The Obvious Answer: Why Your Practice Problem Is Simpler Than You Think

Why We Overlook the Obvious

Here's the paradox: the most obvious problems are often the hardest to spot. Why?

1. You're Too Close to the Problem

When you're in the middle of struggling with something, your brain goes into problem-solving mode. You start thinking about technique, coordination, timing, mental focus—all the complex variables.

Meanwhile, the actual issue is something basic: your throne is too low, your stick is hitting the cymbal stand, your foot is sliding off the pedal.

You can't see the obvious because you're looking for something complicated.

2. You Assume the Problem Must Be Internal

Most drummers assume that if they're struggling, it's because they're doing something wrong with their technique.

So they analyse their grip, their stroke, their timing, their independence.

But sometimes the problem isn't you. It's your setup. It's your environment. It's something external and mechanical.

You're looking inward when you should be looking outward.

3. You're Embarrassed to Admit It's That Simple

Once you realise the problem is something obvious—like "my arm keeps hitting the snare without realising"—there's a moment of realisation.

"Oh! That was it?!"

Yes. And that's completely normal.

Obvious problems are easy to overlook precisely because they're obvious. Your brain dismisses them as "too simple to be the issue."

The Most Common "Obvious" Problems I See

Here are the glaringly obvious problems that students regularly miss:

Setup Issues

• Throne too high/low: Changes your reach, balance, and foot control
• Drums positioned badly: You're stretching or leaning awkwardly to reach certain pieces
• Cymbal stands in the way: Your arms or sticks are colliding with hardware
• Pedals sliding: Your bass drum or hi-hat pedal isn't stable

How to spot it: If something feels physically awkward, check your setup before analysing your technique.

Physical Obstacles

• Your arm hits the snare rim on the way to another drum
• Your stick hits a cymbal stand during a fill
• Your elbow knocks into something when you reach for the ride cymbal
• Your foot slides off the pedal because your shoe grip is poor

How to spot it: Play the problem section in slow motion and watch your body. Where's the physical collision happening?

Looking at the Wrong Drum

• You're trying to hit the floor tom but your eyes are glued to the snare
• You're reaching for the crash but you're looking at your hands, not the cymbal
• You're playing a fill around the kit but you're staring at one spot

How to spot it: Where are your eyes? Are you looking at what you're trying to hit?

Tension from Unrelated Sources

• You're tensing your shoulders because you're concentrating hard (mental tension creating physical tension)
• You're gripping the sticks tighter when the fill gets tricky (anticipatory tension)
• You're holding your breath during challenging sections (restricts movement)

How to spot it: Check your breathing, shoulders, and grip. Are you creating unnecessary tension?

The Key to Endless Creativity: Knowing What's Blocking You

Here's something most drummers don't realise: creativity isn't about having more ideas. It's about removing the obstacles that prevent ideas from flowing.

When students tell me "I don't know what to play," the problem isn't lack of ideas. It's that something is blocking access to their ideas.

Common creative blocks:

• Physical limitation: "I can't play this fast enough, so I avoid trying"
• Mental limitation: "I'm not creative, so I don't even attempt to improvise"
• Technical limitation: "I don't know how to play this sticking, so I stick to what I know"
• Fear of mistakes: "If I try something new, I'll mess up, so I play it safe"

The solution isn't to "get more creative." It's to identify and remove the block.

Example: The Fast Fill Block

Student wants to play faster fills but feels stuck.

The block: They tense up above 120 BPM because they're trying to force speed.

The solution: Slow down to 100 BPM. Focus on relaxation. Gradually increase tempo as tension stays low.

Result: Within a few weeks, they're playing at 140 BPM with control—not because they "got faster," but because they removed the tension block.

Example: The Creativity Block

Student says "I can't think of anything interesting to play."

The block: They're judging their ideas before they play them. "That's boring. That's stupid. That won't sound good."

The solution: Play anything without judgement for 2 minutes. Record it. Listen back. Identify one phrase they liked. Build from there.

Result: They realise they do have ideas—they were just blocking themselves from accessing them.

The key to creativity is identifying what's blocking you, then removing the block.

How to Spot Your Own "Obvious" Problems

Most students need a teacher to point out the obvious issues. But you can train yourself to spot them.

Here's how:

1. Slow Down and Watch

Play the problem section at half speed. Watch your body in a mirror or record yourself.

Ask: Is anything physically colliding? Are you reaching awkwardly? Is something in the way?

2. Isolate One Variable at a Time

Don't change everything at once. Test one thing:

• Try it with a different stick grip
• Adjust your throne height slightly
• Move one drum closer/further
• Change your foot position on the pedal

Ask: Did that single change fix it? If not, revert and try the next variable.

3. Ask "What's the Simplest Explanation?"

Before diving into complex technique analysis, ask: "What's the most obvious thing this could be?"

• Am I hitting something?
• Am I looking at the wrong place?
• Is my setup wrong?
• Am I tensing unnecessarily?

Nine times out of ten, the simplest explanation is correct.

For Teachers: Point Out the Obvious (Even When It Feels Too Simple)

As a teacher, I've learned that students rarely see the obvious problems—even when they're glaringly visible.

Don't assume students will figure it out themselves. Point it out directly:

"Your left arm is hitting the snare rim." "You're looking at the wrong drum." "Your throne is too low—that's why your knees feel awkward."

It's not condescending. It's exactly what they need.

Once you point it out, they'll say "Oh! Yeah!" and the problem disappears.

The obvious answer is usually where the answer lies.

The Bottom Line

Most drumming problems have simple, obvious solutions.

You're not seeing them because:

• You're too close to the problem
• You're looking for something complicated
• You assume the issue must be internal (technique) when it's external (setup)

How to find the obvious answer:

1. Slow down and watch yourself
2. Check for physical collisions or awkward positioning
3. Isolate one variable at a time
4. Ask "What's the simplest explanation?"

The key to endless creativity: Identify what's blocking you, then remove the block. You don't need more ideas—you need to clear the obstacles preventing ideas from flowing.

Next time you're stuck on something, don't overthink it.

Look for the obvious answer first. It's probably right in front of you.

Stuck on a problem that seems unsolvable? Let's identify the obvious solution you're missing and get you unstuck. Contact me for drum lessons in Bristol