5 mistakes many SELF TAUGHT drummers make how to AVOID!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
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Are you a self taught drummer? If so, that’s great and there’s no shame in that! Many of the drumming greats were self taught too, so you’re in good company. However, I’ve noticed in my students several mistakes or “flawed philosophies” that are easy to fall into as a drummer learning on your own. I share these today not to come down on your for not taking lessons, but instead to shed some light and get you out of any potential ruts out there that might slow your progress. Ultimately, these are things that every one of us might relate to actually. Let’s do this!
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I thought I was a rare breed. Finally got a kit for my birthday in 2020 (in my 60’s) and learning from great teachers like you. My husband is impressed with my progress. I’ve had bongos since I was a kid, but always wanted to go further with drums. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone. I love practicing so much!
I'm an old 70 year old broad, just started playing again after a 30 year hiatus. Just doing it for myself don't need or want to engage with musicians.
@@christinefilas9392 wow love it Im 63 in the 70”s and 80”s I had a full set of Slingerlands with rotor toms and a drum sythesizer. We played gigs everywhere. After the band broke up I got a job at Boeing helicopters but my lead singer called me and said he wanted to start a small band. Big mistake. I brought my drums to his apartment and got tied up at work for about a month. I explained my situation to him. When I went to get my drums they were gone and so was he. I’m 63 now and I’m getting the itch so damn bad To start playing again. Either for my enjoyment or in a classic rock band. Back when I was playing it was modern rock and funk lol. Now it’s classic. Good luck to you all!!!and God bless you!!! and Rock on. P.S. should I get a full set? Or start out with some thing like the Ludwig break beats? Any help would be appreciated!!
Good for you, 40 for myself!
@@anthonyD2365 Get yourself a little 5 piece on any number of used goods websites or apps for your phone (OfferUp, Mercari, Reverb for example) and there are more used drum kits out there than you'll know what to do with. A very inexpensive way to get a drum kit for very little cost. Especially if you're not sure how invested you want to be, it's a great place to start. Good luck and good speed!
It's always wonderful to see more women play the drums and older players too. I'm 62, started playing when I was 14 in ’73(! I know).
As for kit, I'd go for a four piece. My first kit was a four piece, then bought a five piece from a friend's brother, then customised my kit: four Rototoms two floor toms, replaced one of the floor toms with a timbale (snare without the bottom head) when I got into reggae. Nowadays I have two kits: one electronic, a Roland TD-50 (absolute magic: so responsive and nuanced) and the snare and BD from that second, five piece kit (a Premier 36 snare, brushed aluminium shell, that's been amazing, and a pre-international 22"×17" BD that also sounds great - I've hada of compliments engineers. Standardised measurements came in in 1968 and means that shell and cymbal sizes became metric. It was the 14" shells that caused the problems, the metric equivalents just didn't fit and imperial heads were almost impossible to get hold of by then).
Anyway, love, respect and encouragement to you all.
I'm 53, recently widowed and drums have been my therapy. I love this channel, and find your method of instruction great for me. Thank you for the channel.
Sincere condolences.
I’m 64 and taking weekly lessons. That is one of the best experience happening in my life.
I’m 68 and hope to take in person lessons someday soon.
I'm 60 and I played in bands back in the late 1900's (hehe) I'd like to find a drum teacher
Hey me too!! Got my first brushes recently 😊
I started playing drums when I was 8 years old. I am now 63. I took lessons for about a year or two in the beginning. But I consider myself mostly self taught. The best piece of advice I got from my drum teacher was....Play along to songs on records or the radio. That helped me a lot to learn new things or even to drift off on my own tangents within a song.
I’m 48 and just started playing drums 4 years ago. Learning is a little slower but I am self taught and your channel has taught me faster ways to get up to speed. It’s the journey not the destination that’s important. Thanks Stephen.
Thanks for this Stephen!! I’m 61 and sometimes get discouraged that it seems So difficult to improve at ‘my age’...you are so encouraging and a great teacher!
Not an issue really. We are invisible in old age so take your time and enjoy your hobby.
Nobody is incapable of learning anything.ppl just use age as a crutch and you've been made to think that being at your age means you've solidified your habits,hubby's etc and theres no room for new things.its a crock
If you enjoy playing drums as a beginner you have already won
@@christinefilas9392sad but true. A strange freedom
It’s interesting that so many older beginning drummers are attracted to your channel. It speaks well to your teaching skill.
I started at 49 yo. On some Roland V drums. Practiced for about 6 months and then auditioned for 2 bands. One playing original punk , the other classic rock. Got into both and things took off from there. First gig one year later. And hundreds since. Quite a journey so far. I’m turning 60 this year. Playing only in cover bands. Weddings, clubs, house parties. The stuff I learned on the road watching and interacting with other drummers and playing gigs was probably better than any formal education I could get.
I highly recommend taking some lessons initially though. I took about a dozen one hour sessions with a local legend. He gave me the tools to be “self taught”. His advice and experience from decades of touring and gigging was invaluable.
I remember feeling so inferior and inexperienced watching some amazing punk drummers when I was gigging. Over time I got better and was pretty good. I remembered something my teacher had told me, which helped me psychologically. Basically, every drummer has individual strengths and something to offer. Developing good ears and getting along with people, especially your band mates will help you more than virtuosity on the kit with a pissy attitude.
Thanks for your channel and the content you provide. You have maturity well beyond your years.
I've playing drums since I was 14 and I'm 63 now. I am self taught in and my days, there was no youtube and one had to buy books and go see shows, watch drummers you admired and find clinics. I've always loved drums and wanted to be able to express myself on the drums. I wanted to be able to play what I heard in my head on the drums. I have always bought the best gear I can afford. As I earned more money, my kits got better and now I use the top of the line kit and it is a matter of what company I prefer. I've always focued on making my kit sound as good as it can. Proper tuning, best head for your drums, stick type and size etc and regularly changing heads. I have played on kits belonging to others that were improperly tuned and had to work harder to get it to sound the way I hear it. Lesser quality kits certainly inspire you less because all drummer must have their perfect "sound" in their head. I've been lucky, for 30 years, I've had kits that was able to sound as I heard the perfect sound in my head onto the heads. I've never been satisfied with my playing and to this day, want to be better. It's about the love for drums, and music and your place in it. I had to give up drums when I became a custodial dad of three kids but got back into it when they grew up. I've taught drums to younger students and realized that in my opinion, you cannot make a drummer. You are, or you aren't. If you are, then you won't stay with me as a teacher when you learn what you can from me and move on to the next teacher. If aren't a drummer, then lessons can only each you technique, and while technique can take you far enough to play for your enjoyment, it will not take you to where a drummer wants to go. Being a drummer is a natural gift and lessons are everywhere. While many will disagree and even get offended, particularly if you weren't born with it. But if you were born with it, it isn't to your credit and you have an obligation to the universe to develop this gift because not everyone is born with it. Not every is born with various gifts like playing baseball at a professional level or being a gifted on any number of things. Find your gift because you have one even if it isn't drums. I've never taken formal lessons but have learned about drumming most of my life. I have bad habbits for sure. Some I've corrected and some I don't even know to this day and some I learned to not let it impact my drumming too much. I'm self taught and see no problems with taking instructions from individuals, however, if you are one of those "drummers" then you will learn everywhere you can including individuals teaching you as well as what you gain from non formal learning opportunities. I watch this channel as well as some other drum channels because technology makes these channels available and I always learn from them. Drum on always!
Pretty much spot on , unfortunately for me saw buddy Rich in 1978 and gave up after that ,re started in my late forties , a thirty year gap ,now 64 and enjoying every minute of it ,keep on drumming perseverance is key 😃
One advantage of starting drumming when you’re older: you can afford your own place just for drumming, hahaha!
Is that a Sleestack?🥁❤
@@johnrobinson8323 yep. That’s how you know how old I am 😃
Ask NY or LA drummers. Lol!
Unless you can't
Or do what I did.
Have your acoustic kit at your bands studio and keep a high quality electronic kit at home, for practice.
Hi Stephen,
Yes I’m 62 & loving drumming, been back into it for about 8 years off and on, No lessons, living my teen years, thank you for the video.
Hi Stephen, thanks for this video. Playing over 40 years, wished I knew back then what I know now. Been lazy with practicing for decades. Last years taking up the sticks more seriously and making progress. Your video about the right position towards the bassdrumpedal changed a lot.
Thank you! I am also self taught past 7 months and this helps tremendously!
Thank you for this video! I am almost 32, mostly self-taught, our first child is on the way, blessed to be able to "have time" to work on drums more, this helps in so many ways! subscribing and following...🙏
Thanks re your last point! I started learning to play at age 46 in the pandemic and I LOVE it and druming saved me I swear!! I have learned so much in a year!
I have learned more in the last 10 yrs playing drums than the previous 20yrs preceding that. I stopped improving on the drums when I was in my early 20s and stagnated until I was in my 40s when I decided to utilize the tools on the internet and revisit the fundamental basics of drumming. I started with the paradiddle and practiced paradiddles, in many permutations, for months and saw such improvement in my playing in general. From there I explored other gaps in my playing and learned so many things. I learned Moeller method, and push-pull. I learned better bass drum and hat foot technique. I learned limb independence and how to maximize my strengths and improve my weaknesses. It has been a valuable and exciting process that has yielded much improvement and joy in my drumming. :-) Great video Steve, as a self-taught drummer it was most appreciated.
I've played for over 20 years, each time I am behind a kit it's a learning experience. Each time you record it's a learning experience. I have never taken a 1 on 1 lesson, in fact my music teacher told me anything but drums as we had too many drummers. So I kinda took that to heart and learned on my own time. I always love taking other drummer's techniques and making them my own. I've had issues with my hands locking up while playing and it's because I have what's known as "boxer's knuckle" where I don't have a sleeve holding the tendon in my finger in place so it occasionally goes behind my knuckle, which happens when I blast or do the Moeller technique. I've had to adapt my playing as a result. I've also taken 10 years off from drumming and wish I wouldn't have. Keep playing and you'll get enjoyment from it.
I played drums for about 4-5 years self taught from age 15… I’m 30 now and have been a dormant drummer longer than an active one. It’s sad in a way, but also exhilarating knowing I was doing so many things wrong way back then. I’m basically re approaching the instrument as if I had never picked it up I’m hoping this channel helps! Just simple consistency and cleaning up the basics has already made notable improvements. I’m hoping I can make steady progress in the coming years.
I had a similar experience, played as a teenager, restarted at 33 and now at 40 I'm going back to the basics and cleaning up my technique. Having tons of fun doing what I spent my early years thinking was the boring stuff.
Stephen, thank you so much. You're so down to earth and wise in musicianship. Thank you for offering everybody these resources
I'm trying to teach myself now and this helps SO MUCH. Thank you so much!
Thanks man. Im 38 and I’ve always played for fun, since I was 16. I never wanted to take classes but these videos are a big help
An older video, I know, I add a comment or two. I played drums (self-taught) in my late twenties, and early thirties then stopped. I'm 59 now and just started weeks ago. My wife sings and plays piano and keyboard in our church band, when I chatted with the worship leader he asked if I played any instrument and I said, well, drums some 30 years ago. I was next band practice and played in the next Sunday service. Well, I can say that is something that makes me really happy.
Have bought a small Alesis electric drum set to be able to practice at home, often at late hours. I hardly practice before 9pm. Sometimes I find it hard to get out of the house in the morning when I look across the lounge where my kit sits.
Your many reminders about grip have helped me a lot, hard to put in words how much.
I just didn't know how bad my grip was until I started to watch your videos, then myselfm, and then trying to improve. With a better grip I can play longer without tiring and it is much easier to keep timing, control the volume and sound of the different drums. I never thought I can bounce the stick on the ride, just never occurred to me in 30 years. It helps to play "light" and get the sound more consistent.
Well, Stephen, thank you. Keep it up.
I also appreciate your words to older and female drummers.
This is great advice, I did it all the wrong way and even played with a band live for quite a few gigs. I'm now embarrassed about my transgressions. Take lessons, work on your time and technique, and dont try to play above your pay grade.
Stephen, I am on the backside of 73. I started playing @ 5 years old. At 22 I had to leave the band scene to pursue being a husband and soon to be father and making a living took precedence over gigging. Plus I relocated to Minneapolis for my employer and could not find anyone to play with. So, I stored my 6 month old set of "Rogers" never to be played again....Sad right? Well 52 years later watching my 14 year old Grandson here in Colorado ( who is a terrific Jazz player ), I really started getting the itch to play again. I just purchased a 5 piece Ludwig (Backbeat Kit on Xmas sale). I discounted the cymbals and purchased a Zildjian Cymbal Pack with 14" hi-hat pair, 16" Crash and a 20" ride. I think I have the kit tuned pretty close after taking the time to make sure all the screws were tight (boy was that a wake-up). Anyway, the jist of this is, I really appreciate your video on being Self Taught and being an "Old Fart" starting over. I'm not looking to gig but, I am looking for enjoyment and exercise. After a 50+ year absence, there is no muscle memory. I totally feel like a duck out of water. So, I will continue to watch your videos and most likely start taking lessons from my Grandson's teacher. Thanks again, keep the Vid's coming......Doug in C.O.S.
Wow. It really feels like you're talking to me personally, while you're actually talking to a camera. That's a great talent! Contrary to some of the commenters here I don't think you talk too much 😊. Keep up the good work!
Love this! I am almost 49 and love playing the drums. It’s very therapeutic and will keep my brain fresh as I get even older. So glad I’m not the only mature person here!
I was self-taught from age 15 to 38. Then I hooked up with Joe Morello for lessons. He showed me a few things that I was doing wrong and I was faced with having to stop a bad habit regarding the way I was holding the sticks when doing traditional grip. I knew that following his direction was the right thing so I focused on “letting go” and accepting the change. My playing improved by leaps and bounds in just a few short months. Joe taught me SO much. I miss him both as a teacher and as a friend.
Wow. You were fortunate to learn from a legend.
I’m 66 and like your style and attention to humility! Thank you Stephen.
I’m 52 and got my first kit this past Christmas. It’s an e-kit and I love it. You were spot on about starting later in life. Great channel!
