Which essential drumming skills are the most important?
Do you need to focus on
- keeping the tempo?
- mesmerizing a lot of beats?
- understanding rhythmic characteristics?
Yes, you should definitely work on these skills.
However, there are more essentials to master.
Let’s call them the fundamentals you should definitely be aware of.
If you master them, playing the drums becomes not only much easier.
It also becomes even more fun.
What are these three fundamentals, then?
1. Passion
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I think it was Ludwig van Beethoven who once said:
“Playing a wrong note is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable.”
Personally, I agree 100 %.
Passion is the most important part of learning how to play the drums.
Being the fundament, it helps you to
- stay motivated,
- endure rough times and
- be much more disciplined with less effort.
Without a passion for drumming, even learning this beautiful instrument can become an excruciating task.
For this reason, it’s essential to constantly nourish your passion for drumming.
This helps you to become not only a better drummer, but a better version of yourself.
And how can you do so?
Tip A: Learn Things YOU Want To Play On The Drums
What excites you most about playing the drums?
Is it
- jamming along with your favorite songs?
- diving deep into different musical genres?
- being able to play the drums at a lightning-fast tempo?
Whatever it is that excites you as a drummer:
Do more of it!
Excitement is one of the most powerful tools you can use.
Tip B: Keep Your Drumming Routine Balanced
Mastering drumming technique helps you play the drums without restrictions.
It’s a powerful tool, just like excitement.
Basically, you need a proper technique for playing the drum kit the way you want.
However, many drummers don’t enjoy practicing technique and other “not-so-fun” exercises that much.
They still practice, but it feels more like another “meh” task to accomplish.
Sounds familiar?
That’s why you need to keep your drum practice routine balanced.
Technique is essential, but certainly just a fraction of the drumming game.
This means:
When creating a practice routine, keep it motivating and demanding at the same time.
Practice technique to be able to play everything you want on the drums.
At the same time, make music!
Technique is a tool best used to make it work for you as a drummer.
Speaking of helping you:
3 Questions Helping You Master Essential Drumming Skills
Think of
- what you want to learn as a drummer,
- why you want to learn it and
- who can help you learn it.
I give you an example:
- You want to learn punk drum beats. (What?)
- The reason why you want to learn them is because you’d love to join a band soon. (Why?)
- You ask your drum teacher to show you cool beats. Alternatively, you enroll in online classes, google punk drum beats, or search on YouTube. (Who?)
Tip C: Transform Your Inner Obstacles Into Power
Learning to play the drums can be tough.
I said it before, but it’s definitely not all cupcakes and rainbows.
Every drummer faces difficulties from time to time.
This might sound like a bad thing, but actually, it’s not.
Moreover, it’s totally normal.
As human beings, we tend to make changes for two reasons:
a.) Excitement (love!) or
b.) Pain (fear!)
As we’ve already talked about passion, let’s concentrate on the pain.
What do I mean by that?
I’m writing about the difficulties and obstacles in your mind.
They can have a HUGE impact on your passion for drumming:
Let’s say, you’re comparing yourself to others in a harsh way.
Or, that you’re convinced that you’re just not good enough.
You struggle with self-confidence.
Or plain fear.
How do you think this will impact your journey as a drummer?
Yeah …
It will certainly not make it easier.
Keep in mind:
Playing the drums is a physical, but also a mental game.
It’s smart to work on a healthy drumming mindset.
Helpful thoughts and self-care will nourish your passion for drumming.
Plus:
They will also help boost your resilience.
2. Persistence
Persistence means you keep going despite
- difficulties,
- obstacles or
- setbacks
you face while learning to play the drum set.
As you know it’s worth it, you push through.
Persistence, therefore, plays a crucial part in becoming the drummer you want to be.
It’s the basis for success, also in other parts of life.
3. Patience
There’s no way to learn a musical instrument overnight.
It needs time.
For this reason, it’s also crucial to be patient.
That’s what I’ve really learned since I started playing the drums over 15 years ago.
And yes:
- Learning how to keep the tempo,
- establishing your own drumming style
- or becoming a well-rounded musician in general
is WAY easier when being patient.
Or passion.
And persistence, of course. 🙂
Which other essential drumming skills do you know?
Cheers,
