Andrew Roach, Author at By The Barricade

Outside of the guitar, drums are among the most popular instruments to learn for both kids and adults alike. They are the most common percussion instruments around and are almost in all types of music. Its appearance in almost all forms of music means that a variety of people need to learn it. So, are drums easy to learn? It is generally a case for drums that they are easy to learn but hard to master. It can be simple enough to learn a few simple beats that can hold together a pop or rock song. But, it also takes a lot of practice to master some techniques. These techniques need increased concentration, coordination, and understanding. This also reflects on the type of music you want to play as well. Many aspects decide how easy drums can be to play depending on what you want to get out of. Do you want to be a metal god or someone who holds a steady beat? The answer to this question will determine how easy drums are to learn for you. Understanding the Basic Functions of Drumming It might seem that drumming is a case of hitting a beat in succession. Each part of the drum kit has its purpose and role. Understanding these roles plays a big part in learning the art of drumming. Before going any further, let’s look at the basic setup: Bass Drum The most basic element of the kit and sets the base rhythm of a song. Played via a kick pedal – you can use a double pedal setup can to give faster and deeper sounds. Snare Drum The main component for generating fills and performing the supportive sound. Played with sticks and usually with your left hand. Tom Toms The dance partner of the snare and used to complete sounds. It gives a higher sound than the snare and is hit with sticks – usually with the right hand. Common to have many tom-toms on a full kit Cymbals They provide the finer sounds of the kit and fill in any gaps between beats. Ride cymbals provide constant chatter. You can use crash cymbals to elevate a particular moment. The hi-hat gives a finer sound to complement the ride cymbal. Ride and crash are generally hit with sticks whilst you control hi-hats with the pedal. Once you understand how each of these work, you can start combining them to create a basic beat. As you combine the elements to form a basic beat, you will have a working knowledge of how they come together. This allows you to perform more complex rhythms. Check out this video for some affirmed information: Knowing The Key Skills Needed Knowing what each part does is one thing but playing them together is another. Most people struggle. Irequire you to master a few different notions to put everything together. Timing is the Most Important Part of Drumming The most important aspect of drumming is timing, full stop. As the backbone of any song, you need to master this to perfect the most common beat. Generally, most songs play in a 4/4-time signature, so it’s a case of counting 1.2.3.4,2.2.3.4, as you play. You can use the hi-hats or ride cymbal to you learn this and gain knowledge as you go. If you wanted to advance to faster signatures (e.g. 3/4 or 6/8), then the learning curve rises as you adapt your style. Coordination is Crucial When Drumming The most crucial physical aspect of learning drums is perfecting your hand-eye coordination. Nailing this is key, as hitting the wrong drum or missing a beat can throw out the entire band. This is not easy to do and is an area where practice makes perfect. The more you practice on a kit and learn where everything is, the more natural your movements become. It’s this knowledge that is key to your drumming skills coming together and forming a cohesive beat. You Need Good Stamina to Drum One of the most underrated aspects of learning drums is how exhausting it can be. It works out all areas of the body with both your legs and arms in constant motion for minutes at a time. With no ability to rest for a prolonged period, you need to train your body to push through the pain barrier. This isn’t easy, especially as your mind needs to keepa track of your timing. As it proves to be both a mental and physical workout, it can often be a harder passion than many may realize. None of these skills are straightforward to learn overnight, but you can master them over time. By putting in the practice and effort, it will help make a daunting and complicated task seem easy. You Don't Need A Band To Learn Your Drumming Part It’s a funny stigma that you need to hear the other instruments to see how to work the beat. It generally works the other way round, as drums lay a song’s foundations. It can be more effective to practice them without other instruments. This relieves the pressure you might feel about other parts of the song, giving you time to master your beat. Drums are almost always the first recorded parts in the album-making process. This gives you a chance to set the rhythm without having too much to worry about how the other parts are going to fit in. This relieves the pressure of having to compromise with what other people created. This allows you to find beats and rhythms that you like which adds to the quality of the song. Having a band around can be useful, as hearing what others have helps you get an idea of what rhythms to come up with. By hearing the other parts, you can get a feel for what might they need and find out what will work. It helps you get a better understand of the style and tones you will need to aim for. This lets you complete the percussion sections with confidence. Practice Makes Perfect It might be the classic saying, but it is the truth – practice does make perfect. It can take up to two years before you get a good handle on drumming. Drumming will never be easy unless you work on your timing and technique. Nailing these aspects is crucial to ensure that you can play complicated beats. With enough practice it won't matter if you are at home or in front of thousands of screaming fans. It isn’t a case of practicing solo in a room for hours on end, as that will only get you so far. Practicing or learning from others is a great way to see how other drummers approach things. It allows you to learn how the experienced develop their style, setup, or speed. You may realize that they have worked out an easier way to do something. It make your playing style much more effective. A drummer is a unique breed of musician. Only drummers will understand what works for different styles. Speaking to more experienced players can be an eye-opener for you. This conversation may trigger your mind, solving issues that you have struggle with. You can then try these out and work them into your style. Conclusion Nothing will ever be straightforward to learn. This idea includes something that seems as primitive as drumming. It is a case of knowing each piece of the drum kit's role and how they contribute to the sound. From there, you can hone the different aspects and needed to form a coherent beat. Try not to overwhelm yourself, as it can be pretty easy when learning any new skill. With practice and learning from experienced drummers, you can tame the percussive beast. Only then will you be able to judge whether drums are easy to learn or not.

Posts by Andrew Roach

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