I do a lot of FMQ and once I got the hang of it love it, it makes quilting so much faster and gives a lovely look to the finished quilt.
To drop, or not, the Feed dogs is an individual choice, you don't have to and as one member has already said you can get more control and even stitches by not doing so. I sometimes forget and don't find any difference.
I ALWAYS always start off a new FMQ quilting with a cleaned machine, new needle and polish the top of my table and machine. Their is no oil or colour in modern silicone based polishes like Pledge and it helps so much in moving the quilt.
There are no rules with stippling it is an individual choice and the only way to learn is to jump in with both feet and go for it. You do NOT have to have any special machines or gadgets, my favourite machine for FMQ is my old Singer as it is heavy n stable and the stitch I get from it is fabulous.
My first attempts at FMQ where on Totes and placemats as I found practising on odd bits of fabrics boring and because they were a project I enjoyed doing them. I still have my first Tote that I did it on and to me it looks fine. :thumbup: