Drums Lessons in North End. Amazing Teachers.

Want to learn to play the drums? Nervous about the first lesson? Read on as San Diego, CA drum teacher Maegan W. shares what you can expect from a great first lesson...    Drums are an art form, and like all art forms, there are as many styles and techniques as there are people. Each and every instructor has his or her own unique way and style of teaching. The key to learning and progressing as rapidly as possible is finding a teacher that you can relate to and understand. A g

When you're learning to play drums, you may have a lot of questions about what gear you need to pursue your new passion. Here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. breaks down the best drum set brands.  So, you have decided to take drum lessons. Congratulations! With all the gear out there, you may feel a bit overwhelmed with all the choices. This guide will help you make a more informed decision in your search for your first set of drums. This guide will compare acoustic and electric (E-

When you're learning drums it's important to develop different aspects of your style to be a better overall musician. Here, drum teacher Tracy D. breaks down the snare drum basics, to help you develop your technique...  The snare drum is one of the main voices of the drum set.  Developing your snare drum skills will help you be a better all-around-drummer. Let’s go over anatomy, grip, and snare drum basics, and try some exercises to help you develop dexterity and dynamic control. Ana

Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate drummer, you may have aspirations to perform or play with a band. Here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. shares five important steps to help you take your drumming skills to the next level... Taking your drumming from the practice room to the stage requires a whole new set of skills. You have to learn to play in tandem with others to develop a certain sound and feel. While playing drums on stage requires a lot of practice and experie

Want to get the crowd moving at the next party you play? Besides your drum skills, it also helps to have a killer set list. Get everyone on the dance floor with this list of awesome party songs from San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W... You gotta fight…..for your right….to PARTY! Drummers definitely hold the rep for being the biggest partiers in any band. We're wild and crazy, and we like to make a lot of noise, so I guess the shoe fits. Speaking of parties, no event is co

As you advance in your drum lessons, you will want to take on more complicated drum patterns and grooves. Here, Federal Way, WA drum instructor Kendra M. explains how you can learn to play complex drum patterns... Complex drum patterns can be intimidating for new drum students. Take this "tricky" groove for example: Even though this groove sounds complex, there are actually several ways to break patterns like this one down into manageable parts. Before you know it, you'll be

Are the drums your favorite instrument? It’s no surprise that you want to learn how to replicate the complicated off-beats and insane rolls you hear your favorite drummers pull off with ease. After all, the drummer is the backbone of the band, the foundation on which all other musicians build their music. But is it possible to teach yourself drums, or should you hire a professional instructor? Use this guide to get started and make that decision for yourself. Buy a Drum Set Before you can

Curious about drum lessons, but worried you're too old to get started? As it turns out, there are several benefits that even older adults can glean from learning how to play. Learn more in this guest post by Edmond, OK drum teacher Tracy D... If you are considering learning to drum as an adult, you may have a few questions, among which might be, "Will I be any good?", "Am I too old?", or "Is it too late?" Perhaps you've heard that one can only attain proficiency at an instrument if he or she

If you're new to the drums, should you focus on drum music from one particular genre -- or explore several different styles? Here, Decatur, GA teacher Paul S. shares his advice...   It’s a thrilling time to be a musician, let alone a drummer. 2015 will continue to reveal the trend of a brave new world, a world where one person can record a fantastic album alone in their bedroom and a viral musical sensation can blow up overnight. While capitalizing on Internet success may occasionally

As you progress in your drum lessons, you will learn to play more advanced drum patterns. Here, Federal Way, WA drum instructor Kendra M. shares some exercises to help you play 16th-note drum fills...  When you create a four-fill beat, the possibilities are endless. Many beginning drummers, however, tend to rely on the same pattern every time they play a one-measure solo. One of the first fills most drummers learn on a five-piece kit moves from snare drum down through all three toms as f

Playing the drums can be a ton of fun - and it’s certainly a popular instrument to learn, as is clear by the number of drum tutorials you can find online. Like anything else on the Internet, however, you really have to be careful about the sources you’re learning from. It's far too easy to learn things incorrectly, and some bad habits can be very difficult to break! When it comes to drum techniques like your grip, it can be particularly detrimental to learn incorrectly, and may even lead to

Parents play an important role in drum lessons for kids. Help your child be successful with these tips from music teacher James W... If you're lucky enough to have a child who is blessed with a gift for music, then you should do what you can to nurture that talent. What's most important for kids, however, is interest. If your child expresses an interest in drum lessons, do what you can to help him or her follow this passion. The Best Time to Start What's the best time to start drum l

