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Learn How to Play the Drums: The 9 Key Elements for Drum Kit Mastery

The original question for this drumming article tip came from "Daryl" (thanks Daryl). He had just purchased a drum kit and wanted help in order to focus his "learning voyage" (one that really never ends!). Since this is such a difficult question to answer from a "how long does it take" perspective, I decided to answer by defining "the major areas" I feel are necessary to master in order to become a solid professional drummer.

Nine Key Elements to Learn the Drums

1). Professional instruction: It is extremely important to learn the basics first, and correctly; like how to hold your sticks, how to setup/tune your drums, how to read music, and how to play the rudiments. Learning to read music is essential since it will allow you to play in pit bands and in any type of freelance paying situation. But being able to read music will also allow you to continue to practice and improve on your own - using the many great drumming books available on the market (especially classics like those from George Lawrence Stone, Jim Chapin, and Gary Chaffee). Drumming DVD's are great tools, but they just can't take the place of learning how to read music. And regarding drumming rudiments, I feel that you should learn at least the 26 primary rudiments (there are another 13 that would be good to learn as well). Not only will learning the rudiments help you with sticking, but they can be used as a tool for double bass drum playing, and for playing patterns between your feet and hands (for developing many types of rhythms and solos). So, the knowledge and usage of the rudiments also leads to the development of independent coordination between your hands and feet - which is so essential in drumming.
2). Learn to play with SOLID time and feel: Do this by practicing along with a metronome at differing tempos. As for me, I use up to three metronomes for many practices (running at different tempos). This may sound odd - and can be. But I do this to move quickly from one tempo to as a focusing exercise, AND, to work on polyrythms (typically with 2 going at one time then). Nonetheless, always remember that "keeping solid time and "feel" is STILL a drummers' #1 responsibility".
3). Control "the band's" tempo: Even as other people or sections get ahead or behind the beat, the drummer is still the band's "master of time". So learn how to stay on tempo and also how to nudge a person or section back into the groove when you feel "time drifting". This mainly occurs when playing live (due to adrenaline), or when there are stage volume issues that inhibit everyone from hearing each other properly. When playing along with a click track or sequenced part (in the studio or live) maintaining time is not very difficult - as long as you can deal with the click track or sequenced part!
4). Learn to "use" musical phrasing. A musical phrase is simply a verse, a chorus, or a bridge (etc.) in a song. You need to be fully aware of where all phrase transitions occur since a good drummer can dramatize the end or beginning of a phrase by a drop out, a fill, a change in dynamics or just by continuing the basic beat with a slight wrinkle of some key. Today's pop country music writers and artists use song structure and phrasing masterfully. So, you might want to check out cuts from some of the top artists to see what I mean. Also, you should apply phrasing ideas without stepping all over the vocals or other instrumental parts. To accomplish this, you must at least "know" a songs' lead vocal part and sing it in your head as you play (if the song has a vocal part!). Better yet, you should be able to play and count (both in beats and measures) as you play (with or without a chart) - so you know where you are at all times.
5). Play drum fills "in-time": This is one of the biggest errors I hear in young drummers. It's also another excellent reason why you should practice with a metronome or Drumometer when first learning the drums (or, as you learn new fills). Typically, most drummers tend to play ahead of the beat as they fill. When you are using a metronome though, you will hear this tendency, and be able to correct the error of your ways!
6). Learn where to add fills "tastefully": You may find that you want to add "marker" fills in certain transition areas between certain phrases. If so, make it a rule to never get in the way of a lead singer or soloist by adding complex fills or cymbal crashes while they're playing. This is not considerate, not "playing for the song", and is not playing drums musically. It's also considered "over-playing" and it will not impress your band mates or any producers!
7). Don't listen to one drummer, or one style of music exclusively: If you do, you'll end up limiting your versatility and likely end up sounding more like a clone. Instead, work to achieve your own "playing style". And this will only happen if you draw off of many drummers, play many musical genres, and play creatively. If people come up to you and say, "Man, you sound a lot like "so and so", then you are not heading in the right direction.
8). Learn how to create (orchestrate) your drum parts if you are playing original music: If you listen closely to most well-produced songs, you will notice subtle changes to the drum part(s) as the song progresses. Being able to do this yourself will result only after learning all the basic skills of your instrument. Then can you begin to take your "understanding the song" in its entirety, and approach your playing creatively. Being a creative drummer is the ultimate of what you are working towards. It is so VERY important. If you ever get involved with talented song writers/original artists you MUST be creative so you can ADD to the song. This point is also where and how you will end up developing your own style!
9). Develop an ability to "listen to", "understand", and react to what is happening around you while playing: Once again, for this you need to know your instrumental skills completely and be able to "play in the moment". This type of creative capability is needed especially when you are spontaneously playing Jazz, or when "jamming". When you can do this, you'll find yourself playing "off of" an interesting line that a bass player or another musician who is playing. Once again, you want to be able to do this tastefully. When you are all playing like this, this is what musicians call, "playing in the zone". It's a great feeling - like you're all playing and creating on auto-pilot.

Once you've mastered this list of drumming hurdles, you will have earned the right to consider yourself "a player". This is because you will be both practicing and playing the drums with "intent" and "musicality". And this is EVERYTHING.

A side note: I realized I had gotten to a high creative skill level when a non-musician at a performance (who wasn't drunk) gave me the best compliment I've ever received. He said, "I don't know much about music man, but you don't "hit the drums", you "play" the drums." I'm sure not a perfect drummer, but you can't beat that comment from a non-musican...

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