Newbie Drummer from Ontario, Canada

[Prohidium]

At the ripe age of 59, I have decided to try to learn how to play the drums. I purchased a Yamaha DTX452K "starter kit" a week ago and have played for a couple of hours with getting it set up and comfortable. So far so good and the set seems quite solid. I set up my old iPhone with a USB adapter and installed the DTX402 app and tweaked the hi-hat and some volumes of the individual pieces. Everything now plays the way I want. Quite amazing actually.

Currently I am just banging away as I really have no musical skills. I have managed to figure out and play 1/8th hits on the hi-hat closed, kick on 1 and 3 and snare on 2 and 4 and can keep that going for a bit before I fall apart. Interestingly, after only a few hours of banging, it is starting to feel normal doing that particular beat. It will grow from there!

I am currently looking online for first lessons, rudiments and so on. Prior to last week I had no clue about drums other than hi-hat, snare and base drum. Now I know what a ride and crash symbol are and the different sounds they make as well as the 3 tom-tom drums.

My overall goal was to find something to keep my brain and coordination working, provide some overall body exercise and have FUN!

[NathanE]

Check out Drumeo. Very well structured foundation course and lots of other stuff.

[jimorlando]

Welcome to the forum. Playing drums is a great hobby. Consider taking some private lessons at least to get started so you don’t develop any bad habits that you will have to unlearn down the road. Drumeo is also a great resource. Make sure you’re practicing with a metronome at least some of the time. Most important, have fun!

[John.b]

Sounds like you are getting started the way a lot of us did. I have been playing since 1963 and never had a lesson in my life. Just the watch and listen technique. Mind you, got to see a lot of great bands that way but there ya go, its all different now what with YouTube etc. Don't go bogging yourself with rudiments and reading mate. Do all the fun stuff first. This from an old timer. Have fun, that's all that matters.

[Prohidium]

Thanks everyone. I am already watching the training videos put out by drumeo. I may sign up for the full package. I am going to check out drumroll as well. After a couple of weeks of banging away I am already regretting not starting this much sooner. I picked up a used Behringer keyboard amp so that I can also play without headphones too. Having a lot of fun already!

[jimorlando]

Sorry, my mistake in spelling Drumeo so nothing to check out for drumroll.
I have a Behringer amp as well but it’s a little heavy for me to schlepp around.
Glad you’re having fun.

[Prohidium]

Sorry, my mistake in spelling Drumeo so nothing to check out for drumroll.
I have a Behringer amp as well but it’s a little heavy for me to schlepp around.
Glad you’re having fun.

Yes, could not find anything training related for "drumroll". Figured that out after searching a few times! The Behringer is definitely heavy..

[dennisdoubleu]

Focus on stick grip/handling and ergonomics first. That will determine your long-term success. Force yourself to do it right, from day one. Good luck and enjoy!