When you're learning to play drums, you may want to explore other options to practice your craft besides spending money on an expensive drum set. Here, San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W. shares some creative ideas to help you build your own drum set.... Have you ever thought about building your own drum set? Maybe you'd like to save a few bucks and build your own drums instead of shelling out money on an expensive drum kit. Or, maybe you're super crafty and you would just like to

Ready to start playing drums? Learning how to play can be exciting and rewarding - but there are a few things that you should do before you dive in headfirst - you'll be glad later on that you've taken a few steps to prepare for playing drums down the road. Here are four steps to take that will keep your drumming skills strong for years to come: Find a Qualified Drum Teacher This is one of the most important steps, and just so happens to be the first one you'll need to do! The key is to find

If you want to add some deep, booming sounds to your drum solos, then you need to develop your bass drum technique . Here, Saint Paul, MN drum instructor John S. shares his five keys to help you improve your bass drumming skills... The bass drum is the heart and soul of the drum set. If you've ever been to a rock concert or blasted the radio in your car, you know that the bass drum is the drum that you actually feel. The bass drum is important, it's often up to the bass drum to

So you or your child has started taking drum lessons and now you need to buy some gear. Not sure which set is the best one for you? Don't worry, you're not alone. Here, drum teacher Maegan W. shares her tips for buying your first drum set... "Which drum set should I buy?" is such a common question for new drummers.  Whether it's  for yourself, your child, or someone you know, the first drum set can make a world of difference in a beginning drummer's journey. There are a few things to

Learning to play the drums means new equipment, new skills, and new terminology. Here, San Diego, CA drum teacher Maegan W. breaks down some basic drum terms so you can walk the walk and talk the talk... Whether you're new to the drumming world or you're a seasoned pro, these drum terms are the ABC's that every drummer should know. But before you dive into the list of drum sound terms below, get some inspiration by checking out this video of drumming techniques - you’ll be grooving i

Drum tabs are an abbreviated, simple form of musical instruction used in place of traditional sheet music for drummers. Many modern musicians and music students prefer to use this kind of tablature because it's easier to write and easier to find. Instead of looking for sheet music in the music store, for example, you can simply go online and find thousands of drum tabs for all your favorite songs. In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know about drum tabs - how to read them, h

You have to practice drums if you want to improve, but how can you make your practice time more productive? Here, Rosendale NY drum instructor Alan S. shares his strategy to help you create an effective drum practice routine... Progress does not always happen in a straight line. During my years playing drums, I've been through periods of quick improvement, as well as darker times of actually getting worse. I've also been through phases of staying at the same level: In my case, instead of

As you progress in your drum lessons, you will want to learn some more challenging drum songs. Here, San Diego drum instructor Maegan W. shares her list of songs that will take you beyond the beginner stage and help you advance to an intermediate drummer... Are you tired of playing drum songs for beginners? Are you looking for some songs to play that aren’t too easy, but aren't super challenging, either? Well, look no further. If you're a drummer trying to boost your skills, here are m

If you want to improve as a drummer, you have to practice! But how can you make your practice time more productive? By working on specific drum exercises, you can strengthen your weaknesses and work on important aspects of drumming that will improve your technique. You’ll find below a collection of rhythmic patterns that develop your drumming coordination and independence. In this article, we’re going to take a look at a wide range of exercises that are fantastic for beginner drummers

How long does it take to learn drums? Find out the reality in this guest post by Seattle, WA drum teacher Mason L... Many of my new drum students ask me this question a few weeks into their lessons: “How long does it take to learn the drums?” The answer to that question depends on what you’re trying to get out of drumming. If you want to master a few songs and beats, it might take a couple months; if you want to be reliable and confident enough to be in a band, it might take a year

Beginning drummers often have questions about how to hold drum sticks. Traditional grip or matched grip, which one is better? Here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. explains the mechanics of each drum grip so you can decide which one is right for you... There are essentially two different ways to hold drum sticks: traditional grip and matched grip. Both techniques are expressive and fun to use. If you're wondering how to hold drum sticks, first you should get a better understanding

Learning to play the drums is not something you can do in a single day or a single lesson. Drumming is an art form, in many ways, and it takes time to develop. Beginner drummers can get frustrated easily, but stick with it and you’ll be playing the drums (and playing them well!) sooner than you might think. While private lessons are the quickest most efficient way to learn to play, you’ll also need to practice at home to really develop your talent. Combine this with the right drum books, and

With so many music styles and genres, it can be hard to make a list of the absolute best drum songs. Plus, everyone has their own opinions on which songs are the best. Since it's impossible to make a definitive list of the best drum songs, drum instructor Maegan W. put together this list of 10 must-know songs. Check out the list and let us know what you think... For this article, when I talk about the best drum songs, I'm referring to the signature songs that every drummer should know how

