From time to time I answer drumming and music related questions on the question & answer website Quora. I'm going to share a few of these answers with you here. If you have a question you'd like me to answer, ask away on Quora, Twitter or via email.

Here are a few things that help me optimise my practice time.

1. Schedule your practice
   Without a scheduled time each day practice can very quickly get relegated among other things. If it's important, add it to your calendar!

2. Have a specific goal
   Vague goals aren't helpful, so be specific. Specific goals are trackable goals. (see point three)

3. Use a metronome, and track tempos
   If you have a specific goal, for example to increase the speed of you single strokes from 150BPM to 200BPM. Write down the goal and your current limit. Each day you practice set your metronome and write down the tempo you practice at. Each day up the tempo slightly (one or two BPM is fine) and keep a record of the new tempo. This is a great way of tracking your progress and keeping yourself motivated. Every day you can see your goal getting closer and closer.

4. Record your practice
   Benny Greb is a huge proponent of this. If it's good enough for Benny, it's good enough for the rest of us! Video or audio is fine, just record your practice session and listen back whilst making notes on anything that you need to work on. You'll be amazed at the little things that go unnoticed whilst you practice!

5. Don't over do it
   I like to practice for 40 mins and then have a break. If I have time in my schedule I'll then do another 40. I've tried longer and shorter periods of time, but I find 40 minutes to be best for me. You might find a longer or shorter time works best for you, it's personal. Just don't wear yourself out mentally. Practicing for too long without a break will lead to diminishing returns.

Good luck and have fun!

Like many people, I was devastated to hear the news of David Bowie's death. He was an inspiration in so many ways; an incredibly talented performer, a brilliant songwriter, a real artist.

If you haven't listened to his last album 'Blackstar' yet, do so, it's fantastic. 

Here are few quotes that caught my eye over the last few weeks.

"When in doubt, listen to David Bowie. In 1968, Bowie was a gay, ginger, bonk-eyed, snaggle-toothed freak walking around south London in a dress, being shouted at by thugs. Four years later, he was still exactly that – but everyone wanted to be like him, too. If David Bowie can make being David Bowie cool, you can make being you cool. Plus, unlike David Bowie, you get to listen to David Bowie for inspiration. So you’re one up on him, really. You’re already one ahead of David Bowie." ~ Caitlin Moran

"Cameron Crowe: Since you put yourself first, do you consider yourself an original thinker?
Bowie: Not by any means. More like a tasteful thief. The only art I’ll ever study is stuff that I can steal from. I do think that my plagiarism is effective. Why does an artist create, anyway? The way I see it, if you’re an inventor, you invent something that you hope people can use. I want art to be just as practical. Art can be a political reference, a sexual force, any force that you want, but it should be usable. What the hell do artists want? Museum pieces? The more I get ripped off, the more flattered I get. But I’ve caused a lot of discontent, because I’ve expressed my admiration for other artists by saying, ‘Yes, I’ll use that,’ or, ‘Yes, I took this from him and this from her.’ Mick Jagger, for example, is scared to walk into the same room as me even thinking any new idea. He knows I’ll snatch it." (Playboy, September 1976)

"I've always felt bemused at being called the chameleon of rock. Doesn't a chameleon exert tremendous energy to become indistinguishable from its environment?" ~ David Bowie

I came across this fascinating article and podcast on the black market of illegal records made from used X-Rays in Soviet Russia. I highly recommend you have a read or listen.

"The records themselves were low-tech affairs, cut from their rectilinear forms into rough circles with scissors, then burned out in the center with a cigarette so they could be seated on turntables. Covert salesmen would sell them on the street, the “bone music” hidden within their trench coats."

Read more: www.99percentinvisible.org/episode/bone-music

Rolling Stone sums up this album pretty well...

Courtney Barnett makes it sound so insultingly easy — why aren't there three or four rock & roll singer-songwriter records this loose and frisky and funny and stout-hearted every year?

I first heard of Courtney Barnett a few weeks ago when I stumbled across her song Avant Gardener (a fantastic track from her 2013 EP 'The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas). I promptly discovered she had an album that was released earlier this year. It's definitely fun and frisky and possibly one of my favourite albums of the year. 

If you are only listen to one song make it this one. But, I suggest you give the whole album a spin. For your convenience, here it is on Spotify.

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If you are reading this you have stumbled upon my first blog post. So welcome to my website, I hope you enjoy your stay.

This afternoon, I popped by Punch Studios (Ipswich's best recording studio — I recommend it) to record drums for a track by local singer-songwriter Ian Parsons. Punch's studio engineer Harry Moore had the kit and mics set up, so I just strolled in like a rock star and played drums! I did have to my cymbals and snare on the kit, but close enough. It's rarely that quick and easy!

We recorded three or four takes and we were done. I look forward to sharing the track with you when it's finished.

Ross