As a drum beginner, there lies a great musical journey ahead of you.
What I can say from the bottom of my heart: Enjoy it!
It will be a crazy as well as a joyful ride. 🙂
However, I’m sure you know the saying:
Each medal has two sides to it.
Being a drum beginner or musician in general is no exception.
In this article, you’ll learn about 3 things I wish I knew when I was a newbie behind the kit.
Ready? Great, let’s go!
As A Drum Beginner – And Beyond – You Will Sound Bad While Practicing
When starting out as a drummer, chances are you’ll sound bad.
However, this also is the case with professional drummers.
It’s as simple as that:
When you learn new things, you have to take a step back. Practice slowly, one single note at a time.
So yes, that’s the reality.
Even more so:
If you sound good while practicing, it’s not practicing.
Because you already know what you’re doing – or else you could hear it. 🙂
And feel it.
Being a drum beginner can be a challenge in different ways
As a drum beginner you’ll face different challenges like wanting to rock harder than you’re actually able to.
Maybe you want to play to songs that are way too fast or seem too complicated for you.
Also, you might be disappointed when you compare yourself to your biggest drum idols.
I’m not even starting with the feeling you get when listening to your first ever drum recording. You might know that
Wow, do I really sound like this?! :-/
thoughts.
As a matter of fact, I think A LOT of drummers faced those kinds of challenges as a beginner.
Well, I did for sure.
The goal is not to avoid those obstacles but to master them.
You see, that’s a great part in music or life in general: Things don’t need to be easier. You only have to be better.
So be prepared for some nice challenges ahead of you. They will open up your horizon not only in the terms of music. 🙂
Discipline is as well as important as inspiration
I’m definitely no fan of the word talent. Or to say: not at all. Because it always sounds like a musician only has to be gifted to be great.
What I’ve learned over the years?
That’s not the case.
We’re all human and not some music-master-of-the-universe Übermensch.
So what really separates the best from the rest is hard work. Being willing to get it done requires discipline.
Of course there are people that learn to play the drum set faster than others.
That’s the case with many topics.
In the long run however, you have to be disciplined to achieve your personal goals.
No matter how talented somebody thinks you are.
Put in the work needed to get the results wanted
It might sound a little harsh but there’s no romantic story about becoming a great musician.
We all work constantly on our skills and mindset to rock hard.
If you’re willing to practice constantly and still enjoy your journey, I’m 110 % sure you’ll become a great musician.
As a former newbie, I really wanted to tell you those things.
I also hope they help you whenever you’re feeling down or unsatisfied with your current state of being a new drummer.
Cheers,
it is very helpful what i’ve read, and true we should start off slowly and learn basic things first.
Hi John, thanks for your comment and I’m really glad that my tips can help you. 🙂