Drummers are some of the most envied musicians in the world because their instrument of choice happens to be one of the coolest ones to ever exist. Just watch a band play music live and you’ll see how powerful a drummer’s performance can be.
From choosing which Music Majlis percussion instruments to purchase to the benefits of having a drumming teacher, keep reading to learn everything you need to know to become the drummer of your dreams.
1. Recognize that it is going to take time.
Before you get started on your drumming journey, it is crucial that you understand that it is going to require a lot of time and patience until you feel comfortable with your skills.
For many beginner drummers, the early days can feel frustrating because you want to advance your skills quickly. While this is understandable, to set yourself up for success, it is essential to give yourself reasonable goals and remove any concerns about your advancement speed.
Rather than worry about how quickly or slowly you are learning, opt to schedule daily practice sessions and make a plan for how you are going to put in the time and energy needed to practice. You will find that short, consistent practice times will help you progress much more effectively than fewer and longer sessions spread out over weeks or months.
2. Purchase the necessary equipment.
As a beginner, your best option may be first to purchase a practice pad before you start playing on a drum kit. Having a practice pad will help you learn basic stick technique and make it a lot easier for you to start navigating a full kit eventually. Generally, it is recommended that you use a practice pad for three to four months before upgrading.
Once you have your basic skills down, you can then look into purchasing a full drum kit. In most cases, you will find a beginner drum set that includes all the pieces you need. When looking at these sets, make sure you are selecting one produced by a reputable drum brand. If you have any questions about your options, speak with an informed seller at your local music store.
Many beginners (and more advanced players) prefer to play on an electronic drum set as it enables them to limit the amount of noise produced and can be monitored with headphones. This is hugely beneficial if you are concerned about disturbing your housemates or neighbors. Additionally, electronic drum sets can be conveniently stored and easily moved around, making them ideal for those who are often on the go.
What’s more, electronic drum sets are incredibly versatile and allow you to experiment with a variety of sounds ranging from studio-quality acoustic to trendy hip-hop as well as various sound effects. And, when it comes time to record your sounds, it is much easier to record when playing on an electronic drum set as you don’t need to soundproof the room or purchase expensive recording equipment.
As a new musician, opting to purchase an electronic drum set in Dubai (or anywhere you may be in the world) is an excellent option to take your drumming skills to the next level.
3. Invest in drum lessons.
If you are serious about improving your drum skills, you must invest in drum lessons. While it is possible to be a self-taught drummer, there is a wide array of benefits to be gained from having a professional teacher.
Most importantly, having someone guide you through the learning process ensures that you are efficiently maximizing your time and efforts. They know what you need to learn and the optimal steps for increasing your skills, and their guidance helps make the entire process feel a lot less overwhelming.
Also, by studying with a drumming teacher, you can be assured that you are learning the proper technique and are continually making progress. This individual attention is one of the main reasons why drummers who take drum lessons progress quicker than those who don’t.
And, when you are committed to spending money on lessons, you are a lot more likely to stay focused and motivated. The last thing you want to do is show up at your next lesson without having practiced, so it is easier for you to stay on track.
4. Practice, practice, and practice some more.
Whether or not you choose to enlist a drumming teacher’s services, you still need to make sure that you are regularly practicing. To develop any skill, it takes thousands of hours of work, and drumming is no different. Therefore, you need to commit to regular practice hours to ensure you can master the fundamentals and learn to read music before starting to form your own sound.
Keep in mind that quality in practice is just as important as quantity. This means knowing what you need to practice as well as when you are going to practice. Even the best drummers in the world continue to have practice sessions, so the sooner you can learn the right approach for you, the better.
5. Cultivate your passion.
The work of improving your drumming skills never ends because you always want to be pushing yourself to learn and experience more. One of the best ways to do this is by surrounding yourself with music and musicians.
All musicians have to listen to music because it is a powerful tool for improving the mental processes utilized when you are playing or composing. Therefore, you want to ensure that you are feeding your brain high-quality music as it will keep you motivated and inspired. Passion and emotion are just as important as drive and will when it comes to being a good drummer, so make sure you are taking steps to cultivate that excitement.
Moreover, look to grow your network to include musicians of all varieties. This is a powerful way to expand your horizons and start to connect with the broader drumming community. You may make new friends in some cases, but you also may find other people to play with or hear about potential opportunities for performing. Networking and community-building is key to becoming a successful drummer.
Have you ever wanted to learn drumming? Why or why not? If you are a beginner drummer, what aspects are you finding the most challenging? Let us know your thoughts and any relevant experiences in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Amrit Shivlani is the Founder and CEO at Music Majlis, a community-driven e-commerce platform that offers a wide variety of musical instruments and equipment for every musician and sound professional. The company’s goal is to make music-making, recording, producing and mixing accessible and available to everyone.
