Are Drums Hard To Learn? (Answers To The Most Popular Beginner Questions)

Learning to play the drums can be an exciting journey, but it’s natural to have a lot of questions when you’re just starting out. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Are drums hard to learn?” or wondered about the time and effort needed to become a good drummer, you’re not alone.

In this article, I’ll do my best to answer some of the most popular questions that beginner drummers have, providing clear, simple explanations and tips to help you get started and succeed in drumming. Click on any question below to be taken to the answer.

Most Popular Beginner Questions

1. Are Drums Hard To Learn?

2. How Long Does It Take To Be A Good Drummer?

3. Do I Need to Read Music to Play Drums?

4. What Equipment Do I Need to Start Playing Drums?

5. How Can I Practice Drums Without Disturbing Others?

6. Should I Take Drum Lessons?

7. How Do I Improve My Timing and Rhythm?

8. What Are Some Basic Drum Rudiments I Should Learn?

9. How Often Should I Practice Drums?

10. Can I Learn Drums Online?

11. What Styles of Music Should I Start With?

12. How Do I Develop My Own Drumming Style?

13. What Are Common Mistakes Beginner Drummers Make?

14. How Do I Stay Motivated to Practice?

15. What Resources Are Available for Beginner Drummers?

Conclusion

1. Are Drums Hard To Learn?

The question “Are drums hard to learn?” is one of the most frequently asked by beginners.

The short answer is… No. Nothing is too hard to learn with some good instruction and time spent practicing.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone. Drumming can be challenging due to the coordination required between your hands and feet. However, with consistent practice and the right approach, many find it easier than expected and highly rewarding.

Tips to Make Learning Drums Easier

• Start with the Basics: Focus on learning simple rhythms, beats and techniques before moving on to more complex patterns. Practice one thing at a time until you’ve mastered it before addding on to it or learning something else.
• Take It Slow: Begin practicing at slow tempos and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable and play with fewer mistakes.
• Practice Regularly: If you can squirrell away even 10 miutes everyday, it will help you to learn at a faster pace and retain the material you’ve been learning.

2. How Long Does It Take to Be a Good Drummer?

There is no way to answer this question simply. But before I even try, we need to define the term good drummer. This is so very subjective. People have differing ideas of what makes a drummer “good”. Even an entry level drummer with a basic knowledge can sound good if they have the correct skills in place. So I’m going to give you my own definition.

good drummer noun

/ˈgʉ́d/ /drə́mə/

• a person who plays a drum or a set of drums and has: 1) the ability to keep steady rhythm and correct musical timing, 2) at least a basic knowledge of material that he or she can perform, 3) the confidence to play music on the instrument with other people.

Becoming a good drummer is a journey that varies for everyone. Some people practice often and work hard at it and others just play occasionally for fun. If a person learns with some instruction, practices at least a few times a week and enjoys it, then it won’t take more than a few months before they can feel like they’re petty good at some basics.

Factors Affecting Your Progress:

• Practice frequency: Regular practice (at least 15 minutes a day) significantly speeds up progress.
• Quality of practice: Focused, structured practice is more effective than aimless playing.
• Lessons: Taking good lessons from a qualified instructor can accelerate your learning.

Are drums hard to learn? No…but they are fun to learn.

3. Do I Need to Read Music to Play Drums?

Reading music isn’t a strict requirement to play the drums, but it can be incredibly beneficial. Drum notation helps you understand and remember complex rhythms and patterns.

There is only so much information we can store in our memory. If I were to show you 10 cool beat patterns for you to learn and you went home and practiced, it would be highly unlikely that you could remember all 10 and play them all correctly. The more realistic likelyhood is that you would maybe remember 2 or 3.

If you know how to read notation however, I could give you a sheet or write down the notation for 10 beats and you ccould work on it at your own pace without worry of remembering anything. Hmmm…very liberating indeed.

Benefits of Learning to Read Music:

• Improves communication: Reading music allows you to easily understand and share drum parts with other musicians.
• Enhances learning: You’ll be able to learn new songs and techniques more quickly and accurately.
• Expands opportunities: Many advanced studies, exercises, textbooks, and even drumming gigs require reading skills.

4. What Equipment Do I Need to Start Playing Drums?

Starting with the right equipment can make your drumming journey smoother. Although it is possible to learn without a drum kit, there are many things you will need drums to learn and practice on. Here’s a basic list of what you need:

Essential Drum Equipment:

• Drum kit: A basic drum set typically includes a snare drum, bass drum, toms, hi-hat, and cymbal(s). It should have all the necessary hardware and pedals as well as a throne.
• Drumsticks: It’s a good idea to purchase a few pairs, as they can wear out or break over time.
• Practice pad: A practice pad allows you to practice quietly and is essential for developing technique with your sticks. If you can’t afford a drum set, then start with one of these.
• Metronome App: Helps you keep time and develop a steady rhythm. There are many free metronome apps for all types of smartphones and devices. There is even a free metronome embedded into every lesson here at Simpledrummer.com.