I started self taught in the late 1970s I was Lucky enough to be fairly natural. When TH-cam started of drummers like yourself I’ve managed to correct a few mistakes which I didn’t know I was doing
Ha i am #5, 47yrs old, i want to learn drums while I still have the ability to do so. Kids are teenagers, they are laughing at me and my cheap e kit. Haha i got no hand speed, I bought a double kick pedal, and in the end I have besome shockingly aware of my lack of skill. Simple rock beats, ok not bad, metal drummig is where I want to be, so channels like yours is going to be priceless to me!!!
2023 is a year I jave been working oit at camp 3 weeks in one week home, I am going to start bringing a pad and stick with me so I can work on my hands while off work yet still away from my kit.
Taking lessons is vitally important. I’ve been playing almost 50 years and have taken lessons since I was 10. My mom got tired of hearing same fills and grooves from the time I was 7 to 10. I said I didn’t need lessons as I knew how to play, lol now that’s funny 😄. Finally she broke me and I started lessons at age 10. Well since then I have taken thousands of lessons with many great great teachers. Now I will admit I was very very driven to get better and was striving to become a pro which I did attain. The need to seek out knowledge is endless and should be something you strive for your entire life. I have been a pro player and busy drum teacher for over 30 years, I still seek out knowledge. a great teacher is priceless!!
68 and still learning. As a self taught drummer who played in countless garage bands in my younger years and looking back how ineffective my technique was, I find Stephen a true source of knowledge. Kudos!
When he’s talking abt gear. If your gear is limiting you from progressing, crappy hi hat stand that doesn’t work well, or bass drum pedal that won’t adjust correctly by all means replace it. I had a crappy pedal for years and then switched to a Speed King and started getting a better foot. He just means don’t blame hear that works well for your inaccuracies in playing
Steve, You produce the most Practical Videos !!! I'm primarily Self Taught, took 5 or 6 lessons in 1966 (I'm 70 now), got a drum kit and started playing with HS Buddies in a garage in 1966 thru 1969. Played by ear. I would practice on a drum pad , taught the Traditional grip, but use a matched grip now. I resurrected playing after over a 50 Year Hiatus. Now retired, and playing to MY Music about 1 hour a day for Enjoyment. You are soooo correct in Weak left Hand (I'm a Righty). I now use exercise grippers , the harder one by the left hand. I try to employ what is known as Neuroplacisity in Pshychology. Using my left hand as much as possible. Tricking the BRAIN into a different nerve pathway. Your Grip descriptions are difficuklt for me... That Fulcrum escapes me. However, I tend to use the French grip adapting as I go. I don't really practice without music on either a pad or the kit. I violate what Doris (The GodMother of drumming !!! Check out her Drumeo YTs ), not really practicing Parradiddles which she is a stickler for. Having said all of this, I definitely play better now than 52 years ago. At least I can keep rthe Beat to CCR, Stones, Beatles, Mellencamp (most of the time), The Cars, Clapton, Winwood, and Love Bonnie Rait and Linda Ronstadt !!. Happy Drumming all..... Keep up the excellent work Steve.
I played drums since I was a kid and I always wanted to learn guitar. I'll be 62 soon, and I've been practicing and really putting my heart into playing guitar for almost 2 years, now. It's incredible and I love it! You're never too old to learn!👍😎🥁🎸🎶
For drummers its more easy often to learn other Instrument when they thing like James Brown did. For him every instrument was a drum. When I started drumming my guitarplaining improved.
@@lotharluder2743 I agree!👍😎🎸🥁🎶
@@74dartman13 oh Yeah......the Universe is drumming all the time. And we in love with that fucking Universe.
@@lotharluder2743 yep!
Truth! I really like it when you went to the mindset „mistakes“, ie. better gear = better drumming.
I used to obsess over better hardware or very particular snare tuning. But I found that it’s not only a distraction from other problems. It’s also unpractical when you’re actually playing fedtivals with shared kits or are sitting in at sessions where you don’t have your stuff etc.
The greats are able to get amazing sound out of whatever. You have to cross a gap and it takes a lot of playing but it’s worth it.
Thank you very much! This is very encouraging from an old self taught drummer's view who carries so many mistakes around for decades and thought that I could never get rid of, because "I'm too old for that". You're right. Nevers too late. Thanks again
I was taught in Drum &Bugle Corps to practice with a mirror. You can see your weaknesses, and strength. Stick height,grips,etc. I enjoy watching your video’s 🎼🎶🎵🥁
Man you've described me here, decades playing wrongly....but now I have a teacher! thanks!
yes when you get older you see the meaning of things. for starters rudiments. i practice them every day and i notice each day a little progress in creativity
This was a great video to make, I just recently decided to start learning how to play the drums this year. I bought a practice pad with a pair sticks off of Amazon and have been practicing my hand co-ordination and rudiments every day however, the learning process hits a barrier when you don't have an actual kit to practice on.
