It is no surprise that being able to drum is one of the most extraordinary party tricks you can hide up your sleeve. Whether you decide to learn drumming for fun or to pursue a career, there are many things you should be aware of as a beginner drummer.
Continue reading to find out tips from choosing the correct drum to ways you can make your drumming sequence smoother than it ever was!
What Kit is Right for You?
According to Robert Emery, the easiest way to choose the correct set is by browsing through stores until you find one that fits you best. As a beginner, it will be easier for you to start with an entry-level kit than the one you can find a professional drummer using.
How Do You Tune a Drum?
One of the most effective ways to tune your drums is to tighten all the tension rods, loosen them a little one by one, and tap the drumhead lightly to check the difference in feel and sound your drum makes.
Keeping the drum skin-tight will produce a high note, and loose skin will produce a lower note. A standard method to tune drums is to work clockwise or even a star-shaped pattern with all the rods so you can keep track of the changes you made.
Keep a Consistent Schedule
Playing the drums now and then is a fun activity, but consistency is vital if you wish to get to a professional level. It is essential to practice your moves at least once a week to make sure you still have your rhythm set. Even take a lesson from The Drum Ninja to polish your moves.
Although drums are the instrument that makes you want to keep banging till your arms give out, overexertion is not as fun. Make sure to give your body a break and increase your practice time at a steady pace.
Create a Practice Area
While practice is rather crucial, it is also necessary to make sure you practice in a place where you can’t disrupt anyone.
Practicing in a deserted area or soundproofing your room before will help you practice without having anyone stop you midway and break your streak.
Start With the Basics
Many people start drumming to learn a certain routine they like, but jumping straight to it will not help you become a proper drummer. You may be able to learn your favorite routine by heart, but if you’re planning to play drums long-term, you may have a problem, so make sure to learn the primary skills to build your foundation.
Practice Hand-To-Eye Coordination
Keeping up with music is an essential part of drumming. Catching and throwing a ball is the simplest way to learn coordination, and practicing every day can help you work your drumsticks and pedals up to pace.
Choose a Grip
Being able to hold drumsticks correctly is a crucial part of drumming. You can choose from various options, such as the German or Traditional grip. Every choice is different in its way and feels different as well.
Before you set out to the drums, make sure to familiarize your hands with the drumsticks first.
Practice the Rudiments
To work through any drumming sequence with ease, you will have to learn at least ten basic sticking patterns, also known as rudiments. These simple strokes and rolls create the foundation for complex drumming patterns. Learn these, and you can easily work your way up the ladder to the more complicated ones.
Try to Get Lessons
Getting lessons is essential to find out where you are making mistakes and tackle them. Learning by yourself is a great idea, but getting healthy criticism and advice can get tricky without a tutor.
If you can’t get one-on-one lessons, try to watch as many tutorial videos on the internet to make sure you’re holding your sticks right. Playing along with drumming videos can also help you learn to keep up with the pace and pick up new tricks.
Learn to Read Drum Sheets and Tabs
Drum tabs are abbreviations for different drumming equipment, and it is relatively easy to learn them if you read them regularly. Drum sheets contain other drum notations and techniques.
It is essential to learn how to read sheets and tabs, as it will help strengthen your hand-to-eye coordination and help you practice and become much better at drumming melodies you haven’t even heard of before.
Final Thoughts
Deciding to become a drummer is a fun activity, but it requires a lot of precision, commitment, and hard work. Practice, practice, and practice as a beginner drummer. Although according to Robert Emery, once you get into the habit of drumming, there is no way to go but up!
Featured Image by Heyme Langbroek from Pixabay