5. How Can I Practice Drums Without Disturbing Others?

Drumming can be loud, which is a common concern for beginners. Fortunately, there are ways to redduce the disturbance to others and to practice quietly:

#1 Best Tip: Communicate and Be Friendly

You would be amazed at how often this works before you lift a finger. Just approach your neighbours and kindly introduce yourself to them. Let them know that you want to practice on your drums at times that aren’t an inconvenience to them. Ask them if there are certain hours they are gone to work or other activities. Make sure you give them your phone number and welcome them to text you any time you are practicing and it is disturbing them.

By putting your best foot forward and being considerate towards them, it is likely they will return the favour to you by being flexible and tolerating your practicing.

Whether you’ve done this or not, there are still things that you can do to make drums quieter within your own space.

Quiet Practice Tips:

• Dampen the drums: You can simply drape a towel or t-shirt over each drum to significantly reduce the sound it makes.
• Use a practice pad: These pads are much quieter than a full drum kit. You can designate some of your practicing to a pad when sound is an issue for others.
• Electronic drum kits: These allow you to play with headphones, reducing noise significantly. You might consider having an electronic drum kit for learning/practicing if you are a beginner and don’t want to make noise.
• Soundproofing: If you have a dedicated practice space, consider soundproofing to minimize disturbance to others. Here is an article on how to soundproof your practice space.

6. Should I Take Drum Lessons?

While self-teaching is possible, taking drum lessons will significantly enhance your learning experience at any level. A good instructor can provide personalized guidance and feedback, helping you avoid bad habits and progress faster. They can also inspire you with new material, a fresh concept or idea that you had never known before.

Benefits of Drum Lessons:

• Structured learning: Lessons provide a clear path for progression. Get specific exercises to practice that will give you direction in your practice.
• Expert feedback: An instructor can identify and correct mistakes you might not notice. They can also keep you from falling into bad technical or practice habits.
• Motivation: Regular lessons keep you accountable and motivated. They help you practice more regularly and inspire you to progress further.

Are drums hard to learn? Definitely not when you have the right guidance.

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7. How Do I Improve My Timing and Rhythm?

Good timing and rhythm are essential for any drummer. In fact, they are the most important things to work on. Here are some tips to improve these skills:

Improving Timing and Rhythm:

• Practice with a metronome: This is the most effective tool for developing a sense of steady rhythm. A metronome will help you to practice synchronizing as well.
• Play along with recordings: Drumming along to songs helps you understand different rhythms and improves your timing.
• Count out loud: The best way to develop these skills is by counting out loud when you practice. Counting helps internalize rhythms and keeps you on track with timing.

8. What Are Some Basic Drum Rudiments I Should Learn?

Drum rudiments are fundamental patterns that form the building blocks of drumming. Learning them is crucial for developing technique and versatility. There are many rudiments, 40 in fact, but you don’t need to learn all of them. Here are the 4 most important rudiments that every drummer should learn first.

Basic Drum Rudiments:

• Single Stroke Roll: Alternating strokes between your hands (RLRL).
• Double Stroke Roll: Each hand plays two strokes (RRLL).
• Paradiddle: A pattern of alternating strokes with a double (RLRR LRLL).
• Flams: A grace note followed by a primary stroke (rL or lR).

Click a rudiment to go to our lesson with practice play-alongs. The first two, Single Strokes and Double Strokes are featured in one of our free lessons.

9. How Often Should I Practice Drums?

Consistency is key in learning any instrument, including drums. Aim for regular practice sessions to build and maintain your skills. The important thing here is to play as often as you can. Some days you will have an hour free and other days you can only sneak away for 10 minutes. It’s always worth it!

Practice Recommendations:

• Daily practice: Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant improvement over time. The key is to do it every day or as regularly as you can manage.
• Variety: Mix up your practice routine to include warm-ups, rudiments, playing along with songs, and improvisation.
• Eliminate Distractions: Put your phone away (unless you need it for what you are practicing.) Turn off the TV or any other devices so you can focus.

Are drums hard to learn? Not if you get into a regular practice routine. That helps you progress easier.

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10. Can I Learn Drums Online?

Yes, you absolutely can learn drums online! There are many different resources and websites for you to tap into. It is easy to find pre-recorded lesson videos, PDF downloads and even some drummers offering virtual lessons. In fact, that’s what this website is all about. There are over 1,600 lesson and practice videos, streamlined courses and virtual lessons.