Im fighting the age thing myself. Drummed for about 7 years all in my teens until i got married. Now it has been 35 years not playing and i got a pearl session studio select kit with Zildjian A customs. I know what your thinking however not because i think the good gear will make me a better drummer but because now i can afford my dream kit so why not. Thanks for the tips and look forward to more
I've been playing over 40 years now, and everyone of the five mistakes I've mastered! :) Excellent video. Being truthful with yourself, knowing you are not the best in the world then realizing you'll never learn it all and hoping you learn something every time you play helped me get over many humps. But at 15, I thought I was the best ever and could not be told otherwise. Luckily, as I've aged I've gained wisdom with a large side of humble pie. Those better than me I now embrace and hope to faithfully steal their lick or pattern!! Again, excellent video young man.
I agree that gear doesn't make you better, but I'd like to add something to that. Having gear that sounds good (good gear) makes me want to play more. It gets me excited to keep playing, especially starting on rusty old side-of-the-road drums. So in a way, better gear makes me more motivated to improve.
LOL @ #4. Bought myself a DW9000 because I thought it would improve on fast doubles. NNNNNNNope! :) No regrets on buying it, though. Love it and was worth it.
I was chatting with a friend last night about real Vs electronic kits and about sound. It dawned on me that one crucial thing you don't learn if you start on an electronic kit is how to get the best out of your equipment. This goes to the fourth mistake you pointed out about better gear not making you a better drummer. Learning how to tune your drums and how to get the best out of poorer quality drums is an important skill. The exception is cymbals. There really isn't much you can do to improve the sound of a cymbal. You can add tape to prevent excessive wash, but the cymbals will still sound bad. It's why I've always bought the best cymbals I could afford and saved on the drums. Obviously, better quality drums will sound better, but you can do a lot to improve the sound of drums. It's one of those skills you learn through experience and that you can't really teach. For a start, every drummer is different and wants a different sound, so there's no fixed rule that works for everyone. It's another reason why learning to play on an acoustic kit is important and something you won't learn on an electronic kit.
You really got me when you mentioned buying new gear, the cymbals were a must though lol
Totally agree. Nobody can make bad cymbals sound good. ...only good ones sound bad ;)
Thank you very much. Touched me being 52 and 10+ yrs off from the set.
I played drums in high school. Got married, 3 daughters, no drums till I’m 55! 58 now & loven the journey! Thanks to guys like Stephen we can get some tips on how to improve! I just learn You ain’t seen nothing yet by BTO! Talk about fun to play with a band! Rock & Roll!
i’ve been playing the drums since I was 3. I’m 18 now and never took any drumming lessons. My mom tought me the basics. I’ve never played the drums more than I do now. It truly is my favorite thing to do. I don’t know how my neighbors feel about that though…
Ive been playing for 45 years and you nailed every issue I identified in my playing 5 years ago, and let me tell you, if you think its hard to learn the drums, its so much harder to rid yourself of 40 years of bad habits and re-learn to do things the right way. It was worth it though. I am so much better today because I made that effort, and continue to...
I'm 65 and will retire next year. One of my plan is to learn how to play the drums. I started with practice pad and slowly learning it. Thanks for your video, I'm learning a lot.
im 53, ive been asking for drums for 43 of those years. life, wife and kids then divorce kinda cramped the drum chances UNTIL a week ago a buddy said hey, come get my old kit (TAMA Rockstars) and bang on them before you make the investment. its been 8 days and i still suck. i am gonna soak up anything and everything i can. thanks for the great lessons and tips.
Ha! I'm pushin' 70. Been playing since I was about 10. Took a rather long hiatus at 19 and got back into playing when I was 48. As I've gotten older I've noticed that, progessively, it takes me longer to learn knew stuff - better technique, adapt to different genres, etc etc. That is a reality that just comes with getting older. What I've discovered is how important it is to 1st love the music. And then just love playing. Love music enough that you simply gotta play 'cause you're moved. The thing I've learned from learning slower is to know you can still learn to do just about whatever it is you wanna do and anticipate that. And . . . . .LEARN TO ENJOY ANTICIPATION! Enjoy the journey. So, that's kinda where I'm at now. Maybe I'll have something a little different to say when I'm 90. I'll report back then. ;)
I just discovered your videos and in just a few days, you have made me aware as a completely self-taught drummer of some serious blind spots. I knew something was off but now I know what I need to work on to move to the next level. Thank you SO much for sharing your knowledge.
#4 is so true, especially at the very beginning. Thanks for #5. Ive been feeling like I should stop playing but everything has been giving me signs to the opposite. Thanks brother. 🙂👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
As a self taught drummer for about 30 years (started in early 90’s) this is so encouraging. Also I am 50 as of March this year 2022. It took 10 years before I felt like I really became a drummer when I was able to relax enough to play fast bebop. Thanks for the great videos.
