[Taye Lover]

Hey Everyone,
I want some opinions on my questions. I am 43 and have been playing drums for two years. I get weekly lessons from day one, practice every single day, can read music and think I am pretty good for my experience. So, when does one know he/she is ready to jam with others or join a band? If joining experienced musicians, what are they expecting the first time we play together?
I really want to join a band and play in clubs, parties, etc. The only experience "jamming" is playing on my ipod or at my lessons. I just am afraid to mess up and make a foll of myself. Thanks for suggestions.

[Tainojim]

Mr. Taye,
I've been drumming for 50 years. I remember when I started playing with my first band. I listened to the band at first and in my mind, developed what beats would blend in. If it didn't mix with what I heard, I would just try something else. Until I finally got it right.

It's kind of like swimming. First you get your feet wet, then the rest of you body to get used to the water. The you just relax.

Remember, baby steps before you learn to walk.

If the other musicians are patient, they'll ask you to try something different until every one is pleased with the beats.

Maybe it's just stage fright, but you'll get over it. It's happened to me in my early days.

Good Luck

	Taye Drums Shop for Taye Drums at Musician's Friend

[slingerland]

Your ready right now!! Don't wait if you can do it this week do it.

[Der Trommler]

I agree with Jim and slingerland,

There is never a better time to start then right now. You will a bit unsure at first but that is totally natural. Make sure the band you join first isn't full of guys that are so intense it isn't fun (don't ask me how I know), after that it will all fall into place in no time at all.

[tylerdrummer22]

the way i did it was to start jamming with someone who was pretty new to guitar from the get go. youd really be suprised at how much more motivated you can be to learn something once you start to hear progression. but i agree with everyone. its time to go out and find someone

[slingerland59]

Check out the thread started by Tommatt last year entitled: "Going from playing the drums to being a drummer." There's tons of good advice there.

[butter]

im about as experienced as you are in years playing. i started playing with a band about a year after starting. we sucked really bad but we got better. i think were pretty good now. weve played a few shows so we dont suck anymore. when we first started we all had about the same experience, except daniel. he had been playing guitar for alot longer than any of us had our instruments. i think he really pushed us to become better. if it hadnt been for him we wouldnt be very good. its kinda like running. if you run by yourself, you cant run nearly as long or fast as you can when you run with a partner, one that pushes you and makes you run better than you make yourself run.

so my advice is find some people that are about as experienced as you, or better. you wont get laughed at if you arent any good (not saying you arent good but just pointing it out) because the others will probably be as good as you and they wont realize that they are better than you. and if you have a member that is better than the rest, not alot better, not so that they get frustrated that they are too good, but like i said, enough to push you all to get better, they will help you improve your skill.

this is a bit hard to understand i think? this is how it worked for me and it worked great so just passing my experience. but dont think that i am saying you suck or anything.