Learning a musical instrument can change your life for the better, teaching you discipline, a new skill, and giving you a great sense of achievement. It’s the perfect hobby, and the good news is that there’s a musical instrument to suit everyone. One of the best instruments to learn is the drum because it not only teaches the sense of rhythm so important to music, but it also suits all styles of music, from rock to jazz. You can make quick progress on the drums too but watch out for these five mistakes beginner drummers often make when starting out.
1. Investing In A Full-Size Drum Kit
Learning a new instrument is exciting, especially when it’s something as exciting as drums, so it’s easy to get carried away, but if you immediately rush out and buy a full-size traditional drum kit you could regret it. A full-size kit is a big commitment in terms of money, and in terms of the room it will take up in your home, so it makes much more sense for beginners to buy an electronic drum set. An electronic set can be a good drum kit that produces a great, authentic noise while taking up a fraction of the space a traditional kit would, and its added versatility makes it a great step in your drumming career.
2. Playing Everything At The Same Volume
Drums can be loud, and we all love the solid thuds a drum can make, but it can also be a refined, gentle instrument. Too many beginners hit every note too hard, making the whole piece loud and losing any variety and subtlety. It’s important to learn to vary the power of your strokes and listen to what the music is telling you. Your neighbors will thank you too.
3. Not Using A Metronome
More than any other instrument, playing the drums well relies upon timing and a sense of rhythm. That’s why it can be an advantage to be a proficient drummer if you want to learn other instruments as well, but beginners especially can find it hard to count time in their heads. That’s why a metronome is an essential purchase for novice drummers, as they make it much easier to keep in time and can be set to whatever tempo is required for the song. You can download metronome apps, but a traditional metronome is a thing of beauty too.
4. Holding The Drumstick Too Tightly
As you become more proficient, you’ll realize that you produce the best sounds when you drum in a free, easy, and relaxed manner. Many beginners take a tight grip on their drumstick but that can result in slower movements and less feeling. Don’t hold on for grim death and try to strike the drums using wrist and hand movements rather than moving your whole arm up and down. You’ll soon notice a positive change.
5. Missing The Center
Whichever drum you’re striking, you should always hit the center if you want the richest, most satisfying noise. It’s easy for beginners to hit areas around the edge of the drum, and this can create a different sound altogether, sometimes one that’s unpleasant on the ears. The only solution to this is to practice daily, without worrying about what you’re playing at first until you can strike that central sweet spot on all your drums time after time.
Buying a high-quality electronic drum kit doesn’t have to break the bank, but it will give you a new pastime and hours and hours of fun, year after year. Remember to use a metronome, always strike that sweet spot, vary the dynamic volume, and hold your stick loosely, and you can soon make major strides in your drumming endeavors.