Other Online Resources:

• YouTube: Many professional drummers share free tutorials and tips on YouTube. Click here to visit my Simpledrummer YouTube channel.
• Online courses: If you’re interested in a specific topic, you might find one of my stand-alone courses helpful. (If you’re a beginner, my intro course is free! Click here to try it!)
• Virtual lessons: You can book live 1-on-1 lessons with me via Zoom video conferencing. Click here to learn more.

Are drums hard to learn online? It can be if you’re aimlessly searching for things to practice. But with good quality instruction, like the sources listed above, you will see that it is not only possible…it’s easy!

11. What Styles of Music Should I Start With?

Starting with styles of music that you enjoy can make learning drums more fun and engaging. Some styles however, are quite demanding and not suitable to practice if you are a beginner. Here are some beginner-friendly genres:

Beginner-Friendly Music Styles:

• Classic Rock: Simple and straightforward rhythms. 
• Pop: Accessible and catchy beats.
• Blues: Great for learning groove and feel andd triplet based rhythms.
• Funk: Helps develop more complex rhythms and precise timing.

* Even within these styles songs will range from very easy to difficult. Look for songs that are slower in tempo and don’t sound too busy on the drums. For 20 easy song suggestions, check out this article!

12. How Do I Develop My Own Drumming Style?

Developing your own drumming style comes with time and experience. It’s a combination of learning from others, your own experiences and incorporating your unique musical taste and touch.

Tips for Developing Your Style:

• Experiment: Try learning different techniques, styles of drumming and musical genres. The more variety there is in your musicianship, the easier it is to develop your own sound.
• Listen: Pay attention to a variety of drummers and styles. Learn songs, grooves and rhythms from the music you listen to. 
• Improvise: Spend time playing freely and creatively. Make up your own beats. Don’t worry about right or wrong and juust play with rhythms around your kit. This helps you to knock down mental barriers and develop your own ideas.

13. What Are Common Mistakes Beginner Drummers Make?

Being aware of common mistakes can help you avoid them and progress more smoothly. It’s especially important to spot and correct these mistakes early on before they become ingrained habits.

Common Beginner Mistakes:

• Skipping basics: Neglecting rudiments and basic techniques will evetually catch up with you. It’s ok to learn something fun and challenging, but you should balance it out with fundamentals.
• Overplaying: We often think more is better and are tempted to play the most impressive drum fills we know, but do they fit the music? Stick to what you can play confidently and avoid trying to play too fast or complex before you’re ready.
• Poor posture: Incorrect posture can lead to discomfort and injury. Be aware of your foot pedal placement, your back postuure, shoulders and even your grip on the sticks.
• Ignoring timing: Not practicing with a metronome or recording or any counting. Timing is the most important thing for a drummer to practice. Make it a habit to count out loud when you practice.

14. How Do I Stay Motivated to Practice?

Maintaining motivation can be challenging, especially without the help of an instructor. It’s important to find inspiration and know some ways to increase your motivation. Here are some strategies to keep you inspired and consistently practicing.

Staying Motivated:

• Set goals: Clear, achievable goals give you something to work towards. This is even more effective when goals are small and easily attainable. For example, rather than having a goal of learning a song, that song can be split up into multiple goals. 1. Learn the Verse parts. 2. Learn the Chorus. 3. Learn the epic drum fill at the end. etc.
• Track progress: Recording your practice sessions helps you see improvement over time. Make a video clip each month to keep as a practice journal so you can see yourself progressing.
• Join a community: Playing with others or joining a band can be highly motivating. If you don’t have anyone nearby to play music with, then you might consider joining drumming groups online and posting videos of your drumming. Engage in conversations to find out what other people are practicing.
• Celebrate milestones: Reward yourself for reaching practice goals or learning new skills. Setting up your own little incentives will help you to get the job done.

15. What Resources Are Available for Beginner Drummers?

There are numerous resources that can help you learn and improve as a beginner drummer. Aside from searching YouTube, you can try my beginner’s course or browse the lesson library and try the first few lessons for free.

Other Helpful Resources:

• Books & PDFs: There are many instructional books on drumming techniques and theory. Take a look at my beginner drumming textbook here. Designed for drummers with no previous experience.
• Websites: Sites like Simpledrummer, Drumeo and Vic Firth offer video tutorials and tips.
• Apps: Apps like Drum School, ODTV and a metronome app can aid in practice and learning.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, if you can implement some of the strategies mentioned in this article, then you won’t ask “Are drums hard to learn?”. You just have to put the time into learning and practicing regularly and most of all…be patient with yourself.

Learning to play the drums is a rewarding and fulfilling journey. While it can be challenging, especially at the beginning, the process becomes much more manageable with the right mindset, consistent practice, and useful resources. Whether you’re asking, “Are drums hard to learn?” or wondering about the time commitment, remember that every drummer starts somewhere. With dedication and passion, you can become a skilled drummer and enjoy the endless possibilities that drumming offers.

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