To those who play drums

[Die Hard]

I just started playing a few months ago.... I take weekly lessons (though I missed a few so that puts me a little behind) but I'm having fun and I can really see the progress I've made.

I'm just about finished Ted Reed's "Syncopation" - though that's not to say I'm a master at it by any means - and I'm a few chapters into "Ultimate Realistic Rock" by Carmine Appice.

I must admit I'm partial to Appice's book as it actually begins to sound like "music"

Now I'm 30.... just learning drums because I've always been interested. It's not like I'm spending 2-3 hours a day practicising because I intend to make a career out of it.

Probably more like 30 minutes every day... while missing a day here or there (when I'm too tired from work).

Like I said, I'm not in hurry... I don't have any expectations.

I'm just curious about the general learning curve.... and how long before someone becomes a "decent" drummer that can play a few songs? And possibly how long would it take to get to the point where you can start thinking of playing in a band with some guys.... doing about 10-20 covers?

And keep the answer within this context.... I'm not going to start practising those 10-20 covers now while I'm learning to expedite the process.

I have a LONG ways to go and I want to appreciate the experience.

I'm just asking... generally speaking.... how long would it take to get to the skill level.... where you are good enough to play in band... and start learning maybe 10-20 songs together with the band at the same time frame?

I'm just curious.

[jrfriedm]

I think it really depends on your memory, and your ability to count (or keep the beat). Sounds like you're off to a running start. Good for you.

[codeorama]

First, I'm not a real drummer, I'm a guitar player, but I bought drums a year and a half or so ago so that I could have band practices at my house and not go through the annoying set up and tear down times etc...
But of course, I started playing the drums right away.
I took 3 lessons or so and I was able to play "normal" 4/4 basic songs after about 2 weeks. (stuff like AC/DC, Motley Crue etc...)
I was able to play more complicated stuff after about 2 months, (stuff like deftones, korn, slayer etc...)
Now, after a year and a half, I can play a Rush song or two, a couple of Tool songs (not the really tough ones, but which of their songs are really easy?) etc...
I don't practice on drums anymore, I just play for fun when I get a chance. The new drummer in my band is a Berkley grad. We've been playing with him about 2 months and I haven't found anything he can't play or keep up with yet.

[Die Hard]

Thanks for the replies..... and I guess I'm just a slow learner. I haven't even begun to incorporate my left leg yet Or the crash or ride cymbals... and I'm only using 2 TOMS at the moment.... for that matter.

Ultimately, I just want to play COLDPLAY covers to start. I really enjoy virtually every song they play... and the drums at least sound relatively easy enough to play.

I'm figuring I won't even open up my COLDPLAY drum book for another year. I'm excited about it... but a year just seems like it's so long away

[Baculus]

Well, your question isn't easily answered, to be honest. Some folks pick up drumming more naturally than others, while others have to work a bit more towards it. So your answer is dependent upon the amount of practice a person applies and a little bit of natural skill and rhythm as well. I suspect you've been beating your hands and feet long before you even started to "officially" played, so you may be ahead of the curve without realizing it. (Sitting in traffic and beating on your car and car floor can even help improve your four-way coordination - little things even when you are not actually drumming can sometimes help a little.)

And never underestimate the value of "mental reps" when listening to music or thinking about what you'd play. I can often tell if I like a song if I am thinking about my own alternative drum line to the track.

If you can play a basic beat, and have the coordination to control a little of your hi-hat, snare, and bass, you can play a song. And keep in mind, there are lots of rock drummers that demonstrate beauty in simplicity. Now, the trick may be being able to insert a good fill, but that may be as simple as a well-placed accent on a tomtom or a cymbal. Since you are still improving your technique, try to tastefully play what you CAN play and that'd take you far.

Yeah - I know that didn't answer your question, and probably wasn't as short as you'd like, but it isn't easy to answer, especially without knowing your progress too well. But, keep in mind, I am sure you are making progress - if I were you, I'd sit down, think or listen to a song you enjoy, and before you know it, you'd be playing that song. :-) Just remember, it takes a lot of mistakes to eventually play drums!

[codeorama]

Originally posted by Die Hard
Thanks for the replies..... and I guess I'm just a slow learner. I haven't even begun to incorporate my left leg yet Or the crash or ride cymbals... and I'm only using 2 TOMS at the moment.... for that matter.

Ultimately, I just want to play COLDPLAY covers to start. I really enjoy virtually every song they play... and the drums at least sound relatively easy enough to play.

I'm figuring I won't even open up my COLDPLAY drum book for another year. I'm excited about it... but a year just seems like it's so long away

You've got the right idea, picking a band that you enjoy is a good way to start. You really have to know the songs well.

If you've never played a musical instrument, it probably will take you longer. But don't get frustrated, you will improve in big leaps when you least expect it.
I can't say enough, get a best of ac/dc cd or something and jam to that... their drummer was very basic and it gives you alot of room to add your own fills etc...

