How to Play the Drums

The ability to play a musical instrument is very fulfilling. There are no regrets. Choose an instrument and start learning.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Music Stands
• Jazz CDs
• Symphony Tickets
• Sheet Music
• Classical Music CDs
• Concert Tickets

1. Expose yourself or your child to the different instruments in the families of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.

2. Attend local band or orchestra concerts with a knowledgeable friend. Bring your child. Talk afterwards about what was seen and heard.

3. Listen to the timbres of different musical instruments and the different musical pieces and styles in which they are featured.

4. Consider your physical restrictions when choosing an instrument. Some instruments, such as the sousaphone, may be too heavy or too large for a petite person, and some instruments may require longer fingers or certain facial dexterity.

5. Have a professional music instructor help you analyze your potential. A professional will be able to assess facial, physical and even personal characteristics that may affect your choice of instrument.

6. Set a budget for your musical instrument. Some instruments, such as French horn, tuba, bassoon and oboe, may be a bit on the pricey side, but school instrumental music departments usually have a small number of these instruments in their inventories.

7. Try playing a few instruments by borrowing one from a friend, relative or acquaintance. Aptitude can be discovered this way.

8. Keep your lifestyle in mind. If you intend to move around quite a bit or have very little space in your apartment, a grand piano or harp is not the best choice, whereas a guitar, clarinet or trombone is portable.

9. Consider the social aspect. Band and orchestral instruments allow a person to participate in small and large performing groups. Piano can be rather isolating. Make a choice that gives you pleasure.

Tips & Warnings

• Music instructors may allow promising students the free use of school instruments.

• Music departments from your public school district and at local colleges and universities are an excellent resource for getting answers from qualified professionals.

• Private instruction is perhaps the best way to learn to play a musical instrument, but joining a band or ensemble will also speed your learning.

• Begin instrumental music study at the earliest age possible. A student who has had exposure to good music instruction - in a church or community choir or even at home - will most likely be able to pick up an instrument quite rapidly.

• Piano provides the basic musical preparation for a secondary and portable instrument.

• Switching to a different instrument within the same "family," such as brass, is easy and very common.

• When you're ready to purchase a musical instrument, the Internet is a great place to find discounts. Online classified websites, like Craigslist.org, often advertise used musical instruments. For discounts on new musical instruments, browse musical instrument deals on Deals.com.