FAQ

What do I need to get started drumming?

Even before buying a full drumkit you can start learning! All you need is drumsticks and a practice pad. After that, (and when you are ready to spend the money) you will want a drumkit of your own! Look for starter kits like PDP Encore, or Ludwig Accent (my own personal first kit!) sweetwater.com is a great resource for musicians, however local shops like Drum City Guitarland are my go to as the personal touch and expertise is priceless.

Keep in mind that in order to have a fully functional kit you will need some gear that is not often included in one package. Here’s a quick checklist.

• The drums themselves (Kick, snare, at least one rack tom and one floor tom)
• Kick pedal
• Cymbals (Preferably at least a Crash, a Ride, and a pair of hi-hats)
• Snare Stand
• Cymbal stand(s)
• Hi-hat stand

Of course, electric kits are a great way to get started if you have limited space, or cannot make a bunch of noise! I recommend electric kits be a second option, as they do not provide all the nuances an acoustic kit does. However should an electric kit be more feasible, I highly recommend a Roland kit, and after that an Alesis.

How much should I practice?

This is different for every drummer and largely depends on what goals you want to achieve. The important thing is consistency. If you practice the right way for 15 minutes a day, you will continually improve. You do not have to practice for hours a day in order to become a good drummer, but if you spend a couple hours a day on focused practice you will be on the fast track to becoming great. The key is challenging yourself, and there is no substitute for a good teacher to help you do that!

What should I practice?

The current two books that I teach are “Stick Control For The Snare Drummer” by George Lawrence Stone and “Progressive Steps To Syncopation For The Modern Drummer” by Ted Reed. I find the most effective practice routine starts with a warm up on Stick Control, followed by a few rhythmic exercises, and ending with playing along to whatever music I am currently trying to learn. Don’t forget to have fun with this last step and challenge yourself to play along to your favorite drummers!