Every drummer experiences it. That strange, quiet stretch where you keep showing up, but it feels like you’re not getting anywhere. You’ve been practising, going through the motions, trying new things, but something’s missing. Your progress has slowed. You feel stuck. That’s the drumming plateau. To be fair, it happens with any instrument!
It shows up in different ways for different players. For some, it’s a lack of motivation. For others, it’s feeling like every beat sounds the same. Either way, it’s frustrating. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t mean you’re not improving. It means you need to shift gears as a drummer.
The basics matter the most
Start with the basics. Seriously, go back to the beginning as a drummer. Take out your practice pad and run through your rudiments. Singles, doubles, paradiddles. Focus on your grip. Listen to your strokes. Slow everything down. These small drills, you probably rushed through when you were starting out? Getting back to them resets your hands and your head.
Songs and their power
Next, turn on a song you love. Not a technical track. Not a drumless play-along. Just music you enjoy. Sit behind the kit and play along, nothing fancy, no pressure. It’s one of the easiest ways to shake that fog off and actually practice some of the patterns you’re struggling with naturally. Even if you’re working on a tricky fill or a weird timing pattern, doing it while playing to music that moves you makes a difference.
Playing amongst an audience
Another thing that works? Playing with real people. Jamming as a drummer with a friend or sitting in with a band, even if it’s informal, does something that solo practice just can’t. When you’re alone, it’s easy to get stuck in your head, second-guessing every hit or mistake. But when you play with others, you have to respond. You’re part of the music, and you remember why all the practice matters. And in those moments, your instincts take over. It makes it easier to reset yourself and practice what you’ve been working on.
What’s interesting is, once you’ve had that experience, playing live, reacting to someone else’s groove, you come back to your own practice with new energy. Things you struggled with suddenly feel easier. You’re not just playing patterns anymore. You’re making music.
So, if you’re in a slump, don’t panic. It’s not a sign that you’re done improving. It’s just part of the cycle. Revisit the basics. Play the music that first got you hooked. Get out of your room and connect with others. These aren’t just tips, they’re habits that keep your playing alive and evolving.
The plateau passes. It always does. You just have to keep yourself moving and don’t get stuck in a rut for too long.