How to Teach Yourself Drums
Comprehensive Guide
Intro
The drums are an exhilarating instrument that can offer a world of satisfaction to anyone bold enough to try.
Whether you’re an aspiring musician or simply looking for a new hobby, teaching yourself to play the drums can be an incredibly rewarding journey.
In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to go deep into the practical steps you can take to learn the drums, how to step up your game and a few crucial things to consider along the way.
How to Teach Yourself Drums: Practical Steps
1. Start with Posture and Grip
The starting point of any drumming journey begins with mastering your posture and grip. How you sit and how you hold your sticks is of crucial importance.
Posture:
When you seat at your drum kit aim for a posture that allows for maximum mobility and minimum strain. Position your stool so that your knees form a 90-degree angle when your feet are resting on the pedals. Sit up straight to keep your spine healthy, and lean slightly forward from the waist to get closer to your kit. This balanced position offers stability and enables you to reach all parts of your drum set with minimal effort.
Grip:
There are several types of grips drummers use, including the matched grip (where both hands hold the sticks in the same way) and the traditional grip (where the stick in the left hand is held differently to the one in the right).
For beginners, the matched grip is often easier to learn and provides equal power and control in both hands. Remember, your grip should be firm but relaxed. Tension in your hands can lead to fatigue and hinder your progress.
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2. Learn How to Read Drum Notation
Understanding how to read drum notation is similar to learning a new language. It’s a system of symbols that convey when and how to strike each drum or cymbal.Each part of the drum kit corresponds to a different area of the musical staff.
For example, the snare might be represented by a note on the middle line, while the bass drum is typically the lowest note.
Learning to interpret these symbols will allow you to read and play from sheet music, greatly expanding your repertoire and helping you to understand the structure and rhythm of songs at a deeper level. Read this guide to get you started with learning how to read a drum notation.
3. Master the Correct Techniques and Rudiments
Rudiments are the basic patterns that form the backbone of drumming. They’re often likened to scales on a piano or chords on a guitar, they’re the essential building blocks from which everything else flows.
There are around 40 standard rudiments, but beginners should focus on a few key ones. These include single-stroke rolls (alternating hits with your left and right sticks), double-stroke rolls (two hits with one stick, then two hits with the other), and paradiddles (a pattern of singles and doubles). Practice these slowly and steadily, gradually increasing your speed while maintaining control and accuracy. For more about rudimments follow this article.
4. Learn Some Basic Drum Beats
Once you have a grasp of rudiments, it’s time to piece them together into coherent beats. This is where you start to create that contagious rhythm that the drums are known for.
Start with a basic rock beat, often the first one drummers learn. It involves the hi-hat, snare drum, and bass drum, and it’s the backbone of countless songs across various genres. You can then move on to the eighth-note beat, which simply involves playing eight notes on the hi-hat for every bar.
Go trhough these common drum beats next.
5. Understand and Learn Drum Fills
Drum fills are those little flourishes that break up the rhythm of a song and announce a transition to a new section. Think of them as punctuation in the sentence of a song, giving it structure and breaking up the rhythm to add interest.
Fills can be as simple or as complex as you like, but beginners should start simple. Try a basic fill using the toms, moving from the high tom to the mid tom, and then the floor tom.
5. Understand and Learn Drum Fills
Drum fills are those little flourishes that break up the rhythm of a song and announce a transition to a new section. Think of them as punctuation in the sentence of a song, giving it structure and breaking up the rhythm to add interest.
Fills can be as simple or as complex as you like, but beginners should start simple. Try a basic fill using the toms, moving from the high tom to the mid tom, and then the floor tom.
Step Up Your Game:
Taking Online Lessons
Online drum lessons have been a game-changer for self-taught drummers. They offer expert instruction at a fraction of the cost of traditional lessons and you can progress at your own pace, repeat lessons as necessary and practice whenever you have the time.
There are many platforms offering drum lessons, each with its own strengths and teaching styles. Some offer a structured curriculum that takes you step-by-step through the learning process, while others allow you to pick and choose lessons based on your interests or the skills you want to develop.
Looking at Video Tutorials
There’s a wealth of free drumming content available online, particularly on video-sharing platforms like youtube. Watching drum tutorials offers a visual demonstration of techniques that can be easier to understand than written descriptions. You can see exactly how the drummer sets up their kit, holds their sticks, hits each drum, and manipulates the pedals.
See Other Drummers Play
Observing other drummers, whether in live concerts, recorded performances, or casual jam sessions can be as educational as it is entertaining.
Watching a skilled drummer in action allows you to see how they incorporate different techniques, how they use dynamics to shape the music and how they interact with other musicians.
