Learning to play drums can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and at LEARNS.EDU.VN, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. This comprehensive guide will explore exactly How To Learn To Play Drums, from understanding rhythm and basic drum beats to mastering essential techniques and equipment. Dive in and discover how to unleash your inner drummer! Plus, we’ll cover essential concepts like drum rudiments, fills, and reading drum sheet music.
1. The Essence of Rhythm in Drumming
What truly distinguishes an exceptional band? The answer lies in the drummer’s ability to maintain impeccable rhythm. Great drummers, as noted in Rolling Stone’s list of 100 greatest drummers, are the rhythmic backbone of any band. As a drummer, consistency and evenness are paramount. Avoid speeding up or slowing down unintentionally. This creates a steady foundation, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the music. Your fellow musicians will naturally synchronize with your rhythm, resulting in harmonious music.
Understanding Tempo for Beginners
To play consistently, understanding tempo, defined as the speed at which a piece of music is played, is vital. The tempo sets the pace for the entire song, ensuring all band members play in sync. As a drummer, you are responsible for maintaining this tempo throughout the performance. As explained in this Wikipedia article, tempo is a key element in music. Before starting, drummers often count the tempo aloud: “1, 2, 3, 4!” This counting is a common practice that helps break down the music into manageable sections. These groups of four provide a clear structure, making it easier to follow the tempo and create musical sounds.
Dividing the tempo into groups of four beats helps organize the music and makes it easier to follow. Instruments play as if you were still counting, marking each beat with drums rather than your voice. Let’s put this concept into action with a popular song.
2. Your First Drum Beat: Playing a Simple Song
To demonstrate how to learn to play the drums, let’s start with a clear example: “Do I Wanna Know” by the Arctic Monkeys. This song effectively uses drums to emphasize each beat of the music’s tempo. Listen carefully to the track. Notice how the drum sounds repeat consistently? Drummer Matt Helders marks each beat distinctly. Every time you hear a drum sound, that’s one beat of music. You’ll notice two distinct drum sounds being alternated.
3. Identifying Bass and Snare Drums
The first drum you hear on the track.
The second drum you hear on the track.
In “Do I Wanna Know,” you’ll mainly hear the bass drum and the snare drum. The bass drum typically plays on beats 1 and 3, while the snare drum plays on beats 2 and 4.
Practice this by counting “1, 2, 3, 4” over the music, aligning the “boom” of the bass drum with 1 and 3 and the “snap” of the snare drum with 2 and 4. Once you grasp the connection between the counting and the drums, it’s time to start drumming.
- Tap your right foot to represent the bass drum.
- Tap your left hand on your leg to represent the snare drum.
Tap your right foot on beats 1 and 3, and your left hand on beats 2 and 4, syncing with the respective drum sounds. If you struggle at first, remember that keeping time improves with practice.
Variation: Listen for the quieter bass drums beneath the snare drums. If you want to include these, play the bass drum on every beat (1, 2, 3, 4), while the snare drum remains on beats 2 and 4. This means you’ll be playing both your right foot and left hand together on beats 2 and 4.
Translating this to a drum kit is straightforward, as you’ll use the same foot and hand motions. Before you know it, you’ll be jamming along to a popular song. When listening to music, pay attention to the “thump” of the bass drum and the “crack” of the snare drum.
4. Incorporating Eighth Notes: Playing Another Song
Once you feel comfortable with the basic beats, you can incorporate eighth notes, which fall both on and between the main beats. These are counted as “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.” Playing these notes adds more rhythm and interesting musical patterns.
“We Will Rock You” by Queen is a prime example of eighth-note drumming. Listen to the song, and count the rhythm: “1 and 2, 3 and 4, 1 and 2, 3 and 4.” Note that the “and” after 2 and 4 is silent, demonstrating that not every eighth note needs to be played. When a note isn’t played, it’s called a rest.
To play “We Will Rock You,” use claps to represent the snare drum. The pattern is “bass bass clap, bass bass clap,” corresponding to the count of “1 and 2, 3 and 4.” Tap your right foot for the bass drum and clap on beats 2 and 4.
