Learning to Play the Drums
- Coordination and rhythm are the two most important skills that a drummer can have. Most first-time drum set players have a hard time separating their hands from their feet, meaning they will be playing the same thing with one of their hands as well as with the bass pedal. While this can be a simple beat, the fledgling drummer will want to begin to separate all of their limbs from each other, playing different patterns on each appendage for truly interesting combinations.
Counting can help. Count 1, 2, 3, 4 in your head, repeating for as long as you play. Hit the hi-hat on each count, the bass drum on the ones and threes and the snare on the twos and fours. This is a very simple beat that separates each limb, allowing coordination building. A metronome can also be helpful, both for counting and for keeping a steady beat. - Listen to great drummers that you respect and admire. Keith Moon of the Who, John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and Gene Krupa are among the elite pantheon of drummers. Listen closely to what they do in their songs; drumming is about development of techniques and a personal style. When you have some ideas, try playing along with a song. Don't be afraid to improvise! Adding extra, quiet off-beats on the snare can add flair and style to an otherwise simple beat.
- Decide how to proceed in your drumming. Many great drummers were self taught, such as Larry Mullen Jr. from U2; a great many also had teachers that honed their skills. The Internet has also offered a new alternative to traditional learning with video lessons, both paid and free, available online. You will have to decide how you learn best.
Don't be afraid to experiment further with drum accents. Try creating complex duet rhythms between the bass and snare or concentrate on the hi-hat or ride cymbals.
Go out and jam! Find a guitarist or bassist and play along to songs you all know.
