Tips For New Drummers

[TheBendrummin]

I am somewhat a new drummer, I have been playing for about 3 years, and I am sure that I am doing some messed up things, and not doing some important things. Any tips for me and any new drummer?

[SpazApproved]

First tip, have fun and enjoy what you're doing
Second tip, stay relaxed and try to hit the pocket
Third, find what you love and make it yours... gotta own it


What style are you into?

[EddieV]

Learn to read. It will make learning so much easier and self-sufficient.

[8beat]

Practice with a metronome, at least sometimes.

[BeatMonster]

Practice with a metronome, at least sometimes.

Yes! This advice has already helped me!

[drummer]

Learn a lot of songs. Keep your ears open and absorb. Look at songs not only from a drummer's perspective but think about the melody, the lyrics, etc. and how they all work together. Play for the song first before you even think about playing a drum fill. Take lessons from more than one teacher so you get different approaches. Learn a bunch of styles, you'll work more.

The owner's of this site have another site called drum tips, where you'll find thousands more.

Good luck and of course drumchat is chock full of tips and valuable information from thousands of experienced drummers.

[skills]

Welcome!
I'm not a Pro but don't practice 1x a weak 2 hours but at least 5-6 x a weak 30 minutes - 1h (depends on your level)

Protect your hearing and use Hearsafe.

Take Lessons and be open for a bunch of styles.

Matt Putato wrote a very helpful article:
[deleted - sorry skills, with the exception of paid advertisers, links to sites that sell commercial product are not permitted - Tom]

[TheBendrummin]

First tip, have fun and enjoy what you're doing
Second tip, stay relaxed and try to hit the pocket
Third, find what you love and make it yours... gotta own it


What style are you into?

I'm into rock, pop, and more modern types of music.
Thanks for all the tips!

[TheBendrummin]

Practice with a metronome, at least sometimes.

Ok, I haven't been doing that much lately, but I'll try to get back into the habit.
Thanks!

[TheBendrummin]

Learn a lot of songs. Keep your ears open and absorb. Look at songs not only from a drummer's perspective but think about the melody, the lyrics, etc. and how they all work together. Play for the song first before you even think about playing a drum fill. Take lessons from more than one teacher so you get different approaches. Learn a bunch of styles, you'll work more.

The owner's of this site have another site called drum tips, where you'll find thousands more.

Good luck and of course drumchat is chock full of tips and valuable information from thousands of experienced drummers.

Ok, I'll try to expand my range and try new styles.
Thanks!

[TheBendrummin]

Welcome!
I'm not a Pro but don't practice 1x a weak 2 hours but at least 5-6 x a weak 30 minutes - 1h (depends on your level)

Protect your hearing and use Hearsafe.

Take Lessons and be open for a bunch of styles.

Matt Putato wrote a very helpful article:
[deleted - sorry skills, with the exception of paid advertisers, links to sites that sell commercial product are not permitted - Tom]

Ok. I tend to be practicing daily for about 30-60 minutes, so hopefully I'm on track there. I wish I could still take lessons, but I can't anymore because all my siblings play sports and I have a disabled brother, so we don't really have time.
Thanks for all those tips!

[TheBendrummin]

Learn to read. It will make learning so much easier and self-sufficient.

I can read drum music and other music (treble clef, bass clef stuff) and it definitely helps.
Thanks!

[jgziegler]

set up a practice routine of exercises and stick to it. Been playing about the same amount of time as you, in the last 14 months I've made a lot of progress by:

1. Practicing with the metronome almost always (my ekit has a feature which makes this fun and extremely useful).

2. Practicing on average 7+ hours per week

3. Working a lot on technique, this should be the foundation of a practice routine at our level.

4. Setting up a practice routine of exercises you do every practice, with a metronome focusing on technique. Tommy Igoe's great hands for a lifetime is really useful (you can download the pdf if you google it).

I've found that it's better to go with one exercise for one skill, you;ll memorize them in time and you focus better on improving that skill, instead of what you should be playing.

5. Find a drum mentor. If you practice with the metronome, you should already have an idea if you're in the pocket or not, so you don't need to pay someone to stand behind you and tell you that. I've never had a problem recognising if I'm playing something properly or with the right sticking, you probably shouldn't either if you can read music., so no need to pay someone for that either. And you definitely don't need to pay someone to tell you to practice more or you've made good progress, the metronome will tell you that (or your friends/bandmates). What is needed is someone you can see once per month, answer your questions if how you play X is good or not, what's a good exercise to practice Y, turn you on to music you don't know, ect ect. I'm fortunate to have found Yoda for a mentor, I'd be happy to pass on what he's taught me. In theory you could get this support here on DC, but I also think the mentor is someone you go out for a drink with, or can see play live, and even be your friend.

6. Get a practice pad you can take and play on anywhere, I almost never use mine, but when i'm away from my place, it's great still being able to practice.

7. Start slowly, get the timing right before increasing the speed (increments of 5 is a god max). I slowed my routine exercises down by 10-20bpm and my accuracy improved a lot because of that.

8. Practice, practice, practice with a metronome!

[TheBendrummin]

Thanks for all those tips! I'll be sure to try and put them into place in my practicing!

[ZackPomerleau]

Use hearing protection!

Playing wise, practice rudiments.They might seem boring but they are highly applicable to the drumset. When you really start to get them you'll begin using various stickings without even thinking about it!

[drummer]

Use hearing protection!

Playing wise, practice rudiments.They might seem boring but they are highly applicable to the drumset. When you really start to get them you'll begin using various stickings without even thinking about it!

Amen. Getting a hold on esp. the basics will really open you up. Even if you were to concentrate on just singles, doubles, and diddle combos and really master them, you'll be amazed at how much of a difference it will make.

[ZackPomerleau]

Amen. Getting a hold on esp. the basics will really open you up. Even if you were to concentrate on just singles, doubles, and diddle combos and really master them, you'll be amazed at how much of a difference it will make.

Not to mention the fact that every single rudiment uses singles, diddles, drags/ruffs, and flams, when you get those down it's all about building from there!

[drummer]

Not to mention the fact that every single rudiment uses singles, diddles, drags/ruffs, and flams, when you get those down it's all about building from there!

There you have it!

[Hlywd]

Something to think about... never underestimate the value of a reliable drummer who can also sing backup vocals. While drumming along to songs, practice singing along as well. I find that it also helps with my 'limb independence" if I'm paying more attention to proper lyric phrasing while playing.

[veafer]

And NEVER drink and drum! lol

[Bish]

And NEVER drink and drum! lol

If you do, be sure to get a spill safe container and proper cup holder. Nothing worse than sticky drums.