Music is a universal language capable of transcending age, race, and nationality regardless of any existing language barriers that exist between them. At the heart of many types of music is a steadily beating drum, which maintains an even meter and allows the melodies and harmonies to soar. Some form of drumming tradition exists in nearly every culture around the world, meaning just about everyone has the chance to enjoy some of the surprising health benefits of drumming. Take a look at the bene

Want to eventually land your dream drumming gig? As you learn to play the drums, setting goals from the very beginning will help you get on the right path. Read on for helpful tips from San Diego, CA drum teacher Maegan W...   We’ve all heard about goals before, right? We’ve heard the 1979 Harvard study that showed only 3% of the MBA graduates had written down their goals, and that they earned 10 times more money than those who didn’t have goals at all, and earned twice the amount o

Not sure if your son or daughter is ready to start drum lessons? Want to know the perfect age for a child to learn drums? Here, Saint Paul, MN drum instructor  John S. explains the best way to determine if your child is ready for drum lessons... When your child is interested in taking drum lessons, you may ask yourself: "is my child ready to learn drums?" The short answer is there is no standard, perfect age for a child to begin music lessons. There are pros and cons to starting a

Excited to learn the drums? If you've opted for in-home lessons, check out these pointers from teacher Lauren P. to make the most of your time...   If you are nervous about how to prepare for your first drum lesson, relax -- your lack of experience makes you the perfect student. Remember that teachers get nervous as well. They don’t want you to be an expert who doesn’t need their help. They want you to be friendly, interested, and willing to listen to their advice. When you sign up

When you're learning drums, it's important to get in the right mindset before a lesson or practice. These drum warm-up routines from San Diego, CA teacher Maegan W. will help you focus, and get your body ready to play...  The way you warm up effects the way you play. A good drum warm-up routine will keep you in shape and help you keep your skills up to speed. It will help you focus your mind, and prepare your body for an effective practice or a killer show. There are many different drum

As a drummer, you need to be able to master and internalize different rhythms. Here, San Diego, CA teacher Maegan W. shares a few rhythm games for kids that both teachers and parents can try...   We all know that learning anything is much easier if it is fun, right? Well this is especially true for kids. In order to make learning to play the drums a lasting experience for kids, we need to come up with ways to make them WANT to play. So I’m going to share my top secret four rhythm game

Want to take your drumming to the next level? Learn how to write drum fills. Here, Chicago, IL drum instructor Michael P. shares his three simple steps to create powerful drum fills... As a a drum teacher, I hear a lot of questions about drum fills. Drum fills are great additions to spice up a song and show off your chops, but when you sit down to write a fill, it’s easy to end up scratching your head and asking yourself, “what do I do now?” So next time you find yourself

Do you want to learn how to play drums but aren't quite sure where to begin? On top of wondering, “How do you play the drums?” you may be asking questions like, “What are some easy drum songs?” or, “How can I learn to play with a band?” This guide will get you pointed in the right direction! Like most tasks in life, the first steps are often the most challenging. Just by finding this guide, you’ve demonstrated that you have an interest in playing the drums and a determinati

No matter where you're at with your drumming - if you're just sitting down at your set, or you've had a couple of drum lessons - there are lots of ways you can start getting familiar with basic drum beats for beginners. Between talking to your friends, checking out resources on the Internet, and working with your teacher, you can get all kinds of helpful information. You can get started even with just your hands, feet, and a desk! To begin, this article will give you an introduction to placing

Whether you've just started learning drums or you've been playing for years, there's a lot you can learn from watching some of the most famous drummers. We know you’re listening to their music, but are you listening to their expertise? Take a page out of the books of these famous drummers, you will definitely learn a thing or two... Topper Headon (The Clash) Adaptability: The flexibility to change or be changed in order to fit or work better in a given situation. Known as "The

  As a rock drummer, you may feel like you’re always being called on to play the same beat. And let’s face it, playing the old bass-snare-bass-snare groove can get pretty boring. But don’t worry - here, drum instructor Michael P. has three drum beats you can use to give your songs some extra kick...   1. The Jungle Beat In the Erlang Kovata song "Death of the Sun," I use this drum fill in the middle section for a groovy breakdown that contrasts nicely with the he

Ready to learn how to be a better drummer fast? Look no further than this post. So you're taking drum lessons and learning some new skills, but now you're wondering how you can progress and take your drumming to the next level. Here, music teacher James W. shares his tips to help you sharpen your technique and improve your skills... As a drummer, you have the most important job in the band, besides songwriting. You show the guitar player and the bass player where the groove should

When you're learning to play drums there is a lot of new gear to acquire. A drum set or practice pad, and of course drum sticks. Here, Edmond, OK teacher Tracy D. explains the different types of drum sticks, and breaks down which drum sticks are the best...  Your drum sticks are your tools of the trade, and as time goes on, you will acquire more drum sticks in your arsenal. So which drum sticks are the best? This gear guide will explore drum stick structure and application, and teach yo

