Learning to play the drums can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only is drumming a great way to express yourself musically, but it also provides an outlet for stress relief and the chance to show off your skills in front of friends and family.
However, when it comes to learning how to play the drums, there’s one element you shouldn’t ignore—a teacher! Here are some reasons why having a teacher will make all the difference as you learn this amazing instrument.
How Do Beginners Start Drumming?
Here are some tips to help you learn to play drums, even if you want to know how to learn drums at home:
- One of the most important things for a beginner drummer to do is to find a good instructor. A good instructor will be able to teach proper technique and help the student develop a foundation of skills. In addition, the instructor can provide feedback and help the student progress at a reasonable pace.
- Another important consideration for beginners is to find the right equipment. It is important to have a drum kit that is comfortable and sized appropriately. In addition, beginner drummers should make sure they have quality sticks and heads. Using lower quality equipment can make it difficult to learn proper technique and can be frustrating.
- Finally, it is important for beginners to be patient and consistent with their practice. Learning to play the drums takes time and effort.
By practicing regularly, beginners can quickly improve their skills and begin to enjoy playing this fun and rewarding instrument. Again, be sure to sign up for drumming lessons so you can learn everything you need to know about drumming – like what you see in the video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6R2QeM3fBA
Can I Teach Myself Drums?
Many people who are interested in playing the drums wonder if they should take lessons or try to teach themselves.
There are pros and cons to both approaches. One of the benefits of taking lessons is that you will have the opportunity to learn from a experienced drummer. They can show you proper technique and help you to avoid developing bad habits. Lessons can also be tailored to your level of experience, so you can start out at a pace that is comfortable for you.
On the other hand, teaching yourself drums can be cheaper and more convenient since you can practice whenever you want without having to coordinate with another person’s schedule. It can also be more fun since you can learn the songs that YOU want to play, rather than being stuck with whatever the instructor happens to be teaching that week.
Ultimately, the best method for learning to play drums is probably a combination of both taking lessons and teaching yourself, so that you can benefit from professional instruction while still having the freedom to explore your own interests.
Why You Should Hire a Teacher to Help You Learn Drums
Today, the Internet abounds with tons of free online tutorials on how to play drums. So why would you be interested in private, one-on-one lessons? If you choose private drum lessons, you not only have to pay a teacher, but also to attend every single lesson. Although these two things may determine you to opt for a free online drum course, taking private lessons is actually the one thing you can’t ignore if you’re serious about playing drums.
Why? Well, simply because learning how to play drums correctly is more difficult than it seems. Chances are you’ll misinterpret something or develop a bad habit you may not even be aware of. Thus, to learn drums correctly, it’s imperative to correctly learn everything you need to know about playing the drums, without necessarily limiting yourself. This is where a qualified teacher can step in.
Private Drum Lessons: Are They for Everyone?
The unfortunate truth is that some drummers make little progress after years of studying drums on their own. And some of them are playing far below their potential. The reason? They’ve never had a qualified teacher to explain to them how to play with proper technique or how to read drum music – both necessary skills to help you elevate your skills as a drummer.
Max Weinberg, Dave Weckl, and Neil Peart – three top-notch drummers who have taken private lessons well into their professional years -prove that drummers of all levels should always be working to improve their skills!
Private lessons are a good choice because you get one-one-one guidance from a professional who can show you exactly what you need to work on. Since everyone learns (and teaches!) differently, finding the right teacher for you is key. Your teacher should be experienced and qualified but also know how to communicate, explain techniques well, and be patient. With a supportive teacher on your side, you’ll not only learn drums correctly, but also gain confidence, which is so important in achieving your goals!
Learn to Relax
Feet, hands, and passion – you may think that this is all you need to play drums like a pro. However, no matter what your goals in drumming are, you have to learn drums the right way if you want to make them sound alive. Learning proper foot and hand techniques is a key element that will dictate your success as a drummer. A good drum teacher can show you these techniques, as well as teach you how to relax while playing the drum set. Relaxation is critical because it can help you avoid many problems, such as getting out of sync with your band or speeding up without noticing.
When Feet and Hands Don’t Want to Work Together…
Many newbies have this problem. Could it be because most of them focus on their hands and ignore their feet when they first start to learn drums? You can easily avoid this issue if you work with a qualified teacher, who can identify where you’re stumbling, and assign you specific exercises that can help you improve.
