How do I teach myself how to play the drums?

Question

I really want to learn how to play the drums, but I want to teach myself how to do it. Can anyone give me tips or places that can help me learn?

Answer 1

Hi,

I've been playing for roughly since I was about 8, I'm 44 now. The temptation is to jump in and expect everything to work. So, here's a strategy. Decide cross or match stick for holding your drumsticks. Match sticking is like each hand is holding a hammer. I play cross and match. I'm right handed, so I hold it like I would a 'hammer'. My LEFT hand I rest the drumstick across my palm, let the end rest between your thumb and pointer finger....the tip rests between my middle finger and ring finger. See BUDDY RICH on UTUBE video to see cross sticking, see his left hand. Start with a practice pad and 2B drumsticks. They are heavy but your developing the wrist muscles. There just three roll techniques. Single Strokes, Double Strokes and Para diddles. Start with single and double: Single Roll = RLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLR

DOUBLE:LLRRLLRRLLRRLLRRLLRRLLRRLLRRLLR

Your can change  starting hand too: LRLRLRLRL or RRLLRRLLRRLLRRLLRR.

KEY TRICK: It is common to use the entire ARM but watch the videos, everything comes from the WRIST. So, start slow and focus on these basic sticking techniques, get down to a smooth roll, only using your wrists.    30 minutes a day, over time your strokes will smooth out and become fluid. You WILL be choppy at first. If you intend to jump behind a kit, start with the Beatles/Stones and play simple and look for fluid movement in your playing. Smooth and fluid. Slow and easy keeps you from feeling frustrated

Answer 2

go to the library and get a video.  My dad gave me one, and it had alla the same stuff my instructor taught me.  It's hard, even with a teacher, but if you're determined, go for it!  There may be some youtube tutorials.

Answer 3

It depends how you want to learn. I have been teaching drums for a few years now, and I always teach using two different methods -

There are people who want to learn how to 'play' the drums. By this I mean, learn how to read sheet music, play rudiments, and build hand coordination.

However, the majoirty of begginers I teach want to just be able to start playing the music they like listening to, be it rock, metal, indy anything!

To teach this, I throw all the rudiments, sheet music etc out of the situation and start from beggining.

It's so simple it stupid!  I start these students with a simple 44 beat, which is learnt in the majority of cases within 5 mins! From this, they build on this beat, adding variation. This process gets impressive results FAST and always fuels students to continue playing more and more.

This method is by far the most common that self taught players use. I used this method and self taught myself for 5 years, in which time I had recorded 2 albums with my band, and played hundreds of gigs. I only really decided to learn the 'conventional' way so that I could teach and become a proffesional studio artist. Whats more, after 5 years of self teaching using this method, I passed everysingle drum grade exam within 6 months, as I had already self learned from playing by ear everything that was covered within the syllabus.

So, if you would like to play drums for pleasure rather than achievement and be able to sit on your kit infront of friends family, and wow them within a couple of weeks, I strongly suggest avoiding drum lessons involving grade teachings.

If you would like me to email you some very easy stuff to learn

and play, then drop me an email.

Hope this helps ( and sorry I've only just realised how much I've rambled on!)

Answer 4

There are some online websites that teach drums as well as many good video based programs. The key is to practice. You may also want to see if there are people from your local college or high school who want to teach drums. My husband and both sons are drummers.