Learning to play the drums can be a fun and exciting hobby, but getting started can be difficult for some drummers- especially those who are very young or have never played an instrument before. Like other fun hobbies, such as surfing, acting, or skateboarding, drumming requires a certain level of practice and commitment before your child can fully enjoy its benefits. You can help your child minimize the pain and maximize the results by taking some of the below drumming tips into consideration.
Prepare Your Practice Space
Typically, drumming doesn’t go hand-in-hand with building good relationships with your neighbors so, unless you plan on moving sometime in the near future, you should do everything you can to reduce the noise. Some solutions are quite inexpensive and easy, while others may require a bit more time and effort. For example, you could invest a couple hundred bucks on a set of practice pads or upwards of a thousand dollars for a complete electronic drum kit. If your child prefers to play a “real” drum set, or if you don’t have the cash for an expensive electronic kit, you can always soundproof the space and communicate with your neighbors. Once your child feels comfortable practicing whenever they like, their skills are sure to improve.
Set a Schedule
If your child isn’t the type to practice self-discipline, setting a consistent practice schedule could be in his or her best interest. Keep in mind that a half an hour a day will do more for your child’s progress than three hours once a week, and that an hour a day is even better than thirty minutes. But, at the end of the day, don’t set unrealistic goals, as overwhelming your child can be a recipe for disappointment. While some music teachers prefer for their students to practice every day, four or five practice sessions a week should suffice, especially if your child is in enrolled in other extracurricular activities. If you’re having trouble keeping your child motivated, learn How to Motivate Your Child to Practice.
Get a Lesson Plan
Although there are plenty of lesson plans available online, the best resource for lessons plans is your child’s teacher. Not only do they know your child’s skill level, but they’re also aware of your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Typically, online lessons plans are a one-size-fits-all solution, while those created by your child’s drum teacher will be personalized in nature. So, whether you enroll your child in group lessons, head to the local music studio for private lessons, or find a teacher for your child on Music & Arts, professional music lessons are the absolute best place for your child to learn how to play the drums. Plus, many studios will cover music theory during lessons, which could help your child if they ever decide to try a different instrument.
Practice Good Form
Once you’ve created a safe space for your child to drum in, you should work with them to build proper form. In many cases, learning how to sit will make the difference between good and bad drumming. In general, drummers should always sit up straight with their drum throne situated high enough so that when their feet are on the pedals their knees make an angle of 90 to 100 degrees. Not only will this help your child produce better sound, but it will also eliminate unnecessary strain on your child’s body. Once your child is sitting correctly, have him or her practice holding their drumsticks. While there are three main styles of gripping drumsticks (matched, traditional, and French), most drummers choose and stick with one. Once your child starts taking lessons, they should be able to find a gripping style they prefer.
Develop Your Child’s Ears
As a parent, an important thing to remember is that not all lessons are learned in the classroom. Similar to the way your child may learn math skills at the grocery store, he or she could improve their drumming skills by watching other drummers perform and picking up on their techniques and style. If your child is old enough to have a favorite band or musician, catch them live or find a live performance on DVD. If there’s space in your child’s practice area, set up a small TV and a DVD player near their drum set so they can watch the videos and play along. It’ a great way for your child to improve their drumming skills while letting loose and having fun.
Practice with a Metronome
Since a drummer’s main job in a band is to keep time, practicing without a metronome can actually hinder your child’s drumming. After all, if a drummer can’t play a solid drum beat or roll on time, then how are they supposed to lead a band? If your child seems resistant to playing with a metronome but enjoys playing songs they already know, then have your child play along to their favorite songs. Most songs recorded professionally are on time, so your child can always play along to their favorite band than a monotonous click track. Just make sure your child doesn’t become too distracted- this tip works best for students who are comfortable with the instrument and have played with a metronome before.
The last tip is perhaps the most important of them all- make sure your child is having fun! While learning an instrument isn’t always the easiest thing in the world, it should at least be fun the majority of the time. Ultimately, let your child play when they want to play – especially if it’s more often than their practice schedule- and you might just find that they’re playing more often than you thought they ever were. If your child doesn’t seem to be having fun or complains about playing the instrument, perhaps you should consider switching them to a different instrument. After all, drumming isn’t for everyone!
Curious about which drumsticks you should purchase? Check out How to Choose Your Drumsticks.