Excited to learn the drums? If you’ve opted for in-home lessons, check out these pointers from teacher Lauren P. to make the most of your time…
Are you ready to rock? Taking drum lessons right in the comfort of your own home is an amazing way to learn a new skill.
But if you want your lessons to go off without a hitch, it’s important that you take the time to prepare before your instructor arrives. Here are four steps to help ensure that your home-based drum lessons are stress-free and successful.
How Can I Learn Drums at Home?
Learning how to play the drums at home can seem intimidating but with the right tools, it’s easier than ever before. Here are some tips:
- The key is having access to easy-to-follow at-home drum lessons that teach important fundamentals and demonstrate the proper technique.
- You may want to consider purchasing an instructional book or DVD, taking a course online, or hiring an experienced private teacher.
- Many drummers find using digital tools, especially a practice pad and virtual drums, to be highly beneficial when learning new beats and fill; these require virtually no setup or extra expense.
- Take advantage of all available resources: attending live drumming performances and watching online video tutorials can provide invaluable insight into the craft.
With some dedication and patience anyone can learn drums at home – so grab your sticks and get ready for a journey of musical discovery!
Learning the drums can be challenging, but in-home drum lessons can be a huge help. Sign up for drum lessons and you’ll benefit from everything drum lessons in your home have to offer, like what you see below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6R2QeM3fBA
What You Need to Know About Drum Lessons in Your Home
If you are nervous about how to prepare for your first drum lesson, relax — your lack of experience makes you the perfect student. Remember that teachers get nervous as well. They don’t want you to be an expert who doesn’t need their help. They want you to be friendly, interested, and willing to listen to their advice.
When you sign up for lessons, you may notice that some teachers offer the option of in-home lessons. Follow these simple steps to prepare for your first drum lesson in your home.
1. Come prepared with questions and new material
Use your lack of experience and knowledge to your advantage. No teacher wants a student who knows everything already. Be upfront about your shortcomings and goals, and your teacher will be relieved to have such a great student. If you have an “assignment” you want to learn, show your teacher a song link or piece of sheet music you want to learn. If possible, email or text him or her ahead of time with your ideas. This may allow him or her to come prepared with some engaging and helpful materials. During your school, band, or independent practice, take note of any questions or challenges you face. Write them down so you remember to ask for tips during your lesson.
2. Ask for a homework assignment
The best preparation is proactive preparation. If you speak with your teacher before your first lesson, consider asking the following questions:
- “Should I buy any specific book(s)?”
- “Should I practice specific pages or techniques ahead of time?”
Write down any instructions, materials, tips, tricks, song links, and page numbers you will need for practicing purposes. Keep these written assignments with your drum and workbooks so you don’t waste valuable practice time looking for materials.
If your tutor suggests pages from a book, practice them and strive to move on to the next skill or difficulty level. By mastering or at least introducing yourself to the piece of music, you will learn at a much faster pace. Showing this extra commitment will encourage your teacher to expect more from you, push you further, and help you learn the drums in less time.
3. Make a daily schedule: commitment over quantity
Do not wait until 10 minutes before your first lesson to warm up. The best way to prepare for your first drum lesson is to practice 10 or 20 minutes every day instead of one hour the day before your first lesson. You should schedule this practice time into your day just like you would schedule an appointment or class. Scheduling means you do not waste time making excuses or thinking about when or how long you will practice. Instead you simply practice when it is time for practice!
If you already have some experience playing the drums, practicing every day builds muscle memory and eliminates the threat of forgetting a skill. If you are completely new to drumming, search for YouTube videos of basic drum techniques, or simply pay attention to drum beats when listening to music. Spending 10 minutes a day attempting to replicate what you heard or saw will definitely help you as you learn the drums.
4. Have materials ready
When taking drum lessons in your home, the last thing you want to do is waste time or money. Now that you are mentally prepared for your lesson, it is time to get physically prepared! Don’t waste your valuable lesson time finding sheet music, song links, or other materials. Keep your drum set and supplies organized and in their appropriate places to avoid any wasted time looking for what you need. If you bring materials back and forth from home to school, make a habit of putting your drum sticks and sheet music back where they belong the moment you get home. When your drum teacher arrives, you should be ready to take a seat at your drum and get started immediately.
What is a Good Price for Drum Lessons?
Drum lessons can be a huge asset to anyone looking to master their craft on the drums. However, it’s important to find the right price point so you get the most out of your lessons.
Overall, a good drum lesson should cost around $50 – $70 per hour, depending on experience and expertise, and whether the teacher is an individual or part of a larger music school. If you are considering in-person lessons, remember that commonly accepted rates for private teachers tend to be slightly higher than those at a music school due to additional overhead expenses like transportation and studio fees.
With online lessons, however, it is significantly easier to shop around for competitive prices without sacrificing quality or instructor qualifications.
Can I Learn Drums in 2 Months?
Learning to play the drums in two months is a lofty undertaking. It can be done, however, with dedication and perseverance. Keep in mind that everyone learns at a different pace, so do not be hard on yourself if you don’t think you are progressing fast enough.
Start with basic drum patterns and practice them until they become second nature. As your coordination and skills increase, move on to more complex rhythms and grooves. With regular practice sessions, you can make substantial strides towards becoming an accomplished drummer in two months.
It is important to not only learn the basics but also incorporate creativity and emotion into your playing for an enjoyable experience overall.
Good luck with your drum lessons! Don’t have a teacher yet? Search for a drum teacher in your area here!
Lauren played concert snare drum and the drum set for five years and acted as a private teacher for the snare drum and drum set for three years. Currently she tutors various subjects in New York, NY. Learn more about Lauren here!
Photo by cbamber85
Suzy S.