Want to get better at the drums? It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes you just need to get out from behind the drum set. Read on for some great advice from Brooklyn teacher Hunter S…
One of the most important things I have learned as a drummer is learning how to play the guitar and piano. Now, I’m sure that statement will leave some of you drummers scratching your heads asking the question, “What do guitar and piano have to do with playing the drums?” To that, I would say plenty!
Learning an instrument is a lifelong experience. The wonderful thing about music is that once you’ve trained yourself to learn new ideas on the drums, you can apply some of those same tactics to learning some basic concepts on a new instrument. Let’s take piano. Knowing how to play the drums, for example, can help with coordinating your hands when playing chords in the bass clef, with your left hand, while also playing complimentary melodies in the treble clef, with your right hand.
Even though the drums are my main instrument, there are plenty of things I love about playing the guitar. Even if you’re not interested in actually playing the guitar, knowing at least a few of the basics will help you understand songs better as you play the drums. For example, let’s take three particular notes:G, C, and D. Now let’s refer to G as 1, C as 4, and D as 5, so we have 1-4-5. This is called a chord progression. This 1-4-5 chord progression is used in a very large percentage of popular music, and I guarantee you that you’ve heard this chordal progression a hundred times in your life.
Here is an example of a 1-4-5 progression.
http://youtu.be/e-9rxLVEpXk
Sometimes, as drummers we can feel a little removed or disconnected from other musicians. While there are many jokes and assumptions that push this stereotype through, it’s our job to dispel the myth that drummers aren’t capable of understanding musical concepts outside of the drumming realm. Through gaining more musical knowledge outside of drums, we can do that!
Last but not least, it’s fun and rewarding to learn a new song on guitar or piano from one of your favorite artists. It really gives you an opportunity to dissect a song that you like, and gain some perspective of how music and songwriting works. You can also take some of those songwriting techniques and apply them to your own playing or songwriting.
I hope that this will inspire you to reach out beyond the drums and gain some knowledge of other instruments. But don’t take my word for it. Check out Dave Grohl, the former drummer of the band Nirvana and the current guitar player/main songwriter of the band Foo Fighters. He’s an amazing example of what happens when you have an understanding of rhythm and harmony. When you add to your own expertise and knowledge, you can really take your musicianship to the next level!
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Hunter S. teaches drum, guitar, piano, music performance, music theory, percussion, and songwriting lessons to students of all ages in Brooklyn, NY. Hunter received his degree from The Los Angeles Music Academy, and joined the TakeLessons team in July 2012. Sign up for lessons with Hunter, or visit TakeLessons to find a teacher near you!
Photo by Mr. T in DC.
Suzy S.