How can I learn to play a drum set?

Question

I want to learn how to play a drum set. I played a snare drum in my grade school band for 5 years, and I have done the same in my freshman and sophomore years of high school (I'm still a sophomore). I can play the snare drum pretty well, and I can read sheet music. But next year in band, I'm going to have to play a part on the set for a song, and I wanted it to sound really good. I have enough money to buy a cheapie set. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how I would go about learning how to play a drum set. My friend, who is a drummer, says its very important to get good coordination between your hands and feet. I am a little weak in this area, so I would appreciate any tips you would have regarding that as well. Thanks

Answer 1

Don't cut yourself short.

If you were in band, you should have gotten used to tapping your foot while playing the snare. You simply have to expand on it.

Hopefully you have a set, or make a practice set.

If you are a good sight reader then start slow with some simple exercises and continue to get faster.

Each line on the score will represent a different drum or cymbal. One line might have 8th notes representing the cymbal ride with the quarter note on 2 and 4 below it to represent the snare, and another set of notes to represent the bass drum.

1. Practice exercises. You can pick up an exercise book at a music store.

3. Modern Drummer Magazine always has exercise in it to practice to. I'd pick up a copy of Modern Drummer, or go to the library and make photocopies of the exercises to take the home to learn them.

2. Practice to some simple songs to get used to playing with other music (Of course everyone will be listening to you for the performance) but this will get you used to playing along and not just hearing your drums.
Some simple music to play to would be AC/DC. Most of it is in 4/4 time and easy and fun to play to to get you used to it.

3. The term used to differentiate your hands from your feet is called "Independence." The more independent your hands and feet are, the better you'll be.

Answer 2

Take lessons, man. I tried back in the awesome 80's, bought a secondhand set and what a comedy. You don't learn to drive a car or fly a plane by yourself so why should drumming be any different? If you want to be good or the best at something, there are NO easy ways out.

Answer 3

Buy drumsticks and start practising. Then buy a beginners kit to practise on your hand /feet co-ordination. That's how I learned pracuse, practoise,practise.

Answer 4

There are learning books at music stores.
for beginners thru advanced players.
http://www.learningtoplaydrums.com

Answer 5

I agree with the lessons ,you will learn faster and better with lessons