New to drums and need help

[meSSican]

hello, i am new to drumming and wanted to find out what are good dvds to learn drums. I am 28 so im looking to fast track as much as possible without my technique suffering. Does anyone know anything about the "learn to master drums" dvd set. It looks good, but cannot find any real reviews about it. Or are there any better dvds out there to get me going?
Thanks all!

[bobdadruma]

I like the term "Technique Suffering"! I have a problem with that term! Drums are all about technique. I have spent many years learning tech skills. I have never looked at it as Suffering! Learning techniques is fulfilling and rewarding! I've been playing since 1971 and I still work on technique every day! Also, there is no magic fast track video that will take you to an advanced level of play. Sorry! DVD's are OK to use as learning tools, but they can only take you so far. You will have to spend the necessary time to master the craft just like all of us accomplished drummers have. Drumming is an art! If you think that you can fast track the skills from a few DVD's, Your in for a rude awakening! Take the time and learn how to play. Don't try to Hack it! I wish you the best.
Peace, love, Bobdadruma out.

[meSSican]

wow bob the builder guess you miss read my post.......... i dont wany my technique to suffer is what i was saying............. i dont know where you got the other idea from...... and i know i wont wake up a great drummer....... i just want to get as much info and practice as i can...... so any way.......
any help from a non basher would be greatly appreciated.....

[dmbkiwi]

I agree with the poster above - although I think he slightly misunderstood your reference to technique suffering. The way I read your post, you wanted a way to fast track building drumming skill without technique suffering. However, I'm not sure that that is possible. In fact I think the only way to fast track progress is to focus on technique.

My experience is that I started drumming when I was about 12 - I played for about 10 years. I got a teacher, and went through a number of snare drum books and drummed to big band jazz charts, as well as rocking out to my favourite tunes. But I never practiced any rudiments, and never focussed on technique. After about 3 years I plateaued, and never progressed further.

I then didn't play drums again for about 20 years, due to living circumstances precluding drum playing. I've got back into it in the last 2 years. My playing has improved a hell of a lot more in the last 2 years than in the 10 years I played when I was younger. I put this down to focussing on technique, and practicing with a metronome. I have much greater speed now, a much greater palette of sounds and feels to play with, and much much better timing.

However, having said that, a lot of what I have learnt in the last two years has been from videos and books. It may be that because I had played previously, I didn't need to learn basic technique, such as how to hold sticks and how to set up a set of drums. If you're a complete novice, I'd definitely recommend going to a teacher to get your basic technique right. But I have focussed heavily on basic rudiments - singles, doubles, paradiddles, six-stroke rolls and the like.

Two dvd's I'd definitely recommend are Pat Petrillo's Hands, Grooves and Fills and Tommy Igoe's Groove Essentials.

But what I would say is that there is no substitute for building your technique from the ground up. If you take shortcuts now, you will hit roadblocks later. In my view, the key is repetition, building speed slowly, and practicing with a metronome.

As I said above the only real way to fast track your progress is in fact to focus on technique.

[eardrum]

What style/genre of music are you interested in playing?

[Christ-Hammer]

There is no "quick way" so get that thought out of your head, but you definitely don't want to take shortcuts either as you said you don't want your technique to suffer. I take that back there is a quick way, but it all depends on what level of drumming you want to achieve. If you want to be your basic 4/4 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 bass snare bass snare at 160 bps and thats all you want to achieve than it should only be a matter of months. On the other hand if you want ghost notes, blast beats at 300 bps, heel toe, swivel, flat footed double bass at 1400 bps that will cost you a matter of years. I think no matter what, when anyone starts something new, a new technique or anything of the sort, their technique suffers. It's kind of like body builders, when they work out their muscles break down and rebuild, same with drums you practice wrong at first and your body learns better ways to do things as you go. Never ever ask for a quick way to learn how to do something on drums, because the answer will always be, there is no quick way, there is only a great way to learn. A better question would be..... What is the best way for you to become what you want to become in music, and the answer will be.... practice, and from there you can move into multiple categories of how to practice efficiently to achieve what you want the right way, granted it will always take time even when you get the answers. It isn't like you can just watch someone else do something and you will be able to do it right after, back to the body builder example, if you watch someone lift 1000 pounds will you be able to do it right after? Ask us what you want to learn and we will answer, but it will be your job and time to practice what we tell you if you want to achieve anything from our answers.

