Wondering how to start playing drums? There are many methods to choose from. Every drummer has their own unique path based on several factors including motivation, inspiration, equipment, and more.

Your first steps will be the foundation of your musicianship moving forward. So here’s a list of tasks to help your drumming journey start off on the right beat!

Discover Your Motivation

It is important to recognize what type of drumming pulls you in.

  • What did you hear or see that made you interested in playing the drums?
  • What do you want to get out of playing the drums?
  • Is it a certain song with a drum beat that you can’t stop thinking about?

Whether it’s the first time you heard “Frankenstein” by Edgar Winter, or the first time you saw your cousin solo on their drum set, try to commit the initial inspiration to memory so you can continue to draw from it on your musical journey.

When you picture yourself behind a drum set, what do you see yourself playing?

Feel The Rhythm

Listen to one of your favorite songs and tap your foot to the beat. This is the earliest phase of playing along and what you’re searching for is an effortless feel of comfort.

Start Simple

Rock music is often leaned on with beginning drummers, music that is simple and easy to hear. Stomping and clapping to the beat of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” is a rite of passage. I have heard from countless drummers that the first song they were able to play along to was by KISS or AC/DC. But beginner drummers should not feel obligated to stick to rock music.

Other great examples include classic hip hop like “California Love” by Tupac, more current pop songs like “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, Motown hits like “My Girl” by The Temptations, or 80’s pop like “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince.

If you’re more of a country fan, songs like “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, or “Where the Wild Things Are” by Luke Combs are great places to start.

Keeping Time 

It is important to be able to keep time on your own. A metronome is a vital tool that can be used to help your internal sense of time become solid as a rock.

  • A metronome is a device that is designed to be set to a specific BPM (beats per minute).
  • Practice simple rhythms and rudiments to the click of the metronome.
  • Practicing slower tempos is one of the most difficult things to do as a drummer. But once you have become comfortable with slower tempos, faster tempos will feel effortless.

Find A Teacher

It helps to have guidance in your journey to become a drummer. In the past, your only option was in-person drum lessons in a class or with a private teacher. Now, lessons are available online, too. Here are some benefits for either option.

In-Person Lessons

  • Having a teacher watch you play can ensure that you are using proper technique. This is especially important for beginning drum students. Proper technique is the best way to avoid injury and keep you on track to achieve better playing overall and high speed capability as you develop your chops. 
  • A teacher can easily personalize your lessons based on your tendencies and what sparks your interest. Helping you with problem areas and even guiding you towards drummers that they know you would be interested in.
  • Accountability is key. Having an in person teacher can help in motivation to achieve goals along the way. Having assignments to complete for a lesson is a great way to stay on task as you take steps towards being a better drummer.

Online Lessons

  • Free online lessons are available all over the internet and even subscription based drum lessons will cost much less on average than an in person lesson.
  • Online lessons are there when you want them to be. If you are unable to commit to a scheduled lesson, taking an online lesson can be as simple as opening up Youtube and it also has the ability of being paused and revisited. 
  • Most of the world’s most famous drummers have lessons that can be accessed online. This especially applies to drummers that are not beginners, as they may be searching for more specific lessons. Like, “How on earth did Steve Gadd play the beat on ‘50 ways to Leave Your Lover’?!”. 

Get The Gear

Buying the right equipment is important, and there are lots of factors to take into account before making your purchase.

All you need to get started is a pair of sticks, but as things progress you will have to purchase or acquire the correct gear for your surroundings.

A practice pad is a great tool and it is strongly recommended, especially as a beginning drummer that does not own a drum set. But many drummers start by practicing on a pillow, mattress or even your own thigh (don’t hit too hard though!).

Acoustic vs. Electronic Drums

There is no feeling quite like striking an acoustic drum. 

  • The way the drum head feels and reacts by bouncing off of each surface in the room is unable to be replicated by an electronic set up. 
  • You can create hundreds of different sounds from a single drum or cymbal by simply changing where or what angle you strike it at. 
  • The ability to play to the room you are in is a valuable lesson. Learning and having command of dynamics is a key component of keeping a gig, and that lesson is best learned on an acoustic set up.

But some situations don’t allow for the volume or space of an acoustic drum set. An electronic drum set can be a great alternative for those who are concerned with volume level, cost, and upkeep.

  • The sound of an electronic drum set will be quieter than an acoustic set up. Some sets are quieter than others, and they will never be completely quiet, but overall your neighbors will be less aware.
  • At face value, the cost of a beginners electronic drum set may seem expensive. But with all things considered, it is most commonly a cheaper option. Almost every piece needed to play is usually included (drum pads, cymbal pads, and hardware), leaving just sticks, a seat (preferably an adjustable drum throne) and a bass drum pedal left to acquire. 
  • Playing an electronic set up beats up sticks far less, making them last for much longer. And there is no need to replace worn out drum heads or cracked cymbals.

Build Your Band

Playing music with others is one of the most enjoyable experiences. Finding your partners in music will help determine the musical path you choose, and if you have found the right people, they will keep you motivated to keep after it.

I was fortunate enough to form a band with my friends in high school. We had weekly band rehearsals that morphed into every afternoon hang out sessions. What started as a scheduled event, turned into the way we preferred to spend our time.

Booking shows with other bands in our region led to friendships that expanded our horizons beyond our small town.

Music has a way of taking you places, it can be as simple as a concert band competition at a theme park, or as life altering as your first time out of the country. These are memories that will last a lifetime.

Ways to find a band:

  • School band or after school programs
  • Music schools or local music shops that offer lessons (School of Rock)
  • Open mics or open jam sessions
  • Online musician finder services (Facebook or Craigslist)

Another great way to meet musicians is to simply get out there and see more local live music.
Even those in the crowd tend to be dedicated to music and more aware of opportunities that may be available. The more you are out and about around musicians, the more likely someone will start to think, “Who is that? Who do they play with?”.

As you start your journey into the drumming universe it is important to remember there are countless paths to take, many of which have not even been explored yet. These are just a few things to keep in mind as you get started. Now get out there and drum!