So many young people commenting! I played in school blues band in the early 60s. Coming up 74 and starting over. The main difference? The availability of internet guidance, lessons and more.
Thanks for giving Ringo the respect he deserves 👏
Great lesson! I am self taught. But i have to admit that i wish i had somebody like you to teach me stuff that has taken me alot of years to figure out on my own. You communicate very well
I get 1 hour in-person lesson each week and the rest of the time I'm watching TH-cam drum videos, practicing rudiments and practicing grooves and fills on my own. I think that's a good happy-medium between being self taught and being coached. However, I know that if I didn't have at least one drum lesson each week, I would have probably picked up some bad habits and not bothered with doing rudiments. hehe!
Stephen, Thanks for mentioning the mature drummer.. I started at 68 now 71 and my instructor has helped so much... It might take me a while to get the idea, but I do get it... I also have the time to devote to the art...
great to hear i am 69 had a snare drum but have bought entire kit. looking at options for some type of guidance
35 and I started this summer. Over two decades of teachers telling me to practice violin in front of a mirror. Now I can not recommend it (recording) enough. I just shared my first cover with friends. I can hit all the notes and stuff. But despite all the practice on technique, when I get into it, suddenly I'm doing single stroke rolls from the elbows like my arms are clubs. I'm smart enough to know that's not right. But while doing it, I really don't have a handle on what is physically happening. It's an amazing tool.
I stumbled on this video today when I was looking up “self taught drumming versus taught-“ I’ve been playing for 32 years, I’m almost entirely self taught, meaning that I’ve never used visual aids, I’ve never watched videos on how to play, and outside of just one lesson (I took it after playing for 18 years and my teacher told me that I didn’t really “need” lessons unless I was trying to do certain specific things,) I’ve gone about learning how to play the kinds of music that I like to play on my own, basically parroting music that I would listen to. I’ve never used metronomes, and aside from a four count, I do not know how to count at all. Over the years, things like timing and having instincts just kind of happened and I did keep improving, but with all that said- there are a TON of things that I do “wrong” from a theoretical standpoint, even if the things that I do wrong work. Now, at 43 years old, I’m playing more than I’ve ever played but not a single day goes by where I wonder how I would sound if I had actively taken lessons of any kind, and I am still considering lessons to learn better techniques, however I get very discouraged at the thought of taking lessons because I know that there are a lot of things that I will have to re-learn, and I know that I have a lot of bad habits that will have to be trained out of me, which has me in the headspace that I will essentially have to “take steps backwards” in order to move forward. Either way, here are a few terrible habits that I’ve either broken or still struggle with-
1- Using only my left hand to hit the crash cymbals. For about the first 6 years that I played, including in two bands and three studio sessions, I would only use my left hand to hit the crash cymbals. I finally figured out that I needed to be using both hands to work the cymbals and now, it’s not a problem for me.
2- Alternating. I still cannot alternate when I play outside of several things that I’ve figured out on my own. The only time I am able to effectively alternate is when I’ve been forced to because the fill or beat cannot be played without using alternation.
3- Using arms more than wrists. I play very hard. I also expend a lot of energy when I play hard. I can use finesse with my wrists when I need to, but generally, I am going full force when I play, times 10 if I’m onstage. The downside to this is that if I haven’t been playing regularly and either jam with others or play onstage, I will tire out after an hour or so. The upswing is that as long as I’m regularly practicing, it puts my stamina through the roof. Playing covers, where you’ll usually play 3 hours per show definitely made my stamina legit.
4- Rudiments. I do not know more than a couple of rudiments, and the ones that I do know, I cannot do effectively because again, I use my arms way more than I need to. I also never took the time to practice the rudiments and become proficient with them.
5- Counting. I do not know how to count. I’ve played on instinct for 32 years and it is hilarious at times because I’ve played with more than a few musicians who are classically trained and they typically wonder how in the hell I’m able to keep time without knowing how to count. I still don’t have an answer for them because I don’t know how to count.
I will say that anyone who wants to play the drums can totally do it and get very good at it without taking lessons, but I would definitely highly encourage anyone who is learning to at least take enough lessons to learn rudiments, wrist control, counting and proper technique because they will be able to get to where they want to significantly faster, and lessons will eliminate a lot of trial and error with playing in general. You’ll likely not find yourself getting stumped on certain things as much, and you’ll be better able to break through the plateaus that happen a lot faster.
On top of that, you’ll have less bad habits to break should you decide to learn other styles that require a lot of finesse and timing to add more elements to your drumming in general.
