How To Start

[theNewBassPlayer]

How Should I start playing the drums. I dont really have the cash flow to go out and buy a full kit i mean i could sell my bass and stuff but i dont wanna do that. So what should i get Practice pad? Sticks? Books? I'm really not sure so help me out just tell me some good things to get to help me start getting the basics down. thanx for any help

[sLarkin20]

I think a lot of people would say pad,sticks,metronome,stick control...at least thats what I would start with knowing what I do now...which isnt much : (

oh and Stick Control is a book if you didnt know what I meant

[krazydrummer121]

yup what larkin said, just focus on playing even and keeping time.... i wish i did that when i started..

[Sunshine]

Yeah...if you get a kit right off the bat, it's too tempting to forget about Stick Control and just screw around on the kit.

Trust me.

16th birthday present.

[alurny]

I been playing 2 years and I'm picking up stick control on monday. Hopefully it will improve my technique and creativity. May seem a bit late but I guess you can learn whenever...

[theNewBassPlayer]

what about rudiments? any good books out there that really stand out as one of the more complete rudiment books.

[Josiah]

Never too late alurny!!


Oh look out guys, he's askin bout rudiments already! Shoot he's going to smoke us all!

Haha and you will keeping that attitude!


As far as books containing rudiments... eh... rudiments are simply that, the very basic rhythmic figures used. So really a book like 'The Rudimental Cookbook' wich IS a very good book I'd recommend for this purpose - It has all the rudiments in the front, and a bunch of hybrids, and ways of practicing the rudiments. The book itself also is aprogessive snare solo book, starting from VERY easy, to absurdly hard.

Each solo has a break down of what rudiments are used in it, this is fantastic. You get to learn the rudiments on their own, play with them, then see them in applications ranging from easy, to complicated.
I would assume, though I have not checked, that every rudiment and most every hybrid in the fron to fhte book is used at some point in at least 1 of the solos.
You'll find many rudiments are FAR more common then others. just being hte nature of things he way they are.

Super great book, like $12 too.

Most the great drum books are pretty cheap luckily.




Here's your million dollar advice though, just pure gold if you hink about it and apply it, sit on it, think about it, really try and understand it. Ok.. haha it's built up so here it comes.

All of drumming comes down to Singles and Doubles.

It's all just a mixture of Single Strokes and Double Strokes. There is rarely the occasional need for triple stroke, (diddled followed by a flam) but for starters, this will get you farther then most if you take it to heart.

So Singles and Doubles.

Everything comes down to that. Get your singles in order, get your doubles in order. Be able to interplay between them.. and you are set.


k im done

[craigyp]

a teacher would be a good idea if you're just startin' (if you can afford one - can be expensive though) - one of my pals got lessons for about 2 months and then quit and began practising himself once he knew the basics.

[Sharkey Boy]

I would second Josiah's and Craigyp

[Jred250]

I couldn't agree more josiah, I have been playing for 8 years now. The first 5 were spent playing various beats, and making cool fills. Basically drum solo'ing all the time. I found this got me no further than the beginner drumming level. I then was in a band, This got my timing perfect, and also got me playing alot of new material. We played everything from, The Darkness for a laugh, to David Bowie, we even wrote our own ''Christmas Blues'' Song. After all these styles ect: I was at more of an intermediate stage at this point, I found myself playing faster, and alot more complex material, I also picked up sheet music for the very first time.
Then, to advance myself even further, I learned all about time signatures, rudiments, brushed up on timing even more. I also started playing material from books that was of all levels, 16 pages of millitary sticking ect: It was then I advanced myself alot more!

I never had a drum teacher, Although the school did have several drum teachers who visited twice a week for a 30 min lesson with each of us. It was free also!!!
I was told by my dad an experienced musician that lessons are not always the key. He said that some people lose there originality, and also lose that so called ''Unique'' Style of playing.
Although he did recommend I give it a try, I decided not too after one 30 min lesson.

[alurny]

Just to add I had lessons for 6 weeks (6 lessons) in which I learnt the basics. I did not enjoy the learning process and went it alone.

I'd reccomend joining a jam band or forming a band as it developed my skills a lot! :chug:

[lais817]

hey, I'm thikning of getting into drums too, as bass is losing it's appeal and I've always loved drums. but um, what's a practise pad? :)

[some jive turkey]

it's like a rubbery pad that you hit and use to study drumming repetoire on. You can warm up your hands with it, or practice silently at any hour of the night if you want.

All drummers (should) use them.

EDIT:
Before you quit bass though, try learning a new type of music. Bass is a really awesome instrument, and as a drummer, I have a lot of respect for great bassists.

[some jive turkey]

Here's your million dollar advice though, just pure gold if you hink about it and apply it, sit on it, think about it, really try and understand it. Ok.. haha it's built up so here it comes.

All of drumming comes down to Singles and Doubles.

It's all just a mixture of Single Strokes and Double Strokes. There is rarely the occasional need for triple stroke, (diddled followed by a flam) but for starters, this will get you farther then most if you take it to heart.

So Singles and Doubles.

Everything comes down to that. Get your singles in order, get your doubles in order. Be able to interplay between them.. and you are set.




That's Dave Weckl talking. He said that he never played in a drum core or was "a rudimental drummer", but focused very seriously on singles & doubles.

[lais817]

it's like a rubbery pad that you hit and use to study drumming repetoire on. You can warm up your hands with it, or practice silently at any hour of the night if you want.

All drummers (should) use them.

EDIT:
Before you quit bass though, try learning a new type of music. Bass is a really awesome instrument, and as a drummer, I have a lot of respect for great bassists.

As do most bassists for great drummers. I just wanna see how it feels on the other side of the kit though. thanks for the info on the pads! :thumb:

[some jive turkey]

Well even if you decide to stick with bass. Getting some drum sticks and a practice pad and a metronome won't cost you much at all.
Focusing exclusively on rhythm WILL make you a better musician no matter what you play. This is especially true for bass players though since having good time for a bassist is important.

[lais817]

cool, hows this for a starting pad? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vic-Firth-Double-Sided-Practice-Pad?sku=447606 keep in mind that I want to eventually get a real set, providing I can develop my co-ordination. This pad any good for that? oh, and reccomed me some stick? Thanks guys :thumb:

[some jive turkey]

Yeah either the vic firth or the HQ real feel ones are nice.

I would get the 12" though. It's easier to hit if you're just starting out.

[Josiah]

Yea, the HQ or ProMark X Pad (I like blue, so X for me). The VicFirth ones are a bit too bouncy.

For normal sticks, well there are so many models. A "5B" size would be a good place to start, and but find what works best for YOU. There's 1,000's of different models, so it's just about as personal as you can get. (plus you can modify to make your own)

For pad practice, I recommend also grabbing a pair of marching sticks. VicFirth Ralph Hardimons or MS2's are fantastic. VicFirth is just fantastic for all sticks though really.


That's Dave Weckl talking. He said that he never played in a drum core or was "a rudimental drummer", but focused very seriously on singles & doubles.

Interesting, it's really true as well. Wich is mind boggling if you think about the amazing potential of such a simple thing, or 2 things that is.