Best Drum Lessons Online

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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For student drummers and pros alike, the Internet is an invaluable tool. There are forums where drummers can answer each others' questions, free instructional videos posted by enthusiasts, and webrings dedicated to drumming. There are also plenty of professional teachers online who will take you through a full course of study. Here is a guide on how to find the best online drum lessons.

Function

Many people use drum lessons online as a primary means of instruction. Many online drum lessons are organized in a step-by-step manner that is useful for beginners. You'll be taught how to hold the sticks, basic stick control, rhythms used in rock music and more advanced techniques. Other drummers use online instruction as a supplement to actual lessons.

Types

Many online drum-lesson videos are offered for free by hobbyists or professionals on sites like YouTube and ExpertVillage. These drummers often receive a per-video payment or payments based on the traffic they generate. This ensures a high standard of free drum lessons. Some sites offer more comprehensive drum courses and the opportunity to talk to the drum instructor through e-mail. They may also have chat rooms or message boards where students can communicate.

Benefits

Online drum lessons are a great compromise between taking professional lessons and being self-taught. An online drum student has concrete benchmarks to work toward instead of just banging away. He also has the opportunity to work on fundamental skills like paradiddles and double-stroke rolls early on, rather than developing a sloppy playing style. He can take his lessons at his leisure and doesn't have to change teachers upon moving or traveling. He can also save quite a bit of money. Professional drum lessons can cost upward of $30 an hour; online lessons are generally less than $30 a month.

Warning

Those who take online drum lessons need a lot of self-discipline--it's easier to learn techniques by seeing someone play in person than it is during a video lesson. Stay clear of diving into financial commitments.

Considerations

Look at online drum lessons as one more tool in your pursuit of percussive expertise. Check out videos by players you admire and spend time on free sites to see what is out there. Try a free course in basic beginner techniques online and see how well it works. Then, if you feel that you are making progress, sign up for an online class that gives you a whole program of study and the chance to communicate with the teacher.