[Tommatt]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking these forums at work, but its blocked to register and post, so I just read. I bought a drum set a month ago, after playing rockband since november. I must say, its not a bad way to begin learning. I have gained alot of limb seperation from playing it, and without realising it, have been keeping a steady beat on one hand, while doing different things with my feet. It really is alot like playing the drums and has helped me pick it up.

I bought a cheap gammon set, from what I've read as soon as I replace the heads it'll sound good. The cymbals that came with it are garbage, but I have the hardware and something to learn on. I've dented my crash in alot of places from my first few days, so its not a bad thing

Anyways, I bought a DVD instructional set, and breezed through the beggining section. The beats were pretty basic. I didn't really mess with the section on rolls, as I know I need to work on these and just do it on a pillow when I'm watching tv, and to warm up. Same with parriliddles. (I need to do them more, I'm starting to see how they connect to playing on the kit) but I spend maybe an hour a week on this.

Anyways, since going through the beggining section and struggling with the intermediate section (ghost notes which I don't quite get how to reproduce yet) and 16th not tripplets on the snare in between 8th note high hats. I can do 8th notes in between, but not 2 quick parts of a tripplet. So I started downloading drum tab.

For the last 2 weeks I've just been playing along to music on my ipod, reading tab for some songs, working on those, and just trying to come up with drum parts on my own to other things. Basic AC/DC, CCR, some pearl jam, and a little coheed. Some stuff of rock band that my muscles kinda remember the patterns.

Am I going off path here and putting myself in the hole? Would things come along quicker if I justs kept chugging along at the instructional dvd's?

Also one other question, I don't quite get double stroke rolls. RRLLRRLL I practice it, but it dosn't seem quicker, or use less energy. Any good tips on practicing and developing this technique?

thanks everyone

[Jazz_Rock_Feel]

I recommend a teacher- The fact that you have started out without one is okay. Some may disagree with me, but starting without a teacher allows one to develop the drive to practice daily- Even rudiments! On the other hand, you may find that over the time that you have been playing without a teacher that you may have developed some bad habits. It's best to iron those out before they become engrained in your playing.

It might also be a good idea to buy the Alfreds Beginner drum series books- they are great.

[Sean Francis]

I second that motion. See an instructor if you can, even if it's just a couple of times a month. That will help you to see if you're on the right path. So much of drumming is visual, so it's hard to say just from your description if you're totally on the right track. Starting on the rudiments is defintely a step in the right direction though!

I want to clarify this right away though; you can learn drums without a teacher, and many people do. I'm not trying to say like, "you have to have a teacher in order to be able to play." The main thing is having someone who can kind of coach you on grips and posture... the little things like that. I was one of those who learned drums without a teacher; I had gotten pretty good, but I had a lot of bad habits. My grip was pretty lousy and my posture was bad. In the long run, they have caused me some pretty serious wrist problems (basically, I'm on the brink of having carpal tunnel syndrome) and some pretty serious lower back problems from years and years of slouching at the set. Like Jazz_Rock_Feel said, it's just good to get those things ironed out.

Good luck, work hard, and more importantly HAVE FUN!

[skinslapper]

I would also recomend getting some lessons with a teacher, if for no other reason to ensure your technique is down pat. This is one alrea that no manual I've seen can get right because it requires disipline and if you get it wrong, it'll make everything else realy hard to do IE; double strokes.

Other than that, I do have to agree that those band games do have their advantages when it comes to real playing. My guitarists have been going hard on guitar hero for sometime time now and it has really improved their rythm.

[juan (the ping-pong ref.)]

No offense, but I don't think that if you just play a video game you will get musical talent. I know it i similar, but unless your expecting the notes to fly at you from mid air, then get some lessons and learn how to read music.

So, to answer you question, I do believe it will help, but i do not think it will help you "learn"

[Tommatt]

I know how to read sheet music, being in band from 4th grade. After learning that, drum notation was very easy to pick up.

[pantera]

I agree that if you can afford it go see a teacher, even if it's 2x a month. Keep practicing, learning and jamming, but a good teacher will set you straight so you can keeping doing better and more intricate work.

I had a ton of problems with 16th note hi-hat beats, my right arm would die out on me very quickly during a song. But once I learned how to properly hold my stick for them I can get through any song with a lot less ache.

There is stuff in videos and books that doesn't get explained or pointed out, and that can hold you back.

[Jin Akari]

I suggest an instructor for proper learning, I don't have a teacher and I've formed bad habbits, plus I can't get a steady beat.

[PocketProtector]

I agree with most. If a teacher is in your budget go for it. I actually am self taught and even after years of marching, concert & jazz band I still don't read music. I also realize that being self taught alows you to develop bad habits however, none of this has shown significant in my playing meaning the genre that I play the most which is gospel I never have to read music and as for my bad habbits onyl I know there bad habbits.

[Tommatt]

Well I decided to bite the bullet and get a few lessons. I plan on getting 4-8 at least, learn some proper technique and basics, hopefully get rid of any bad habbits I"m developing. I must admit, their alot cheaper than I thought they would be. $20 1/2, or $35 for 1 hour. I'm going to do an hour a week. (For some reason I thought It'd be like $60+ and hour)