Either way, whatever route you choose, you will become a better drummer with lots of practice, and the fastest way to elevate your playing is to play with other musicians who are better than you with their respective instruments, as they will challenge you and force you to think outside of your box. And when you start playing live shows, you will quickly develop better instincts and will be able to identify what you should and shouldn’t do, as well as how to quickly recover any dropped beats or mistakes made by others.
Im 60, picking up drums again. Its fun, only issue is physical, so playing is limited to an hour or so a day... but i can play in my mind, truly... learn by sitting in front of the kit and merely thinking things through.
For sure hand technique saved me in my punk pursuit. I took some lessons from a jazz drummer and it helped a lot. I still feel like I have miles to go.
I'm 40 years old an for short time Im in a Band. I was learning by myself Drums.....from people like you. For the first time I was discouraged because I'm to old far that and I don't have time. But I I was not give away my dream to have a Band. Follow your dreams.... Doesn't matter how old are you. Years are only a number 🎉🎉🎉
No. 4 - totally agree with ONE exception. HEADS. I battled bad heads for a while before upgrading and HOLY crap that made a lot of things easier.
Another great lesson! Always have to pay attention to those hands. Been playing over 30 years and I'm constantly working on and refining my grip.🥁❤
I'm returning to the drums after decades. I'm turning fifty in a few months and haven't played much since my early twenties. Just bought a Tama Starclassic Performer kit, it should arrive next month. I'm going to focus on the basics I ignored as a teen, rudiments, reading charts, hand technique, etc. I always wanted to get back into drum's and figured if it's not now it might be never. It's good to hear there are a lot of people getting into it later in life.
Appreciate your brilliance. Perhaps one of the brightest TH-cam educators ‘hands down’. I am resonating with your fundamentals, techniques and encouragement. Thank you
Stephen -- No hurt feelings here! I'm self-taught, bucket loads of bad habits, and I love playing high-end gear. I am however, fully aware that it doesn't make me sound any better. I'm fifty-one, worked hard for my money, and I like spending it on shiny things -- NO SHAME! Great video, very applicable to me, thank you for posting.
As a self taught professional drummer, all I can say is that natural time & groove is WAY more important than technique, and that is one thing that cannot be taught, but can only be developed by hundreds / thousands of hours of pure enjoyment playing your drums along to your favourite records - then being recorded, realising you can't play to a click, then having to do it all over again. It's a lot like learning a new language - you can learn to "talk" by taking lessons, but untill you move to that country and do nothing but communicate in your new tongue you'll sound wrong. It takes 10,000+ hours of practice to be anywhere near it.
Do this and the chops will appear like majic.
Keep going! 🤘
Better gear, or gear that sounds good that is, makes it more fun to play. More fun = more practice = better drummer. That does not mean that you must buy expensive gear, but get the tuning right.
I have a really basic starter kit, and I know I have to master the skills before I even think of upgrading anything. In fact, unless I get to the stage where I might be good enough to play with others, I don't really need anything else. BTW, I'm now 62, and just starting this for the first time, after a lifetime of dreaming about it. I'm on a cool journey, however slow it might be!!
100% self taught. Not bashing the vid at all, and your 5 points are all solid, and will certainly help others, but only IF a drummer deems them valid. I know it seems contradictory, but I failed in your 5 areas and many others, but still achieved to produce any sound or technique I sought out to produce while playing in several bands with countless gigs. My mindset from the get was always focused towards creating music, as opposed to playing someone else's creation, so this decision enable me to prevent getting bogged down like many do with lessons and perhaps ditchin it. It's really more about what type of drummer you want to be. Some types requiring you to follow specific guidelines, other types, no guidelines, but just a creative mind, or force. Did I have "Bad Habits" most def. did they hold me back from any sound I wanted to produce? not in the slightest Could it prevent you? Possibly. My goals where to create energy driven music, play it live, and get the crowd jacked...and I did....These may NOT be your goals, plan accordingly.....thx for the vid brother.
I hope to take lessons when I'm retired, probably within the next 3 years, thanks!
The only limiting factor to Us Older Folk , like me at 70 YO, is Physical issues - Arthritis is a major one. Back, Neck Knees, and Hips, are arthritic, even encraching on the Thumbs - SOB... But tryi ng NOT to let that STOP ME , now anyway. Gaad, Moon, Baker, Bonham, Copeland, Aronoff, Danelli, Toto's Drummer (forgot his name...), I'll never be..However, I can handle Ringo, Charlie Watts (RIP), Creedence's Drummer, Arnoff (to some extent,), and similar solid Basic Rock. Keeping the TIME is Vital.
8D funny you say that! I am a 49 year old beginner female (previous musical preschool teaching mom of four. now they are grown up, so i have the time to learn!!)
