Beginner Drum Lessons
Learning how to play the drums can be a daunting task. Unlike other instruments, such as guitar or bass, the drums have many different challenges to overcome if you want to learn how to play them. The equipment alone is a huge factor in how and where you will learn to play your instrument. Thankfully, the drums, as with other instruments, rely on fundamentals you can learn in relative quiet.
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Preliminary
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Before starting on your journey into the world of drumming, consider finding a good teacher in your area to study with. While it is possible to learn techniques through video tape, books and the Internet, there is no substitute for a good teacher who can observe your technique and give you constructive criticism. Many music stores have a variety of teachers to choose from; if you are in school, ask if there is anyone in the music department who can assist you.
Starting the Process
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You should have a goal in mind when pursuing drumming. This may be an activity that you will do for fun, or as a hobby, to get exercise or to let off some steam. This may be something you want to turn into a serious hobby or even a profession at some point. Decide how you want to approach the drums as an instrument and what you want to do in the long run in terms of drumming.
Musicality
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Despite the popular myth, the drums are not an instrument that takes little skill to play. Drumming takes quite a bit of manual dexterity and a sharp mental capacity to master. In addition, drums have their own music notation system similar to that of melodic instruments, but require the player to read multiple lines at once. If you are thinking about playing drums for a profession or even semi-professional consider learning how to read music, it will give you an advantage over most other players.
Materials
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To begin learning the basics of drumming you do not need a drum set. A practice pad and a pair of drumsticks will not only suffice, but they are the very foundation of everything you will ever do on a drum set. Don't look at the practice pad as a substitute for the drum set, rather look at it as an important part of your development. Another great thing about the pad is they are quiet.
Conceptual Fundamentals
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The drums, as with any other instrument or any skill, relies on the fundamentals to progress satisfactorily. Before doing any of the physical part of playing the drums begin with the mental. Just as guitar players learn chords on their instrument, drummers learn what are called "rudiments." Rudiments are the basic building blocks of all drumming. Everything you have ever heard by a drummer can be broken down into a rudiment. There are 26 basic rudiments. Included in the link section is more information on rudiments. Become familiar with them.
Physical Fundamentals
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The physical aspects of drumming are just as important as the mental. The drums are, after all, the most physical instrument you can play. The very core of the physical aspects of drumming comes down to holding the stick properly. Holding the stick properly will allow you to execute your ideas easier and more efficiently. There are three main types of grip: the French grip, the German grip and the American grip. All three are acceptable and no one way is better than the other. Whichever grip feels best to you is the one you should choose. In addition, there is another grip called the Traditional grip where the left hand holds the stick in between the middle and ring finger. This grip is used mainly by jazz drummers and is becoming less seen by new drummers. Whether you choose to employ this grip is a matter of preference, but do so only if this feels good to you, not at the behest of someone else. Included in the link section is an article on how to hold the drumsticks.
Moving to the Drum set
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Unless you are practicing to be a snare drum player, at some point you are going to be moving from the pad to the drum set. Learning to play on the drum set is all about physical and mental coordination. Learning to move all four limbs at different times takes patience and practice. All players go through the process of what is called "four-way independence," and it is something that you will practice as long as you play the drums. Another major consideration in moving to the drum set is the noise factor. Drums, unlike the pad, are loud. You will need to figure out a way to either practice quietly using towels over the drums, modified sticks, muffle your surroundings or practice somewhere that noise is not an issue.
Dedication
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Like any other instrument, learning to become a good player is about dedication. It takes hours, days, even years of practice for drummers to learn how to play smoothly and with conviction. Keep with it, and you will see progression. A word of caution: don't overdo it. If you are feeling discomfort or pain, stop playing. Make sure you give your body time to rest and heal itself. Good luck on your musical journey.
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