How long could it take to be a good drummer.

bjmy

Junior Member
I just started taking drum lessons for about a month, but only once a week. I just got my own drumset (it's electronic, can't use an acoustic in my apartment) and I practice everyday for at least 3hrs, if not more. I'm just wondering how long it'd take for me, or my muscles to get the hang of everything.
 
Depends what you mean by good drummer. If you mean get independance in your limbs then you should gain that after a few months. :)
 
Yes I mean independence in limbs too, and good drummer, I'd say Dave Grohl, or Taylor Hawkins. I don't know that many drummers but I'm hoping to be in a band, and I'm only 16 so I guess I have some time I just wish I'd started younger.
 
Yes I mean independence in limbs too, and good drummer, I'd say Dave Grohl, or Taylor Hawkins. I don't know that many drummers but I'm hoping to be in a band, and I'm only 16 so I guess I have some time I just wish I'd started younger.

Your actually at a great age to start. The only thing that will be holding you back is what you allow to hold you back.
 
Nice to know that, and I'm wandering if me using ankle weights while practicing will improve my bass speed.
 
Ankle weights are a waste of time and they may lead to damage to your achilles tendon. You aren't weight lifting. Get your pedal,adjusted and play it that way. Join the school band or orchestra and learn to read music. Playing with a group is the best way to prepare for playing in a band. Set realistic goals, practice rudiments, and have fun.
 
You will never be a "good" drummer. Hell, even the masters practice hours a day to become "good".
Drums aren't like learning how to tie your shoelaces, you don't "learn how to play the drums" then never practice again.
Join your school's band, take lessons, watch all the videos on here, practice, and realize that you are in for a LONG ride (don't worry, it's fun though :p).
 
At the moment im thirteen and ive playing drums for about 5 years and its only recently in the last year or so i wanted to do it professionally as a sesion drummer or somthing, So im starting to do things that will make me a "Better drummer" over time like, Writing down my bmp of the main rudiments and i practise it everyday and at the end of every month a write a new time down and stuff like that.......

So i think the answer to that question is what do you think is a good drummer ?? It's a bit of a wide thing to ask but i would say, when your happy with how you play!

But you will never stop learning on the drums that is what so great about it !!!
 
Hey bjmy,

The comments here have been right on. You never stop learning. That's what has made all the great drummers great; they were always seeking ways to improve their playing and learn new things.
I just wanted to add that you should not worry AT ALL about starting so young. For example, I 'discovered' that I could play a few years ago..when I was 30! Ever since then I just absorbed everything drum that I could. I'll never think that I have learned enough..there's just so much cool stuff out there to learn if you keep an open mind. I eventually got a teacher which I would highly recommend to anyone playing drums. It's good you are starting out with one; we all need that outside influence to correct us and challenge us as we learn. Just keep seeking ways to better yourself; learn different styles, find a drummer you really like and check out their records. Learn how or why he did different things. Your teacher should be able to help you trascribe some cool grooves or fills you like. Playing with other people will help a lot too. I found an open-mike blues jam where I used to live and I currently play in the worship band at my church.
By the way, congratulations on becoming a drummer. Welcome to the family! You will find tons of resources to help you all over the net...the best of which can be found on this site.
 
Remember that every day you have to ask yourself this question again and again. If you once are able to answer this question with "Thus far", something is wrong I`d say.
Of course after a big amount of time (to sum it up roughly) you`ll be considered a good drummer by other professionals, other experienced musicians and the listeners generally and not just other drummers will consider you good, then musicians in general will do that...but your self should never be on that level where you stop developing yourself because you`re happy with your playing, sound etc.

It also means to develop your character and not just your sound.
It`s endless, like socialisation. Actually, that`s a part of it...

Karl
 
I just started taking drum lessons for about a month, but only once a week. I just got my own drumset (it's electronic, can't use an acoustic in my apartment) and I practice everyday for at least 3hrs, if not more. I'm just wondering how long it'd take for me, or my muscles to get the hang of everything.

I have been playing for 27 years and I still want to be considered a "good drummer"!!!!

www.wolvesatthedoor.net
 
I know people that are "Good" at many instruments, not necessarily because they know the most material or are the most technical, but their playing is confident and they are aware of the elements of what they are playing. There is no time frame, everyone has a different learning curve and different musical affinity. Just play and have fun.
 
I'm a good drummer. Good enough? Not yet.. I've been practicing new things every day trying to make myself better. When I do solo clinics, I always show people what I can't do as part of my closing, to show that I'm always working on becoming better at my craft. How long have I been practicing? It will be 50 years in March.
 
Good is a subjective term. You should only compare yourself to yourself. Are you better now than you were 2 months ago? If so that means you're improving, which is a necessity if you want to become better. I know musicians (some guitar and bass players spring to mind) that haven't improved AT ALL in the 5 years I've been exposed to them. That sucks. Rather than focusing on being "good" try focusing instead on "what compelling rhythm can I put across with this drumset?" I read about drummers wanting to improve chops and such, and that is fine, but there is a more basic component that is sometimes overlooked, and that is the rhythmic aspect of our chosen instrument. If you don't have that great idea for a rhythm that will soothe the song and move it forward, all the technique in the world doesn't mean diddly squat. You can have terrible technique but a great rhythmic feel and be a way better drummer (in my mind) than the guy who can play 32nd notes with his forehead but has no compelling rhythmic sense whatsoever. Try and tune in and feel out what a really great rhythm would be for what you are playing, and let your limbs follow suit. So to sum it up, a great rhythmic idea trumps just about anything out there, in my opinion.
 
Depends on how much you practice, and how well you practice. Also, there is a matter of just natrual talent. Plus a musical background can help too. Age can also help. I started playing when i was 6 or 7, and my friend just started playing about 3 years ago. After about one year, he was at the level that i was when i was 10 or 11 years old.
 
Everybody's learning curve is different, so is everybody's definition of "good". Dave Grohl with Nirvana wasn't very "good" in my book but he was competent, solid and called himself a "minimalist"- that's a fair description. Most importantly, i'm sure he had fun doing what he was doing. Would i trade my vastly superior skills for his accomplishments and notoriety as drummer for the most inluential band of the '90's?
Uh... yeah... DUH?
 
Everybody's learning curve is different, so is everybody's definition of "good". Dave Grohl with Nirvana wasn't very "good" in my book but he was competent, solid and called himself a "minimalist"- that's a fair description. Most importantly, i'm sure he had fun doing what he was doing. Would i trade my vastly superior skills for his accomplishments and notoriety as drummer for the most inluential band of the '90's?
Uh... yeah... DUH?

Have you heard him play with Scream, pre-Nirvana? The guy was pulling off pretty authentic and well-played reggae beats and played a very nice drum solo (for a rock guy) on their live album. I don't remember Dave calling himself a "minimalist", but he certainly was. That's pretty simple since he plays rock and roll and not Chick Corea. Perhaps if Dave was swayed to get into jazz, he'd pick it up... in my opinion. Dave might be one of the best rock drummers of my generation and if you have any doubts whatsoever, you might check out "Pick of Destiny" by Tenacious D. That's some SERIOUS rock drumming that includes some nice double-bass and metal playing.
 
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