Comments on How to Play the Drums

I'm a five-year piano player, and until a year ago I was a singer as well. I got bored with singing and decided to switch to the school band. I started out in percussion because I knew I could play mallets, if nothing else. But as time progressed, I became interested in playing other instruments. By recommendation of my friend, I started on the Euphonium (of Baritone). After a few short months, I was able to keep up with the Eupho players in the local college band. I personally feel that it was my background in piano that allowed me to visualize the way notes looked on the staff and to correspond them to the piano when playing the Eupho. This also helps when playing chromatic scales because you can actually see the number of half-steps on the piano and relate that to other instruments. Recently, I've moved on to the oboe. This has taught me that brass is really easy. The largest number of keys you'll have on most brass instruments is 4, whereas, with woodwind instruments you can have over 10 thumb-keys alone. My advise is start with the piano so that you can get the musicality out of the way (meaning, duration of notes, crescendo, decrescendo, forte, piano, and basic articulations). Plus with the piano, you can play all different types of music, it's so versatile.

To get better at drums you should consider using a blindfold to "feel" the rhythm.

Something to consider when picking an instrument to play is what musical genres you enjoy. Most of us would do this subconsciously, but there are certain instruments that are associated with certain musical styles. Due to the popularity of rock music, many teenagers start out playing guitar, or bass or drums. If you enjoy blues, consider the above instruments, plus harmonica, piano, etc. Like jazz? Saxophone, stand-up bass, piano, and many others are typical of jazz. Classical obviously provides many different traditional instruments from a wide range of groups - strings, woodwinds, brass, etc.

There are several methods of holding a drum stick, but my preferred method is between the thumb and forefinger, with the rest of the fingers gently placed on the end of the stick for control. You have to experiment with hand placement; Some people hold the sticks higher or lower than others.

It's a good idea to take a few piano lessons before you learn any other instrument. I played piano and then learned guitar in about a month, because I could already read music and I had a basic understanding of music theory. You should also invest in several different types of instruments. I play drum set, and march snare at school. But it all began with piano.

In my opinion, it is probably wise to begin your many enjoyable years in music by picking up your first hands-on experience on a piano. In woodwind and brass instruments, though I've never played any of them, I know that a lot of what makes the sound so brilliant when you hear a professional play, is the way he or she controls the rate of exhalation. For instance, in a trumpet there's only three buttons, but you can play any note in any scale. This is even more true in a trombone! The point is, for a person who doesn't even know the notes yet, a piano will provide a more laid out, and easy way of learning them. Rather than having to think about what button to push, how hard to push it, and then as if that's not enough, how hard to blow. On a piano, if you want an E flat, you just look down and find the E flat key. Done. This is not to say that becoming a well trained piano player is as simple as that, it's not. Just the basics are right there in front of you when you first sit down.

It's a good idea to take a few piano lessons before you learn any other instrument. I played piano and then learned guitar in about a month, because I could already read music and I had a basic understanding of music theory. You should also invest in several different types of instruments. I play drum set, and march snare at school. But it all began with piano.

I have learned that if you try to think about what you are going to play then you tend to make mistakes. Close your eyes, turn on some music and just play to it. Don't worry about anything, don't think about your arms and legs, just think about the music. Your talent will amaze you when you're not concentrating on what your body is doing.

You sometimes don't have to move your wrists to play, just hold the drumstick and move your middle, ring, and pinky finger up and down and let it bounce back. It will increase your speed.

1. Don't choose an instrument that you don't want to play. If you don't enjoy an instrument you are less likely to learn to play the instrument well. 2. Do not worry about the cost. I played alto saxophone for 4 months, but then I switched to Trombone and it ended up being cheaper than the sax 3. If you think band is stupid, and you would rather take P.E., my band teacher says you can weight lift with your instrument.

1. Don't choose an instrument that you don't want to play. If you don't enjoy an instrument you are less likely to learn to play the instrument well. 2. Do not worry about the cost. I played alto saxophone for 4 months, but then I switched to Trombone and it ended up being cheaper than the sax 3. If you think band is stupid, and you would rather take P.E., my band teacher says you can weight lift with your instrument.

Don't get distracted to the people around you. Play with your band mates like nobody else is watching you.

I started playing parade drums when I was 8 and knew all the rudiments. I had a good rhythm and everything, but when I started to play real drums at 16, I had problems with the pedals. So, I just forgot the feet, knowing already how to use my hands perfectly (more than most drummers), and then added the bass drum, and finally the hi-hat. The hi-hat is seldom used in most songs, so I naturally keep it closed.

