[Jared Falk]

This is the *official* discussion thread for the Moeller Method Secrets pack.

Moeller Method Secrets « click this link to learn more about the Moeller Method Secrets DVD at MoellerMethod.com.

Use the "Add Reply" button above to post your questions or comments.

[Poco Askew]

This is where every drummer should start. Learn the correct grip and stroke techniques in slow motion. This gives you the right start for everything else you'll ever do on the drums (with your hands). Some drummers ignore the dynamics of playing - much of what they do is all played about the same, missing the opportunity to add an extra dimension to their drumming. Finger and wrist development add that dimension and level of control. They help with any style of music, and in any kind of beat, fill or learning exercise.

This is not about learning to read music or new fills. Its all about technique. Use MM with DRS and RDS, and you have a complete triple-play beginning to drums on the top of your kit. RDS has plenty of foot work, but throw in BDS and you have double bass and heel-toe covered, as well.

If you're wondering where to start when learning to play the drums, MM is it.

This post has been edited by Poco Askew: 22 December 2008 - 08:43 AM

[maximus5150]

I accidentally put my review for the DRS system here. But here is my take on the MM.

MM has been a great addition to my drumming training. To have the knowledge of how to hit the drum most efficiently using this method is huge. I can't imagine how difficult it would be at this point if I had to break my very inefficient strokes, I'm very happy I got this pack early on. When I finally started feeling comfortable using this method I noticed a feeling of fluidity when playing.

This post has been edited by maximus5150: 22 December 2008 - 11:46 AM

[andy carruthers]

hi guys having seen the the moeller method put into practice by mike ,i would more than recomend it for any drummer who needs to improve,watching mike at the kit is truly insperational and well worth a buy just for that,so if you have not got it go and get it and enjoy watching a top pro at work, long may mike prosper good health wealth and happines to him,all the best andy

[Drumwood]

Anyone seen this DVD and JoJo Mayer's Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer? I'd be interested in hearing what the differences are.

[JTal]

 Poco Askew, on Dec 22 2008, 09:34 AM, said:

This is where every drummer should start. Learn the correct grip and stroke techniques in slow motion. This gives you the right start for everything else you'll ever do on the drums (with your hands). Some drummers ignore the dynamics of playing - much of what they do is all played about the same, missing the opportunity to add an extra dimension to their drumming. Finger and wrist development add that dimension and level of control. They help with any style of music, and in any kind of beat, fill or learning exercise.

This is not about learning to read music or new fills. Its all about technique. Use MM with DRS and RDS, and you have a complete triple-play beginning to drums on the top of your kit. RDS has plenty of foot work, but throw in BDS and you have double bass and heel-toe covered, as well.

If you're wondering where to start when learning to play the drums, MM is it.

Will get this one, thanks for the tip

[Kaneda]

Aaargh, trying to get my hands doing paradiddles using the up, down and tap strokes is hard, but I'm getting there.

Anyway, the excersise for developping your finger control that you show near the start, when I do it, the stick always moves so that my fingers edge closer to the back end of the stick. Is my grip wrong? Or does this happen with everyone? My grip looks right as far as I can tell...

[topdog63]

I got the BDS and the RDS. I found that what I need work on more than my bass control is my hands. I'm going to be taking advantage of the 90 day guarantee and sending the BDS back, I'll buy it at a later time, and getting MM. I've heard great things and I want my drumming to be more fluid and controlled and from what I've read, this will help me acomplish that. My main goal right now is a little left hand independance, I have decent independance and speed with the bass already.

[CJohn364]

 Poco Askew, on Dec 22 2008, 09:34 AM, said:

This is not about learning to read music or new fills. Its all about technique. Use MM with DRS and RDS, and you have a complete triple-play beginning to drums on the top of your kit. RDS has plenty of foot work, but throw in BDS and you have double bass and heel-toe covered, as well.

Well, said. I've been working on RDS and will be getting MM at the end of the month. BDS, DRS and DPA will also be added later.

[Scorpian3]

Waiting patiently for Moeller and drum playalongs.
Actually that's a lie, I'm watching for the postman.

[CJohn364]

I gonna order the MM either today or this weekend. I can't wait.

[Baterinha]

Hi, I bought the DVD within the special promotion, that should come with a few bonuses like Jared~s Rudiment DVD and Lock grip, but I go the DVD at home without the bonueses and when I called the RailRoad #, they told me I should download it, so I just want to make sure that this is right, thx

[Poco Askew]

RRM knows their products better than anyone else. If RRM said to download them, that's what I'd do.

