12 Tips to Get You Started as a Drummer

Are you interested in learning how to play the drums? Whether you are entirely new to the instrument or have some experience, there is always something new to learn. Here are twelve tips to help start your journey as a drummer. 

  1. Choose the Right Drum Kit – Choosing the right drum kit for beginner is key. It should fit your budget and be comfortable for you to play with. You may consider purchasing a used drum kit or even renting one to test it before committing. Be sure it has all the components needed for playing (e.g., bass drum, snare drum, tom-toms, cymbals). 
  2. Learn How to Tune Your Drums – For beginners, tuning your drums can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Start by familiarizing yourself with the different parts of the drums and how they are adjusted (e.g., lugs, heads, tension rods). Then find an online tutorial or video lesson on tuning them correctly. With practice, tuning will become second nature! 
  3. Understand Basic Drum Notation – Learning basic drum notation is essential for any drummer who wants to understand written music and communicate with other musicians effectively. Invest in a good book that covers reading music fundamentals and then practices regularly until it becomes second nature. This may seem tedious initially, but it’s worth it in the long run!  
  4. Develop Good Posture – As with any other instrument, having good posture while playing drumsis essential if you want to avoid injuries down the road. Ensure your body is aligned properly and your back is supported when sitting at the drum set to maintain good posture throughout each song or session without feeling tired or strained later.  
  5. Play Along with Music – Listening and playing along with music is an excellent way to improve your drummer skills and build up confidence in performing live or recording in studios. Use any genre of music that interests you; this will help keep things interesting and prevent boredom over time! If possible, try recording yourself playing along with songs so that you can identify areas where improvement may be needed more easily than if just listening alone or with others present during playback review sessions  
  6. Set Practice Goals – Setting practice goals helps ensure progress over time and makes learning fun because there’s always something new to work towards—which also helps keep motivation levels high when things start feeling too repetitive after extended periods of practice sessions. Building good habits from day one, such as keeping track of which exercises were completed each day, how many times each was attempted, etc., all contribute towards consistent growth over time.  
  7. Join a Band – One of the best ways beginner drummers can gain experience quickly is by joining a band! Not only will this give valuable insight into what real-world performance expectations feel like, but it also gives great opportunities for networking and collaboration while simultaneously building confidence through live events. Make sure everyone involved knows each musician’s level before getting into serious rehearsals!  
  8. Learn About Different Drum Setups – Different styles of music often call for unique setups when creating beats at home or onstage, so understanding various setup possibilities early on helps save time later when trying to quickly change between genres during jam sessions or performances. Knowing what each component does within an arrangement allows for more creative freedom when composing rhythms rather than being restricted by traditional conventions!  
  9. Research Different Drumming Techniques – Researching different techniques helps broaden horizons when looking for original ideas while learning new material. Some techniques are more difficult than others, but exploring different approaches often leads down unexpected paths — resulting in fresh sounds & patterns! From paradiddles & flams to rimshots & ruffs — every technique offers something unique which can add flavor & texture when applied correctly!  
  10. Record Your Progress – Recording progress made during practice sessions allows reflecting on achievements achieved thus far & serves as motivation going forward into future endeavors such as writing original material, participating in competitions, etc. Keeping track also allows viewing mistakes made along the way– allowing them to be corrected faster next time!  
  11. Find Inspiration from Other Musicians – There’s never been more access available now than ever before via streaming services & social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook — allowing easy access to finding inspiration through discovering other musicians whose work resonates deeply within you regardless of genre preference! Watching videos & interviews featuring your favorite artists provides insights otherwise not available through mere audio playback alone — making this resource invaluable towards becoming well-rounded performers!  
  12. Never Stop Learning – Becoming successful requires dedication & effort — two qualities necessary no matter what goals you set out achieving — whether personal development related or professional ambitions targeted — continuing striving forward no matter what obstacles arise ultimately brings success closer over time! Don’t forget about having fun; exploring different musical avenues often leads down unexplored pathways full of surprises awaiting discovery—so don’t forget why you create art: it’s fun!

Choosing the best drum kit for a beginner drummer can be intimidating. There are many options to choose from, but with some research and an understanding of the basics of drumming, you can make an informed decision that will get you drumming right away. You can check out the following drum sets to find one that suits your needs as a beginner drummer. 

  1. Ludwig Breakbeats
  2. Donner DDS-520
  3. Best Choice Products 5-Piece Drum Set
  4. Ludwig Backbeat
  5. Pearl Roadshow

These five sets are suitable for beginners, as they all come with everything you need to get started. All five provide a great sound and are also reasonably priced for the beginner drummer who may not have a big budget. Regardless of your chosen drum set, it’s important to remember that practice makes perfect. 

Conclusion:

No matter what style of music you prefer, having the right drum setup is key to achieving your creative goals & expanding your musical horizons. The best way to find the perfect drumset for you is by researching, trying out different setups & taking notes of preferences. With a little bit of effort & dedication, any drummer can find the perfect kit to suit their needs! So don’t be afraid to explore & experiment — as there is always more to learn, more songs to write & more music to make!   

 

Image Credit: Photo by Gabriel Barletta on Unsplash