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silverdragonsound

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« on: March 24, 2008, 01:21 AM »

Yes I imagine it gets asked quite a bit in this forum. I am a keyboardist by trade and a friend came over this weekend and really wants to learn to play the drums. I have no clue on how to advise him on what he needs to do. We discussed the matter and came up with guidelines and some preliminary questions. Rather than have a complete drum idiot like me advise him, I figured I would ask you fine people who obviously know and understand.

First off he is 40 years old. He is concerned that he is too old to learn but I told him that shouldn't be an issue, right?

Another thing he wanted to know, is it ok to learn from a video course as opposed to a teacher. I figured a live teacher is better but he is short on cash so a video course would be better financially for him. Any recommendations?

He also has an issue with the noise of drums. Not exactly the easiest thing to overcome. He has the opportunity to house a set of electric drums but we are both concerned that learning on electric drums would be a bad thing? Any thoughts or insights here?

Anything you could suggest or help with would be truly appreciated. He did play the piano as a kid so he does have some musical references but he's really a true beginner. Thanks alot in advance for any help!


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Larry Lawless

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2008, 08:20 AM »

Sounds to me like your advice is very good.

Never too old to learn. That's what keeps you alive. It may be too old to start a career as a Rock and Roll star, but learning the drums for enjoyment and working into weekend gigging can happen at almost any age. The youngest student I've started was 7, the oldest, 68.

A face to face teacher would be best, but Bart Elliott, the DrummerCafe founder gives video lessons that several of our members take advantage of. Having played with Bart in a professional setting, I recommend him highly.

Acoustic drums have a feel that electric sets can't duplicate (the top end Roland sets come close) but if that's what he can get and noise levels are an issue, it's better than nothing. I usually recommend a rank beginner start out with just a single practice pad and pair of sticks and work on the hands first, but if this electric set is an opportunity he needs to take advantage of now, jump on it.

I'm sure others here will chime in with more.


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felix

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first class all the way :-)

Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2008, 05:13 PM »

Mid life crisis can be so much fun Grin

Subsequently, we are all short on money but he is just cheating himself if he doesn't hook up with a teacher. It's a hobby and hobbies cost money! If he wants it bad enough he can afford to take a lesson or two a month.

Acoustic drums are a different animal and take alot more time to get a great sound from but that is the thing, time; and when one is 40 time is precious. Cool

So an electric kit is a good solution for some people. Grin

But all the more reason to take lessons and spend time on an acoustic kit also. I don't think a beginner should play electric drums, but that is my opinion. He can make an acoustic kit relatively quiet and play accordingly. They also make "Sound Off" brand pads that quiet down kits also. It will be good for him to learn the tuning and dampening techniques for his needs! Also money saved buying just a kick, snare, hat and ride/crash could equate into more drum lessons.

It is also about the journey, not the destination. So the sooner the journey is started the sooner he's "a drummer" at heart.


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silverdragonsound

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2008, 10:37 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys. Your perspectives are a bit different from the other things I've been told and I really appreciate the insights you shared and I will rely them to him. The mid life crisis comment is priceless!


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Zig Zag

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2008, 11:41 PM »

Quote from: silverdragonsound on March 24, 2008, 01:21 AM

First off he is 40 years old. He is concerned that he is too old to learn but I told him that shouldn't be an issue, right?

Well, not a big enough problem that he can't overcome it. He may struggle more, at first, because the human brain does have a problem with developing new neural pathways, after the age of 30. But, maybe he's a natural? The age thing shouldn't be that big of a deal, but he may just have to be extra patient.

Quote from: silverdragonsound on March 24, 2008, 01:21 AM

Another thing he wanted to know, is it ok to learn from a video course as opposed to a teacher. I figured a live teacher is better but he is short on cash so a video course would be better financially for him. Any recommendations?

I wish I could tell you. I've watched quite a few lessons on youtube, and have found them very useful, but I don't know what it would be like as a beginner.

Quote from: silverdragonsound on March 24, 2008, 01:21 AM

He also has an issue with the noise of drums. Not exactly the easiest thing to overcome. He has the opportunity to house a set of electric drums but we are both concerned that learning on electric drums would be a bad thing? Any thoughts or insights here?

Electric sets are perfectly alright to learn on. I think electric sets are fun, and I enjoy the control over sounds and volume. He'll be just fine learning on one.

