Beginning Drums -

[The Shadow]

I'm looking at learning to play the drums for a variety of reasons.

Foremost, it seems like everyone needs a drummer, always. I've played guitar for about 15 years now and can always seem to find a guitarist or press-gang someone into playing bass but have never attempted percussion. I literally don't know the first thing about drumming, not even how to hold the stick.

I'm looking at one of the electronic kits for storeability and quietness, but I still don't know much about them. Someone I trust recommended I get a Roland kit if I go with electronic drums (and that's fine, I've had Roland pedals before and know that what they lack in tone they make up for in durability). He also recommended I try some and check them out but...I don't really know what to do when I'm sitting at a drum kit.

Or, should I go for an acoustic set since I can get a decent Ludwig or Gretsch kit for about the same as an entry level Roland? Storage and practice time could be more of a problem but I don't need to simulate a big kit or have a million different sounds. A decent kit that would suitably play heavy rock styles (let's say, adequate for stuff like Zeppelin and Maiden) would be fine with me.

Does anyone have any good free resources or videos to check out? Should I look into scheduling a lesson or two to see if I'm into it? What do I need to know?

Or should I just invest my money in more guitar gear and say fuck it, I don't need a drummer.

 

[ThePurpleProse]

Check this guy's channel, you gonna have to dig but I remember videos of him talking about drums, the "recommended" channels are also interesting.

 

[NOT Sword Fighter Super]

Learn to play this:

 

[Graffiti canvas]

1) Acoustic drums ALWAYS trump electronic kits.
2) Acoustic drums are the shittiest piece of equipment to haul around and set up, even worse than a PA.
3) Use an electronic kit to practice with. Use an acoustic set to actually inflict your hamfisted poundings on other people in a collaborative effort. If you show up to practice with an E-kit and a 100 watt, 12" keyboard amp to plug it into, you're automatically disqualified.

 

[eldri]

Get these books then practice everything in them.

- Accents and Rebounds for the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence Stone
- Stick Controls for the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence Stone
- 4-Way Coordination by Marvin Dahlgren
- Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed

If you're poor, there are pdf versions of these books on the internet

Another great source for advice is /mu/. Although they always have guitar threads, they sometimes have drum threads with tons of advice.

I used to use Reddit for advice on music but, since everyone just jerks each off there instead of having scathing criticism between each other, I find the communities pretty useless.
I need someone to call me a faggot before I take their advice seriously.

 

[The Shadow]

I appreciate the responses, although I've kind of been thinking while looking at just how much is involved in drumming that maybe I should just use drum samples for my music projects? I don't know, it's always daunting starting something from zero.

 

[drtoboggan]

Remember Keith Moon. Blowing up toilets makes you a better drummer.