For those who teach or are taught...

[HEEEL]

Hi guys,

Right, basically my situation is that I'm going to be starting teaching in a couple of months, I've got plenty of material to teach, I'm just struggling to get it all into any sort of order. Which is where you come in (hopefully).

When you first started lessons (or when those of you who teach are teaching a complete beginner), what things did you learn first. For instance did you learn a few basic beats and fills first to get you into the swing of things, or did you begin with technique (grip, posture etc) and reading from the very start before you were allowed to move onto playing?

Thinking back to when I first started, I learnt some simple grooves and fills (fun stuff) before going onto technique and rudiments and the like, though obviously I realise everyone will learn differently. I'm definitely certain I want to get students reading as quickly as possible, as I want lessons to be very visual, with handouts of all the material covered etc (which will be done as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of Sibelius!)

So, just in case you couldn't be bothered to read all that, at what point in your playing history did you learn to read, technique, rudiments (and with that techniques like Moeller etc), and all the various styles.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies to this mini essay :wave:

[Byron]

teach a mix of both to get the kid to enjoy it but still be learning

[dumbassdrummer]

I think you need to sit down and evaluate for yourself what needs to be taught and when and what all of that depends upon.

I'd imagine that establishing technique is pretty damn important (first thing I teach) so that at least kids dont hurt themselves playing. Past that, you have to consider what the student wants to learn, what the student needs to learn to progress and what the student will need to know for the next lesson.

[Ryandogg]

Hey what's up.

I just aquired my first drum set on the 4th of this month so I cant answer your question, but it seems you have some good drumming background, especially since you'll be teaching:thumb: I'm starting out with my drum rudiments. I got a book from the library and it came with two cd's. I think I'm doing ok so far on my own, because I practice at least an hour a day. Should I consider getting lessons? My only concern about getting lessons would be some hotshot drummer showing me up on my new yamahas haha. Are lesson's worth the money, and how much money at that?

thanx

[spike9908]

Start with rudiments and technique. Rudiments are the basis of everything. Good technique keeps the player from breaking equipment and having wrist problems.

[EchoMuse]

RyanDogg: A teacher is a good thing to have, but it is what you make of it. Learn with him/her to learn, actually work on things and listen, it'll help a lot, so if you do that, yes lessons are worth it. The money should be based on the teachers experience and what he offers I should say. Welcome to MX.


And to the post, I'm not too keen on what to do myself so...yeah. =)

[Tommy-r]

this is what I do:
I first sit down with someone and talk about what he (or she) wants to learn, what his goals are. then I'll start of with learning him to read notes etc., then some technique/rudiments/basic beats and when that's on a good level we'll start working with the styles he likes and see where he want's to go next.

[moogoogaipan]

my teachers first statement..

"we are going to kill that stereotype of the dumb drummer, sound good?"

and from there he began teaching me how to play with proper technique while teaching me to read music.

[Tillmon]

Since I teach beginners, most of the first lesson was talking about tuning the kit and placing everything comfortably and tom angles and stuff like that. I never tell a student how to properly hold a stick, because that's one of those things that a drummer will naturally hold it how is most comfortable for them. If they're having trouble doing doubles I might tell them to pull back on the stick a little or something, but never get into detail.

Besides that, I start off with simple rudiments and beats, and incorporating those rudiments into beats, fills, and then gradually get into more syncopated stuff, different styles, and stuff.

[HEEEL]

"we are going to kill that stereotype of the dumb drummer, sound good?"


I like that...though theres obviously the problem of teaching a 12 year old for instance and them not having any of that :)

Cheers so far guys, keep it coming!

[keaton_86]

My drum teacher first said "Show me what you can do" so i randomly hit drums, seeing as i had never even been near a kit before. By the end of the lesson he had taught me the basic rock beat, i was hooked. He then taugh me the very basics of different styles. Funnily enough he never really focused that heavily on rudiments, it was probably around my 3rd year when we really focused on them. Turns out i had been playing a few of them anyway, and not realising.

Bearing in mind i was a short attention spanned 9 year old when i started, i can see why he taught me this way.

[Josiah]

Technique first, playing second.

No point in playing if your technique is shot and may hurt you.


After that, it's good to mix thigns between applicaple grooves/playing and rudimental based studies.

really the best hting a teacher can teach a student is how to teach himself

[calgone]

if you start a brand new student with technique they'll quit within the first month.
i say as far as starting off.. simple 4/4 beats.

[Smike313]

you have to take different approaches according to the student. Present them with a bunch of things they can work on, discuss with them their commitment, work out a consistant practice pattern. You can teach technique all you want but if the kid practices for 2 hours the day before each lesson his doubles will suck until forever.

[Josiah]

then it's a pointless thing isn't it?

if you can't tell how much, how often and when your student practiced from the last time you saw them, you shouldn't be teaching.

If someone comes to me and wants to 'clean up their playing', wich is prob the biggest request. That's a technique issue, very simply. You want to learn how to play latin.. well that's somethin else, then we play with latin stuff.

Keep a student interested, teach them what they want to know.. but at the same time. if a dude can't hang around for 30 days to learn how to hold sticks correctly, then he won't be sticking around for the years it takes to learn how to move em.

[Damo]

After going through the technique of holding and swinging the sticks, I teach three major rudiments - singles, doubles and paradiddles. I then show them the basic rock beat so that they can play something before they leave. in the next lesson we learn some fills and rhythms using some of the 3 rudiments, so that the student sees the importance of them and has learnt to apply the rudiment. Earlier when I didnt do this, students would be learning rudiments, but not necessarily see them as being useful, or were unable to apply them anywhere.

That being said, every student is different. have a guideline, but be flexible.

[Laney]

then it's a pointless thing isn't it?
if a dude can't hang around for 30 days to learn how to hold sticks correctly, then he won't be sticking around for the years it takes to learn how to move em.

Definately true.

Playing on a pad for a month before moving them onto the kit shows who's willing and who isn't willing.