Learn to Play Drums - Top Tips to Get You Started

Set-up- When starting to learn to play drums it is essential to set up the kids drum set properly, to ensure that all the drums and cymbals are comfortably within reach and at the correct height to avoid over reaching. The snare drum should be positioned between the legs at about waist height when sitting. The high-hat just to the left of the snare with the cymbals about 4" above the snare. The high tom tom(s) in front and slightly above the snare sloping towards you and the Floor tom tom on your right at the same height as the snare.

Tuning - Like any other instrument a kids drum kit needs to be tuned to give the best sound. Starting with the base drum, which should be tuned to low E by adjusting the tension of the lugs around the rim. Next is the floor tom tom followed by the high tom tom(s) so that the sound of each drum is slightly higher than the last. The snare drum has a sound all of its own, created by the coiled wires stretched across the bottom skin. Be careful not to over tighten the top skin as this will reduce the natural bounce of the stick.

Dampening - Most base drums and tom toms on a kids drum kit will produce a noticeable ring when struck, which can be very annoying and detract from the overall sound. I would recommend using felt strips stretched across and under the top skins (you will need to remove the top skins to do this). This will help to absorb the ring and give a satisfying thump when played.

Practice - When you learn to play drums, don't try to run before you can walk, it will take time and a lot of practice to become proficient. Start slowly just getting used to the base peddle and high-hat. Play 4 beats to the bar with the base peddle and 2 beats on the high-hat, the 2 & 3rd beat. Then introduce the snare drum with your left hand (if right handed) on the same beat as the high-hat, this is called the off beat. The base drum is being played On the beat and the high-hat and snare on the Off beat. Now you can try to play 4 beats to the bar on the ride cymbal with your right hand to match the base drum. Congratulations you have now mastered the basic 4/4 rhythm.

Finally look for some inspiration, listen and watch some great technical drumming from great artists. My personal favourite is Buddy Rich, arguably one of the best jazz drummers of his time, who unfortunately passed away in 1987. He was a great roll model and if you are serious about learning to play drums, his technique was amazing. Check out the link to the video clip in my resource box below and be inspired.

Learn to Play Drums - Top Tips to Get You Started

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Five Ways on How You Can Learn to Play Drums Like the Masters

Five Ways on How You Can Learn to Play Drums Like the Masters

Your success depends on the strength of your desire. "What your mind can conceive, you can achieve".

It may sound like cliche, but if you will relentlessly pursue your dream to become a good drummer, you can be. Learn to play drums as much as you can, and in every opportunity that comes your way. Here are five ways on how you can set out to meet your dream on the right foot:

1. Know exactly what you want and create a mental image of that desire.

Suffice it to say, you can only become a good drummer, if you march all your ducks toward your firm goal. Put your whole heart into it. Learn to play drums with bulldog tenacity: never give up!

2. Start young (or at least stay young at heart).

Chronological age may influence your pace on how you can learn to play drums faster. Children always experience a sense of wonder when they are introduced to something they have already developed a liking for, thus it makes the process of learning to play drums, easier.

Drum masters, Steve Gadd, Bernhard Perdie, Buddy Rich and Simon Philips all started to learn how to play drums when they were children.

However, advancing age should not stop anyone from learning anything, provided there is the desire to learn it. Obviously, it is a waste of time, effort and resources to pursue something you have no liking at all, or if you are not enthusiastic about it.

3. Learn with Fun.

Simon Philips drummed his way to worldwide acclaim at age 12 when he performed with a jazz band; however, he started learning the basics at age 4, with his toy drums.

Steve Gadd played with older people's drums at age 3, while Bernhard Perdie discovered he wanted to become one of the world's best drummers by beating out his baby rhythms on a makeshift drum.

There was no pressure to excel; it all started with play. Learn to have fun first, and then real learning can begin.

4. Gather what you need.

You need not invest right away on a drum set and just let it gather dust. You can start tapping on chairs and tables, all right; however, if you are resolute to learn to play drums, you should at least purchase your drumsticks, a metronome, ebooks and other reference materials. You may also consider buying a slightly-used drum set to practice on, which is just as useful instead of buying a brand-new set that is more expensive.

5. Create your own support group or team.

Becoming a master drummer may be a lot easier when you build your skill on other people's expertise than to create your own from scratch.

This does not imply you become copy-cats of someone else. Even Masters learned from someone at some point in their careers, and in the process discovered where they were good at. Steve Gadd played with the Dizzy Gillespie when he was starting out, until he mastered his own techniques and became known for his versatility on playing drums.

