How do I start learning drums?

Question

I'd like some tips from those experienced. What's the best way to start: just practicing snare, or whole drumset? I can't afford to take lessons. When does the total limb independence come? How long does it take to develop really fast hands (16-note beats)? What's the best way to develop technique? Your methods that work best?

Answer 1

Rock Band is not a bad idea. Although easy is far too easy, at the Expert level you are basically playing the track from the song on the small drum kit.  The kick pedal is kind of flimsy, but the game will definately get you motivated to play, and you'll probably start wanting to play on a real set...

Answer 2

go set. totally. and yeah for drums lessons are definitely a big necessity. sorry

Answer 3

lessons, though expensive, are the best way to go in the long run.. you dont want to teach yourself something thats incorrect, then get too in the habit to ever fix it.

Answer 4

first buy "rock band'

Answer 5

You could try looking up drum lessons for starters/beginners on youtube.

Answer 6

Well...

You could start a couple of different ways.

1. A whole drum set will teach you how to learn limb independence. So, I do advise learning on the whole kit if you can get one. Because you will have more freedom and movement on it too. You can ALWAYS work on your snare stroke rolls later as you progress in your playing. Being a excellent drummer is all about keeping solid time in songs...

Fine...it's cool & fun to show off once in a while with drum fills...but you've got to do your main job as a drummer. Your job as a drummer is to keep solid time in your songs...period.

2 . You can use Youtube vids if you want...but I really would advise buying a easy beginner $5 or $10 basic "how to drum" book so you learn the basic rudiments like  : stroke rolls, flams, buzz rolls, paradiddles, double paradiddles and etc. This way you can learn at your own pace.

3. Honestly, I learned the hard way. I didnt learn how to drum sheet music  At 16..I jumped into drumming like an animal without knowing what I was doing on the drum kit.  Like jumping in a pool and not knowing how to swim is basically what I did 20 years ago. I had fun discovering the drums and trying out different drum patterns in rock and metal drumming.  I didnt take any drum lessons until 1999 and that lasted a few times really.

4. Your speed and tempos will take time...doing 32 and 64th notes will definitely take time and you really get into daily priatice on the kit. It took me many, many years to finally get the 32 and some 64th notes down solid in drumming....both with feet and with hands. When I was 16...I practiced drumming to cassestte tapes 2 hours a day for 7 days a week.  So I was drumming like 14 hours a week...which is basically 56 hours a month straight.  I didnt have a job at the time till I was 18  so all I did then was play drums over and over to learn the grooves, the beats, the drum solos.

It wasnt boring to me because I was soaking up so much so fast I didnt care and just wanted to learn more complicated styles & beats, timing and etc.

5. Alsdo, learn other drumming styles too like Rock, metal, Rap, Disco, Freestyle, Jazz, Techno, Salsa, Ska, Punk, and etc. I did...yes...my foudation is rock and metal drumming....BUT I did learn all those other styles too as a drummer for variety, for fun and for challenge. All those various styles have some great grooves and beats to teach you as a drummer. They are also so much fun to mix it up too while you are learning too.  

Hope this helps and have fun drumming

Here are some killer drum links to check out

www.midwestpercussion.com

www.westcoastdrumcenter.com

www.paiste.com

www.tama.com

www.ddrum.com

www.promarkdrumsticks.com

Enjoy!