[Christ-Hammer]

One more thing, don't just look around for random dvds, look for dvds that focus on what you want to learn. Don't fall into the trap of buying dvds that you will regret because they go over how to drum like Nick Jonas and that isn't what you were expecting. Go online, youtube, websites, anything like that and look for previews and see if it is what you need.

[bobdadruma]

I didn't mean to come down as hard as I did. There are posts made here from time to time from new drummers that imply that they can learn drumming in two weeks. I was a bit tired and cranky from a gig that I had played.
I took you the wrong way.
Once again, sorry for the bash.

[Boomka]

Here's my guide:

1. Realise that there is no fast track sooner rather than later.
2. Save your money and don't bother buying any "learn to drum" video sets.
3. For the quickest progress spend your money on a real living-and-breathing teacher that can help you create a study program geared specifically toward your needs and goals. Unlike a DVD, a human being can help you along with immediate feedback and advice, provide encouragement, and work with you.
4. Learn to practice in a focussed and disciplined way. How? See #3.

[meSSican]

when i mean fast track i meant that i want to get started as soon as possible.......... i guess is didnt explain enough...... i can hold a beat pretty well an have got down a few of the entry level beats......... so guess what i meant is that i want to get started fast........ i just need some good resources to get me started to show me good techniques and get me started. I really enjoy drumming but im frustrated because there are a million different books and dvds but not really sure what to get. I am most interested in Rock and a little R&B, but dont want to limit myself.

[Korompay]

I would suggest these:
http://www.tommyigoe.com/store.htm
http://www.patpetrillo.com/DVD.htm
http://www.larryfinn.com/Pages/dvdvideos.html
http://www.icanplaydrums.com/

[larryace]

My 2 cents: Don't try to do too much in the beginning. What I mean is, whatever it is you decide to work on, work on it until you really "get it" before moving on to something new. It is better to be able to play one thing really good than play 9 things mediocre-ly. Be thorough.

Diciplined focused work should be a big part of your practice routine. But also play to CD's that you think you can hang with for fun, (AC/DC, Rolling Stones perhaps) and try and play with other people ASAP.

Wear hearing protection. Don't make me come over there.

Make sure you understand a good way to work the drumsticks. There are a few really good methods, research them and select one that appeals to you. (Matched German, Matched French, Traditional, Alex Luce's (he's a member here) Lever Stroke are some that come to mind.

If you don't know what rudiments are, research them.

For your hands, I'd say start with single stroke rolls, the most basic and in my opinion the hardest rudiment. You could spend many months even years on just this. The goal is evenness, speed (eventually) and perfect time.

Also, one mantra that has helped me when learning something, if you can't play it slow, you can't play it fast (accurately). Master playing something slow, and speed will happen all by itself. Control is the gateway to speed.

Start with a metronome from day one so you understand what steady time sounds like.

Don't learn bad habits like poor grip.

Also understand that keeping a steady "boring" beat is not boring.

There's just so much to work on, start with the most basic things, because after years of drumming you start to understand that basic drumming just works so well and will get you the gigs.

For Gods sake don't try and impress, EVER, instead attempt to make your beats feel good. That will impress the "right" people (meaning the musicians that will hire you) all by itself. The less fills you play the better the other musicians will like you. Save your stuff for endings, and other appropriate places. (transitions from verse to chorus, chorus to bridges, drum solos etc.)

Learn to read drum music, learn the terminologies (intro, outtro, verse, chorus, bridge, turnaround, coda, hook, rests, tags, etc.)

