[Nicko McUlrich]

ok, I just started playing the drums and i can do a few basic beats, but i was wondering are lessons that important? i know a lot of people who play instruments, and all that they have done is gotten a few books to start them off and just gone from there...is this a feasable way to learn how to play drums?

(p.s. i have a very low budget so it would kinda be hard to pay for lessons)

[Meddy]

Drumming is one of the easier instruments to teach yourself (in my opinion).

I have largely picked up techniques and various things from the internet, but if you had a teacher, you'd be taught all these in the lessons, as well as beats, reading drum music, rudiments etc.

I'd suggest lessons if you can afford it... but if your on a low budget you can use the resources on this website to teach yourself! Just click the drum lessons links on the left.

[Nicko McUlrich]

ok, thank you very much, i expected it to be a more "practice" instrument then "lesson"

[Damo]

With the deamdns that drumming can place on your body, its important to start with correct technique. Unfortunately this is hardly ever something you can just pick up.

If youre tight for money, get a few lessons once you first start and then see how you go. At the very least, get some of the bad habits ironed out before you steam ahead on your own.

You dont want to have to backtrack later because of something you missed.

	Ahead Drumsticks Shop for Ahead Drumsticks at Musician's Friend

[skinslapper]

Yes, get lessons!! You'll stunt your abilities way faster without them.

[ringo starr]

I've been playing for 5 years without any lessons and i'm just as good and actually better than my friends who have taken lessons. I just watched and listened to drummers and played along with them.

[Thumpthdrum]

Learning any instrument is always easier with direction and instructions from someone with experience. If you can afford the lessons...yes.

[don11817]

Lessons will do a couple of things for you:

1. They'll give you a second set of ears that can hear what you're doing while you're doing it without a skewed perspective

2. They will give you valuable insruction on how to develop independence in your limbs

3. Most teachers will start you early reading drum tab or music so you'll get a start on learning to read-- and eventually to sight-read while playing (a big, big deal if you ever want to be a session drummer or an on-the-spot drummer for gigs and recording)

4. Gives you a place to go for help getting through a hard beat sequence or a hard fill that you just cant seem to figure out...

5. Last, but probably most important: Accountability to your practice time. Someone who will be acutely aware of how much (or little) you have put into advancing yourself and your playing since the last time they saw you... Dude.. Big time help even though it stinks to get caught unprepared... It IS for your benefit after all..

[slingerland59]

The most critical thing you need a good teacher for is to show you how to hold the sticks and play with finger control. If you can't afford formal lessons then try and find an experienced drummer who can show you informally, even for a few minutes. See if they'll let you check back in with them in a few weeks after you get more speed, because that's when you'll develop bad habits.

You can learn how to read drum music easy enough through music classes at school -- we use standard notation, it's just placed on lines and spaces representing drums and cymbals instead of keyboard notes. Again, any helpful drummer would show you that (maybe at a local drum shop?). Then you can use drum books to teach yourself patterns.

[revo15]

i think it depends on what kind of music you play and how serious you are...for just being in a local rock band i wouldn't worry about it as much...but if you're into jazz or if you wanna go pro or be a session drummer go for the lessons