How To

How to Play the Drums

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(193 Ratings)

Drumming might look easy, but it's not; it takes lots of practice. Here are some basic steps to get you started on the road to rock-and-roll stardom.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • CD Players
  • Drum Sets
  • Drumsticks
  • Music Stands
  • Tapes Or CDs
  • Sheet Music
  • Musician's Earplugs
  • Modern Drummer Subscriptions
  • Cymbals
  • Cymbal Cleaners
  1. Step 1

    Listen to a song of your choice and count along to the beat.

  2. Step 2

    Count the beat in fours: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4. In this example, we'll use the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds."

  3. Step 3

    Put your right foot on the bass drum pedal and your left foot on the high hat pedal.

  4. Step 4

    Keep the high hat pedal pressed down while you play.

  5. Step 5

    Begin with the music playing, and use only your right stick on the high hat.

  6. Step 6

    Hit the high hat once for every syllable in the chorus: "Lu-cy-in-the-Sky ..." Keep this steady rhythm throughout the song.

  7. Step 7

    Add your bass drum pedal on beats 1 and 3 when you can keep a steady beat on the high hat. For our example, the bass drum would sound on "Lu-," "Sky," and "Dia-."

  8. Step 8

    Add the snare drum to complete the beat.

  9. Step 9

    Use your left stick on beats 2 and 4, which is when you might naturally clap to a song. In our chorus, it would be played on "In" and then just after the word "Sky," and on "-monds."

  10. Step 10

    Try playing your rhythm throughout an entire song without a missed beat.

  11. Step 11

    Try new songs with different tempos.

Tips & Warnings
  • Hold the drumsticks in the middle, loosely between your thumb and second and third fingers.
  • Keep your arms and shoulders very relaxed.
  • If you're having trouble coordinating your hands and feet, try playing the high hat and bass drum until they are automatic. Then you can work on adding the snare drum.
  • If you're having trouble keeping a steady beat, practice with a slower song.
  • Play softly at first, until the rhythm becomes more automatic.
  • Most new drummers put a death grip on the sticks, which can cause fatigue and/or injury. Relax your grip, and your arms and shoulders, as much as possible.

Comments  

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dragonoz said

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on 6/15/2009 Good tips. Start slowly, speed will come with practise. It is more important to learn proper technique before you increase the speed.

natwolf588 said

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on 3/4/2008 theres also 1e+a 2e+a 3e+a 4e+a and 1-2-3-4
and 1+a 2+a 3+a 4+a and 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ and the plus is and and not a 1e(plus)a cause thats how its written out in a drum books.

natwolf588 said

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on 3/4/2008 on 3/4/2008 dude you can also do 1e+a 2e+a 3e+a 4e+a and 1+2+3+4+ and single notes 1-2-3-4

Mayasdad said

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on 12/20/2007 great tips.....now you have to practice, practice, practice!

CCrock said

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on 12/18/2007 If you can't do the real thing, Have fun jamming out on ROCK BAND on the XBOX!

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eHow Article: How to Play the Drums

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