Simon played and toured with his father's band when he was just 6, same with Buddy Price. Masters became themselves because some people let them.

Find a team of like-minded people you can play drums with; learn from their experience and find out how you can improve on your acquired skill. Develop a level of mastery that is uniquely yours, and become the Master you have always wanted.

Five Ways on How You Can Learn to Play Drums Like the Masters

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How To Learn And Play Drums

How To Learn And Play Drums

The drum is the oldest known musical instrument in the history of civilization and its basic design has not changed in thousands of years. Drumming has a profound history as a method of communication, and the drum has an implementation of religious symbolism.

Drums are a lot of fun to play, and every rock or pop band needs them, so drummers are in ever increasing demand. There are different methods on how to learn and play this instrument. Different sized drums and cymbals are arranged into kits, where a drummer can pick from a variety of sounds to lead or accompany a particular song.

For starters, you can read on some basic care for your drum set. This includes setting up the drum kit, caring for the cymbals, and tuning the drums. While thinking of learning to play these one must have these four things:

A pair of drumsticks.
A practice pad which simulate the bounce of an actual drum, and usually have a rubber surface.
A metronome to keep a steady beat. 

Some learning materials.

If someone is thinking of getting a professional help to learn to play this instrument well, they will learn how to set up the new drum kit, basic stick grip tips and techniques, using the kick drum and hi-hat pedals, playing rock and jazz patterns, and using dynamics to make the playing more interesting.

Simple steps to learn to play drums

The first step to do this is by counting. It is said that if you can count to four, you can play the drums. Counting till 4 will be the basis of the beat. Virtually all major rock beats are built around basic 4/4 time signature. It basically means that each measure or bar of music is split into four quarter notes.

Then with the right hand the hi-hat is hit on every count. The hi-hats are the foundation of most basic rock drumming beats as they typically hold a steady pulse while other limbs fill in on the snare and the bass versions. The rest is actually quite simple. Then the bass and snare versions should be added on the counts of 1 and 3 respectively. This will be the basic drum beat.

When the basics are learnt you will be able to see how beats are built around this basic pattern. This is the basics to most rock drumming beats and grooves.

The next step for learning how to play this well is to practice stick control and the rudiments. Drums rudiments help one to build independence and speed. The two most common rudiments are the single stroke roll and the double stroke roll. Since drumming is all about beats and counts, a drummer should be very precise in timing. Timing is a major factor while learning to play drums. A drummer should be able to create the mood and groove for any song, adding fills and accents in to pep things up.

Conclusion

The art of drumming possesses a huge variety of benefits in all aspects of day to day life. Most of the skills and techniques learned with this art can be applied to other situations. Drumming is a good activity for those who love to listen and create music while concentrating on rhythm.

How To Learn And Play Drums

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You Want to Play Drums? Here's Where to Start

You Want to Play Drums? Here's Where to Start

So something inside you wants to play drums. You have been inspired by a hero of the sticks or by the band down the pub and you are ready to learn the drums now. In fact you have so much inspiration and motivation right now that you are dizzy with the possibilities of your future as a drummer. Well read through this article and I will show you the early steps and point you to some superb online drum lessons that will have you playing in days.

Early days of drumming

Playing drums is not like playing other musical instrument. You do not have to learn standard music notation but you will soon want to read drum notation. Once you have got over the sheer joy of hitting the skins with your drum sticks you will want to start playing for real. Drum notation is a simple and great way to learn a huge repertoire of rhythms and drum patterns. If you want to play in a grunge or punk band you do not need much skill (Sorry Grungers). But if you want to turn up and play with other musicians easily then you will be learning drum notation. You will also have the respect of the others guys in the band if you have new patterns and ideas to bring to the group.

Physical aspect of learning to play drums

If you are not very fit you will get fit by playing drums. In fact playing drums can be very physically taxing indeed. You will find that you have to pace yourself in the first few weeks. As you build up your stamina you will be able to play for longer and faster. You will also get blisters on your fingers and palms. I'm assuming here of course that you will be playing pop and rock music as this is by far the most popular styles for drummers. If you are playing light jazz or swing music then the physical demands will be much less. You still need to play in time though.

Your first drum kit

Do not by practice pads. Buy a proper drum kit with all the extras you can afford. Invest in a decent snare and set of toms. Just accept the cymbals that come with the kit until you learn more about what you want in a drum kit long term. If you buy a starter kit you will not find it very inspiring to play. You really need a proper kit to get your teeth into. You must have it always set up and ready to go in a room or garage. You should also be planning to play daily to make sure the drum loops you learn become part of you.

You Want to Play Drums? Here's Where to Start

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