While you are driving down the road listening to the radio, tap your hands and feet to the beat just as you would play the drums. You know your right foot is for the bass and your left hand is for the snare etc., so tap each one in sync with the music. That is how I practiced for two years before I actually bought a set, and when I played a real set I amazed myself.

Guys may fell very limited when it comes to picking an instrument. Most fell that a brass instrument or a sax is the only option. As a flute player, I am the only guy in a row of girls, and I am first seat! You can also play piccolo, clarinet, oboe.

Guys may fell very limited when it comes to picking an instrument. Most fell that a brass instrument or a sax is the only option. As a flute player, I am the only guy in a row of girls, and I am first seat! You can also play piccolo, clarinet, oboe.

One of the quickest beats in my opinion is Wipeout by the Surfaris. The song may be old, but it's useful. It will help you on other fast-beat songs.

You shouldn't bang on your cymbals too hard, because you're going to have to waste your money on replacing it. Although it makes more of a cymbal sound, it will end up denting it until it looks like a mushroom. I've been playing for only 3 months and I'll give it 2 months before I end up replacing it.

I love all instruments and I think that all music is the best! However, out of many instruments, my favorite is the clarinet. It has many roles and has many playing opportunities. The clarinet in a concert band setting gets melody, counter melody, harmonies, those nice runs up and down that sound so hard (and make a piece sound exciting). Besides, since it's similar to a saxophone (and it's really easy to switch), there are plenty of really nice jazz opportunities. I play lead alto myself and I love all of the great, smooth melodies we get. In an orchestral setting, I admit that clarinet doesn't get great parts in all the pieces, but the parts are still nice. The clarinets get all the things in concert band, but a little more of harmony and counter melody. And solos in orchestra; they are so beautiful. And talking about solos, clarinet has so many beautiful solos written for it. I'm talking beautiful, exciting, energetic. And let's not forget about the clarinet tone: dark, rich, chocolaty, bright, lively. But don't take my word for it. I have really never, ever played a second or third part, so I don't know exactly how I would feel if I had to play stupid long notes all the time.

When you play your bass drum, keep your heel slightly lifted off of the pedal (but still relaxed) and move the pedal with the ball of your foot, mostly using your calf. This may not be that important for simple beats, but experienced drummers know that it is much more efficient and faster with more advanced rhythms. The same goes for the hi-hat pedal.

Drummers seem to speed up when playing a fill. It's probably adrenalin or excitement. Try playing your fills a little "behind" the beat and slower than you "think" they should be played. The fills will sound much better and you will keep an even tempo.

Many people will tell you to learn the piano first so that you can read music and be able to hear notes. This is BS. Sure you will be able to do those things, but that is true for all instruments. The physical act of playing the piano is unlike practically any other instrument. If you are unsure of what to play, I HIGHLY recommend starting with the guitar. If you study hard and practice a lot, you will know tons of music theory and your hands will be extremely quick and agile. Then if you want to play the violin or something, it should be an easy adjustment. If you want to play a brass instrument, I suggest you learn them concurrently, or after you can play the guitar. Plus the guitar, in my opinion, is the most versatile instrument. Learn to play the harmonica with the guitar, it sounds awesome!

1. Learn the basics of keeping a beat before you start. A drummer who can't keep beat will throw everybody off. 2. If you attend a lively church, Pentecostal or Baptist for example, where the music is fast and loud, pay attention to people that clap their hands. Many of them will be off, but a few will be on. Find the ones that are on. 3. Once you find the ones who are on, don't rely on them-they might not be on the next time. 4. Randomly check from people who are clapping to the bassist. Your snare and the bass should be on opposite beats. 5. Once you learn to check with the congregation and the bassist, remember that you need to use them for backup only! Only if you mess up and need to get back on beat should you use them. This is your drumming, so rely basically on your instincts. 6. Ignore the critics, there will always be some. Take instruction, but not criticism. Remember Who you're playing for.

I don't know how many times I see beginners slamming on the drums. Playing the drums is an art. If you want to become a pro, you must learn how to play softly on the drums. Play as if the heads were going to break. This allows you to feel the music.

And if you want, you can learn more than one instrument. I started off playing the flute, which I play still in marching band. I can play the piano and xylophone and I'm going to be starting up the oboe. It's a lot of fun to play an instrument.