The Drum Set - A Cool Community for Drummers

Learning to play drums seems like a daunting task to many people. With the right resources, most people can manage to make their way through this seemingly difficult endeavor.

We have all heard that practice makes perfect. I submit that PERFECT practice makes PERFECT! If you are not practicing with the proper technique you will eventually become very good at being average. Since you want to excel at drumming, you need to approach it with certain level of technical caution. To grow into a great drummer you must practice as a great drummer. Here's how you do this:

1) Commit, Commit, Commit
If you are not committed to putting in the time required, you will end up playing drums at your family reunions....and that's it.

2) Find a qualified instructor
You cannot do this alone! You need someone to structure your practice method, critique your progress, give you realistic feedback, and most of all, provide accountability for your effort. This person needs to be qualified! A band instructor is a great start if you are a young beginner (economical as well). However, you will want to supplement that instruction at some point, particularly if you intend to develop into a professional drummer. You will know when it is time. In some cases, your school instructor will tell you when that time comes, particularly if you let him or her know of your intentions and they have your best interests at heart.

If you are not in an educational environment where you can take advantage of an instructor, and you can't afford to pay for a music instructor, there is still hope! There are several great instructional programs available on both video and print media. They will provide some technique
and structure, but you will have to provide the motivation and discipline. Some of those instructional materials are available below.

3) The Right Instrument
A kid learing to drive a car doesn't practice on a motorcycle. Sure, you can learn how to read traffic signals, traffic laws (though not all of them apply the same), and so on. You want to learn on the type of equipment you wish to master. That is not to say that you need a $20,000 drum kit to start with. You will benefit, however, from some reasonable sembelance of what your ultimate instrument will be. So if you are going to learn to play a snare drum...get something that plays like a snare drum. Likewise, if you are going to learn to play a drum kit....get the equivalent. There is a wide spectrum of percussion instruments available, at widely varying prices. Get advice on the set-up you are interested in and find something that fits into your budget. You can even use a practice pad, which mimics the tension (bounce) and feel of a snare drum, for example. Then use your instructors (schools) drums to supplement your practice. Whatever your budget will allow is a great place to start. Don't, however, buy a broken down, ran out drum kit and play somethihng so "sloppy" that the "feel" is way out of wack. Your progress will suffer.

4) Practice, Practice, Patience, Practice
Learning an instrument takes time. Small improvements initially are the foundation that greatness is built upon. Realize that learning to play the drums is a lifelong process. Great drummers realize this and make practice a routine within their lives. Don't get discouraged at the slow progress at first. This is normal. Rely on the knowledge that you ARE a drummer. Drumming will come in time. Everyone starts out on that same footing, so quit whining and be assured by the certainty of the end goal.

This may seem a bit harsh but, no one ever failed to learn to play, who has not yet given up. Be patient!

5) Enjoy
This one should have probably been number 1. You play drums (or any instrument for that matter) because you like it. If you don't love it....why do it. There are easier things out there. Try fishing, watch a movie, take a road trip. The point is DO WHAT YOU LOVE and LOVE WHAT YOU DO! There will be times when you may get discouraged, but if it overrides you love of music, then you probably need to re-think the subject.

We wish you well on your journey. If you need resources for drums check out the rest of this lens. In addition, you can find drums and kits for reasonable prices at DrumFinders.com.

Here are a few instructional resources you may wish to take advantage of.

Play Drums Today

The Next Step

Drum Lesson: Coordination and Groove Learn how to play intermediate to advanced drums instructional drum lessons video