[Baculus]

Regarding your left leg, DH - that is a big part of the four-way development. At first, you may want to try practicing with the left leg closing on a two and four, which I am sure you have seen in your books. It definitely takes time, but it also a matter of knowing when to close the HH when keeping rhythm. But, as far as the ride cymbal, just try to play the same rhythms you play on the HH, except on the ride. If you have trouble with your left leg - don't worry about it. If you cannot master three-way coordination, than four-way is even more difficult! That left leg can take time, but it will come along.

The main thing is, don't be afraid to try - you will incorporate your crash cymbal when you actually do it! Heck, just sit down and smack that crash cymbal when listening to a song - don't even worry about playing the rest of the song much, just notice the crash punctuations at certain parts of the song. Then try to squeeze in those accents into your drum track.

[jrfriedm]

Originally posted by Die Hard
Thanks for the replies..... and I guess I'm just a slow learner. I haven't even begun to incorporate my left leg yet Or the crash or ride cymbals... and I'm only using 2 TOMS at the moment.... for that matter.

Ultimately, I just want to play COLDPLAY covers to start. I really enjoy virtually every song they play... and the drums at least sound relatively easy enough to play.

I'm figuring I won't even open up my COLDPLAY drum book for another year. I'm excited about it... but a year just seems like it's so long away

Don't get down on yourself. Playing the drums is not easy. You have to have the ultimate in cordination, and timing. Just keep practicing, and it will come together. Just remember to have fun with it.

[Baculus]

Good call, codeorama - the drummer for AC/DC and Bad Company were two drummers I was thinking about when I mentioned about simplicity and taste. I think for a beginner drummer they are great for listening so they demonstrate a good, tight rockbeat without the overriding need to play a tom or cymbal fill between every section. Heck, the drummer for AC/DC never even played fill, just some cymbal punctuations.

A lot of today's rock have very simplistic, but steady, rock parts. And there is nothing wrong with that at all.

[codeorama]

Originally posted by Baculus
Good call, codeorama - the drummer for AC/DC and Bad Company were two drummers I was thinking about when I mentioned about simplicity and taste. I think for a beginner drummer they are great for listening so they demonstrate a good, tight rockbeat without the overriding need to play a tom or cymbal fill between every section. Heck, the drummer for AC/DC never even played fill, just some cymbal punctuations.

A lot of today's rock have very simplistic, but steady, rock parts. And there is nothing wrong with that at all.

Funny that you said that... This is one of the things we are going through in our song writing process.... IMO, if a drummer is going buck wild ALL the time, it numbs you to it. But if done tastefully, with use of very simplistic parts, a complicated section or agressive part becomes more of a highlight rather than "the same old" thing.

[Baculus]

Some of my favorite songs, while I am a drummer that loves complexity, are accompanied by the "less is more" school of drumming. As Miles said, it's the notes you don't play that are sometimes the most important ones.

And agreed about the simplistic parts enhancing heavy, aggressive parts of a song. One of my favorite bands is Clutch, and the drummer, Jean-Paul Gastier, shows how well this can be done. This is great inspiration for someone who may listen to a "super drummer" and think "Can I play a song," when you can, in fact. Just get the beat down, and you are playing away!

One note: Learn about the clave, Die Hard. It is one of the most universal drumming rhythms, and can be found in everything from Celtic to African music. If you get familiar with this rhythm, you'll find that it'll help you disset drum parts, including Coldplay.

[rdsknbill]

I wa a drummer in a band years ago. (pre wife and three kids )

I had a five piece kit when I was a kid. Never took a lesson, but I played pretty well. I guess

My son is taking guitar lessons and is starting to get pretty darn good at it. He saw some pics of me behind my old 14 piece Pearl set, and asked why I didn't play anymore. I didn't know quite what to say.

One night I took him to guitar lessons at the local music shop and they had a set sitting there. I asked the manager if he minded if I played around with it while I waited for the boy to get done with his lesson. He said "That's what it's out here for."

I sat down, and started going through my old warm up. Just working around the toms, high hat, bass. Then I started doing rolls. That turned into me sitting there and hammering away on this kit with no concept of time or anyone around me. After about what seemed like twenty minutes, I did the typical "roll out" to what ever song was playing in my head.

I opened my eyes and there was my son, his instructor, the manager, and about ten other people staring at me and clapping. It was a little embarassing but funny as hell.

Needless to say, the boy is lobbying his mother to let Dad get another drum set. I think that I'll give it to myself for my B-day next month

[codeorama]

Just do it...!

[Ford]

Just keep at it .. it feels akward for a while, but once you get it down it just feels natural and you dont even have to think about what you're doing. Some people like code who are probably more natural musicians may pick it up quicker, but it takes a while to get the general feeling for everything and then there's almost always something new to learn that'll feel wierd trying, but you'll reach a comfort point where almost all rock songs are playable.