What is on a drum kit
A standard beginner kit has a handful of pieces, each with a distinct job.
- Bass drum (kick), played with a foot pedal, provides the low pulse.
- Snare drum, set between the knees, gives the sharp crack that usually marks the backbeat.
- Toms, usually two or three at different pitches, are used for fills that move around the kit.
- Hi-hat, a pair of cymbals on a stand, is opened and closed with a left-foot pedal and often keeps the steady time.
- Crash and ride cymbals add accents and sustained patterns.
Kits vary a lot between players and styles, so do not worry if a teacher’s setup differs from a picture in a book. Starting with just kick, snare and hi-hat is common, and many beginners also buy a practice pad, a quiet surface for working on stick control.
Holding the sticks
There are two main grips. In the matched grip, both hands hold the stick the same way, and this is what most beginners are taught. In the traditional grip, the left hand holds the stick underhand, a style that comes from marching drumming. Matched is simpler to learn and works for nearly every style.
For matched grip, find the balance point of the stick, usually about a third of the way up from the butt end. Pinch the stick between the thumb and the first finger or two at that point, and wrap the other fingers loosely around it. The stick should be able to bounce back from the drum head, so avoid squeezing. A tight grip is a common cause of tired hands and a stiff sound.
Sitting and setting up
Adjust the throne (seat) so that your thighs slope slightly downward or sit about level, and your feet rest naturally on the pedals. Place the snare at a comfortable height, roughly at your waist or a bit below, so your forearms are fairly level when you play. Set the hi-hat and cymbals so that you can reach them without hunching your shoulders. If anything feels strained in your back, wrists or hips, stop and adjust it. Setup is worth taking time over, because a good position helps prevent aches later.
Your first rhythms
Drumming is built on counting. In a four-beat bar, you count “1 2 3 4”, and the in-between eighth-note pulses are spoken as “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and”.
The classic first groove goes like this:
- The hi-hat plays on every count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.
- The bass drum plays on beats 1 and 3.
- The snare plays on beats 2 and 4.
Start with just the hi-hat to build a steady hand. Add the snare, then add the kick. Play slowly and keep each limb independent. It is normal for the feet and hands to want to move together at first, and this coordination improves with repetition. After a few weeks, try moving the kick to different spots in the bar, which creates many variations from the same framework.
Rudiments and stick control
Drum rudiments are basic sticking patterns. Two of the simplest are the single stroke roll (right, left, right, left) and the double stroke roll (right, right, left, left). Practice them on a pad, keeping the strokes even in volume and spacing. A few minutes a day can help build control that carries over into every groove and fill.
Practicing with a metronome
A metronome is a device or app that clicks at a set tempo, and it is a drummer’s most important training partner, because a drummer’s job is largely to keep time. Set it to a slow, comfortable speed, such as a tempo where each click is a quarter note, and play along. Listen for whether your notes land exactly on the click or slightly ahead or behind. Once you can play a pattern cleanly several times in a row, increase the tempo a little.
Recording yourself can reveal timing issues you cannot hear while playing. Because rhythm is also the foundation of notation, learning even a little reading sheet music helps you understand what counted patterns look like on the page, and drum notation is a variation on the same system.
Protecting your hearing
Drums are loud, and loud sounds can damage hearing over time. Ear protection made for musicians, which lowers volume without muffling the sound too much, is a sensible investment, and it is worth using even in short practice sessions. Practice pads and low-volume practice options can also help in shared homes. The way sound waves from the drum head and cymbals travel is part of why even short, close exposure can be tiring. If you notice ringing or discomfort after playing, take a break and consider talking to a health professional.
Building a routine
Short, regular sessions usually beat occasional long ones. A simple plan might include five minutes of rudiments on a pad, ten minutes on a groove with the metronome, and some time playing along with songs you enjoy. Using your own habit loops, such as practicing right after dinner, can make the routine easier to keep. Progress comes in steps, and slow, accurate playing at a low tempo is a better foundation than fast, sloppy playing. A teacher, even for a few lessons, can check your grip and posture and suggest pieces suited to your level.