The act of drumming in itself probably goes as far back as human existence does. Drumming is like many other talents or gifts in life, such as the ability to draw, sing, and swim really well. Many renowned and respected professional drummers past and present have been born with a knack for playing drums. In most cases, their talent was spotted and cultivated by tutors or other drummers, or they just had to teach themselves the finer points of playing through constant practice along with trial and error. Musicians may tell you that compared to learning the piano, learning to play the drumset is easy.
Checklist for learning to play the drumset
- By now you've probably learned how to hold the sticks properly in matched or conventional grip. if not, look it up.
- Make sure the drums and hi-hat in front of you are properly adjusted.
- Make sure you are comfortable on the stool or seat you are using.
- Make sure you feel relaxed in general.
In delivering your first drum lesson, some drum teachers may teach you how to play comfortable strokes with both hands first. Others may teach you how to read drum notes simultaneously as they teach you the drum beats. In whatever case, for your first drumset lesson, simple rock beats in 4/4 time are always good options to start with.
How to play a basic rock beat in four easy steps
In 4/4 time, you need to count four even beats to make one bar. In a typical, simple rock beat this is how you would play. Your right hand playing the hi-hat cymbals located to the left would tap and repeat the count 1-2-3-4 slowly and constantly. To further put the beat together you would then add the a single tap on the snare on 3. In doing so, the 1-2-3-4 count on the hi-hat must not be interrupted and the snare drum hit synchronizes with the hi-hat hit on 3 as well. Finally you must place a bass drum hit with your right foot on 1 or the first count of the bar. It combines with the first hi-hat count also.
Putting it together
- Hi-hat and bass drum together
- Hi-hat
- snare and hi-hat
- Hi-hat
In playing this rhythm, you may find that although you understand where to place the different drum parts, it's hard to reflect it in your limbs. Putting these different parts together is called basic independence. Accordingly, you may not play the rhythm perfectly at first, but after more practice you'll perfect it and be then able to add drum rolls or fills to it.
Also, in starting out on drums, one of the first rudiments to learn is the paradiddle. The paradiddle teaches you how alternate strokes evenly between your hands and goes RLLRLRLL; meaning R for right hand strokes and L for left hand strokes. Happy learning, enjoy.
Pedro Whyte - I possess keen analytical skills and creativity along with an enviable writing talent. I can take on any professional writing task.