This rhythm is a step up in complexity from the previous song. As you improve, you’ll be able to play more complex rhythms using all four limbs simultaneously.
5. Mastering the Most Popular Drum Beat
Congratulations on making it this far. Now, it’s time to coordinate all four limbs with the most popular drum beat ever!
Important: A drum beat is a repeated rhythm played across many beats, not just a single beat of music.
This drum beat involves:
- Constant eighth notes (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and) with the right hand.
- The left hand playing on beats 2 and 4.
- The right foot playing on beats 1 and 3.
The right hand usually plays the hi-hat cymbal.
- Start by practicing eighth notes with your right hand, counting “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.”
- Add the bass drum by playing your right foot on beats 1 and 3 while maintaining the right-hand rhythm.
- Try the hi-hat with the snare drum, playing the right hand on all eighth notes and the left hand on beats 2 and 4.
This coordination exercise may be challenging at first. Practice makes perfect, and soon these movements will become natural.
Bringing It All Together
Combine the bass drum, hi-hat, and snare drum:
- Right hand: Eighth notes (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and).
- Left hand: Beats 2 and 4.
- Right foot: Beats 1 and 3.
If you’re getting the hang of it, congratulations. You’ve just learned the most popular drum beat ever. This beat is a cornerstone for playing many songs.
This is the first of 11 essential drum beats that provide a solid foundation for your playing.
6. Essential Drum Equipment for Online Learning
If you’re committed to learning to play drums, acquiring the right equipment is essential. However, you don’t need a full drum kit right away. A good-quality practice pad and drum sticks are sufficient to begin with.
A practice pad allows you to develop technique and control quietly before moving to a full drum kit. It’s also a cost-effective way to determine if drumming is the right fit for you. LEARNS.EDU.VN suggests this 2-in-1 pad and Vic Firth 5A Drumsticks. Vic Firth is a reputable brand, ensuring higher quality and a more authentic playing experience.
7. Mastering How to Hold Drum Sticks: Techniques for Beginners
Correctly holding your drum sticks is crucial for becoming an excellent drummer. Look at this incredible solo from jazz drummer Joe Morello. Great technique allows you to maintain control and relaxation, using minimal effort for each note.
Key Concepts for Holding Drum Sticks
- Relax: The more relaxed you are, the faster you’ll be able to play. Tension leads to fatigue and potential injury.
- Use the Bounce: Let the drum or pad help move the stick. Use the natural bounce to save energy with each beat.
- Small Movements: You can play effectively in almost every situation without large upper body movements. Sticks don’t need to be lifted high off the drums.
Tips for Improving Your Grip
To help improve your grip, consider the following:
- Stay Relaxed: Tension is the enemy of speed and control. Keep your grip loose.
- Balance: Find the natural balance point of the stick. This allows for a more effortless rebound.
- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different grips and find what feels most comfortable for you.
8. Exploring Different Types of Drum Grips
Experimenting with different drum grips can help you find what works best for you.
Moeller Grip
This grip offers excellent control and comfort once mastered.
- Imagine holding a tennis racket.
- Turn your hand over so your palm faces the floor.
- Bounce the stick on your pad with a relaxed wrist motion.
- Ensure a small part of the butt end of the stick pokes out from under your hand.
- Tuck your fingers toward the stick, and slide your first finger forward slightly.
German Grip
This fundamental grip is favored by many professional drummers.
- Let your hand go floppy.
- Insert the stick and gently tighten your fingers.
- The stick should sit between the first joint of your middle finger and your thumb.
- The tips of your sticks should come close together.
- The up and down motion of the wrist moves the stick.
- Keep the sticks at a 90-degree angle from one another.
French Grip
Favored by iconic drummers like Steve Jordan and Jojo Mayer. This grip relies more on finger control.
- Start in the German position, and bring your hands together so your thumbs face the ceiling.
- Your thumb should be above the first joint of your first finger.
- The sticks should be parallel to one another.
- Experiment with using different fingers to control the stick.
