Learning To Play The Drums

Learning to play the drums can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Like learning any instrument it can be frustrating initially but practice and perseverance will make perfect if you approach learning to play the drums with dedication and effort. Enthusiasm is half of the battle; if you are enthusiastic about find out how to play the drums then you are well on your way to becoming a real drummer. A sense of rhythm is also something of a requirement when learning to play the drums, however it does not have to be very refined as it will improve as you learn. Obviously the first thing you need to do is purchase a drum kit, or befriend someone who already owns one (more on that later). A simple kit with the minimum of fuss will suffice, you can always upgrade at a later date.

1. Keep it simple. At first you should only use a small, simple kit with a bass drum, a pair of toms, a snare, a hi-hat, a crash and a snare. This will be everything you could need to learn proper techniques. A good set of drumsticks is also essential, if you purchase from a reputable high street music shop you will be able to try out different sticks until you find a set you are comfortable with.

2. Learn proper maintenance. When learning to play the drums one of the first things you should learn is how to properly care for and maintain your equipment. Inevitably various things will need tightening, adjusting and replacing so you should make sure you know the proper techniques. Learning to play the drums is about so much more than simply learning to play the drums, if you pardon the metaphor!

3. Find a teacher. You can either take proper lessons or learn from a friend who is a drummer, either way you will need to get a grounding in the basics that you can use to build your own technique and style. Try different things and immerse yourself in as many different styles as possible to get a firm foundation for future playing.

4. Basic beats. These are essential when learning to play the drums, you will find that will a little bit of practice you will soon be able to complete a set of basic rhythms that you can utilise in a tremendous variety of situations. Start slow and gradually work up until you understand the sounds and get a feel for how the drums feel under your sticks.

5. Learn about drum music. Drum music is fairly simple to follow but when learning to play the drums you should try to make yourself an expert if you decide that this hobby is for you. Once you've grasped the fundamentals you'll quickly discover that everything will fall into place and a whole world of drum music to learn will open up to you.

6. Play along with your stereo. Repeating rhythms and fills to yourself can get boring, and whilst it is essential that you practice in this way when learning to play the drums you should always have some fun at the end of each session. Pop in a CD or plug in your IPod and play away to your favourite artists. As you become a more accomplished drummer you will hear patterns and movements in the drumming that you had never considered in the past.

7. Keep practising. Find new and inventive ways to challenge yourself. Try new genres and styles when learning to play the drums, join a band, take part in a performance, anything that lets you continue enjoying your hobby in new and exciting ways. Never be afraid of trying something new and try to expand your horizons. Remember learning to play the drums is a lifetime commitment, so be sure to enjoy yourself!