TH-cam age has brought to me first lessons. Played about 20yrs w/o lessons. Past 10 years has taught me much with video lessons. Thanks to many drumming TH-cam'rs sharing knowledge \m/ 🖒🖒
Self taught here. I played to records most of my youth, then top 40 bands, then original bands that also played top 40. Do I wish I had lessons? Yep! 100% just getting out there and doing it is great, but sometimes getting there would be a whole lot easier if you have some early guidance.
When I was a kid I always thought I needed more drums to play better since I wasn't a hard worker. I stopped playing for a while and am now getting back into it (27 now) and will usually just practice only using a single bass pedal and only two of the toms so I focus more on technique. I've noticed a ton of improvement since doing this
Thanks! I'm 45, and a beginner. This video was very important for me. Thanks!
Thank you, man. A great appreciation goes from Mother Russia. Respect for all your words and lessons, you do inspire.
Middle finger fulcrum 😁 Murray Spivack technique
It looks we are an seasoned crowed here. I'm in my early 50's and started learning to play the drums about 5 years ago. I have taken some formal lessons but I still work and have a hectic schedule that makes hard to commit to weekly lessons but I have made a lot o progress watching Stephen's videos.
I am 50yo. After i pass covid and and triggered finger i decide thats time to start learning the drums. As a guitarist and bass player i know the learning process, so i learn the drums as self tought and I am asking my drummers ( i play in two bands) for advices too. I took guitar lessons for two years in the early 90s, then I continued to learn by myself. Long ago i learned to program drums on drum machines, then on Guitar pro on my pc. Paying drums is fun. About gear - yesterday i update my el. kit from Roland HD1 to Roland TD1 KV. For acoustic - Pearl Export and Meinl cymbals. Prety smart choices for begginer i guess:)
thanks a lot for these free drum lessons. God bless
Great vid Stephen. Lots of comments resounded. I started playing age 48 and now 5 years in. I was self taugh for the first 18 months, then had some lessons. Fortunately I had not picked up any bad habits due to following quality material like yours and others. I also started taking grades to measure my progress, which I found very useful. I have played an hour or more (often 2) almost every day since. I joined a local rock & blues cover band just over a year ago during covid lockdown and spent lots of time learing their set list. ...improved loads in learning 40+ songs in a year and playing with others every week once we could practice together. I just played my 5th gig this evening with my band - a lifelong dream realised since being a "non-musical" teenager - such a blast!
It's never too late! Follow your dreams folks... :)
i was self taught from 12-14 and experienced all of these mistakes when i hit highschool and finally got some 1 on 1 instruction😅 this is a great video man! if i was just picking up drums this would have given me all kindsa confidence to get started👍🏻
Had to rewind after you started playing, that John Mayer live track is a jam!
Yep I'm 33 now and recently I had this revelation that there really is nothing to prevent me from picking up drumming. And here I am watching this video on youtube ;) If time passes quicker as we get older, I'd say partially it's because we get into a comfort zone and stop learning and adventuring, not because we are inherently incapable of learning new tricks.
Lol one word for the good gear thinking it makes you better - velocity curves on E kits!! I had to kill off my V curves to improve
Just came across your channel here a short while ago and after a couple of times finally subscribed.I must say you have a good handle on the teaching and playing.But this one on self-taught drummers was very inspiring.You hit them all on the head,but I have to thank you for number 5.About it’s never too late.I am in my late 50’s and am self-taught.The guy who bought an album,checked it out,then the sleeve,then play along til it’s nailed.A passion as it were.But am guilty of the guy you talk about who thinks,ah shit.Missed my chance,but then I see and hear your channel and teachings,so I have to say ,Thank You and keep up the good work.Cheers!
I agree on you I also have problem when it comes to practice always have no time but everytime i see my older friend who played guitar at age 60 and my father who play drum also i realize that I can still progress and drum till I die
Mistake number six: Thinking that drilling holes in the medium-density fibreboard for the tennis ball riser can be done quickly in an afternoon.
rent the euipment
@@almostskater3210 I have the equipment, but it still takes its time ;-)
@@MatthiasLetsch From what I remember it didn't take very long, maybe an hour, but it was a while ago, so you might be right. What tools did you use?
Anybody here who's 75 yo ? Well I am and I never had drumsticks in my hand and...I bought a drumkit. I want to learn playing the drums.
Thanks Stephen I really enjoy your videos! I started playing at the age of 59 1/2, 😅, December 2019, on an Alesis Command X electronic kit. Then April 2021 I bought a Pearl Decade maple 5 piece. I really enjoy playing & started with a year subscription to Drumeo, which was a gift & has expired. I took about 10 lessons at a local music school. It was a 30 minute lesson once a week and it felt very rushed. So now I’m back to self-teaching. But I’d love to take in-person lessons again if it was a bit more affordable because at times I feel like I’m all over the place with my practice sessions. Due to the pandemic my income has decreased considerably 🤷🏼♀️
Any tips for keyboard drummers? Which kits are best? How to use midi? Thanks if you can help 😃