hits in one stroke—1 = down (back to top), 2 = tap (back to top), 3 = another stroke as you lift the stick away from head). Do this slowly and it becomes more subtle as speed increases.
FYI, 16ths on HH, let sticks bounce to top of your stroke…set metronome @ slow tempo, get it feeling good, then
go faster! (via YouTube)
Moeller doesnt have to be three notes man, it can be any. It’s about the motion not the notes.
This whole three notes for one pumping thing is something that you can do USING moeller, but it’s not the whole thing! (via YouTube)
You are correct. Chapin recommends starting out with triplets to understand the feel/motion/mechanics. (via YouTube)
Good video. Question would be how to get to the point where you are playing 4 notes at say 115 to 118 per quarter where it really blazes. I’m at 95 per quarter, with 4 notes and feel tension when I’m trying to get the whip. I have the whip action under my hands but hitting a wall at 95 to 100 per quarter. (via YouTube)
I’d say its a practice thing but also, I’ll share with you a quote that I was pretty much taught to live my drumming life by:
“Tension of any form, be it physical, emotional or otherwise; cramps the drummer’s style forcing them to slow down” – Chuck Kerrigan (via YouTube)
I would aim to avoid the tension and try to focus on relaxation when you feel the tension creep in. My teacher always reminds me that we’re practicing to make things easier, not to make them faster, more complicated or powerful. When something becomes easier, it naturally becomes faster etc and feels comfortable at the same time.
It sounds like the tension you are experiencing is making the technique harder to do and is causing a speed barrier for you. Good luck!
Thanks for watching dude! (via YouTube)
vacar (via YouTube)
Good lesson but I have to say I’m pretty sure you’re wrong about Chapin. That’s not how he played it at all. He said “moeller does not RELY on rebound”. The keyword is Rely, he never said dont use it. If there was rebound there (like on a snare or pad) I guarentee you he used all of it – he just ment when you get the tech sorted it works anywhere (on the toms or even your legs).
Other than that great stuff though! (via YouTube)
Sorry I meant to say rely. This was in response to a question I received by email where I was asked which is better, rebound or not? I thought I would make a video where I could show the pros and cons of both methods. Apologies for the mis quote and thanks for watching! (via YouTube)
@ninjadrummist but I mean – the way you demonstrate chapin’s version isn’t how I’ve seen him do it. Check out the vid “Jim Chapin on the moeller technique” and about 2:30 in he demonstrates it one stroke at a time and emphasises always “flying back” – pretty much how Pope and your second version go. I know for me this flyback was a real breakthrough! What you reckon? Anyways keep doing what you’re doing you’ve got some great lessons (via YouTube)
I do have a slightly different variation on chapins method I spose. Mine looks similar to the way my teacher does it. But I do allow the “fly back” to happen when I’m playing at medium to fast speeds in the video with either method. Cheers for the heads up as I’ve just noticed I didn’t mention this in the slower demonstrations.
Thanks mate! (via YouTube)
Hey, I’m a month in a half into learning how to play, this video has been the best in teaching the Moeller technique! I’m reading music, but my stick speed hasn’t quite gotten as fast yet in the left hand. This is my medicine!
Thanks great Job! (via YouTube)