- Use a gentle lock/key rotating motion rather than large wrist movements.
American Grip
A middle-ground option between German and French grips.
- Use your wrists to generate power and your fingers to control the stick.
- Your fingers should provide support without stopping the stick from moving.
- Practice moving between German and French grips.
Traditional Grip
Used by jazz drummers, this grip involves holding the sticks differently in each hand. Joe Morello uses this grip.
- Turn your hand up so your thumb points at the ceiling.
- Place the stick between your thumb and first finger, in the soft part in the middle.
- Your first two fingers sit above the stick, with the ring finger underneath.
- The stick should not touch the knuckle bone of the index finger.
- Rotate your forearm to move the stick.
Experiment with these grips to find the one that feels most comfortable and effective for you.
9. Understanding the Drum Set
Even if you don’t yet own a drum kit, understanding the different parts is essential. Most kits consist of five pieces.
- Bass Drum: Operated by a foot pedal.
- Snare Drum: Usually played with the left hand.
- Tom-Toms: High, medium, and low toms add variety to your playing.
Tom-toms allow you to add style and variety to your playing. These are used to create drum fills.
Cymbals
Cymbals enhance your drumming by adding complementary high tones. There are three main types.
- Hi-Hat Cymbals: Tie together your bass and snare playing and help maintain consistency.
- Crash Cymbal: Accents important notes in a section of music.
- Ride Cymbal: Provides an alternative to the hi-hat for added variety.
10. Reading Drum Sheet Music and Tabs
Understanding drum sheet music and tablature allows you to write down your ideas and play those of others.
Reading Drum Sheet Music Basics
Sheet music gives you key information:
- Which drums and cymbals to play.
- When to play them.
- How to play them.
Each drum or cymbal sits on a different line, with cymbals marked by crosses.
Cymbals are marked by crosses instead of notes. The music starts with the bass drum and hi-hat.
Notes indicate when to play. Crotchets (black notes with a straight stick) last for one beat. In the example above, the bass drum note lasts one beat, so you would play it on beat 1.
After you’ve played the bass drum, the next instrument is the snare drum. If the bass drum lasts one beat and starts on beat 1, then the snare drum must be played on beat 2.
Hi-hat notes are joined together in a bridge, indicating quavers, which last half as long as crotchets.
Quavers are counted as “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.” In the example, there’s a string of quavers on and between every beat. In a single bar, you decide how much space each note takes up before the next note should be played.
Dynamic Symbols
Dynamic symbols, like the one below, indicate how loudly or softly to play.
mf means ‘moderately loud’.
Designing Your Drum Beats
Try writing down your drum beats by rearranging the bass and snare. Experiment with different patterns and bring them to life by tapping them out.
Understanding Drum Tab
Drum tablature is a way of writing down drum beats quickly. It often gives less information than sheet music.
Use sheet music and tabs to create great-sounding beats and express yourself.
11. How to Play Essential Drum Rudiments
There are essential patterns that occur in all types of music, called rudiments.
Become a Speed Demon
Single strokes involve alternating hands to increase speed.
Play one note with your right hand, followed by one note with your left hand. Keep this even and balanced, with each note at the same volume. Then, make the first of every four notes slightly louder.
Keep On Rolling
Double strokes involve playing two notes with each hand.
Play two notes with your right hand, followed by two notes with your left hand. Use the bounce of the stick for the second note to save energy and increase speed.
Mix It Up
There are 40 standard accepted rudiments, with endless variations.
The paradiddle is a rudiment with a unique pattern:
Right Hand Left Hand Right Hand Right Hand
Then it reverses:
Left Hand Right Hand Left Hand Left Hand
The paradiddle consists of two single strokes followed by two double strokes.
It is an invaluable tool for drum fills, hi-hat and snare interplay, and creative variations.
12. Practicing Drum Skills with a Metronome
The metronome is essential for mastering rudiments and drumming techniques.
A metronome helps you keep perfect time by playing the beats for you, and allows you to ensure your drumming is even and consistent. If you’re not sure which metronome to get, LEARNS.EDU.VN recommends starting with a free online metronome (just search ‘online metronome’ and you’ll find lots of options).