Looking around at used drum kits? Buy with confidence with the following tips from Lancaster, OH drum teacher John S...   When you've decided that it’s time to buy a drum set, the most important considerations in my opinion are why the kit is being purchased, the kit configuration, and the condition of the drums. You'll also want to think about the pros and cons of buying used vs. new gear. I’ll now explain these points in more detail. Please note that although this article’s focus

Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate drummer, good hand-eye coordination will help you develop accuracy and control. Here are some tips from music teacher Tracy D., to help you improve your hand-eye coordination... When you're learning drums, you need to watch and sense where your hands are in relation to the kit. It's easy to let your hands outrun your field of vision, and this can result in sloppy execution. Pay attention to your hands; make sure they land in the right place,

Every drummer has to start somewhere, and every experienced drummer remembers what it was like to be a beginner. In our Drummers Stick Together series, veteran drummers share their personal stories of learning drums, developing their craft, and following their dreams! George Beck is a touring drummer and drum teacher. He played with his first band when he was 14, and he is now the drummer for Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter Katie Barbato and Dirty Holiday. George, a.k.a Beckbea

If you have dreams of playing the drums like Keith Moon and Sheila E., you’re likely going to need to dedicate years of practice. However, that’s not to say you can’t make significant progress in just a few weeks if you commit yourself to learning and practicing. To help you improve your drumming skills, we’ve outlined a guide of the best drum practice routines and tips for taking your music to the next level. Follow our advice, and be sure to practice every day to start seeing a

Thinking about signing up for beginner drumming lessons? Read on as teacher Lauren P. guides you through five helpful questions to help you prepare...   Maybe you are obsessed with your local rock and roll band or maybe you are mandated to join the school band. Whatever your reason, consider asking yourself these five questions before taking beginner drumming lessons. What is my end goal? Before deciding to learn the drums, ask yourself honestly what your end goal is. Do you have to joi

Are you thinking about learning drums? There are several excellent reasons for both adults and children to learn drums. Here, Philadelphia, PA teacher Andrea I. shares the top 10 benefits of drumming... What Are The Benefits of Learning Drums? Are you on the fence about drumming? Maybe you’re trying to decide between a few different instruments. Let’s take a look at what the research says about the top reasons to play drums. Reduce stress Increase academic performance Boost brai

Keeping your drums in tune is essential for your sound. Here, Seattle, WA drum teacher Mason L. shares his advice for how often you should be tuning a drum set... Anyone who has ever played a drum set knows that, in order to sound good, each drum needs to be tuned to the right pitch. Just like with any other musical instrument, it is important to have your drums properly tuned so that they will blend together and create a cohesive sound. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of how

When you're learning drums, it's important to find fun and easy ways to practice on the go. Grab your smartphone because here, Edmond, OK drum instructor Tracy D. shares her picks for the best mobile apps for drummers... App developers have certainly made great tools available for musicians, and a few fantastic apps for drummers. So whether you're a beginner or an intermediate drummer, here are 11 smartphone apps you should download, now! Drum Set apps These smartphone apps

So you want to sound like Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses or Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath during your first drum lesson? It's a great goal to have, but you'll need to be patient at first! Learning the drums is a process, and sometimes a long one at that. Are drums hard to learn? That really all depends on you. But if you set yourself up for success in the right ways, you’ll speed up the learning process and reach your goals that much sooner. Learn with a Teacher You can bang away on your

Finding the best electronic drum set for you may take some research and savvy shopping. Here are some helpful tips from Rosedale, MD teacher Theresa D...   Are you a beginning drummer, a drummer that is looking for something different, or a composer looking to add some beats tracks to a song? Well, buying an electronic drum set may be the answer that you are looking for -- but there are many different drums to choose from. Here are some tips for buying the best electronic drum set for you

When you're learning to play drums you will find many artists you want to emulate. This is a great way to get started, but eventually you will want to develop your own drumming style. Here, San Diego, CA drum teacher Maegan W. shares her tips to help you develop your own unique style... When it comes to learning drums, what is style, and how do we develop our own drum style? Read on for the answers to these important questions. When you think about any drummer who has made a name for h

If you just started learning drums, you may feel a bit intimidated when it comes to reading drum charts and drum tabs. The good news is, you're not alone. While it may seem daunting now, with a little practice you'll be able to understand and read drum charts and drum tabs with ease. To help you get started, here's an easy-to-follow beginner's guide from drum instructor Tracy D... Drum charts, drum tabs, and drum notation are all terms you'll come across when you're learning drums. This i