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Learn to Play Drums - More Top Tips for Beginners!

When I started to learn to play drums way back in the 60’s it was at a time when live music was all the rage with the pop scene. I was fortunate in that my father was the manager of a very popular dance  hall  situated in Tottenham North London with a resident group the “Dave Clark Five” and the “Johnny Howard Dance Band” .

I was introduced to the drummer in the dance band and he offered to give me lessons and boy was he good, a real musician who could not only play but also site read music. So not only did I get to see the “Dave Clark Five” play and rehearse their first big hits “Glad all Over” and “Bits & Pieces” but I got to learn to play drums in the classic traditional style from a great teacher. This helped me tremendously and taught me to understand the rudiments of music and to play in different styles , which enhanced my drumming experience.

How to hold the sticks - Most modern drummers tend to hold the sticks in the matched grip with the palms turned down and the sticks held in the hands by the thumb and first fingers, but the traditional method is for the left hand to be held palm up with the stick laying across the palm underneath the thumb and between the 2nd & 3rd fingers. I believe this promotes far more control and dexterity from the wrist and allows greater versatility as you improve you skill.

Rudimentary Exercises - When you start to play any instrument you need to play exercises that will  increase the dexterity and suppleness of the wrists and fingers. The drums are no exception and I would recommend practising the following exercises.

Playing 4 beats to the bar alternate between left and right hand for 4 bars and then reverse to right and left hand like this //LRLR//LRLR//LRLR//LRLR//  //RLRL//RLRL//RLRL//RLRL//. Each stroke should be of the same weight. Start of very slowly and gradually increase the speed.

The Paradiddle - This a great exercise for strengthening the wrists and improving left and right hand co-ordination and needs a lot of practise to perfect, but is well worth the effort in the long term.

Again play 4 beats to the bar for 4 bars and then reverse as follows:- //RLRR//LRLL//RLRR//LRLL//  //LRLL//RLRR//LRLL//RLRR//. Start very slowly and gradually increase the speed and then when you feel able try and double the speed to 8 beats to the bar.

Don’t forget that the drums drive the rhythm and timing for the rest of the band and it is essential that a good drummer, apart from anything else, can keep perfect timing, just like a metronome.

If you want to see a truly great classical style drummer in action take a look at Buddy Rich at the Hague on YouTube.

About the Author

I would like to invite you to visit my musical toy review site to look at the latest and most appropriate musical toys for children of various ages. All of the toys reviewed have to meet my own specific criteria based on age range, suitability, features, customer reviews and value.

To find out more visit: http://musicaltoyreview.blogspot.com

ProLine Play Drums Today! (DVD) $14.95 ProLine Play Drums Today! (DVD)

Proline Play Drums Today! (Dvd) $14.95 ProLine Play Drums Today! (DVD)

Let's Play Drums $16.99 A set of five drums to stack and nest or to play music. Children will love these soft sounding drums. The panormic scenes on each drum let children see daily ;ife in cultures and times both near and far. Drum sticks included. Gender: Unisex Age: Child

Alfred Teach Yourself to Play Drums Book with CD $23.95 Alfred Teach Yourself to Play Drums Book with CD

ProLine Play Drums Today! (Book/CD) $9.95 ProLine Play Drums Today! (Book/CD)

Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! DVD $14.95 Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! DVD

Proline Play Drums Today! (Book/Cd) $9.95 ProLine Play Drums Today! (Book/CD)

Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! Dvd $14.95 Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! DVD

Alfred Teach Yourself To Play Drums Book With Cd $23.95 Alfred Teach Yourself to Play Drums Book with CD

Play Drums Now! (DVD) $34.29 This instructional video featuring drummer/instructor Rick Petrie will help viewers learn to play the drums with these basic techniques. Learn drum set up, matched grip stick holding, single and double stroke rolls and other rudiments, fills, playing the "backbeat," and more.

Play Drums Today! Beginner's Pack $19.95 (Book/CD/DVD Pack). Drums. Play Today Instructional Series. Beginning. Book & CD & DVD Package. 48 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

The Drums $60 The Drums

Play Drums Today! Songbook $12.95 Play Today Instructional Series. Softcover with CD. 40 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

Play Drums Now (DVD) $20.93 A step by step-by-step lesson covering all aspects of playing including hand technique, rhythm, foot technique, new beats, drum fills and more. Cast List: Toni Canelli (Pres/Narr) Running Time: 90 min

Play Drums Today (DVD) $9.93 A self-teaching method designed to offer quality instruction and music examples. Running Time: 66 min

Learn to Play Drums $9.99 For beginners who want to rock this software teaches you to read music and perform with proper technique. Step-by-step interactive lessons show exactly how each song should

Play Drums + Bass $13.99 K. Records:183

Alfred Learn To Play Drums $12.99 Type: Learning Version: Standard Operating Systems Supported: Windows & Mac OS Packaging: Retail Features: For beginners who want to rock, this software teaches you to read music and perform with proper technique. Step-by-step, interactive lessons show exactly how each song should be played, let you control the speed of the music, mix accompaniment parts and record yourself performing. Ages 8-adult.

Ultimate Play-Along for Drums $39.11 This book/CD package has been developed so that the beginning to intermediate drummer can practice in a wide range of styles along with all-star musicians Mike Stern on guitar and John Patitucci on bass. The styles covered include straight eighths, shuffle (blues), sixteenth-note feel, hip-hop (jazz funk), pop ballad, reggae (shuffle), and rock. Contains perforated "road map" charts for each tune.

Learn to Play Drums With Metallica $23.07 This great book/CD pack includes everything you need to know to start drumming - using the music of Metallica to help you learn! Features instruction on the basics, rhythm, grooves and fills, and 31 of Metallica`s best songs: Eye of the Beholder * Fade to Black * Jump in the Fire * Master of Puppets * Nothing Else Matters * One * Ride the Lightning * Seek and Destroy * The Unforgiven * Until It Sleeps * Welcome Home (Sanitarium) * and more! The CD includes demonstrations of each exercise.

Should I Play the Drums? $18.48 No Synopsis Available

Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! - Level 2 (Book/CD) $9.95 Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! - Level 2 (Book/CD)

Music Sales Play Drums With The Best Of AC/DC (Book & 2 CD's) $22.49 Music Sales Play Drums With The Best Of AC/DC (Book & 2 CD's)

Mel Bay Blues Drums Play-Along Trax Book & CD $14.95 Mel Bay Blues Drums Play-Along Trax Book & CD

Hal Leonard Play Drums Today Pack (Book/CD) $19.99 Hal Leonard Play Drums Today Pack (Book/CD)

Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! Level One (Book/CD/DVD) $19.95 Hal Leonard Play Drums Today! Level One (Book/CD/DVD)

Hal Leonard Latin - Big Band Play-Along Vol. 6 Drums $13.49 Hal Leonard Latin - Big Band Play-Along Vol. 6 Drums

Hal Leonard Learn To Play Drums With Metallica Book and CD - Volume 2 $15.95 Hal Leonard Learn To Play Drums With Metallica Book and CD - Volume 2

Hal Leonard Learn to Play Drums with Metallica Book/CD $14.95 Hal Leonard Learn to Play Drums with Metallica Book/CD