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Thread: Advice for beginner drummers?

  1. #1

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    Default Advice for beginner drummers?

    I know it's a stupid question, but the reason I'm asking is, I am teaching myself. I can't get lessons, so I really need some advice.
    I need all the advice I can get. From proper technique, to beats.. I just need advice.
    Should I be focusing on learning songs? Or something else?
    And what should I practice while.. well.. practicing?

  2. #2

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    Well lets start off like this. what do you want to know first. you cant just tackle everything at once or you'll stress yourself out. Do you want to know how to keep time, how to deal with coordination between hihat, snare, and bass drum. Pick something to practice the most. Once you master one thing you can master another. Remember rome wasn't built in a day.
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  3. #3

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    playing along with easy sings on your ipod is a good way to learn

    make sure when you hit your drums the stick is going strait down and not diagonal

    try to find your optimal seat height

    dont neglect rudiments

    learn to roll (llrrllrrllrrllrr) using the rebound of the drum

  4. #4

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    You sure came to the right place! You may notice on the bottom of the main page of this site there are links of recommended videos to watch filled with all sorts of good patterns and fills to try. You could try playalongs when you're ready, but for now the videos are good to start with.
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  5. #5

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    grip and posture is the most important things to learn now..it can make or break you ......don't make it harder for yourself by learning bad habits

  6. #6

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    im no teacher but here's one or two points i can offer from my experience.

    personally i concentrated on differentiating clearly what the different parts of the kit sounded like on recordings, once it made sense i just started playing along. focusing first on the beats i could accomplish. nothing too fancy, just getting comfortable keeping time.

    additionally there are a wealth of vids out there now that i didn't have the benefit of. find a grip that suits you from watching, find the fulcrum or balance point of the stick by balancing it on your index finger, this is approx where your thumb and index finger should be placed for maximum ease. remember to stay loose, if your tensing up slow it down till you can play faster comfortably.


    enjoy and welcome!!!
    Last edited by onegourd; 08-20-2012 at 05:37 AM.
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  7. #7

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    Quote Originally Posted by itchie View Post
    grip and posture is the most important things to learn now..it can make or break you ......don't make it harder for yourself by learning bad habits
    +1

  8. #8

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    Hi Metal Rain (nice name ), welcome to the forum and the world of drumming!

    I've been playing just under a year so am a newbie myself. I strongly suggest getting a good metronome and learn to play right from the start with it.

    Also, don't forget to relax and breath. When you're just starting out it's easy to tense up without even realizing it.
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  9. #9

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    Here's a few:

    When setting up, get your priorities straight. You should be 100% comfortable with your snare, hi hat, and bass drum. Honestly you shouldn't have to compensate comfort for anything, but at first (and with the limited movement of entry-level sets) you may have to.

    Learn with to play with a metronome, even one on your phone. This doesn't mean you have to sit and do exercises all day with one, but when you go to improvise and play, treat it like it is another musician. Be sure that you can do any beat/fill with a metronome on time.

    Keep dynamics in mind, some parts sound better played softer and others louder, make sure you can comfortably pull that off.

    Be diverse with your choice of music to play along to; you don't have to go overboard with this, but atleast get a feel for other genres.

  10. #10

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    I've just started playing myself. To echo some, I've found a good metronome to be extremely helpful. Also, counting the beats out loud, "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and, etc..." and tapping your foot to the beat as well.

    Start slow and feel comfortable before increasing speed. Good luck and I hope this helps

  11. #11

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    All great advice, in terms of beats or grooves start with a simple rock beat, 8th notes on the hi-hats (once you learn how to count) 2 and 4 on the snare, kick drum on 1 and 3. You'll be rocking in no time. Even with this simple beat you can play so many songs, Billie Jean by MJ for example.
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  12. #12

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    Everything that has been said plus things that haven't been said can all be found on the internet these days. From how to hold your sticks, all the rudiments to practice, how to do simple rolls on your snare and toms, how to set up your kit. YouTube is a decent place to look as well as this site. There are a ton of other sites that you can find by just goggling around. Playing along to songs is the method that is a lot more fun than just practicing rudiments. But your going to need to get the first 10 or so simple rudiments down in order to be able to get your timing right and to be able to follow simple beats. ACDC is a great jumping off point after you get comfortable with doing correct snare rolls and other simple rudiments. Welcome to Drum Chat and have fun. Cheers.
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  13. #13

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    Thanks for all of your tips, guys. I really appreciate it! I know 2 songs full, I know how to count notes, and I'm working on rudiments also. One other thing is, can you recommend a site that teaches your how to read music? I know a little, but can't really understand it %100 yet. Or maybe a good book on it?

  14. #14

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    I suggest trying, "Drummer's Guide to Fills", by Pete Sweeney.

    The first section is all about notes. Then it starts out really basic and simple and progresses. It's been good for me when I work on sight reading.

    A CD is included so you can hear how each should be played properly. Sometimes it helps to play along with it.
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  15. #15

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    All good advice. Practice your sticking. The sticks should feel good in your hands. Your grip should not be tight. Learn to use the rebound off the drum and how to use your fingers to control it. If playing on a kit, try the various pedal techniques and find the one you like the best and practice it. Don't limit your self to a single technique for too long. You will find the more you play, you will mix techniques to achieve the sound you want.

    Good luck.

  16. #16

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    There are some good sites that offer the rudiments and free lessons. Use those. I never learned the rudiments properly, and it's biting me in the *** 3 years later. So basically find a teacher or rent some instructional DVDs.
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  17. #17

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    Default Re: Advice for beginner drummers?

    Remember: RUDIMENTS RUDIMENTS RUDIMENTS!!!

  18. #18

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    play every day, in 2 years you'll be amazed at what you can do

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