So you got a new set of drums for Christmas. Now what? Most of you will say to yourself “I’m all set. Find someone who got a guitar for Christmas, and let rock-stardom begin!” Playing around and jamming may be fun, but for long-term fun and success, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your drumming experience.

1. Get Some Lessons

            Get some lessons. I know this may be the typical answer you usually hear, but this will give you the foundation you need to not only know how to properly play your instrument, but also help you find what styles of music you really like. You may find that you like playing a different style than you enjoy listening to.

            “But lessons are boring! I don’t need to know what a flam is, or the differences in the paradiddles.” If you already know what a flam or a paradiddle is, then you’re already on your way. And take it from me, having taken a lifetime of music and percussion lessons, as well as several years experience as a teacher, I promise you, that I fully understand that it can be a boring process. But rest assured, if you stick with it, and get through the “boring” lessons, it does get fun. Beginning a musical instrument is the same as learning to drive, walk, talk, math, or anything else, you must go through the boring to get to the fun.

            If you are the giver of the instrument, imagine listening to the drums getting banged on with no rhyme-or-reason for months, and eventually the student getting bored and the drums sitting and collecting dust. With lessons, after just a few weeks, you can hear progress being made, and within a few months, you’re student will be playing beats, jamming to tunes, and reading music.

2. Be Respectful

            Students: Be respectful to your parents! Only play during times that you are allowed to play. Although you will love beating on your new instrument, to others that don’t hear the rock band in your head, it can get a little annoying at times. Your parents will assign you certain times that you are allowed to play, so get your playing out then. Remember, THIS is what they hear:

            Parents: Be respectful to your student! Your child is going to be super excited to play their new drums, so let them play. Set times when they are and are not allowed to play, but during when they’re allowed to play, LET THEM PLAY! The child may be loud, and to your ears, you may not understand what’s in their imagination. These first few weeks are important to the learning process, so let them play! Remember, when they sit down to play, this is what they see:

3. Research your instrument

            Get to know a little bit about your instrument. You’re a drummer, so know a little bit about how to tune your drums, how the hi-hat stand works, how the snare drum works, etc. Also research other drummers. Look at different ways to adjust the angle of your toms, the height of your cymbals, etc.

            Also, know a little bit about famous drummers. If someone sees that you’re new to the drumming world, and they call you a “Neil Peart,” know who Neil Peart is. As a brand new drummer, the basic beginnings of who to look up would be…way too long to list here. Get on youtube, and search for videos of your favorite band’s drummer, and then let the exploration begin. And remember, you can always check Modern Drummer, Drum! Magazine, and of course, right here at The Drum Circle for more information on the past, current, and up-and-coming world of drummers! 

Bill Cashdollar, 2011 The Drum Circle