Atomic Habits for Drummers

Studying drums is not something that ever comes to an end - there is always something more to learn, always some very small thing to improve!

How can we maximise our potential? How can we attempt to ensure that we’re making the most of our practice time? How can we create an environment that encourages us?

I’ve been reading a book called “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, and it got me thinking about how we might apply some of the ideas in the book to our drumming.

I’ll talk at a high level about the motivation and then outline some of the ways you can make changes in order to develop your drumming habits.

There’s no way I can do justice to the book here without simply copying and pasting the whole text, so I’d highly recommend that you read the book as there’s so much in there that can improve the way you approach aspects of your life.

If you use the link above I get a very small kick-back that helps with the cost of running this site - but buy the book in any way you like.

The Aggregation of Marginal Gains

In his book “Atomic Habits”, the author outlines how small changes that seem unimportant will compound over time and achieve remarkable results if you’re willing to stick with them over time.

To illustrate his point, he goes on to talk about an English cycling coach who achieved major success due to ‘his relentless commitment to a strategy he referred to as “the aggregation of marginal gains”’ - searching for a tiny margin of improvement in everything that we do.

Further, James claims that if we improve by 1 percent each day, that in a year, we’d end up thirty-seven times better.

Sounds pretty good to me.

So…What Sort of Things Can We Do?

Glad you asked.

I’m about to outline twelve things you can start to do in order to apply some of the concepts in the book. As I say, I can’t possibly explain all of the concepts here - so read the book if you can - but hopefully it should all still make sense.

As with everything - take what you need and use what works.

12 Suggestions To Improve Your Drumming Habits

Here we go…

1. Start with small, incremental improvements

Focus on making tiny, manageable changes to your drumming practice. These small improvements will compound over time, leading to significant progress.

This is the concept we talked about earlier.

Whether you decide to go back to basics and work on your technique, focus on improving your dynamics or whatever it is, look for small ways you can improve those things.

If it’s dynamics, play very softly but ensure everything is controlled - slow it right down if you need to.

If you’re working on rudiments or doing pad work - watch the tip of the stick, focus on the basics - are the sticks the same height? Do you have a consistent sound between hands?

Get creative and focus on executing well - don’t accept sloppiness in the pursuit of speed.

2. Habit stacking

Link new drumming habits to existing routines. For example, you could practice a specific rudiment immediately after having your morning coffee or perform a warm-up routine before every practice session.

The idea here is that you already have habits in your daily routine, so you can “piggyback” new habits onto the existing ones, which makes them much more likely to stick longer term.

3. Use clear cues

Design your environment to trigger drumming habits. Set up your drum kit in a visible location, keep your practice pad and drumsticks accessible, or set a daily reminder on your phone for practice time.

If you can see these things and they’re present in your day-to-day life, you’re much more likely to take action.

4. Make it attractive

Associate drumming practice with positive emotions and experiences. For instance, reward yourself after a productive practice session or listen to your favorite drummers for inspiration before practicing.

If you’re not enjoying yourself, come back to it. There’s always tomorrow - everyone has frustrating days.

Don’t be hard on yourself - you’re doing this because you enjoy it, right?

5. Make it easy

Remove barriers to practicing by having a dedicated practice space, preparing your practice materials in advance, and breaking your practice sessions into smaller, focused tasks.

I recognise that this is not a luxury that everyone has, but if you can set aside a practice space (even if it’s some corner of a room) then this can help.

6. Make it satisfying

Track your progress to visualize improvements in your drumming skills. Keep a practice journal, record your playing, or share your achievements with supportive friends or mentors.

I keep digital notes on all of my lessons with my drum teacher - my memory is terrible, and having those records allows me to reflect on what I’ve learned without forgetting the important parts, as well as acting as inspiration to go back and cover previous exercises and lessons from time to time.

7. Implement the two-minute rule

When motivation is low, commit to practicing for just two minutes. Often, this brief period is enough to build momentum and encourage you to continue practicing.

If you’re still not feeling it after two minutes (most of the time I find that I am), then you can leave it and still know that you practiced for two minutes.

It’s all about consistency.

8. Focus on systems, not goals

Instead of setting specific goals, like mastering a certain drumming technique, focus on creating a consistent practice routine and gradually improving your skills.

The book advocates that we achieve long-term success and resilience to challenges by focussing on our systems and processes (including our habits) rather than a set of goals.

Whilst goals can be great, they do have drawbacks such as creating additional pressure and stress, and once they are achieved, the excitement can fade.

Instead, develop systems and processes to become more consistent, more motivated and more adaptable.

9. Use habit tracking

Keep track of your practice sessions by marking them on a calendar, using a habit-tracking app, or logging your practice hours. This can provide motivation and help you maintain consistency.

I try to log my drumming time as it gives me a sense of pride when I can see that I carried out what I committed to and I can feel improvements.

10. Be patient and persistent

Building solid drumming habits takes time and dedication. Embrace the process, and don't get discouraged by setbacks or slower-than-expected progress.

This can be really difficult, but to be honest, it’s part and parcel of anything in life. There are no shortcuts.

11. Emphasize mastery over performance

Focus on developing a deep understanding of drumming techniques and musicality, rather than merely playing complex patterns or aiming for speed.

I’ve heard this so many times in drumming - my drum teacher tells me this, and Tommy Igoe emphasises it often.

We’re trying to build our skills to enable us to comfortably play the music that we intend to, not to be able to play ratamacues at 240bpm (although kudos if you can do that)

12. Reflect and refine

Regularly evaluate your practice habits, assess your progress, and adjust your approach as needed. This iterative process can help you identify areas for improvement and maintain motivation.

Adapt as needed - look at what’s working and what isn’t. Can you make minor adjustments to get those long-term gains?

Go forth, and Habitualise!

I’ll be honest - I wasn’t sure if “habitualise” was a word, but it turns out it is so we’re good.

By applying the 12 concepts from James Clear's "Atomic Habits," drummers can develop strong practice routines, effective habits, and a growth mindset, fostering long-term improvement and success.

Adopting the principles can greatly enhance your drumming journey. By focusing on small, consistent improvements, and by designing an environment that supports your practice, you will create a solid foundation for success. Embrace the power of habit and system-driven growth, and you will unlock your full potential as a drummer.

Stay persistent, be patient, and most importantly, enjoy the process of growth and learning. Remember, every great drummer started from the same place as you. It's the habits they developed and the systems they put in place that have led them to mastery. So, implement these concepts, and start taking steps toward becoming the drummer you aspire to be.

Happy drumming!