[Baterinha]

thx Poco

[topdog63]

I got the MM pack a few weeks ago and I'm really having trouble with the finger control. I can't get my left hand to cooperate while trying singles. I've been doing the excercise that Mike shows where he holds the stick next to his head but, I havent seen any improvement. In my left hand the stick just wants to move more side to side than up and down. Any ideas on how to correct this?

[Mr Ected]

 Poco Askew, on Dec 22 2008, 09:34 AM, said:

If you're wondering where to start when learning to play the drums, MM is it.

I disagree, the Moeller Method is fairly advanced and for someone just learning and is sure to cause frustration. I agree that it's will dramatically improve playing but saying somebody should start with the Moeller Method is like saying someone should start guitar by doing two-hand-tapping techniques.

I'm not sure how this DVD is setup but I would say that somebody should start by learning proper grip, move on to learning the free stroke, basic rudiments (flam, drag, singles, doubles), etc. I'm sure grip is covered in this DVD but it seems like a beginner should start with something that isn't centered around a fairly advanced technique.

Of course, since I don't actually own the DVD so maybe I'm talking out of my arse, but when I first started I know my hands were far away from mastering the Moeller and even attempting that would cause frustration.

That being said, yes the Moeller method is amazing, once you've learned a few other things first.

This post has been edited by Mr Ected: 09 February 2010 - 04:46 PM

[Poco Askew]

I disagree with your disagreement and I do own MM.

I never said it should be the only thing a beginner practices. But of all the RRM DVDs, I believe it sets the foundation for proper stroke (no you won't have mastered it, but you can be practicing it in all the exercises you do). RRM doesn't offer a DVD lesson just on grip or I'd start there. Obviously a beginner should also learn to read, count, and work on some simple beats and independence. I wouldn't recommend a beginner do only rudiments, only counting, or any other narrow area of drumming. Any of them would become tedious. I'm all for a well-rounded drumming education.

BTW, MM does do a very good job of covering proper grip, hand position, fulcrum and balance point. It covers American, French, German and traditional grips, as well as finger control. If it doesn't provide a good base to practice for everything else you do, I don't know what does.

This post has been edited by Poco Askew: 10 February 2010 - 06:22 AM

[tamajama]

Not to mention just being aware of the Moeller Method and what it can do to your drumming is very motivating. I would have at least liked my drum teacher to mention something about it but after three years I still had no clue. Now I feel it would have helped in my early stages to get a better feel for applying the accents and rebounds in a sound way.

I don't see it as an advanced concept but rather a foundational one that should be learned as early on as possible. The student who really wants to learn fast will spend some time learning the MM in conjuction with the normal basics. Mastering it is just a matter of time.

I'm not a drum teacher but if I did teach someone drums, I would put a high priority on proper grip and free stroke with an exercise similar to:

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

I think a good name for it would be "The Wax On, Wax Off" exercise. Mr. Miyagi anyone? The student would need to learn to do it at thee different sound levels low, medium, loud again with each hand. I would check to see how they were comming along with this exercise on virtualy every lesson until I was sure they were catching on.

The goal being to do the exercise as efficiently as possible at a slow speed to start with. Why start learning beats and different patterns with bad technique? If you get the basic free stroke down with each hand independently then all those rudiments and other drum beats will be easier to practice with good technique.

*****Teach all the basics here******

Later on in the training then spring the MM on them to see how that very same pattern can be achieved with accents on every third note, every fourth note, etc...

[Mr Ected]

Fair enough on both posts above.

I do agree that the Moeller is a foundational technique, it's just one of the more advanced foundation techniques IMO. As far as strokes are concerned I would start with the free stroke, then move to push-pull and then finally to the Moeller technique as it seems to naturally flow that way.

I wasn't aware of how in depth the DVD goes, so that's good that he covers all of the basics!

How does his treatment of the Moeller technique in this system compare with Jojo Mayers Secret Weapons? I might consider checking out this system, but I'm not sure if there's too much overlap.

[Kol]

Jojo Mayer's Secret Weapons goes into wayyyy more detail about different techniques for playing with one/two hands. Moeller Method Secrets talks about the grips and the different sorts of strokes but if I recall correctly, doesn't talk too much about getting multiple bounces out of your stroke, just getting power for one stroke. Moeller Method Secrets in my opinion is directed more at beginners who want a good foundation for learning while Jojo Mayer's is for people who want to really get into it and learn everything there is out there.