Additionally, your teacher can teach you specific tips and tricks, such as playing the bass drum with your right heel up and the ball of your foot on the foot board, while lifting and lowering your leg when you need to get more power. If you intend to play soft music like jazz, your teacher may advise you to play with your right heel down and your foot flat on the pedal, pivoting from the ankle.
For perfect coordination, you need to also improve your hand technique. According to the best teachers, the only way to learn drums correctly is to know the basics very well. A solid foundation is the key to becoming a true professional.
Practice, Practice, and Practice Again
Many newbies are confident that they can learn how to play drums by themselves. However, most of them fail because they don’t set a regular practice schedule. Even if you create such a schedule, daily tasks can easily get in the way.
On the other hand, if you’re paying for your drum lessons, you’ll most probably do everything you can to attend all of them. Establishing a regular practice schedule is very important because it gives you the chance to learn exciting things and gain new skills, which can keep you interested and motivated. Further, a consistent drum practice routine will help you stay in great drumming shape.
Finally, a drum teacher can show you how to choose the best drum sticks, how to improve your posture and balance, how to practice at home without annoying your family and neighbors, how to continue improving your hand and foot techniques, and many other things. Above all these, a teacher can provide encouragement and support when you’re struggling.
Simply put, working with a qualified teacher to learn drums is one of the best decisions you can make. Not only can a professional direct you toward the best learning methods, but he or she can also help you achieve your musical goals without facing the hardships of self-learning. Good luck!
How Long Does it Take to Learn Drums?
Learning to play the drums can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it takes time and practice to master this complex instrument. So how long does it take to learn drums?
The answer depends on several factors, including the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to practice, your natural ability, and the type of instruction you receive. Beginners who take weekly lessons and practice regularly can expect to see significant progress within a few months. However, it can take years to reach a professional level of proficiency.
For those who are simply looking to improve their rhythmic skills or add another dimension to their musical repertoire, learning drums can be a great way to spend some quality time with friends or family.
So whether you want to become the next Buddy Rich or just keep the beat at your next barbecue, don’t be discouraged – with a little time and effort, anyone can learn to play the drums!
Should You Learn Drums Online or in Person?
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a drummer? If so, you probably have asked yourself whether to take lessons in person or online. Both in-person and online lessons can be effective ways to learn the drums, but the decision ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and lifestyle.
Here’s what you need to know about learning drums online versus in-person so that you can make an informed decision for your drumming journey.
In-Person Drums Lessons: Pros and Cons
In-person lessons are great because they give you the opportunity to learn directly from a teacher in real time. There is no lag time when asking questions or getting feedback on your playing, and it allows you to get personalized instruction tailored specifically to your needs. Additionally, having a physical instructor present will help build trust more quickly than with an online course.
On the flip side, in-person lessons may require more time commitment due to travel and scheduling requirements. They also tend to be more expensive than online lessons since instructors have overhead costs such as studio rental or instrument maintenance fees. And depending on where you live, finding a good drum instructor could be difficult or near impossible if there aren’t any schools or studios nearby who offer lessons.
Online Drums Lessons: Pros and Cons
The biggest benefit of taking drum lessons online is convenience. You can access hundreds of courses at any time right from the comfort of your home – no need for traveling! Moreover, many courses are significantly cheaper than traditional lessons since they don’t have overhead costs associated with them. Additionally, some courses are prerecorded so that you can go through them at your own pace without feeling pressure from an instructor breathing down your neck!
However, one big disadvantage of learning drums online is that there isn’t someone physically present with whom you can interact directly and get immediate feedback on your playing which could be helpful for beginners especially if they don’t understand something fully by reading about it alone. Furthermore, there is always the risk of being scammed with lower quality material as not all courses may offer value for money as promised by their creators.
Are Drums Hard to Learn?
Many people believe that drums are one of the most difficult instruments to learn how to play. After all, a drummer has to keep track of multiple rhythms at once, using both their hands and feet.
And while it’s true that drums can be challenging to master, it’s also important to keep in mind that everyone learns at a different pace. Some people might pick up the basics of drumming quickly, while others might need more time to develop their skills. The key is to practice regularly and be patient with yourself. With enough dedication, anyone can learn how to play the drums.
All in all, having a drum teacher is one of the best ways to ensure success when learning this beloved instrument. You can get professional guidance tailored just for YOU, improve on those pesky technique issues, and even expand upon what songs or pieces of music that are available for practice each day!
So if learning drums is something that interests YOU, then don’t forget about getting yourself a qualified drum teacher today!
Photo by Seth Anderson
Suzy S.