Reading a Book About Playing the Drums
Drumming books can provide an in-depth understanding of drumming theory, history, and technique. They often include exercises and practice routines, tips on performance and improvisation and advice from professional drummers. Some books also come with CDs or links to online audio and video resources offering a multi-media learning experience.
Play to Backing Tracks
Backing tracks are pre-recorded music tracks that you can play along to. They’re a great way to practice keeping time, learn new genres and styles and get a feel for playing in a band setting. They can also make practice more fun, adding a musical context to the beats and fills you’re working on.
Play With a Band
There’s nothing quite like the experience of playing music with others. It requires a whole new level of listening and communication, challenges you to adapt to different musical situations and provides an opportunity to apply what you’ve been practicing in a real-world context.
Practice, Practice, and Some More Practice!
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the key to progress on the drums (or any instrument, for that matter) is regular and focused practice. This means not just playing through songs or beats you already know but working on new material, challenging yourself, and stepping out of your comfort zone.
Things to Consider:
Use a Metronome
A metronome is a device that produces a steady pulse, helping you keep time and develop your internal sense of rhythm. Start by setting the metronome to a slow tempo and playing along with it, focusing on hitting each beat accurately. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the tempo.
Use a Practice Pad
A practice pad is a small, portable device that replicates the feel of a drum, allowing you to practice your strokes and rudiments anywhere, anytime. They’re quiet, so they won’t disturb others, and they’re an affordable way to keep your hands in shape when you can’t access your drum kit.
Get Some Ear Protection
One often overlooked aspect of playing the drums is protecting your hearing. Drums are loud, and prolonged exposure can lead to tinnitus or other forms of hearing damage. Invest in some quality earplugs or earmuffs designed for musicians they reduce the volume without distorting the sound, allowing you to play safely for longer.
FAQ:
How long does it take to learn drums?
The time it takes to learn drums depends on several factors, including your prior musical experience, the amount of time you’re able to dedicate to practice and your individual learning pace.
That being said, with regular practice and dedication you can expect to grasp basic beats and fills in a few months. However, drumming is a deep and complex art and truly mastering it can take many years. Remember, it’s not a race. Enjoy the process, and progress will come.
Can you Learn Drums on Your own?
Absolutely! With a wealth of resources available today from online tutorials and lessons to drumming books and practice tools it’s entirely possible to teach yourself drums. Self-learning gives you the flexibility to progress at your own pace and focus on the areas you’re most interested in.
However, getting occasional feedback from a teacher or experienced drummer can be highly beneficial to ensure you’re not developing bad habits and to provide guidance on more advanced techniques.
Is 21 too late to learn drums?
It’s never too late to learn drums!
People of all ages have started their drumming journey and age is definitely not a barrier. In fact, as an adult, you might have a better understanding of music and more discipline for regular practice than a younger learner. The key is to start where you are, be patient with yourself and enjoy the learning process.
Can I learn Drums in 1 Year?
Within a year of consistent, focused practice, you can certainly expect to learn the basics of drumming, including proper grip and posture, basic rudiments, a few standard beats, and some simple fills. You might even be able to play along to some of your favorite songs!
However, becoming proficient on the drums, like any instrument, takes time and dedication. Aim for steady progress and remember, the joy of drumming comes not just from mastery but from the act of playing itself.
Final Thoughts
Starting the journey to learn the drums is an exciting and rewarding decision. There’s an undeniable joy in creating rhythms, participating in a musical conversation and physically engaging with your instrument in a way that few other instruments allow.
As a self-taught drummer you will face challenges along the way, but remember that each obstacle overcome is a step forward in your drumming journey. Embrace the process, celebrate the small victories and most importantly, keep the beat alive. Every rhythm you learn, every new drum fill you execute and every time you sit down at your kit, you are furthering your musical story.
Connect with other drummers and musicians, both online and in-person. Share your struggles and achievements, learn from their experiences and contribute to the wider drumming community.
Drumming is a celebration of your passion, dedication, and the insatiable human spirit of self-expression. So, let your sticks be an extension of yourself, let your drums speak and let the world hear your rhythm.
Keep practicing, stay curious, and always keep the rhythm alive. Happy drumming!
Diego Cardini
Founder of TheDrumNinja
I’m crazy about drums, it’s been my passion since I was 12 years old. I played in numerous bands going through different styles like Rock, Progressive, Pop & Jazz-Rock. After being featured in major music publications (Drumeo, Guitar Guitar, AudioIssues, MusicThinkTank) I started this website to share my knowledge and create a resource for drummers of all levels.