Understand the role that drums play in a band. They are not the beautiful marble walls, they are the underlying structure that supports the heavy marble. They serve a purpose and are not the main attraction. Don't play lead drums. (Of course there are exceptions, The Who springs to mind)

Balance the fun with the disipline, put in your hours, read as much as you can here and keep us posted on your progress.

Get some ear plugs and get to work!

[Boomka]

i just need some good resources to get me started to show me good techniques and get me started. I really enjoy drumming but im frustrated because there are a million different books and dvds but not really sure what to get. I am most interested in Rock and a little R&B, but dont want to limit myself.

You're right, there are a lot of options; perhaps too many. Get a good teacher to help you seperate the wheat from the chaff.

Just about any book with a focus on fundamentals can be used to get the essential foundations that you'll need to make some headway. There is no need to fret too much about it. However, how you use the material in any given book is the question, and that's something someone with more experience can help you with.

If you wanted to learn karate, you wouldn't buy a video or a book, would you?

[Abhishek]

Stick Control - Drummer's bible
Jojo Mayer's DVD and Matt Ritters DVD - Basics of hand and foot technique, sort it out early
Time Functioning Patterns by Gary Chaffee - It will get you familiar with all possible cymbal ostinatos, with all possible bass/snare combinations

Most importantly a good teacher (I wasn't fortunate enough to have one), and listen to loads of music with good drumming. Listen to John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Gavin Harrison, Vincent Colaiuta, Danny Carrey, David Garibaldi, and several others you'll see mentioned around. Absorb the music. Feel it.

That's just about enough to get you started.

[R Furb]

Here's my guide:

1. Realise that there is no fast track sooner rather than later.
2. Save your money and don't bother buying any "learn to drum" video sets.
3. For the quickest progress spend your money on a real living-and-breathing teacher that can help you create a study program geared specifically toward your needs and goals. Unlike a DVD, a human being can help you along with immediate feedback and advice, provide encouragement, and work with you.
4. Learn to practice in a focussed and disciplined way. How? See #3.


That is some great advice and almost the exact same thing I was gonna say, but for real get a teacher you wont be disappointed.

[Remobeater]

I agree with some of these others, teacher is the way to go. I think that being able to watch something, then having it explained to you is the best way you can help figuring it out yourself. You may be able to skip a little bit of that experimenting if someone aids you along.

Also one thing to think about is finding the right teacher. My teacher was a drummer from the 80's rock era, and I like hard rock, metal, and other more extreme genre's. He wasn't a master at double bass and he wasn't into any big technical tricks. He could help me along but he hadn't been there himself.
All I'm saying is make sure the teacher knows everything that you want to learn, so that you will get the best bang for your buck.

[drumhead61]

when i mean fast track i meant that i want to get started as soon as possible.......... i guess is didnt explain enough...... i can hold a beat pretty well an have got down a few of the entry level beats......... so guess what i meant is that i want to get started fast........ i just need some good resources to get me started to show me good techniques and get me started. I really enjoy drumming but im frustrated because there are a million different books and dvds but not really sure what to get. I am most interested in Rock and a little R&B, but dont want to limit myself.


I am a new drummer about 9 months now, bought my first kit and all that @ the age of 47 and I too wanted a fast start up to get into the drumming; but for me there is NO substitution for a real teacher and that is just what I did...I have some of those DVD and Pat's Hands grooves and fills is a good one...so is JoJo Mayer's ultimate secrets, but they cannot replace that immediate feedback of a teacher sitting there evaluating your technique. My suggestion is go find a teacher and let him/her take you through the basics. As for me I am going as far as I can with the sight reading and all so that I can know as much as possible under the tutelage of a well experienced drummer.

It is all what you really personally want to get out of it, but if you want the best you will need a teacher...nothing replaces that to me, but I am just not as mega talented as some of the guys who have self taught themselves the kit and to them (and there are PLENTY) I take my hat off!!!!


Best of luck, welcome to the forum and use what resources you can here.

Oh, and in Bobdadruma's defense...he really is an insightful drummer who is always willing to help, he is not always bombastic so give him a second shot...you will find him very supportive and helpful as most the wonderful drummer guys and gals on this forum.

