Practicing Without Stopping

During drum lessons, it has been my experience that many people tend to stop after playing something that was not written — a mistake. This could be on the drum set or a snare drum piece. My take on this is that unless it’s the same mistake every time, don’t stop. Keep counting, concentrating, and make every effort to play the part correctly the next time around. I am a big fan of practicing as if I’m performing. Yes, mistakes do happen. Yet, in live performances most of the audience (and even some members of the band) will not hear the little things that we musicians think are big things. I am my own worst critic and I know other musicians who are also like me. I want to make things great and perfect, but we are all human. At this point, I am most concerned with music making as compared to getting down on myself for a mistake. I want my students to keep the big picture in mind at all times. Learn the rhythms, grooves and stickings, and keep going!