Challenge #1
Set your metronome to 80 bpm. Play one note on your pad or drum kit for every click, starting with single strokes. Anticipate the next click to synchronize your playing.
Challenge #2
Play quavers along to the metronome. Play two notes for every beat, with one note in between each metronome click. Practice the three rudiments (single strokes, double strokes, and paradiddles) as quavers.
Challenge #3
Play semiquavers, which are twice as fast as quavers, along to a metronome. Play four notes for every beat, counting:
‘1 e and a’ ‘2 e and a’ ‘3 e and a’ ‘4 e and a’
If you understand how rudiments work, you can add them to your drum performance.
13. How to Enhance Your Performances with Drum Fills
Drum fills add a touch of magic to drum beats and are memorable moments in popular songs.
Drum Fill #1
Use the drum beat from “Billie Jean” and add a variation on the fourth repetition.
At 1:09 in the “Billie Jean” video, you’ll hear this fill. On the “and” of beat 4, play an open hi-hat, followed by a quick snare drum on the “a” of 4. On your drum pad, count it as “4 and a.”
Drum Fill #2
Add the paradiddle rudiment in a more extensive drum fill.
This fill is much longer than the first, it can be used in a variety of musical situations to draw focus to the drummer.
In the last bar, beats 3 and 4 are taken up by the paradiddle. The right hand plays on the hi-hat, while the left hand plays on the snare. Play the paradiddle as semiquavers, with four notes for every beat.
Learning a new rudiment provides you with a base for countless drum fills. Practice these patterns and apply them creatively to your drum set.
Conclusion and Next Steps
We hope this comprehensive how-to guide inspires you to learn to play the drums, unleashing your musical gifts. Remember, LEARNS.EDU.VN is here to support your educational journey.
Contact Information:
- Address: 123 Education Way, Learnville, CA 90210, United States
- WhatsApp: +1 555-555-1212
- Website: LEARNS.EDU.VN
Are you ready to enhance your drumming skills? At LEARNS.EDU.VN, we provide various resources and courses, including drumming survival courses for drummers.
FAQ: Learn to Play Drums
Here are some frequently asked questions about learning to play the drums:
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What is the best age to start learning drums?
There is no perfect age. However, starting around age 7 or 8 can be a good time as children often have the physical coordination and attention span needed to begin learning.
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How long does it take to learn to play the drums?
Basic skills can be learned in a few months with consistent practice. Becoming proficient can take several years of dedication and practice.
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Is it necessary to read music to play the drums?
No, it’s not essential, but it can significantly enhance your understanding and abilities. Learning to read drum sheet music opens up many opportunities.
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What is the most important thing to practice as a beginner?
Focus on developing a strong sense of rhythm and timing. Practicing with a metronome is essential.
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Do I need an expensive drum set to start learning?
No, a practice pad and drum sticks are sufficient to start. You can gradually upgrade as you progress.
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How often should I practice?
Aim for at least 30 minutes of practice, 3-5 times a week. Consistency is key to making progress.
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Are online drum lessons effective?
Yes, online lessons can be very effective, providing flexibility and access to a wide range of instructors. However, hands-on instruction is invaluable for mastering technique and receiving personalized feedback. A combination of online and in-person instruction can be highly beneficial.
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What should I do if I feel discouraged or stuck in my progress?
Take a break, listen to music, and then come back with a fresh perspective. Seek inspiration from other drummers and explore new styles of music.
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How can I improve my drumming speed and control?
Practice rudiments regularly, focusing on evenness and control. Use a metronome to gradually increase speed.
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Is it possible to learn drums if I don’t have natural rhythm?
Absolutely. Rhythm can be developed through practice and training. Focus on exercises that improve your sense of timing and coordination.
Visit learns.edu.vn today to discover more invaluable insights and resources to begin or enhance your drumming journey. Address: 123 Education Way, Learnville, CA 90210, United States. Whatsapp: +1 555-555-1212.