JIM

[drumhead61]

My 2 cents: Don't try to do too much in the beginning. What I mean is, whatever it is you decide to work on, work on it until you really "get it" before moving on to something new. It is better to be able to play one thing really good than play 9 things mediocre-ly. Be thorough.

Diciplined focused work should be a big part of your practice routine. But also play to CD's that you think you can hang with for fun, (AC/DC, Rolling Stones perhaps) and try and play with other people ASAP.

Wear hearing protection. Don't make me come over there.

Make sure you understand a good way to work the drumsticks. There are a few really good methods, research them and select one that appeals to you. (Matched German, Matched French, Traditional, Alex Luce's (he's a member here) Lever Stroke are some that come to mind.

If you don't know what rudiments are, research them.

For your hands, I'd say start with single stroke rolls, the most basic and in my opinion the hardest rudiment. You could spend many months even years on just this. The goal is evenness, speed (eventually) and perfect time.

Also, one mantra that has helped me when learning something, if you can't play it slow, you can't play it fast (accurately). Master playing something slow, and speed will happen all by itself. Control is the gateway to speed.

Start with a metronome from day one so you understand what steady time sounds like.

Don't learn bad habits like poor grip.

Also understand that keeping a steady "boring" beat is not boring.

There's just so much to work on, start with the most basic things, because after years of drumming you start to understand that basic drumming just works so well and will get you the gigs.

For Gods sake don't try and impress, EVER, instead attempt to make your beats feel good. That will impress the "right" people (meaning the musicians that will hire you) all by itself. The less fills you play the better the other musicians will like you. Save your stuff for endings, and other appropriate places. (transitions from verse to chorus, chorus to bridges, drum solos etc.)

Learn to read drum music, learn the terminologies (intro, outtro, verse, chorus, bridge, turnaround, coda, hook, rests, tags, etc.)

Understand the role that drums play in a band. They are not the beautiful marble walls, they are the underlying structure that supports the heavy marble. They serve a purpose and are not the main attraction. Don't play lead drums. (Of course there are exceptions, The Who springs to mind)

Balance the fun with the disipline, put in your hours, read as much as you can here and keep us posted on your progress.

Get some ear plugs and get to work!

I have to say Larry I simply love most everything you post...you ROCK DUDE!!! Good stuff even for me as a NOOB...way to go Bud!

[Pollyanna]

There is a fast-track way that can work, but if you hope to be a monster player, then it's not the way to go. This is not one for the technical purists.

As Larryace said:

... attempt to make your beats feel good

Now add that to your own comment:

i can hold a beat pretty well an have got down a few of the entry level beats

In short, try to play those basic beats so they sound great. This involves working inwards rather than outwards - getting those basic beats and making them rock steady, producing a pleasing groove - without playing louder than is needed.

Many years ago I saw an Afro Rock band called King Cobra. The drummer was a black African guy and I'll never forget him starting a song with a basic frug beat - four on the hats, kick drum one one and snare on three - as simple as can be. It sounded just fantastic! The secret was in the precision of his timing and his drum sound.

That's where Larry's metronome suggestion comes in, getting to know how the grooves sound in time because there's a tendency to speed up when trying to wring out that extra ounce of intensity.

Focus on playing your basic beats with precision (without getting tense), tune your drums so they sound nice and use sticks which help you get the best possible tone out of your drums (might take experimentation) and you will sound good, which is the name of the game.

The above approach will help you quickly improve but a more multi-faceted approach like Larry's will help you go further.

[donv]

Everyone can probably write pages about this and pratice, patience and technique but to be honest, the best things about my drumming just seem to happen and I don't have a clue about how much that has to do with all the practice, patience or technique. The only thing I know for sure is the best things always happened while playing music with others, not practicing by myself.

[drumguyfromWI]

dvd's can give you some good pointers, but they aren't anywhere near as effective at teaching you the ins and outs of drumming as as just practicing and having the experience of playing with other musicians. playing with other musicians just kind of pushes you to improve your skills. you learn way faster that way.