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Learn
how to sight read by taking piano lessons
first if possible. This will be really helpful down the road
as you progress as a drummer and need/want to play any keyboard
instruments such as, vibraphone, marimba or bells. Taking
piano lessons will help you with both rhythms and musical
phrasing. |
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Learn
rudiments from a qualified drum instructor! You'll want to
learn them foundationally and focus on technique,
timing and stick control. The
Drum Experts recommend using "Stick Control for
the Snare Drummer "
by George Lawrence Stone. A few other great drumming books
to get are: "Savage Rudimental Workshop"
by Matt Savage, "Drum Method"
by Haskell Harr and "A Funky Primer for the Rock Drummer"
by Charles Dowd. |
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Listen
to music and count along using basic beat subdivisions
such as 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 notes. You will get familiar with
basic beat patterns as well as train your ears to listen for
tempo changes in the song. It's not enough to know rudiments,
fills and cool beats; you need to learn how to play along
with volume dynamics and sensitivity to rest of the group. |
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Let
the drumsticks do the work for you by bouncing
off the drum head. Focus on properly holding the sticks and
using wrist motion, not your arms. |
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Use
a metronome
to help keep time as you sight read your
music. You can either purchase one or download a metronome
program to use on your computer. |
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Practice every day even if it's for 15-20
minutes. Practicing every day consistently is much better
than trying to cram it all in before your lesson. Your teacher
can always tell!! |
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