It’s difficult to play the same thing on your drums over and over and still not be able to make it sound right. Have you had this happen recently?
Most drummers have been there, sitting behind the kit for what feels like hours, stuck on a groove, a fill, or an exercise that just won’t land the way it should. I’ve been through it too, and it’s one of the most frustrating parts of practice. No matter how badly you want to move forward, your hands and feet don’t always follow. Over time, I’ve found a few ways to manage this frustration and even use it to grow.
Slow It Down
One of the best things you can do is slow it down on your drums. And not just a little, play it super slow. I picked this up from Mike Johnston, who’s shared in many of his lessons that slowing things down as much as possible is the key to building the right muscle memory. When you play a groove or exercise at a tempo that feels almost uncomfortably slow, your brain has time to really understand what’s going on. You can catch the tiny mistakes that are messing up the flow, maybe the right hand is ahead of the snare, or the kick isn’t landing cleanly. At full speed, those details get buried. But slow it down, and everything is exposed. That’s a good thing.
The goal is to get so detailed that it feels strange. It might feel like you’re not making progress, but this is exactly how you rewire your technique. You’re building accuracy first, and speed will follow naturally. This kind of practice takes patience, but it pays off every time.
5-10m Breaks (Even When You Don’t Want To)
Another habit I recommend is taking 5–10 minute breaks during longer practice sessions. It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference. Just like you can’t sit in front of a computer and work for eight hours straight without burning out, you can’t expect to play drums nonstop and stay focused. When you hit a wall, don’t force your way through it. Step away. Grab a glass of water, stretch your legs, or just sit in silence for a few minutes. Reset your mind. You’d be surprised how often something clicks right after a short break, like your brain was still working on it in the background.
The Perfect Ending: Play Songs You Love
And finally, end your practice on the drums by playing along to music you love. This might be the most important tip of all that I picked up from my instructor in college, when minoring in music. After grinding through an exercise or rudiment that challenged you, reconnecting with the enjoyment of drumming can shift your whole mindset. Put on a song that reminds you of why you started playing in the first place. Play freely, without overthinking – even if you’re going crazy on the fills instead of staying in the pocket. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about feeling good. Doing this at the end of a session helps you leave the kit on a positive note instead of feeling frustrated.
Frustration is part of the process. It shows you care. But by learning how to manage it, you can keep moving forward without burning out.