Each month the best drumming question will be posted here along with Drum Nut's reply for you to share. If you can't find what you're looking for here then ask your own question by contacting us below.
Question: Feb 2020 |
"I am just starting to play the drums. What would be the best way for me to start. And should i start with a kit right away or should i start with the djembe or something first to get the beats down." Devon |
DRUM NUT SAYS:
Hi Devon,
Thanks for your email. The best way to start learning the drums is to buy a drum kit and start playing along to music. Then get yourself a good teacher and learn to read music. And from there start playing music with other musicians. This is by no means the only way though.
It is quite possible to learn drums without a drum kit. Many students do it and buy their own kit only when they are sure that they are going to continue learning. In the mean time the only equipment you need is a pair of sticks and possibly a practice pad.
Finding a good teacher is really sound advice too. Check out the drumnuts questions for advice on choosing a teacher.
Learning rhythms on a Djembe or other hand drum can be good preparation for playing the drum kit but using sticks on a practice pad would be more beneficial long term.
I hope this answers your question. Good luck on your journey learning the drums. Maybe we'll see you in the drumnuts Legends Gallery one day!
Regards, Drum Nut.
Hi Devon,
Thanks for your email. The best way to start learning the drums is to buy a drum kit and start playing along to music. Then get yourself a good teacher and learn to read music. And from there start playing music with other musicians. This is by no means the only way though.
It is quite possible to learn drums without a drum kit. Many students do it and buy their own kit only when they are sure that they are going to continue learning. In the mean time the only equipment you need is a pair of sticks and possibly a practice pad.
Finding a good teacher is really sound advice too. Check out the drumnuts questions for advice on choosing a teacher.
Learning rhythms on a Djembe or other hand drum can be good preparation for playing the drum kit but using sticks on a practice pad would be more beneficial long term.
I hope this answers your question. Good luck on your journey learning the drums. Maybe we'll see you in the drumnuts Legends Gallery one day!
Regards, Drum Nut.
Question: Jan 2020 |
"What's the best way to practice to a metronome? " Dion |
DRUM NUT SAYS:
Hey Dion,
Thanks for your email. If you are new to using a metronome with your drum practise it's probably best to start simple. Set the metronome to a moderate tempo say 60bpms and try playing crotchets or quarter notes on the snare drum alternating between your right and left hands. You should be aiming to get the strike of the drum right on top of the click of the metronome. This is a great test- if you get it right you'll find the sound of the metronome seems to disappear! It's quite strange and you might think the metronome has stopped but keep going.
Once you get comfortable doing this try increasing the tempo up to 80bpms, 100bpms and so forth. Also try different note values over the click of the metronome. For example; play eighth notes or quavers while the metronome clicks a crotchet beat- two strikes of the drum for one click of the metronome. Or sixteenth notes (semi quavers) which will be four strikes of the drum to every click of the metronome.
As you get more confident working with a metronome you can be more adventurous with your practise. Try playing drum patterns on the drum set or more complex rhythms on the snare drum. You can also try 'playing around the beat' which means playing slightly slower or faster than the metronome click. This is called 'dragging' or 'pushing' the beat and can be a useful skill to develop.
Playing along to songs on your phone, tablet or a drum loop on a drum machine are fun alternatives to using a metronome too.
I hope this answers your question.
All the best, Drum Nut.
Hey Dion,
Thanks for your email. If you are new to using a metronome with your drum practise it's probably best to start simple. Set the metronome to a moderate tempo say 60bpms and try playing crotchets or quarter notes on the snare drum alternating between your right and left hands. You should be aiming to get the strike of the drum right on top of the click of the metronome. This is a great test- if you get it right you'll find the sound of the metronome seems to disappear! It's quite strange and you might think the metronome has stopped but keep going.
Once you get comfortable doing this try increasing the tempo up to 80bpms, 100bpms and so forth. Also try different note values over the click of the metronome. For example; play eighth notes or quavers while the metronome clicks a crotchet beat- two strikes of the drum for one click of the metronome. Or sixteenth notes (semi quavers) which will be four strikes of the drum to every click of the metronome.
As you get more confident working with a metronome you can be more adventurous with your practise. Try playing drum patterns on the drum set or more complex rhythms on the snare drum. You can also try 'playing around the beat' which means playing slightly slower or faster than the metronome click. This is called 'dragging' or 'pushing' the beat and can be a useful skill to develop.
Playing along to songs on your phone, tablet or a drum loop on a drum machine are fun alternatives to using a metronome too.
I hope this answers your question.
All the best, Drum Nut.