Quote from: silverdragonsound on March 24, 2008, 01:21 AM

Anything you could suggest or help with would be truly appreciated. He did play the piano as a kid so he does have some musical references but he's really a true beginner. Thanks alot in advance for any help!

Play sssllllooooowwwww, in the beginning. Too slow. More than likely, he'll burn out on playing, due to not sounding like Keith Moon within a couple months. It'll be up to you to push him to keep going. Good luck.


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Chris Whitten

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2008, 01:01 AM »

1) Not too old
2) A real teacher is best, a video course is an ok compromise, but could leave the student struggling for clarification in some areas.
3) Acoustic drum/drums are best in the long run IMO, but an e-kit/practice pad is an ok compromise.


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Roger Beverage

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2008, 10:35 PM »

One on one with a good teacher is best. Adult beginners are likely to feel that all beginning lesson material is geared to kids and will often try to "second guess" the instructional system whatever it is. Even a few beginning lessons and an occasional follow up is better than going it alone.

Also kids have tons of time for practice and adults will have to understand that practice time is the most important thing and that they will have to make that time available if they want to succeed.


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Loubuntu

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2008, 03:10 AM »

I'm 48 and I started learning to play the drums less than a year ago ... never played an instrument before. I have lots of books and I spend a fair amount on DVD's. Even though these are quite helpful it seems to me that an experienced teacher who can tell you how to use the material, who can correct and advise you on posture, stick handling and of course technique and musicality will achieve your goals quicker, as long as those goals are realistic.

For sure it is more difficult to learn something new at an older age ... but it certainly isn't impossible, my strokes are more even, I get faster, I get a better feel for time and independency (this to me is the most difficult part) and I'm enjoying myself a lot, which to me is the whole point. It is easy to get frustrated too. Watching a video from a kid like the one on YouTube with Hannah Ford (who I believe is a member here) makes me wonder if I not use my sticks in a better way ... put them in a fireplace so that everyone can enjoy the warmth for a couple of minutes. Just kidding, I love to practice and watch video's. Keep it up Hannah, I have a 16-year old son who I think is in love with you

.

Me ... I'm on sort of a quest for a teacher, the first one talked to me like I was one of his 12-year old students, I don't know why ... I really do look older. My second teacher was a great drummer but I was looking for more of a plan, instead of the 2-weekly question "What shall we do today?". Next week Friday I have a lesson with another guy ... lets see, maybe he's the one ... my personal Yoda who can show me the force. And if he isn't the one either I will continue my quest ... until I find the secret door to all knowledge (I expect to find it somewhere in the back of an Amsterdam coffee shop ... where by the way you can't get coffee, as I emphasized on in another message). I hear the question you're asking me ... why look further if everyone knows that the answer to everything is 42.

Enjoy your sunday ...

Lou


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robyn

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2008, 11:07 PM »

Quote from: felix on March 24, 2008, 05:13 PM

I think Felix has said it best here. I've also started as an adult, and feel that after 3 years I am far ahead of where I would have been if I'd spent the same amount of time trying to learn it all from videos and books. The drummer I switch off with is a kid who is pretty much self-taught. In the year he's been playing with us, he has gone from being a complete novice to a very slightly-better complete novice. Whereas I've shot up a bunch from where I was a year ago. And guess who gets asked to play when a new band forms? (one reason why I haven't been here much--3 bands takes up some practice time during the week)

There is NOTHING that can take the place of a good instructor.

robyn


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Chip71

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2008, 10:16 AM »

First of all, he should take lessons. If he was to find another beginning kid who would teach him, you could both grow together. Learn to hold your sticks the right way, use a real practice pad and get the drum rudiments down. I'm not a fan of electronic drums, accoustic drums will teach him how to tune them. He should learn to play a snare drum first, then move on as he gets better. Age is only an excuse, I'm 60 and learning all over again. Even tho I was forced to quit because of an auto accident, it's not going to stop me. I've got a statement on the bottom that says it best. "When you quit learning you start dieing." Wink


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Dan BNE 91

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Re: Learning to play the drums

« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2008, 06:31 AM »

I am thinking like Chip though at only half his age Wink

I am starting all over again after a ten year lay off. I can still play but the great thing about drums is that one is always learning.

I will be forever trying to master the simple idiom "less is more". I once read somewhere that Gadd is still learning how to just blend in so that nobody notices the drums - though how the great one hides I will never know. For me anyway it's all about learning and always improving the grooving - frustrating as hell but fun all the same Cool

The key is to enjoy it.