Getting started on drums

[V]

For starters, yes Rock Band got me addicted to the drums. No, I do not think playing real drums is anything like playing Rock Band drums. However, it has gotten me listening to the drums in every song I listen to, and I really think it's something I could really enjoy. I got my grade 10 in piano, so I know a bit about rhythm, and I think it's something I could do.

So, my question is, how does one get started with the drums? Do you just buy a set at a garage sale, watch a couple youtube videos, and voila! you're a drummer?

I know there are a few drummers here, so I figure this is as good a place to start as any...

[Kipper is King]

I'm not a drummer, but I think you really should go and get some lessons at a place like Sak's Music or somewhere. I used to play trombone, and it was amazing how rapidly I improved playing an hour a week with someone who actually knows what they are doing.

While playing the drums is simple on the surface, I imagine there are quite a few nuances to being a good drummer. Get lessons, at least for a little while, and you'll improve rapidly.

Good luck!

[Traditional_Ale]

Get a decent kit, and then get some lessons with a drummer who plays out a lot.

Talk to Noel Snow at Snow Sound. He plays Drums for Gary Martin (I think Iggy's mom is in that band...).

[photon]

How can you tell a drummer's at the door?
The knocking speeds up.

[photon]

We had a drummer at work for a long time, we loved bugging him with drummer jokes.

Hey, did you hear about the drummer who finished high school?
Me neither.

What do you call a drummer with half a brain?
Gifted.


What does a drummer use for contraception?
His personality.


What do you do if you accidentally run over a drummer?
Back up.


What did the drummer say to the band leader?
"Do you want me to play too fast or too slow?"

[vanisleflamesfan]

What do you call a person who hangs out with musicians?
A drummer.

I have actually played drums since I was about 12 and I would say that you should start off real simple with a practice pad and a good teaching book in order to master the important rudiments and to get good 'chops'. If you want to play on a kit, get lessons from someone who knows how to read drum sheet music.

[Boblobla]

Start with a small starter kit like this and learn to play like Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater or Danny Carrey of Tool.

[jayocal]

It's easier to get better at something when you're having fun. I recommend finding some guys to jam with.

Many of the top drummers today play in progressive metal bands.

Here's some motivation for you...two of the best...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdgkzYOYUp0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF4JD2rO3Q

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by jayocal

It's easier to get better at something when you're having fun. I recommend finding some guys to jam with.

Many of the top drummers today play in progressive metal bands.

Here's some motivation for you...two of the best...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdgkzYOYUp0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF4JD2rO3Q

I can't youtube at work, who are this vids of?

[KevanGuy]

When I learned to play I bought a standard cheapy kind of kit, put in Zeppelin, Stones and CCR CD's and just played along. Drums came fairly naturally to me though, more so than guitar.

[jayocal]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I can't youtube at work, who are this vids of?

Mike Portnoy and Romain Goulon of Necrophagist \m/

[Bobblehead]

If you live in an apartment, condo, townhouse or duplex of some sort, pick a song with a lot of hooks, something that would be played on the radio a lot (so you know everyone will enjoy it), and then practice practice, practice. Late evenings or early mornings are especially good since there is very little ambient noise to disturb you. You may need to turn your stereo up extra loud; that's OK since you need to be able to hear it over the sound of your kit. Perhaps the same song as many times as you can fit it on a CD so you don't need to move to restart it, or just set your CD player on repeat.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by V

For starters, yes Rock Band got me addicted to the drums. No, I do not think playing real drums is anything like playing Rock Band drums. However, it has gotten me listening to the drums in every song I listen to, and I really think it's something I could really enjoy. I got my grade 10 in piano, so I know a bit about rhythm, and I think it's something I could do.

So, my question is, how does one get started with the drums? Do you just buy a set at a garage sale, watch a couple youtube videos, and voila! you're a drummer?

I know there are a few drummers here, so I figure this is as good a place to start as any...

Actually, in my opinion playing drums on rockband actually does help you learn/get better at real drums, as once you get to expert you're doing almost exactly what you would be doing on real drums, andat the very least you're learning to coordinate yourself.

My buddy was just like you and thought "hmm maybe I can play real drums", and you know what? He bought a cheap kit, started fooling around, and I'm amazed at what he can do after only a month or so.

I have a few kits right now, so I could sell you a set of Mapex M series like these...



.....only used, and a bit darker blue. They typically retail between $1000 and $1400. Thy're at my buddy's house, so I'd have to check what I have with them, but I think there's a 21" Zildjian rock ride ($150ish), entry level hi-hats and maybe one other lower end crash, along with a drum stool.

I'd be willing to part with all of it for $500, as I don't really use it anymore. In my opinion, this would be a better option than buying a new entry level kit, as you would end up paying about $500 for the cheapest kit, and then you would have to spend at least another couple hundred on cymbals.

[Traditional_Ale]

^ For $500 if you don't buy it I will.

[jayocal]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

If you live in an apartment, condo, townhouse or duplex of some sort, pick a song with a lot of hooks, something that would be played on the radio a lot (so you know everyone will enjoy it), and then practice practice, practice. Late evenings or early mornings are especially good since there is very little ambient noise to disturb you. You may need to turn your stereo up extra loud; that's OK since you need to be able to hear it over the sound of your kit. Perhaps the same song as many times as you can fit it on a CD so you don't need to move to restart it, or just set your CD player on repeat.

Trust me, it will not matter what you're playing. If you start playing drums, from any genre, in an apartment, condo, townhouse or even your own house, people will be pissed.

Also please, for the love of God, do not pick what you're going to play based on "hooks" or other people's preferences. There is waaaaay too much of that going on these days. Turn your radio off and explore what's out there on the 'net.

One more thing.....DOUBLE KICK!

[jayocal]

Originally Posted by traditional_ale

^ for $500 if you don't buy it i will.

+1

[Phanuthier]

I've played drums for about 10 years, though its been collecting dust the past 5 as I jump around the world. I'd definately consider those electronic ones, I've had my eye on them for a while. If you want a real drum set (dunno if thats the right word) you want good hardware, even if its older. A standard drum set isn't all that expensive, and you can load it up with cymbals and cowbells and whatever later. I used to love just playing along to my favorite songs (sound dorky?) and it was a good fun way to play. You can buy books if you want to get more serious, but that obviously isn't going to be as fun. Real easy to pick up, I'm at my grade 10 piano as well (also collecting dust the past 5 years) and drums is definately alot easier to pick up.

[kermitology]

Learn how to separate the right and left side of your body and your hands and feet.

[dobbles]

get some cheap drums. try them out. play on your own while listening to songs you enjoy. try and find some people to form a band. that will motivate you to practice a lot. realize there's more to drumming than speed. listen to a wide variety of music.

if you actually enjoy playing and are getting the basics down, then worry about lessons. having them too early on can be worthless as you spend all the time learning how to grip the stick and control your rebound. if you at least have some experience, you can spend a small amount of time refining those things instead of wasting your time and money getting taught them.

if things really progress and you do well, then worry about getting a nicer drumset.

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by jayocal

Trust me, it will not matter what you're playing. If you start playing drums, from any genre, in an apartment, condo, townhouse or even your own house, people will be pissed.

Also please, for the love of God, do not pick what you're going to play based on "hooks" or other people's preferences. There is waaaaay too much of that going on these days. Turn your radio off and explore what's out there on the 'net.

One more thing.....DOUBLE KICK!

i think the person you quoted was sarcastically describing how to annoy neighbors... but maybe i am off base here.

and btw, real men only need on bass drum and one pedal.