Everyone who begins their venture into the realm of percussion will generally have a few things in common... They are excited to get hammering away to their favorite music. They want to jump right into the flashiest combinations, playing loud and fast. Learning how to spin your sticks becomes an imperative. And most novice level drummers tend to think once they bought their new drum kit, they are on the road to their very own, predestined 'rockstar' status.
This energy is good. It's a good thing that you have goals and newfound ambition, but there are a few things every drummer should think over before jumping the gun. The following protips are lessons I've learned along my own career and am passing down to you. These will help guide you in the right direction to focus your motivation and develop a sound foundation (no pun intended) to work from whatever direction you take your creative talents!
1. Take care of your equipment
- This may seem a bit elementary, but in order to make good sounds from your instrument, you need to love and respect your craft. This isn't your new Xbox video game, or a hammy-down-sweater from grandma, it's a prized possession. One that is capable of expressing your soul. So treat it well, and you will have all the more appreciation for the art that you create.
2. Focus your energy
- Before each and every rep, you should determine a manageable goal and how it connects to the bigger picture further down the road. Achieving smaller objectives will accumulate to accomplishing the ultimate goal with time and patience. For example, maybe you have a big performance coming up that you're nervous about. Try breaking down the music into smaller sections, or rehearsal letters, and practice them individually. Next, focus on the spots that give you the most trouble. Once you are comfortable with them all, then tie them together one at a time.
3. Consistency breeds success
- When you practice, one should always rehearse with the same emotional and physical expression that you would exert if you were in front of an audience. You need to put yourself in that moment, and ALWAYS approach your instrument with the intent to deliver exactly what you envision. This helps develop consistency, and when the time to shine finally reveals itself, you will be prepared.
4. Learn how your instrument produces the sounds it does
- This is kind of another obvious one... but more often than not, a beginner drummer just wants to make some noise. But it isn't just noise; the beats your perform are rhythmic patterns subject to a given interval of time that resonate various overtones of pitch. Take the time to understand how you make the sounds you do, you'll be amazed at what you come up with.
5. Keep pushing forward
- The first obstacle most beginner-level drummers encounter, is a sense of uncertainty. The euphoria of a new instrument and your dreams of being a rockstar begin to fade, while the excuses begin to build. But just remember, anyone can find a reason not to do something. Maybe it wasn't everything you thought it would be at first, or maybe it just seems overwhelming. In any case, you need to fight through and give it a full year. By the end of your first completed year and practicing on a regular basis, you can decided if it is worth your time to continue. But if you can reach this milestone, I promise you...the fun really begins. The foundation will be set and you will finally begin feeling confident in displaying your new musical talent.
No matter what,
don't ever give up. You are the only thing that will ever hold you back.
